I think it's almost a 100% guarantee that I will always like a book better than the movie adaptation. Maybe it's just because I'm a book person, but I think the better explanation is that the books are so much more in depth. By reading the book you get to fully understand the characters. You are able to be inside their heads and thinking what they think, hearing what they hear, seeing everything through their eyes, and feeling what they feel. But when watching a movie you only get to know the things that people actually say. And occasionally you can get a small feel for the characters feelings by their facial expressions. This is not to say that I don't like movie adaptations, on the contrary I usually really enjoy watching them.
Here is a list of books turned it to movies that I've both read and seen:
The Hunger Games: I enjoyed both the book and the movie but the book a little more. See above for reasons why.
Prince Caspian: Book a bit more because the movie had some stuff that wasn't in the book.
The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: Same as Prince Caspian
The Lord of the Rings: Pretty equal
Love Comes Softly Series: Books so much more. The movies were so off base it was ridiculous. I could rant all day about how off they were but we don't have time for that! The movies were ok as long as you take them as a completely different story.
A Walk to Remember: It's been awhile since I read the book but I'm pretty sure I liked the movie better on this one. Maybe because I watched it a lot before reading the book.
Dear John: Equal
The Inheritance: Book way better!
Little Women: Still in the middle of reading this one and while it is really good I grew up watching the movies so I think I like them better.
