It’s a familiar complaint, whenever books are re-imagined for film, fans and critics always cry that the novel is better than the movie. Well here are 20 cases where the surprising opposite holds true. Most all the books on this list are great reads themselves, so there’s definitely no disrespect intended, the characters and stories simply managed to shine a little brighter on screen.

20. The Graduate

Based on the 1963 novel by Charles Webb, The Graduate was translated into film by Mike Nichols in 1967. Webb had little to do with the film version, which may or may not have helped contribute to the success of the film, discerning readers/viewers would have to make that decision for themselves.. Nichols, with his writing teem Calder Willingham and Buck Henry took everything the novel had to offer, and expanded it to create one of the most iconic films of all time. One reason the movie was an improvement on the book was the pitch perfect soundtrack by Simon and Garfunkel, one of the most recognizable and fitting soundtracks ever made.

The film was selected for preservation in the U.S. National Film Registry for being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically signifigant”.
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Nicky Hilton, 22, of the famed Hilton family plans to open her own hotel in November.

Coined the “Nicky O,” Hilton’s plans include renovating two buildings on Ocean Boulevard in Miami to create a hot nightspot for the Miami party crowd. She also plans to build a second hotel on Chicago’s Printer’s Row shortly thereafter.

“I know a good hotel when I see one,” she says. “I’ve been around hotels my whole life.”

While the Miami location will definitely be a party destination, Hilton plans on her Chicago hotel being decidedly more low-key. According to AOL News, Hilton has always wanted to create her own hotel chain.

Read more about the heiress’s fledgling plans here.

With her new nose, new boyfriend, and back-to-basics all-American blonde locks, Ashlee Simpson is slowly morphing into her arguably prettier big sis, Jess.

I admit, I’ve always preferred Ashlee to Jessica. She’s mildly intelligent, her music doesn’t make me want to swallow a bottle of ibuprofen, and she was on one of the best shows EVER, 7th Heaven. Have you ever watched that shit?? HILARIOUS.

Anyway, NYDN has this to say about Ashlee:

West Coast spies say she’s selling her Encino home to move in with boyfriend Braxton Olita. (Young Braxton, who plays guitar in her shows, has also graduated from sleeping in the band tour bus to bedding down in Ashley’s own private coach, I hear.) She ought to be able to afford some flashy new digs. It will soon be announced that the 21-year-old will front the campaign for Victoria’s Secret’s new line, Pink. She beat out finalist Kelly Clarkson to become the face (and hips and legs and … well, everything else) of the new line of younger, “cuter” lingerie.

Finally, anyone with a ticket to her sold-out concert at the Borgata tonight is in for a special treat: Plans are afoot for her big sis, Jessica, to join her onstage for a “surprise” duet.

Now that Jess’s divorce is finalized, Daddy Joe must be focusing on the littlest Simpson. I, for one, am looking forward to seeing the new and exciting ways he plans to sell his daughter’s mind, body, and soul for his own personal gain.

Looks like we’ll be seeing a lot more Ashlee and a lot less Jess in the months to come. Let’s just hope we’re hearing less from both of them.