I know, a controversial opinion coming from a book blogger. Surely, you're asking yourselves, she can't be serious? If she really loves books, she'd always read the book first, right?
The short answer is no. I don't always read the book first. In fact, I frequently watch the film not only first, but in isolation.
As booklovers, perhaps you're not certain about this argument. But have you thought about all the wonderful stories you're missing out on because you want to read the book before you watch the film? If your TBR list is anything like mine, you'll be waiting along time to watch that film!
Here are 5 reasons you should let yourself watch the film first...
1. Books are long
Books are great. Brilliant inventions.
But let's not lie, they're kinda long.
I'm not exactly a fast reader either; when I see bookish bloggers' or bookstagrammers' reading wrap-ups I'm left wondering how on Earth people can read 5-10 books in a month when I average 2 and half!
So sometimes when you want to disappear into another world for a bit, you don't want to dedicate 5-10 hours reading a book (broken up into a couple of different reading sessions). Sometimes you want an immersive 2 hour film to tell you the story. And there's nothing wrong with that.
2. Film's are easy to watch
Reading is definitely a relaxing experience, but it does require some brain power. In fact, quite a lot of brain power.
And at the end of a busy day, you don't always have the brain power to dedicate to a book. At times like this, it's easier to stick a film on and let your brain relax a little. The film brings the story to you, requiring little thought, unlike a book where you need to be able to focus on the words and imagine the world and characters within the story.
There's no harm in deciding to let your brain relax for the night.
3. I don't know if you've noticed, but books are expensive
So expensive.
When you see bookstagrammers with their shelves filled to the brim, have you ever thought about how much money is actually sitting on those shelves?
The answer is a heck of a lot.
And yes, there is the option to buy second hand books (I fully support doing this! Second hand books tell such stories) or use your local library (please go do this! They are wonderful establishments!).
But there's also the option to watch the film instead.
No, it's not exactly the same, but if you subscribe to a streaming service you're essentially already paying for the book...just in a different format.
So save yourself some money and watch the film!
4. We all know the tragedy of a disappointing film adaption
Whenever a new book-to-film adaptation is announced, there's always a mixed response from the book community!
For some, the idea of seeing their favourite book brought to life on the big screen, watching famous actors inhabit the role of beloved characters, is like Christmas come early.
And then there are the people who watched Percy Jackson.
I don't think I've ever come across something as universally disappointing as the Percy Jackson films. It's always brought up when people talk about film adaptations, held up as the lowest of low bars.
But it's not the only bad re-imagining of a book. There are so many inaccurate or just plain bad film versions of books. So save yourself the disappointment! Skip the book and watch the film...after all, things can only improve from there, right?
5. When you do ready the book, your world is expanded
So if the film is average (or bad, or even - dare I say it - good), surely the book can only improve things? 90% of the time the book is better, everyone always says it.
So if you watch the film before reading the book, you can fall in love with that world and then expand on it. You can get more of what you love.
Instead of being disappointed when your favourite film is turned into a book, you can get more of what you love in the film by reading the book that it was based on.
And just because you watch the film first doesn't mean you have to like it more!
Sure, there are a couple of drawbacks when it comes to watching the film first. For example, when you come to read the book you already know the plot. Plus, once you have an actor in mind, it can be hard to re-imagine the character looking any other way - after all, when was the last time you pictured Harry Potter as someone other than Daniel Radcliffe?
At the end of the day, it's totally up to you which way round you do it. In fact, sometimes I do get a little precious about reading the book first. But on too many occasions I've let a great film bypass me because I thought I'd get round to reading the book first.
Hearing that a film version is coming out can be a great spur to read the book, but if you only let yourself enjoy a film after reading the book, you're missing out on a lot of inspiring, fun, magical stories.