You saw the movie, read the book

CEDAR RAPIDS - The lack of diversity among Academy Award nominees this year sparked controversy, but there is a wealth of variety among the stories providing the bases for several Oscar-nominated performances and films. The Cedar Rapids Public Library offers a stellar selection of these novels and non-fiction sources.

'Still Alice” and 'Gone Girl” present plots as disparate and as compelling as they come. The former, a piece of fiction that reads like non-fiction, is by Lisa Genova. Ivy League professor Alice Howland, age 50, is happily married and mother of three grown children. When early-onset Alzheimer's eats away at her memory, threatening her career and family life, how does she cope? Julianne Moore got the Oscar nod for her multifaceted portrayal of Alice - a woman taking on a disease with no cure and no treatment - delivers the tragic yet life-affirming story.

Likewise, Rosamund Pike's Academy Award-nominated performance of the 'Gone Girl” illuminates that story's dark narrative. Gillian Flynn's novel revealing bombshell secrets a marriage carries provides marvelous complexity in terms of character and plot, giving Pike much to work from.

One of the most bizarre cases in sports history remains Olympic champion Dave Schultz's murder at a famed Pennsylvania wrestling compound. In 'Foxcatcher: The Story of My Brother's Murder, John du Pont's Madness, and the Quest for Olympic Gold” brother Mark Schultz recounts both Schultzs' grappling successes, their relationships with wrestling sponsor John du Pont, and the tragic consequences as a paranoid du Pont spirals out of control. In the film 'Foxcatcher” Steve Carell wows audiences by capturing the 'eccentric” heir du Pont's spooky character bringing a chilling authenticity to the role, and gaining an Oscar nomination. Mark Ruffalo as Mark Schultz also is up for Best Supporting Actor.

'The Imitation Game” has garnered Oscar noms for Best Motion Picture and Best Actor (Benedict Cumberbatch). Andrew Hodges' much-praised scientific biography 'Alan Turing: The Enigma” inspired the film and delves into the British mathematician's genius in developing the first computer design and using it to crack supposedly unbreakable Nazi Enigma war codes, critical to the Allies winning WWII. Personal aspects of Turing's life created enormous professional and legal conflicts for him, adding depth and breadth to the narrative.

Do the book and film 'American Sniper” glorify murder? That's the latest controversy brewing over late Navy SEAL Chris Kyle's account of his military and family life. Tabbed as the most lethal sniper in U. S. military history, Kyle knew his story would be told, and he wanted to be the one to tell it. His down-to-earth, conversational writing style enhances his sincerity when he explains his mission during four deployments as protecting his comrades and fighting for his country. The movie reinforces this convincing case; it is nominated for multiple Oscars including Best Motion Picture, Best Actor (Bradley Cooper), and Best Actress (Sienna Miller).

Check out these books through the Cedar Rapids Public Library and watch the Oscars on Feb. 22 on ABC.

' Melia Tatman is a librarian at the Cedar Rapids Public Library.