In this week’s “Memorial Day” edition of Friday Five! we’re celebrating the recent movie release of The Great Gatsby by sharing staff picks for our favorite books-turned-movies. So grab your favorite snack, a comfy blanket and hit play on this perfect movie playlist for your three-day weekend. Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend, everyone!

What’s on my iPod: Star Wars Theme by John Williams
What I’m reading:
The Curse of Van Gogh by Paul Hoppe
The last person I followed on Twitter: @LitChat

The Notebook Book Cover1. Crystal’s pick is Nicholas Sparks’ trend-setting novel, The Notebook. A poor and passionate young man falls in love with a rich young woman and gives her a sense of freedom. They soon are separated by their social differences.

The Shawshank Redemption Book Cover2. Sam’s pick is The Shawshank Redemption by award-winning thriller author, Stephen King. Two imprisoned men bond over a number of years, finding solace and eventual redemption through acts of common decency.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Book Cover3. Allyson’s pick is Stieg Larsson’s best-selling novel, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. Journalist Mikael Blomkvist is aided in his search for a woman who has been missing for forty years by Lisbeth Salander, a young computer hacker.

White Oleander Book Cover4. Kim’s pick is Janet Fitch’s critically-acclaimed novel, White Oleander. A teenager journeys through a series of foster homes after her mother goes to prison for committing a crime of passion.

On The Road by Jack Kerouac5. Erin’s pick is Jack Kerouac’s timeless classic, On The Road. Young writer Sal Paradise has his life shaken by the arrival of free-spirited Dean Moriarty and his girl, Marylou. As they travel across the country, they encounter a mix of people who each impact their journey indelibly.