October 4, 2007
PROFILE
Booked for a good film
Library assistant makes sure he reads the edition before watching the movie.
By BARBARA GIASONE STAFF WRITER
Take it from Jason Woods: The book is always better than the movie.
No doubt, Woods has probably checked out every edition before choosing a film of his liking.
Accessibility is no problem.
The 31-year-old has been the Hunt Branch Library technician assistant for the past six years.
Right now, he’s plowing through author Gregory David Roberts’ 900-page paperback, “Shantaram,” currently in production for a 2008 film release.
The plot details a heroin addict’s escape from prison in Australia, and his reinvention as a doctor in the slums of Bombay.
“Johnny Depp already has the rights to the film,” Woods said. “I know this is going to make a great movie.”
Woods has been a bibliophile since age 5 when his mother would drive him to the downtown branch of the Riverside Public Library twice a week.
“Mom was a teacher, so she knew the importance of reading,” Woods said. “I’m sure I picked out the picture books, and the ones that told about trucks and trains. I can still remember the vintage library smell.
“There was always someone reading in our house,” Woods added.
Woods enjoyed children’s literature so much that he’s decided to pursue a teaching credential from Cal State Fullerton after earning a bachelor’s from UC Riverside.
He has his sights set on teaching fourth- or fifth-grade classes in the Fullerton School District.
Woods said today’s students are the biggest audience at the Hunt Branch where anything fantasy or magic takes priority.
The adults, he added, enjoy paperback mysteries, crime dramas and romance novels.
When he doesn’t have his nose in a book, Woods enjoys camping and hiking.
“And I’ve met a lot of people from Fullerton playing soccer with the YMCA Men’s League,” he said. “It’s a good way to find new friends who are part of the community.”
He would be remiss in not mentioning movie-going takes up a lot of his free time - after he’s read the book.
Jason Woods
Age: 31 Residence:
Costa Mesa
Education:
UC Riverside, Cal State Fullerton.