Reading Challenge 2015

Since returning to work a few years ago, my reading has taken a big hit. Before the girls were born--and even when they were still tiny--I read two books a month at least. Now, I'm more likely to read one book every two months.

Last year, through Goodreads, I challenged myself to read 20 books. If I finish the book I'm currently reading (The Physics of Christmas by Roger Highfield), my book count for 2014 will be 23! I'm very proud of myself because I do like overachievement, plus I read some excellent books this year.

Now (because I'm the competitive type) I've decided to add another element to the book challenge. I'm going to read twenty books on theme and pick the first five books in advance. I don't know about you, but that's always been the hardest thing for me. If I read an excellent book, I have so much trouble finding the next book to read. By assigning myself the first five, I'm hoping that I'll have enough momentum to randomly pick the next 15.

So, here's my reading challenge for 2015. I'm going to read at least 20 books that have been adapted to film or television. If you didn't already know,  I love film and television. I've already read a slew of books that have been adapted, but there are a good bit that I've always wanted to read but never got the chance, so here we go! The first five on my list:

1. Atonement by Ian McEwan 
Atonement, the film, is excellent, and I bought the book almost immediately after seeing it. It's been sitting on my shelf ever since.

2. Animal Husbandry by Laura Zigman
This book became Somone Like You... a rom-com from 2001 starring Ashley Judd, Greg Kinnear, and Hugh Jackman. I thought the movie was fun even though it was quite fluffy. I'm hoping the book gives me a nice reprieve from the heaviness of Atonement.

3. Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Everyone everywhere raves about this novel and the movie. I haven't seen the movie, so the novel will be first.

4. A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Of course something sci-fi has to be on my list. And if I'm going to go sci-fi, I'm going back to the original. I did not think John Carter was all that wonderful, but I was entertained enough to definitely check out Burroughs' novel. (I'd also like to read the Tarzan books.)

5. The Pursuit of Happyness by Chris Gardner
Excellent film. I've also wanted to read this book for a long time, but I've always had trouble with non-fiction. Hopefully this story is engaging enough to keep me invovled.

What would you recommend? Have you read any of my first five?