So, this holiday season, had a chance yet to gather up the family, grab a box of popcorn, and settle into the multiplex to watch James Franco hack off his arm on the big screen? If not, you’re missing out, because director Danny Boyle’s 127 Hours is more Slumdog Millionaire than Saw, and I guarantee that, after you watch this flick, you’ll never forget to tell someone where you’re going before you light out on a morning hike in some deserted part of the world.

In honor of the release of the movie, you can head over to Outside and read an excerpt from the book the movie was based on, Aaron Ralston’s Between a Rock and a Hard Place. I agree, definitely beats A Christmas Carol for holiday reading.