Top Three Novels I'd like to See Turned into Movies

The richness of some characters and the lives written for them just seem to require transformation from a riveting book into an equally mesmerizing movie. Yet, getting words to leap off the page and transcend the mind's image of these characters is no simple task. With this in mind, selecting the top three novels I'd like to see turned into movies movies provoked me to contemplate the books whose screenplays virtually seemed to play across my mind as I read them.

While bestsellers are the natural choice, sometimes lesser-known works offer just as much - or even more - intrigue and depth of character. Therefore, the top three novels I'd like to see turned into movies include two bestsellers and one whose high acclaim has been quietly heralded. What they have in common is what distinguishes each from the other as well: culture as a key component.

Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See

Infused with a Chinese sensibility and set against the backdrop of World War II, Shanghai Girls, by Lisa See focuses not on the men in war, but on the war's impact on women, specifically two sisters as they are forced to leave China behind and forge new lives in the United States. Beautifully and poignantly depicting the hard choices that women make in deference to others, and the consequences wrought by these decisions, this book would make a very moving film.

In the role of Pearl, the older sister, Korean-American actress Sandra Oh would bring the proper balance of courage and timidity that Pearl embodied, while Gong Li would bring younger sister May to life, single-mindedness, obsessive beauty and all. And, imbuing Pearl's husband with the same quiet strength and dignity that he has brought to other roles (in "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" and "Anna and the King"), Chow Yun-Fat would be perfect as Sam. Finally, with the excellence that he brought to "Windtalkers" - brilliantly injecting the Navajo culture into World War II - John Woo would be a terrific choice to direct this film.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

Taking center stage in The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows, the British island of Guernsey and its occupants are the subjects of a series of letters that pass between them and London newspaper columnist, Juliet Ashton, at the conclusion of World War II. Illuminating a portion of history unknown to many, the letters from Guernsey recount the writers' experiences throughout the German occupation of the island during World War II.

Envisioning the movie version, I'd like to see the letters narrated by a voice over that fades as the characters come to life. With an array of characters to be portrayed, an all-star cast might include Keira Knightley in the lead role of Juliet and Emma Thompson as the irrepressible, Isola Pribby. Julie Andrews's inimitable ability to convey sharp wit with a smile makes her the perfect, prissy Adelaide Addison. Add to them Emma Thompson as the quietly defiant Amelia Maughery and Sarah Parish ("The Wedding Date" and "The Holiday)- whose ever-present irreverence pours forth so gleefully in all her roles - as the much-spoken-of Elizabeth and Jeremy Irons as Dawsey Adams, who initiates the correspondence among the group with his first letter to Juliet. And with Sharon Maguire ("Bridget Jones's Diary) as director, only the actual movie is needed. I sincerely wish someone would make this movie!

Church Folk, by Michele Andrea Bowen

An endearingly funny rendering of African American church life, circa 1963, Church Folk, by Michele Andrea Bowen spans two genres, Christian and African American literature - and does so with wonderfully colloquial dialogue and all too human characters. Despite the fact that Tyler Perry writes his own movies, what a delightful movie this would be with him as director, considering his prowess with family-centered tales and his intermingling of Christian themes in much of his work.

With the requisite sass for the lead role of Essie, Nia Long would do it justice, as would Idris Elba in the role of Rev. Simmons. As Essie's mother, Mrs. Lee Allie Lane, Jennifer Lewis would bring the earthy and outspoken style for which she is known and as Essie's nemesis, Glodean Benson, Sanaa Lathan would fill the role quite well.

These top three novels I'd like to see turned into movies are among several books that I might so categorize. Perhaps Hollywood is listening!