BAKERSFIELD, Calif. -- The film "New Moon" is based on the international-bestselling book series "Twilight."

"New Moon," which hits theaters Friday, will draw millions of people to theaters, but it's what happens after the theater lights dim that is most interesting. Many viewers will actually be inspired to sit down and read the book, get sucked into the story and, thus, create a whole new group of readers.

That's how fans Lacey Jones and Danielle Salazar got introduced to the "Twilight" book series.

"After we left the movie theater, I bought the first book, sat down, in one spot, and said, 'OK, I'm going to attempt to read,' because I don't read at all. Hate reading. Never read my whole life," said Jones. "I just sat there and read the whole book, because I could not put it down."

It was the same for Salazar.

"I don't like to read often, either," she said. "I wore my books out to where I had to buy another set, because I read them over and over and over again."

But a film inspiring people to read isn't new. Whether it's traveling through Narnia in "Chronicles of Narnia," the tales of a dragon rider in "Eragon," or the adventures of a boy wizard in the "Harry Potter" series, movies based on books spikes sales.

It's a trend Russo's Books has seen first-hand.

"(Sales) definitely pick up before the movie comes out and during the opening weekend," Russo's employee Erin McConkey confirmed.

She added that the "Twilight" series has been especially good for business.

"The word gets passed, and they just have to buy the book," McConkey said.

According to Donna Hylton at the Kern Adult Literacy Council, the trend has even more benefits.

"About a fourth of our county is illiterate," said Hylton.

Even though some people may not think a movie is a good way to get people to read, Hylton disagreed.

"We need all the help. The students will come in an ask about a movie, the tutors use it as a learning opportunity," she said.