Read: The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger, then watch the movie. I like that the movie differs slightly from the book, but for a good base understanding of the story, read the juicy novel first. I really enjoyed reading The Devil Wears Prada years ago, and I loved the movie just as much. Whether you are interested in the fashion industry or not, this book may be one of the best beach reads I have yet to find. And then, of course, for a fun movie night with girlfriends, you really can’t go wrong with the film version of the book. Also, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt, and Stanley Tucci. You can’t go wrong with that cast. The sequel, Revenge Wears Prada, was recently released (after 10 years!), and I can’t wait to read it. Weisberger really captures interesting details of the fashion world which is always an indulgent pleasure.
Read: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, then watch the movie. From the second I started The Da Vinci Code, I could already envision what the movie would look like. The book itself reads like a movie (and the movie unfortunately plays out too much like the book), and Brown vividly captures every detail that it feels like you are actually solving the murder mystery with the main character, Robert Langdon, instead of just witnessing it. The movie, on the other hand, was just not as captivating as the book. I would say that it is worth seeing because Tom Hanks is in it, but if you have to choose between the book and the movie, find a nice big comfy chair and start flipping those pages. As I said before, the book is filled with clear imagery that you can pretty much see the movie in your imagination.
Read: Eat, Pray, Love: One Woman’s Search for Everything Across Italy, India, and Indonesia by Elizabeth Gilbert, and then watch the movie. Before you get too excited that Julia Robert is the star of this film, slow down and pick up the book, which is far more inspiring and emotional than the movie conveys. The book, which reads like a diary, really connects the soul in a beautiful and magnetic way. While Gilbert’s book carries the spiritual weight, the movie wins for its stunning visuals. From the food in Italy to the prayer in India to the love in Bali, the movie shows off such gorgeous scenery that you’ll want to rewind certain scenes over and over again. That said, for the emotion and depth of the story, read the book, but for the visual journey, watch the movie.
Have you read/watched any of these books/movies? What do you think: read or watch first?
P.S. My first Read Then Watch.
