I watched Cock and Bull Story the other night, a movie about a group of actors making a film about Lawrence Stern's 18th century novel, The Life and Opinions of Tristram Shandy.
Starring comedians Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, it was more an irreverent take on the world of film-making than a costume drama.
It was funny and thought-provoking, and made me want to read the book.
And it got me thinking about how many good novels are being made into films these days.
In the next couple of months, there are two major movies hitting cinema screens which are based on books by Oxford novelists.
First up is the film version of Ian McEwan's Atonement, which is rated as his best novel by many critics.
The film stars Keira Knightley and I would love to take the Mrs to the Phoenix to see it _ if we can get a baby-sitter.
Before the end of the year, cinema goers will also be able to see The Golden Compass, the film version of Philip Pullman's Northern Lights, the first instalment of the award-winning His Dark Materials trilogy.
I've had a glimpse of the trailer on the Oxford Mail website and the rushes look brilliant — I'm really looking forward to seeing some stunning special effects.
Some films never quite capture the books they are based on — The Bonfire of the Vanities and Captain Corelli's Mandolin are two that spring to mind.
But there are many more films that complement the novels that have inspired them, and sometimes the film version becomes even more popular than the book.
Here's my top 10 books turned into films and there are hundreds more, so why not let me know your favourites?
1. The 39 Steps by John Buchan. (I prefer the second film version starring Kenneth More).
2. Fever Pitch, High Fidelity, and About A Boy by Nick Hornby. They are all good films but About A Boy probably just shades it.
3. Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon.
4. Waterland by Graham Swift.
5. The Talented Mr Ripley by Patricia Highsmith.
6. Misery by Stephen King.
7. The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles.
8. The Ice Storm by Rick Moody.
9. Empire of the Sun by JG Ballard.
10. The English Patient by Michael Oondjate.