Oscar Worthy Books

Well, I’ve finally recovered my Olympic fever and it’s already time to start thinking Oscars. With the Academy Awards ceremony taking place this Sunday, we’ll have a couple of Oscar inspired stories leading up to the big event, including a huge, red-carpet worthy beauty scoop we can’t wait to share!

But we’re not talking about my makeup addiction today, instead we’re indulging my reading obsession with a list of Oscar worthy books just in time for the big event. If you’re looking for your next book club selection, need to pick up some tidbits for lulls in conversations at that Oscar party you’re attending, or have of love of books and film, we’ve got a few book recommendations for you!

Books that Inspired Oscar Worthy Films:

The World According to Garp – This John Irving novel will always have a special place it my heart. Like all Irving stories it’s full of unforgettable characters, unpredictable (sometimes tragic) plot twists, a wacked out but completely loveable and relatable family and heart warming relationships (I still cry every time I read this book). The 1983 movie scored Best Supporting Actor and Best Supporting Actress nods for John Lithgow (as transgender, pro football player Roberta Muldoon) and Glenn Close (bringing just the right amount of warmth and no-nonsense nurse as Garp’s pre feminist Mom). It’s a novel (and film) that will be treasured for years (even if some of the 70’s era feminism reads a bit dated today).

The Cider House Rules – If you have already read Garp, why don’t you try another Oscar favorite based on an Irving novel? The 1999 film, the Cider House Rules garnered 5 nominations (including Best Picture) and netted Oscar statuettes for Michael Caine (Best Actor in a Supporting Role, and one for Mr. Irving himself (Best Writing, Based on Material Previously Published). Fans of the film will receive a fuller understanding of the characters and their actions and discover some plot twists and characters that didn’t make it to the film version.

Little Children – As a fan of Tom Perrotta (if you haven’t read and viewed Election, add it to your list) I was pleased to see him spread his wings a bit and write beyond the college years. Still, angst is abundant in this novel and you will soon see just who are the Little Children in this tale as immaturity, selfishness and bad decisions surround the cast of flawed, oddly sympathetic characters. The superb film received three Oscar noms; Best Sporting Actor (Jackie Earle Haley), Best Actress (loved Kate Winslet in this role) and Best Writing, Adapted Screenplay (Todd Field, Tom Perrotta).

All the President’s Men – I just reread this fast paced, thrilling novel from Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein for the first time since college. At first, a little burglary at Democratic Headquarters seems almost quaint, but you will soon be riveted to the detailed, chronological investigation of these two detemined journalists. Their dogged pursuit of the story lead to one of the US’s biggest sandals and the resignation of a President. The 1976 film stars the ever gorgeous Robert Redford as Washington Post reporter Woodward teaming up with Dustin Hoffman as partner Bernstein. The film was up for 8 Academy Awards and walked away with 4, including Best Supporting Actor (Jason Robards) and Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium (William Goldman).

Rebecca – Here’s a classic that you may have yet to read or see. Yet once you’ve experienced Rebecca, (paraphrasing the much quoted opening line) you may find yourself dreaming of Manderley, the lush English country estate where the story takes place. The Daphne Du Maurier novel, like the film, is full of intrigue, mystery and suspense (it’s a Hitchcock film after all) with a plot that moves at just the right pace leading to a couple shocking reveals. The film received 11 nods and won 2 for Best Cinematography, (Black-and-White Category – sigh) and the biggie, Best Picture.

Up In The Air – This novel is one of four books that served as the inspiration for a Best Picture nominee in 2010. I enjoyed the wry, sweet and slightly smug film and I’m looking forward to getting my hands on the book from Walter Kirn. This one has mixed reviews from the readers at Amazon, so I can’t wait to see the source material for the well-received film. Have any we heart this members read this book?

Three additional Best Picture nominees began life as a book. If you are rooting for any of these films this Oscar Sunday, you may want to check out the book:
The Blind Side (Evolution of a Game) by Michael Lewis
Push (the novel that became Precious) by Sapphire
An Education by Lyn Barber

As a bonus, I asked my Mom (she’s both a big biography reader and a Hollywood buff) to share her favorite bios and memoirs about Oscar winning and nominated actors. Take it away, Mom!

Pickford: The Woman Who Made Hollywood by Eileen Whitfield. Mary Pickford rocked! Seriously, this Best Actress winner was so ahead of her time and was a very savvy businesswoman. If those who came after her had followed her lead, women would be kicking more butt at the box office!

Get Happy: The Life of Judy Garland by Gerald Clarke and Me and My Shadows : A Family Memoir by Lorna Luft. I have two favorite books on the life of this two time Best Actress nominee. I love the first book because it covers the good times and not just the drama of Judy’s life. The second, Lorna Luft’s book about her mother really gives you a personal sense of the woman and her family. Plus you actually end up liking Sid Luft, her second husband. Or maybe that’s because he’s Lorna’s dad . . . nah.

Natasha: The Biography of Natalie Wood by Suzanne Finstad. This is my personal favorite of all the books written about this beautiful woman since her tragic death. There are others that are more lurid . . . but most of them read like a tabloid.

Filed in: read, watch, listen

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