Nominations for the 2020 Oscars awards have been announced and while many of the honored films are original works (notably Marriage Story, Parasite, 1917, and Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood), not surprisingly, many are adapted from or draw their inspiration from a reliable and oft-visited well—books! Whether you like to compare the film to the book or (shhh…we won't tell) eschew the film altogether and go straight to the source, there are some great reads here both fiction and non-fiction. Tune in February 9 to see who takes home the statues.

Avengers: Endgame

Based on: Endgame's plot draws from events in several recent Marvel comics . We have book suggestions for every level of Avengers fan: where to start, the classics, the best of the newest stories, character-specific recommendations, and much more.

Nominated for Visual Effects

 

 

 

 

Breakthrough 

Based on: The Impossible: The Miraculous Story of a Mother's Faith and Her Child's Resurrection by Joyce Smith with Ginger Kolbaba

When Joyce Smith's son fell through an icy lake one winter morning, she and her family had seemingly lost everything. At the hospital, he lay lifeless for more than sixty minutes. But Joyce was not ready to give up. She mustered all her faith and strength into one force and cried out to God in a loud voice to save him. Miraculously, her son's heart immediately started beating again. In the coming days, her son would defy every expert, every case history, and every scientific prediction. 

Nominated for Original Song ("I'm Standing With You")
 

The Irishman 

Based on: I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank "the Irishman" Sheeran and Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa by Charles Brandt

"I heard you paint houses" are the first words Jimmy Hoffa ever spoke to Frank "the Irishman" Sheeran. To paint a house is to kill a man. The paint is the blood that splatters on the walls and floors. In the course of nearly five years of recorded interviews, Frank Sheeran confessed to Charles Brandt that he handled more than twenty-five hits for the mob, and for his friend Hoffa.

Nominated for Best Picture, Actor in a Supporting Role (two nominations), Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Production Design, Visual Effects, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

 

JoJo Rabbit

Inspired by Caging Skies by Christine Leunens

An avid member of the Hitler Youth in 1940s Vienna, Johannes discovers his parents are hiding a Jewish girl named Elsa behind a false wall in their home. His initial horror turns to interest—then love and obsession. After his parents disappear, Johannes is the only one aware of Elsa’s existence in the house and he alone is responsible for her fate. Drawing strength from his daydreams about Hitler, Johannes plans for the end of the war and what it might mean for him and Elsa.

Nominated for Best Picture, Actress in a Supporting Role, Costume Design, Film Editing, Production Design, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

 

The Joker

Premise inspired by Batman: The Killing Joke by Alan Moore and Brian Bolland

One bad day. According to the grinning engine of madness and mayhem known as The Joker, that's all that separates the sane from the psychotic. As the horrifying origin of the Clown Prince of Crime is finally revealed, will the thin line that separates Batman's nobility and the Joker's insanity snap once and for all?

Nominated for Best Picture, Actor in a Leading Role, Cinematography, Costume Design, Directing, Film Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Music (Original Score), Sound Editing, Sound Mixing, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

 

Little Women

Based on Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Grown-up Meg, tomboyish Jo, timid Beth, and precocious Amy. The four March sisters couldn't be more different. But with their father away at war, and their mother working to support the family, they have to rely on one another. Whether they're putting on a play, forming a secret society, or celebrating Christmas, there's one thing they can't help wondering: Will Father return home safely?

Nominated for Best Picture, Actress in a Leading Role, Actress in a Supporting Role, Costume Design, Music (Original Score), Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
 

The Two Popes

Based on The Pope: Francis, Benedict, and the Decision That Shook the World by Anthony McCarten

Chronicles the events behind the unexpected resignation of Pope Benedict XVI and the election of Pope Francis, tracing the lives of both men and discussing the consequences of having two living popes in residence at the Vatican.

Nominated for Actor in a Leading Role, Actor in a Supporting Role, Writing (Adapted Screenplay)

 

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Book summaries provided via NYPL’s catalog, which draws from multiple sources. Click through to each book’s title for more.

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