11 books that inspired Oscar-winning films

Solomon Northup's 1853 memoir, detailing his experience being kidnapped and sold into the slave trade, was the basis for 12 Years a Slave. the drama was well-received and awarded the award of Best Picture of 2013.

In this non-fiction read, former CIA operative Tony Mendez and best-selling author Matt Baglio team up to tell the fascinating story of a complex hostage rescue back in the 1970s. Later that year it was adapted into a movie of the same name, which went on to win the award for Best Picture of 2012.

This novel, written in 2005 by Indian diplomat Vikas Swarup, tells the rags-to-riches story of a young boy growing up in the slums of Mumbai. It's the basis of the 2008 film "Slumdog Millionaire" that was widely-recognized as a compelling, heart-warming story, and got the award for 2008's Best Picture.

While many of Cormac McCarthy's novels have made it to the big screen, this story — which follows the catastrophic aftermath of a drug deal at the Texas-Mexico border — is the only one that's won an Oscar. The original novel was released in 2006, and a year later, the film adaption won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 2007.

The third and final feature in the "Lord of the Rings" Trilogy was published in 1955. The fantasy fictions stood the test of time; each novel become a film, though the third was met with the most accolades, including Best Picture of 2003.

Forrest Gump is the lovable protagonist of what is now a classic, beloved movie. The film won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1994, but you can credit Winston Groom's 1986 novel for inspiring the story.

Originally released as "Schindler's Ark" in 1982, this historical-fiction novel won a Booker Prize. The film adaptation, "Schindler's List," was just as well-received, snagging the 1993 Academy Award for Best Picture.

Originally published in 1988 and later turned into a film in 1991, this thriller from Thomas Harris captivated audiences in various forms. The book was a New York Times number one best seller, while the film was voted as 1991's Best Picture of the Year.

The story of an American crime family took the country by storm and quickly became a New York Times number one best seller shortly after its release in 1969. The film adaptation of "The Godfather" was met with a similar reception, winning the award for Best Picture of 1972.

Real Von Trapp daughter Maria lets you in on the lesser known truths of her family in her memoir, "The Story of the Trapp Family Singers," originally published in 1949. Her narrative inspired and informed what became the 1965 Best Picture, and a classic American Film, "The Sound of Music."