Do you prefer reading books or watching movies based on books?

Question

I enjoy watching the movie first then reading the book.

Answer 1

I like to just read the books. Movies are never as good as the book, they always dissapoint.

Answer 2

I've heard from many people that they have to read the book first, but honestly, I've never had a preference. If I read the book before the movie came out, it's usually just coincidental. I've never purposely gone and read the book because I knew the movie was coming out. Personally, I look at the book and the movie as two completely different things. I try not to compare them. I appreciate the movie as a *movie* and the book as a *book*. Of course, the book is going to have much more details because the limit is endless; where the movie will have only the essential parts that will keep the audience's attention. The book is almost always going to be better than the movie -- that's why you can't go to the theater with such high expectations. I think some people really lose out on enjoying the movie for what it's worth because they're too busy comparing it to the book. For example, I love the Harry Potter movies and have never read any of the books. Most of my friends have read the books, and they pick the movie apart piece by piece, saying, "It went this way in the book! The book was so much better!" I think they miss out on what the movies have to offer. Two of my favorite books are the Time Traveler's Wife & My Sister's Keeper. I saw both movies before reading the books. Yes, both of the books *are* better... but I still love love love the movies. Although I love to read, the fact that I'm a huge movie buff usually gets the best of me, and I see the movie first. If I enjoyed the movie, then I'll pick up the book... that's usually the way it goes for me. [sorry for the lengthy answer!] :D

Answer 3

The books are always better and with more detail. I'd prefer to read the book first then watch the movie. I always notice what's in the book doesn't always match what's in the movie,that's why I prefer the books.

Answer 4

I usually find the book to be much better than the movie, because movies have to condense a lot for time purposes. Also, screenwriters seem to think they're better writers than book authors, and have been known to change things that were basic to the plot in the first place. The only movies I've seen that I categorically state were better than the book are the Bourne movies - all three of them. And Peter Jackson did a great job of interpreting Lord of the Rings. Even the changes he made were acceptable to most LOTR fans.

Answer 5

I read the book then watch the movie.

Answer 6

Reading the book then maybe watching the movie. Movies usually kill the book =(

Answer 7

Whichever came first- if the movie came first and someone wrote a book on that, it's not likely to be good, but if the book came before the movie and is well-known and shortish than it's good because you can imagine in your mind what the characters look like instead of just remembering the movie (your own imagination is probably better!).

Answer 8

I like to read the book first. They change a lot of stuff in the movies sometimes due to time constraints, and I like to know the REAL story before I watch the movie.

Answer 9

Always different, although I love both. But when I'm not in the mood to think, just wanna be entertained I watch a movie. When I'm in the mood for a good read, there's nothing better than curling up with a good book.

Answer 10

I like reading books as it doesnt skim over details like movies do. The best thing though is to read the book and then watch the movie as it provides you with different viewpoints etc.