finally I sat down in 77 or 78 I worked for about 18 months straight pages piled
for about 18 months straight pages piled
for about 18 months straight pages piled up about this high from the written word
up about this high from the written word
up about this high from the written word to movie theater mania welcome to
to movie theater mania welcome to
to movie theater mania welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting
watchmojo.com and today we’re counting down our picks for the top ten books
down our picks for the top ten books
down our picks for the top ten books that should be movies for this list
that should be movies for this list
that should be movies for this list we’re looking at the most fascinating
we’re looking at the most fascinating
we’re looking at the most fascinating stories that have not yet been adapted
stories that have not yet been adapted
stories that have not yet been adapted on the screen we’re focusing solely on
on the screen we’re focusing solely on
on the screen we’re focusing solely on novels and are not including short
novels and are not including short
novels and are not including short stories or comic books of any kind
stories or comic books of any kind
stories or comic books of any kind number 10 the secret history Donna Tartt
number 10 the secret history Donna Tartt
number 10 the secret history Donna Tartt the writing is spectacularly superb I
the writing is spectacularly superb I
the writing is spectacularly superb I have been enjoying every single sentence
have been enjoying every single sentence
have been enjoying every single sentence of this book this 1992 page-turner
of this book this 1992 page-turner
of this book this 1992 page-turner inspired scholars to stroke their beards
inspired scholars to stroke their beards
inspired scholars to stroke their beards with delight the secret history
with delight the secret history
with delight the secret history chronicles the psychological turmoil of
chronicles the psychological turmoil of
chronicles the psychological turmoil of six elite college students after a
six elite college students after a
six elite college students after a murderous deed and contains all the
murderous deed and contains all the
murderous deed and contains all the elements of a classic Greek tragedy time
elements of a classic Greek tragedy time
elements of a classic Greek tragedy time to say who was the most influential but
to say who was the most influential but
to say who was the most influential but honestly it was probably the it was it
honestly it was probably the it was it
honestly it was probably the it was it was probably my early reading of Homer
was probably my early reading of Homer
was probably my early reading of Homer and the Greek write traditions with a
and the Greek write traditions with a
and the Greek write traditions with a confession opening the novel an
confession opening the novel an
confession opening the novel an unreliable narrator reflects back and
unreliable narrator reflects back and
unreliable narrator reflects back and allows the reader to ride shotgun as the
allows the reader to ride shotgun as the
allows the reader to ride shotgun as the violent actions are explained
violent actions are explained
violent actions are explained it’s a classic why done it ripe with
it’s a classic why done it ripe with
it’s a classic why done it ripe with suspense and begging to be adapted on
suspense and begging to be adapted on
suspense and begging to be adapted on the screen well number nine tales of a
the screen well number nine tales of a
the screen well number nine tales of a fourth grade nothing Judy Blume Lee
fourth grade nothing Judy Blume Lee
fourth grade nothing Judy Blume Lee Hatcher he’s got one little problem
Hatcher he’s got one little problem
Hatcher he’s got one little problem and his name is he’s a human tornado
and his name is he’s a human tornado
and his name is he’s a human tornado remember those days when your worst
remember those days when your worst
remember those days when your worst problem was your bratty little brother
problem was your bratty little brother
problem was your bratty little brother if so then you and Peter have something
if so then you and Peter have something
if so then you and Peter have something in common
in common
in common fudge was actually based on my son Larry
fudge was actually based on my son Larry
fudge was actually based on my son Larry when he was a toddler he wasn’t as a
when he was a toddler he wasn’t as a
when he was a toddler he wasn’t as a rageous as fudge I mean it’s fiction you
rageous as fudge I mean it’s fiction you
rageous as fudge I mean it’s fiction you know the first in Blum series of fudge
know the first in Blum series of fudge
know the first in Blum series of fudge novels about Peter Hatcher and his
novels about Peter Hatcher and his
