Two problems:

Problem #1 – I have this deep, cosmic feeling that before I see a movie based on a book, I must do my best to read the book.

This isn’t always a successful or useful endeavor. I end up speed-reading books in the parking lot of a movie theater (Coraline), I criticize the movie when the book is too fresh in my mind (The Perks of Being a Wallflower), and I still haven’t seen The Lord of the Rings.

Problem #2 – I like watching the Oscars and I like watching the nominated titles beforehand. However, every Oscar-nominated movie seems to be released between Thanksgiving and Christmas, and I just don’t have the time or money to see that many movies in a theater.

The smart, obvious answer? Spend this downtime reading some of the many books that made it to this year’s Oscar-worthy-films. That way, if I get the chance to see a movie, I’ll be prepared.

Except for the part where two of the big movies are based on Massive Tomes of European Literature. I might have to make an exception to Problem #1 if the book is over 500 pages.

Either way, here are five books to get you ready for February 24.

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo – in theaters December 25

Life of Pi by Yann Martel – in theaters November 11

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick – in theaters November 21

Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy – in theaters November 9 (I think?)

Cloud Atlas by David Mitchell – in theaters October 26