Does anyone else always read the book before they watch the show? No? Just me? Whether you read before or after watching, here are some new TV and movie releases that started out as books.

The Witches by Roald Dahl (available as Audiobook in Libby): This new movie premiered on HBO Max October 22, 2020 and stars Anne Hathaway as the Grand High Witch. This was also a movie that premiered in 1990 (with Angelica Houston as the Grand High Witch). You can check out that movie in our DVD collection if you want to compare the book and both movies.


Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (available in Main PZ3.D8916 Re 2): One of the best gothic novels ever written, this new movie premiered on Netflix last month. Lily James is Mrs. de Winter, Armie Hammer is Max and Kristin Scott Thomas is Mrs. Danvers. Like The Witches, there is also an older movie directed by Alfred Hitchcock that came out in 1940. You can check this version out from our DVD collection.


Normal People by Sally Rooney (available in Leisure PR6118.O59 N67 2018b): Hulu turned this novel into a series back in April of 2020. It has been well received, with a score of 90% from Rotten Tomatoes, and 4 Emmy nominations.


I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb (available in Main PS3562.A433 I3 1998): HBO Max created this series that debuted May 10, 2020. Mark Ruffalo, Kathryn Hahn and Rosie O’Donnell all star in the epic family saga that spans continents and decades.


The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah (available in Leisure PS3558 .A4763 N55 2015): This movie, staring Elle and Dakota Fanning, is scheduled for a theatrical release at the end of 2021. It is haunting story of sisters during World War II.


Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann (available in Main E99 .O8 G675 2017): This true crime western is slated to be released in 2021. It is directed by Martin Scorsese and will star Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert DeNiro. It follows the investigation into the murders of the Osage Nation after oil was found on their land.


The Woman in the Window by A.J. Flinn (available in Leisure PS3606 .I5543 W66 2018): This film, starring Amy Adams and Gary Oldman, was supposed to be released in theatres May 15, 2020. When the pandemic shut down the theatres, Paramount pulled the movie, and in August is was announced that Netflix was in negotiations for the rights. No current release date has been announced, but we are highly anticipating this film.


The Turn of the Screw by Henry James (available in Main PS2116 .T8 1996b): On October 9, 2020, Netflix released The Haunting of Bly Manor, their follow up to The Haunting of Hill House. They used Henry James’ novel as the basis for this season, following a nanny in a remote British manor that has many supernatural events. Ruth Ware also used The Turn of the Screw as inspiration for her novel, The Turn of the Key (also in our collection Leisure PR6123.A745 T87 2019).


Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (available in Libby): This miniseries is currently in production from HBO Max. The story centers around the aftermath of a pandemic that kills a large portion of the world’s population…timely.


You Should Have Known by Jean Hanff Korelitz (available in Libby): Another one by HBO Max, this series premiered October 25, 2020 with the title The Undoing. Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant take the lead in this mystery thriller following a murder and a husband’s disappearance. Unlike many shows that release an entire series on one day, HBO is releasing one episode per week, so no bingeing!