novels about Peter Hatcher and his brother Farley Drechsel also known as
brother Farley Drechsel also known as
brother Farley Drechsel also known as fudge tales of a fourth grade nothing
fudge tales of a fourth grade nothing
fudge tales of a fourth grade nothing jumps off the page with vivid characters
jumps off the page with vivid characters
jumps off the page with vivid characters good-natured humor and
good-natured humor and
good-natured humor and double stories about sibling rivalry you
double stories about sibling rivalry you
double stories about sibling rivalry you know all the pores in your seat this is
know all the pores in your seat this is
know all the pores in your seat this is not a kennel even you are not a dog
not a kennel even you are not a dog
not a kennel even you are not a dog again
again
again appropriate for kids and adults alike
appropriate for kids and adults alike
appropriate for kids and adults alike the story remains relevant even over
the story remains relevant even over
the story remains relevant even over four decades after it was first
four decades after it was first
four decades after it was first published and like all of the author’s
published and like all of the author’s
published and like all of the author’s books this novel covers themes central
books this novel covers themes central
books this novel covers themes central to growing up and that’s something we’ll
to growing up and that’s something we’ll
to growing up and that’s something we’ll never get too old to watch on the big
never get too old to watch on the big
never get too old to watch on the big screen fudge you will eat your cereal or
screen fudge you will eat your cereal or
screen fudge you will eat your cereal or you will wear it this was turning out to
you will wear it this was turning out to
you will wear it this was turning out to be fun after all
be fun after all
be fun after all number eight the corrections Jonathan
number eight the corrections Jonathan
number eight the corrections Jonathan Franzen an adaptation has been in the
Franzen an adaptation has been in the
Franzen an adaptation has been in the works for years but Hollywood cannot
works for years but Hollywood cannot
works for years but Hollywood cannot seem to connect the dots for this
seem to connect the dots for this
seem to connect the dots for this memorial of American life in the 20th
memorial of American life in the 20th
memorial of American life in the 20th century The Corrections explores the
century The Corrections explores the
century The Corrections explores the moral decline of three Midwestern
moral decline of three Midwestern
moral decline of three Midwestern siblings and the mental health of an
siblings and the mental health of an
siblings and the mental health of an old-fashioned patriarch unwilling to
old-fashioned patriarch unwilling to
old-fashioned patriarch unwilling to embrace a brave new world sure looked
embrace a brave new world sure looked
embrace a brave new world sure looked like family life was there really
like family life was there really
like family life was there really anything amiss here but the clinical
anything amiss here but the clinical
anything amiss here but the clinical depression of the man peering in
depression of the man peering in
depression of the man peering in Franzen’s National Book Award winning
Franzen’s National Book Award winning
Franzen’s National Book Award winning novel caught the anxious mood of post
novel caught the anxious mood of post
novel caught the anxious mood of post 9/11 American culture even though it was
9/11 American culture even though it was
9/11 American culture even though it was released less than two weeks before the
released less than two weeks before the
released less than two weeks before the attack and could translate to movie
attack and could translate to movie
attack and could translate to movie magic under the right direction please
magic under the right direction please
magic under the right direction please correct this problem Hollywood and
correct this problem Hollywood and
correct this problem Hollywood and identify the solution I’m not writing
identify the solution I’m not writing
identify the solution I’m not writing for people in two hundred years I’m
for people in two hundred years I’m
for people in two hundred years I’m trying to create books that that the
trying to create books that that the
trying to create books that that the people can connect with based on the
people can connect with based on the
people can connect with based on the experiences they’re having right now
experiences they’re having right now
experiences they’re having right now number seven
number seven
number seven Hyperion Dan Simmons sci-fi readers have
Hyperion Dan Simmons sci-fi readers have
Hyperion Dan Simmons sci-fi readers have been trembling with anticipation for
