From Crime Reads, October 4:
Every October 5th, millions of people around the world mix up a martini, throw on a bowtie, or practice some deplorable puns in a Scottish accent, all while spinning some John Barry records. For diehard fans of precisely made drinks and glamorous action adventure, Global James Bond Day is celebrated every year on October 5th, because in 1962, that’s the day the very first Eon Productions James Bond film, Dr. No, hit theaters. But, while Dr. No was the first “official” James Bond movie in 1962, the phenomenon of Bond was already nearly a decade old by that point. The beginning of Agent 007’s career didn’t start with films but with books.
While the James Bond films are immortal and popular in the extreme, the true beginning of Bond wasn’t October 5th, but arguably, April 13, 1953, the moment the publisher Johnathan Cape released Ian Fleming’s first 007 novel, Casino Royale into the world. After that moment, Ian Fleming wrote, on average, one book every year, until his death in 1964, just after the release of the film version of Goldfinger. But, just as Fleming’s death didn’t prevent the film franchise from continuing into a bewitching global phenomenon, James Bond books didn’t stop with his death, either.
For many mystery and thriller lovers, James Bond novels — written by Fleming or not — are sometimes written off the way armchair music critics dismiss Ringo Starr’s drumming; competent but nothing special. And yet, nothing could be further from the truth. The literary world of James Bond is richer and more complex than any of the twenty-five official films. To prove it, here are 007 books in the James Bond canon, that are all way better than any of the films.
When a rocket-obsessed mogul promises to protect Britain with a nuclear missile deterrent called “Moonraker,” Bond’s boss, M gets worried because he happens to know that this 1950s tech bro, Hugo Drax, cheats at cards. Soon Bond is dispatched to the idyllic seaside county of Kent, where Drax is actually building his rockets. This novel pairs Bond with undercover police officer Gala Brand, a Bond heroine who has never been adapted into any of the films.
Bond’s affection for brilliant and competent Brand is one half of what makes this novel tick, the other half is discovering Drax’s true intentions with his rocket. In 1954, The Spectator review read, “It’s all utterly disgraceful and highly enjoyable.” This novel also has an ending line that gives Hemingway a run for his money....
....MUCH MORE
Here's a picture for you:
https://www.007.com/global-james-bond-day/
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