Top Books Made into Movies in 2011

Wondering what books were made into movies in 2011? Here's the scoop on some of the biggest movies based on books.

The Lincoln Lawyer

The Lincoln Lawyer by Michael Connelly is the store of a lawyer who operates out of the back of his car and is down and out until he lands a big Beverly Hills client. As he prepares to defend his client against attempted murder, though, he realizes he is involved in something bigger than he anticipated. The movie adaptation of this 2005 Michael Connelly thriller was released in March 2012 and starred Matthew McConaughey, Ryan Phillippe, William H. Macy and Marisa Tomei.

Water for Elephants

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen opens with a day of disaster at the circus and Jacob Jankowski admitting he kept a secret from that day for over 70 years. The novel then moves to the ninety-something year old Jacob in a nursing home. As the older Jacob fights to survive the indignities of old age he recounts the story of his life with the Benzini Brothers Most Spectacular Show on earth. Gruen's 2006 novel has been a runaway bestseller and book club favorite. The movie stars Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon and was released in April.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See is the story of two girls in nineteenth century China and their friendship from age seven. Lily narrates the story as an old woman, relating how her friendship with Snow Flower grew and then fell apart with a major betrayal. The movie adaptation of Snow Flower and the Secret Fan was released in July 2011, but never became very popular.

One Day

An international bestseller, One Day by David Nicholls takes on the nature of male-female friendship, love, and career in the post-college years. Set across England in the 1980s and 90s,One Day is a tale of two unlikely friends that is told one day at a time, on the same day each year. The movie adaptation stars Jim Sturgess and Anne Hathaway and was released in August.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The final book in the Harry Potter saga was be split into two movies. The first, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I, was released in November 2010. The second half of the book and final movie was released in July 2011.

The Help

The Help by Kathryn Stockett has been one of the most popular novels of the past few years. Released in 2009, The Help is the story of a young white woman in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960s and a group of black maids who work for the families of her friends. Stockett writes about the struggles the women face as they chafe against the written and unwritten rules that limit their lives. The movie version of The Help wasr released in August.

Moneyball

Michael Lewis' 2011 nonfiction book, Moneyball, looked into how the Oakland Athletics were a successful baseball team despite having a minor league level payroll. The 2012 movie of the book was released in September and starred Brad Pitt. It was highly acclaimed.

Breaking Dawn

Breaking Dawn is the fourth book in Stephenie Meyer's Twilight Saga, and it will be split into two movies. Twilight fans have eagerly been anticipating the film adaptation of Bella and Edward's wedding and honeymoon. The Breaking Dawn movie was released in November 2011.

We Need to Talk About Kevin

Lionel Shriver's 2003 novel, We Need to Talk About Kevin, is written as a series of letters between an estranged husband and wife about their teenage son's sociopath behavior after he goes on a Columbine-like killing spree. The movie adaptation of We Need to Talk about Kevin was released to critical acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival. It will be released in the U.S. in December 2011.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson is not only an international bestseller, but the Swedish version of the film has been popular worldwide. The U.S. version of the movie, starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara, will be released in December. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is the first in Larsson's Millennium trilogy.

(by Erin Collazo Miller, About.com)