been trembling with anticipation for
been trembling with anticipation for decades and drooling at the idea of this
decades and drooling at the idea of this
decades and drooling at the idea of this Hugo award-winning story finally hitting
Hugo award-winning story finally hitting
Hugo award-winning story finally hitting the big screen the first book of Simmons
the big screen the first book of Simmons
the big screen the first book of Simmons Hyperion cantos Hyperion is set in a
Hyperion cantos Hyperion is set in a
Hyperion cantos Hyperion is set in a parallel world with both time travel and
parallel world with both time travel and
parallel world with both time travel and an exponentially advanced internet
an exponentially advanced internet
an exponentially advanced internet network not to mention oddities such as
network not to mention oddities such as
network not to mention oddities such as a creature that impales surprised
a creature that impales surprised
a creature that impales surprised pilgrims on metal trees now that’s
pilgrims on metal trees now that’s
pilgrims on metal trees now that’s something that was made for 3d it’s only
something that was made for 3d it’s only
something that was made for 3d it’s only a matter of time until Hyperion
a matter of time until Hyperion
a matter of time until Hyperion merchandise hits the streets and your
merchandise hits the streets and your
merchandise hits the streets and your local movie theater prepare yourself
local movie theater prepare yourself
local movie theater prepare yourself why haven’t they made
why haven’t they made
why haven’t they made into a movie and then did research found
into a movie and then did research found
into a movie and then did research found out the Graham King had the rights and
out the Graham King had the rights and
out the Graham King had the rights and that James Cameron played toyed with it
that James Cameron played toyed with it
that James Cameron played toyed with it with Leo for a while and then he decided
with Leo for a while and then he decided
with Leo for a while and then he decided to make avatar number six rendezvous
to make avatar number six rendezvous
to make avatar number six rendezvous with Rama arthur c clarke the author of
with Rama arthur c clarke the author of
with Rama arthur c clarke the author of this 1973 sci-fi classic co-wrote
this 1973 sci-fi classic co-wrote
this 1973 sci-fi classic co-wrote Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 a Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 a Space Odyssey
Stanley Kubrick’s 2001 a Space Odyssey but an adaptation of this mesmerizing
but an adaptation of this mesmerizing
but an adaptation of this mesmerizing work remains out of reach with a
work remains out of reach with a
work remains out of reach with a futuristic setting aboard a space vessel
futuristic setting aboard a space vessel
futuristic setting aboard a space vessel twelve miles in diameter and 34 miles
twelve miles in diameter and 34 miles
twelve miles in diameter and 34 miles long rendezvous with Rama mixes human
long rendezvous with Rama mixes human
long rendezvous with Rama mixes human explorers with alien robot hybrids
explorers with alien robot hybrids
explorers with alien robot hybrids massive skyscrapers an interior see and
massive skyscrapers an interior see and
massive skyscrapers an interior see and a mysterious island if that’s not enough
a mysterious island if that’s not enough
a mysterious island if that’s not enough material for a Hollywood screenplay then
material for a Hollywood screenplay then
material for a Hollywood screenplay then we are living in dark times
we are living in dark times
we are living in dark times let us rendezvous with Rama in glorious
let us rendezvous with Rama in glorious
let us rendezvous with Rama in glorious 3d rendezvous with Rama was one of best
3d rendezvous with Rama was one of best
3d rendezvous with Rama was one of best science fiction books ever and and and
science fiction books ever and and and
science fiction books ever and and and it’s been picked at over the years
it’s been picked at over the years
it’s been picked at over the years people to borrow a lot of stuff from it
people to borrow a lot of stuff from it
people to borrow a lot of stuff from it but the essence of rendezvous with Rama
but the essence of rendezvous with Rama
but the essence of rendezvous with Rama is still there number five the Dark
is still there number five the Dark
is still there number five the Dark Tower series Stephen King the man in
Tower series Stephen King the man in
Tower series Stephen King the man in black fled across the desert and the
black fled across the desert and the
black fled across the desert and the gunslinger followed anyone who’s read
gunslinger followed anyone who’s read
