Yann Martel’s Life of Pi spent 57 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list after its publication in 2001. More than a decade later, a film version of the novel opens in theaters on Nov. 21, capturing on the big screen the surprising story of a boy stuck in a lifeboat with wild animals. Blending Pi’s adventures of the mind and spirit with his incredible physical journey, the book is a holistic coming-of-age story that connects with a wide range of readers and audiences. If you haven’t yet read the mysterious and alluring Life of Pi, make sure to catch up before the movie premiers this month.

Baz Luhrman, who directed two of my fav movies- Strictly Ballroom and Moulin Rouge, will turn next to F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic, The Great Gatsby. Leonardo diCaprio will play Nick Carraway, a Midwesterner now living on Long Island, who finds himself fascinated by the mysterious past and lavish lifestyle of his neighbor, Jay Gatsby played by Tobey Maguire.

Never read the book? Or is sophomore English a dim memory? Plenty of time to refresh your memory since the movie will be out at the end of the year.

On CD

On digital audio file

Playaway

Book

2012 will bring some beloved books being transformed into movies. Might be worth giving them a re-read just to see how the movies compare.

Great Expectations -  Charles Dickens wrote about the orphan, Pip, and the convict, Magwitch, the beautiful Estella, and her guardian, the embittered and vengeful Miss Havisham, the ambitious lawyer, Mr. Jaggers — all have a part to play in the mystery. Ralph Fiennes stars as Magwitch in this 2012 release along with Helena Bonham Carter as Miss Havisham. Information about the movie.

Lorax – a Dr. Seuss favorite about saving the trees comes to the big screen in 2012 voiced by Danny DeVito as the Lorax and Ed Helms as the Once-ler.

Les Miserables is an adaptation of the successful stage musical based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel set in 19th-century France, in which a paroled prisoner named Jean Valjean seeks redemption starring Anne Hathaway and Hugh Jackman. Don’t forget to listen to the beautiful music from the stage production.

The American adaptation of Stieg Larson’s book, Girl with the Dragon Tattoo will be released later this year. Take a look at the first trailer -

Read it before you watch it.