Different Seasons by Stephen King is a collection of four novellas, three of which became acclaimed films. More impressive than the adaptations is King's departure from horror, showcasing his talent for dramatic fiction. Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption became The Shawshank Redemption, Apt Pupil was adapted into a 1998 film, and The Body became Stand by Me (one of my favorites). King has cited The Shawshank Redemption and Stand by Me among his favorite adaptations. A must-read for King fans.

This is a quirky fantasy book with likable main characters. I found the story engaging and wanted to turn the pages to find out what happened next.

The book was one of the few I've read twice (because as you know, there are so many books, so little time!) and I must say the filming locations and the elephant were just beautiful. And the star-studded cast did not disappoint. Julia Roberts and Javier Bardem (Chemistry?? Yes!!), along with Richard Jenkins, Viola Davis, and James Franco, made for a notable page-to-screen adaptations that I enthusiastically recommend. Librarian tip: Fuel your imagination by reading the book first.

This is my favorite story. It's whimsical yet down to earth. The book by Diana Wynne Jones and the film by Japanese animator Hayao Miyazaki are very different, yet both are stunning storytelling. Visit the land of Ingary, where hats can bespell the wearer, a fireplace might answer one's questions, and a door can lead to four different countries. If you enjoy your travels, "Castle in the Air" and "House of Many Ways" continue the journey.

A grand adventure that tests the strength of each character. A battle against evil, and a hope for a better world. The movies do a great job capturing the books on screen.

My absolute favorite book-to-film adaptation is the 1963 version of "To Kill a Mockingbird" starring Gregory Peck (swoon). My dad introduced my sisters and I to this movie when we were young, and although it was a black-and-white film, we understood the themes to be important and were saddened and angered by the story's events just like everyone else. We also related to the innocent summer adventures of children in a small, rural, Southern town. It's a perfect film!

Have you ever wondered what it would be like if you could re-write history? That's what the authors of this book (& series!) did-starting with the story of Lady Jane Grey. It's a comedic & not at all true story of what happened when Jane became Queen of England for a grand total of nine days. Amazon even adapted it into a series that was equally amazing (even if they did cancel the show after one season).