gunslinger followed anyone who’s read this vast legend by one of our
this vast legend by one of our
this vast legend by one of our generations most popular and prolific
generations most popular and prolific
generations most popular and prolific authors knows those as its opening words
authors knows those as its opening words
authors knows those as its opening words with elements of fantasy horror and the
with elements of fantasy horror and the
with elements of fantasy horror and the Old West this 8th volume series would
Old West this 8th volume series would
Old West this 8th volume series would crush at the box office as the
crush at the box office as the
crush at the box office as the protagonist and last member of the
protagonist and last member of the
protagonist and last member of the gunslingers roland deschain would be a
gunslingers roland deschain would be a
gunslingers roland deschain would be a career-making role for any actor the
career-making role for any actor the
career-making role for any actor the magical setting guarantees visual
magical setting guarantees visual
magical setting guarantees visual splendor and the fictional language
splendor and the fictional language
splendor and the fictional language known as high speech would create a
known as high speech would create a
known as high speech would create a special audio tapestry on screen HBO and
special audio tapestry on screen HBO and
special audio tapestry on screen HBO and Warner Brothers have both been attached
Warner Brothers have both been attached
Warner Brothers have both been attached to a cinematic reconstruction however we
to a cinematic reconstruction however we
to a cinematic reconstruction however we may first see an adaptation of Kings
may first see an adaptation of Kings
may first see an adaptation of Kings novel The Long Walk
novel The Long Walk
novel The Long Walk directed by frequent collaborator Frank
directed by frequent collaborator Frank
directed by frequent collaborator Frank Darabont when you sit down to write a
Darabont when you sit down to write a
Darabont when you sit down to write a book do you know how vast its universe
book do you know how vast its universe
book do you know how vast its universe is going to be when you settle into it I
is going to be when you settle into it I
is going to be when you settle into it I knew this was going to be a big one
knew this was going to be a big one
knew this was going to be a big one number 4 blood meridian Cormac MacCarthy
number 4 blood meridian Cormac MacCarthy
number 4 blood meridian Cormac MacCarthy this 1985 story of Old West violence
this 1985 story of Old West violence
this 1985 story of Old West violence remains one of the author’s best works
remains one of the author’s best works
remains one of the author’s best works but maybe too dark for modern cinema
but maybe too dark for modern cinema
but maybe too dark for modern cinema although the adolescent
although the adolescent
although the adolescent hero discovers how difficult life can be
hero discovers how difficult life can be
hero discovers how difficult life can be the mythical judge holden takes nihilism
the mythical judge holden takes nihilism
the mythical judge holden takes nihilism to another level with no body hair and
to another level with no body hair and
to another level with no body hair and an Appetite for Destruction he could
an Appetite for Destruction he could
an Appetite for Destruction he could easily become one of the most terrifying
easily become one of the most terrifying
easily become one of the most terrifying characters ever seen on screen Brando in
characters ever seen on screen Brando in
characters ever seen on screen Brando in Apocalypse Now is the perfect person but
Apocalypse Now is the perfect person but
Apocalypse Now is the perfect person but you know of course like continued no
you know of course like continued no
you know of course like continued no they list you know you be he probably
they list you know you be he probably
they list you know you be he probably nailed it as my guess just as blood
nailed it as my guess just as blood
nailed it as my guess just as blood meridian challenges the readers
meridian challenges the readers
meridian challenges the readers threshold for brutality the novel
threshold for brutality the novel
threshold for brutality the novel seemingly challenges the film industry
seemingly challenges the film industry
seemingly challenges the film industry to step up to the plate and make the
to step up to the plate and make the
to step up to the plate and make the film
film
film hopefully Cormac McCarthy’s work will
hopefully Cormac McCarthy’s work will
hopefully Cormac McCarthy’s work will find the right man or woman for the job
find the right man or woman for the job
find the right man or woman for the job number three a confederacy of dunces
