This week movie-goers have been enjoying release of the much-anticipated The Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio and directed by Martin Scorsese. The film is based on Jordan Belfort’s memoirs of the same, depicting his hedonistic and scandalous time as a corrupt banker on Wall Street.

Scorsese is widely seen as one of film’s best directors, and he takes much of his inspiration from books, particularly memoirs. Two of his previous collaborations with DiCaprio, Gangs of New York and Shutter Island, are adaptations of books of the same name. 1980’s masterpiece Raging Bull is based on the memoirs and recollections of the Italian American boxer Jake Lamotta, while Goodfellas, released in 1990, is an adaptation of the non-fiction book Wiseguy written by Nicholas Pileggi.

Scorsese’s films are so revered and well-known, many can be forgiven for not knowing they started life out as a humble hardback. While Scorsese and his cast bring the pages to life, the original conception of the idea is forever written down for you to reflect on and enjoy at your own pace.

While the January blues are upon us, why not save yourself the price of a cinema ticket, and, like Scorsese, try taking your inspiration from books instead.

Rachel Nickolds, currently doing work experience at A&B