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The nominees for the 2016 Academy Awards were unveiled this morning, and for avid readers, many of the films in the Best Picture category looked familiar.

'Revenant' leads Oscar noms with 12, only white actors again

Of the eight films nominated, "Mad Max: Fury Road" is the only one without a book tie. Five of the films are direct adaptations, and two bring to life real events captured in books.

You can delve into the literary side of the Oscars below, and engage in the never-ending debate: Which is better, 

The books behind the Best Picture nominees

This financial farce is based on Michael Lewis' nonfiction book of the same name, "The Big Short: Inside the Doomsday Machine."

Lewis published his troubling account of the 2008 market meltdown in 2011, and introduced many readers to the twisted inner workings of Wall Street. The book was hailed not only for its financial analysis (

 called it "one of the best business books of the past two decades") but also for its cutting wit.

This Cold War spy thriller isn't based directly on Giles Whittell's book, "Bridge of Spies," but anyone who wants to know more about this legendary prisoner exchange will find it a riveting read.

The book tells the true story of three men caught in the middle of the Cold War:  William Fisher, a British-born KGB agent imprisoned for attempting to steal U.S. nuclear secrets; Gary Powers, an American pilot shot down while flying a reconnaissance mission in Russian airspace; and Frederic Pryor, an American graduate student mistaken as a spy by East Germany.

This adaptation of Colm Tóibín's novel of the same name, the film follows young Eilis Lacey as she arrives in New York from Ireland in the 1950s.

Tóibín's coming-of-age tale pits young romance against family obligations. The 2009 novel was hailed by critics as a fresh spin on a common trope. "Purging the immigrant novel of all swagger and sentimentality," 

, "Tóibín leaves us with a renewed understanding that to emigrate is to become a foreigner in two places at once."

"The Martian" raised many an eyebrow when it won the Golden Globe for Best Comedy last week. The film is based on Andy Weir's novel of the same name, and while there's plenty of dark humor to be found in its pages, a comedy it is not.

'Martian' takes science seriously

When "The Martian" hit bestseller lists, Weir became the biggest book success story in years. He had originally self-published the book, but Random House then scooped up the rights and re-released it to an enthusiastic audience. 

The book is told almost entirely in the log entries of marooned astronaut Mark Watney. People picking the book up after the movie will have a hard time not hearing Matt Damon's voice in their heads.

When watching Leonardo DiCaprio battle a bear — or eat raw bison liver — in Alejandro Iñárritu's film adaptation, just remember: This is a true story. "The Revenant" is based on Michael Punke's book of the same name, which chronicles the unbelievable trials of fur trapper Hugh Glass.

Glass worked for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company in the early 1800s, trekking through the uncharted West. When his party encountered a grizzly bear, Glass was mauled so severely, he wasn't expected to live. The men ordered to stay by his side abandoned him instead, but Glass did not die. Severely wounded and utterly alone, he embarked on a 3,000 mile journey for revenge.

In a political twist, author Punke is not permitted to promote his book, according to 

. Punke currently serves as a deputy U.S. trade representative and ambassador to the World Trade Organization, so ethics rule prevent him from engaging in other work.

Actress Brie Larson is considered to be a frontrunner in the Oscar race for her portrayal of Ma in "Room." The film is based on Emma Donoghue's 2010 novel of the same name, which was named one of the best books of the year by The New York Times.

"Room" brings life to a horrifying story. The book is told from the perspective of 5-year-old Jack, who has lived his entire life in a single room. His mother was kidnapped as a teenager and held there by Old Nick, who fathered Jack by rape. Jack knows nothing outside the room, but Ma tries her best to give him a childhood in confinement.

Whether you're watching the film or reading the book, bring your tissues.

Spotlight gives newspaper reporting the dramatic turn it deserves: The film follows the investigative team of The Boston Globe as they uncover the Catholic Church's attempts to cover up allegations of sexual abuse.

The film is not based directly on a book, but the Globe's investigative team published its own account of its work in "Betrayal: The Crisis in the Catholic Church." The reporters' work earned them the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service in 2003.


 called the book "the fullest account to date of the egregious priestly and episcopal mistakes, sins and crimes that occurred at the epicenter of what almost immediately became a national crisis."

Arts and Culture

The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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Tracy Mumford

Author

Of the eight films nominated for Oscars, "Mad Max: Fury Road" is the only one without a book connection.

Almost all of this year's Best Picture nominees come from books

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