number three a confederacy of dunces
number three a confederacy of dunces John Kennedy Toole maybe it’s a curse or
John Kennedy Toole maybe it’s a curse or
John Kennedy Toole maybe it’s a curse or maybe it’s bad timing but this 1980
maybe it’s bad timing but this 1980
maybe it’s bad timing but this 1980 classic has long caused trouble for
classic has long caused trouble for
classic has long caused trouble for curious filmmakers John Belushi Chris
curious filmmakers John Belushi Chris
curious filmmakers John Belushi Chris Farley and John Candy were all tapped to
Farley and John Candy were all tapped to
Farley and John Candy were all tapped to play the eccentric Ignatius J Reilly at
play the eccentric Ignatius J Reilly at
play the eccentric Ignatius J Reilly at one time but passed away suddenly before
one time but passed away suddenly before
one time but passed away suddenly before production could move forward with a
production could move forward with a
production could move forward with a multitude of vibrant characters and a
multitude of vibrant characters and a
multitude of vibrant characters and a stunning portrayal of 1960s New Orleans
stunning portrayal of 1960s New Orleans
stunning portrayal of 1960s New Orleans a confederacy of dunces contains plenty
a confederacy of dunces contains plenty
a confederacy of dunces contains plenty of drama and comedy for a wonderful
of drama and comedy for a wonderful
of drama and comedy for a wonderful screen version however perhaps the title
screen version however perhaps the title
screen version however perhaps the title and main characters disdain for pop
and main characters disdain for pop
and main characters disdain for pop culture will forever block an adaptation
culture will forever block an adaptation
culture will forever block an adaptation Ignatius J Riley is a flatulent manchild
Ignatius J Riley is a flatulent manchild
Ignatius J Riley is a flatulent manchild with an outdated worldview and an
with an outdated worldview and an
with an outdated worldview and an unpopular notion for what he considers
unpopular notion for what he considers
unpopular notion for what he considers taste and decency number 2 100 Years of
taste and decency number 2 100 Years of
taste and decency number 2 100 Years of Solitude
Solitude
Solitude Gabrielle Garcia Marquez it sold more
Gabrielle Garcia Marquez it sold more
Gabrielle Garcia Marquez it sold more than 30 million copies throughout the
than 30 million copies throughout the
than 30 million copies throughout the world during the writers lifetime it put
world during the writers lifetime it put
world during the writers lifetime it put a spotlight on the Latin American genre
a spotlight on the Latin American genre
a spotlight on the Latin American genre known as magical realism while the
known as magical realism while the
known as magical realism while the rights to produce a film may never be
rights to produce a film may never be
rights to produce a film may never be granted admirers of this 1967 Latin
granted admirers of this 1967 Latin
granted admirers of this 1967 Latin American Novel often dream of filtering
American Novel often dream of filtering
American Novel often dream of filtering its magical realism through a cinematic
its magical realism through a cinematic
its magical realism through a cinematic lens 100 years of solitude covers seven
lens 100 years of solitude covers seven
lens 100 years of solitude covers seven generations of colorful characters
generations of colorful characters
generations of colorful characters making it perfect for a film treatment
making it perfect for a film treatment
making it perfect for a film treatment what I know today is that I did not stop
what I know today is that I did not stop
what I know today is that I did not stop writing for a single day for 18 straight
writing for a single day for 18 straight
writing for a single day for 18 straight months until I finished the book but its
months until I finished the book but its
months until I finished the book but its esteemed reputation made on some
esteemed reputation made on some
esteemed reputation made on some filmmakers while others may be
filmmakers while others may be
filmmakers while others may be intimidated by the need to
intimidated by the need to
intimidated by the need to nicely capture its specific Colombian
nicely capture its specific Colombian
nicely capture its specific Colombian flavor with the utopian setting and
flavor with the utopian setting and
flavor with the utopian setting and remarkable representations of time and
remarkable representations of time and
remarkable representations of time and fate one can only imagine how a lavish
fate one can only imagine how a lavish
fate one can only imagine how a lavish but thoughtful production would
but thoughtful production would
but thoughtful production would introduce Gabriel Garcia Marquez to a
introduce Gabriel Garcia Marquez to a
introduce Gabriel Garcia Marquez to a new generation of moviegoers and readers
new generation of moviegoers and readers
new generation of moviegoers and readers something that with film I realized that
something that with film I realized that
something that with film I realized that making a movie was infinitely more
making a movie was infinitely more
making a movie was infinitely more difficult than I thought before we crack
difficult than I thought before we crack
difficult than I thought before we crack the spine on our top pick here are some
the spine on our top pick here are some
the spine on our top pick here are some honorable mentions
number one The Catcher in the Rye JD
number one The Catcher in the Rye JD Salinger when you’re a kid and you read
Salinger when you’re a kid and you read
Salinger when you’re a kid and you read Catcher in the Rye you’re just like oh
Catcher in the Rye you’re just like oh
Catcher in the Rye you’re just like oh my god somebody gets it one of the most
my god somebody gets it one of the most
my god somebody gets it one of the most important and widely heralded works of
important and widely heralded works of
important and widely heralded works of twentieth-century American literature
twentieth-century American literature
twentieth-century American literature this 1951 novel found its way into the
this 1951 novel found its way into the
this 1951 novel found its way into the back pocket of teenagers worldwide more
back pocket of teenagers worldwide more
back pocket of teenagers worldwide more than 60 million copies of his 1951 novel
than 60 million copies of his 1951 novel
than 60 million copies of his 1951 novel Catcher in the Rye have been sold read
Catcher in the Rye have been sold read
Catcher in the Rye have been sold read worshiped and studied and it made the
worshiped and studied and it made the
worshiped and studied and it made the central character Holden Caulfield that
central character Holden Caulfield that
central character Holden Caulfield that are known and Salinger himself whether
are known and Salinger himself whether
are known and Salinger himself whether it’s the rebellious nature of Holden
it’s the rebellious nature of Holden
it’s the rebellious nature of Holden Caulfield or the idea of his physical
Caulfield or the idea of his physical
Caulfield or the idea of his physical being the larger-than-life persona may
being the larger-than-life persona may
being the larger-than-life persona may be too powerful for any well-known actor
be too powerful for any well-known actor
be too powerful for any well-known actor to take on young Hinkley the whizz kid
to take on young Hinkley the whizz kid
to take on young Hinkley the whizz kid who shot Reagan at his press secretary
who shot Reagan at his press secretary
who shot Reagan at his press secretary said if you want my defense all you have
said if you want my defense all you have
said if you want my defense all you have to do is read Catcher in the Rye if and
to do is read Catcher in the Rye if and
to do is read Catcher in the Rye if and when an adaptation ever does take place
when an adaptation ever does take place
when an adaptation ever does take place a relatively unknown artist may spring
a relatively unknown artist may spring
a relatively unknown artist may spring upon the world just like Salinger’s
upon the world just like Salinger’s
upon the world just like Salinger’s protagonist did so many years ago we’d
protagonist did so many years ago we’d
protagonist did so many years ago we’d all get a bang out of that it is this
all get a bang out of that it is this
all get a bang out of that it is this kind of combination of a deep sincerity
kind of combination of a deep sincerity
kind of combination of a deep sincerity a spirituality this state-of-the-art
a spirituality this state-of-the-art
a spirituality this state-of-the-art vernacular this guy was talking the way
vernacular this guy was talking the way
vernacular this guy was talking the way we were talking at that very period do
we were talking at that very period do
we were talking at that very period do you agree with our list what book do you
you agree with our list what book do you
you agree with our list what book do you think should be made into a movie for
think should be made into a movie for
think should be made into a movie for more mind-blowing top 10s published
more mind-blowing top 10s published
more mind-blowing top 10s published every day be sure to subscribe to
every day be sure to subscribe to
every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com it’s really nice we were
watchmojo.com it’s really nice we were
watchmojo.com it’s really nice we were pampered it’s almost sybaritic
”
Be First to Comment