James Bond. Go ahead, swoon now.

In the event you can’t tell the difference between “Goldfinger” and “GoldenEye,” or perhaps have no idea which villains to remember and which to forget, Christoph Lindner, NIU’s resident Bond expert, is here to help. Below is his list of which books and movies to consume first when catching up with everything Bond.

1. “Casino Royale” (1953) by Ian Fleming

This is the original pulp novel that started it all and is an absolute must-read for any aspiring Bond fan. Features invlude an inept and over-confident Agent 007 gambling recklessly, drinking too much and screwing up the job. You’ll be left wondering how this snobbish fop became the suave, sophisticated lovestud of the films.

2. “Dr. No” (1962)

This is the first Bond film and, for many enthusiasts, also the best. It’s low-tech compared to later films and somewhat reminiscent of hard-boiled film noir of the 1940s. Memorable scenes include cocktails with Dr. No and Ursula Andress coming out of the ocean in her bikini. Sean Connery nails the role of 007.

3. “Goldfinger” (1964)

This is the hippest Bond film by far. Evil megalomaniac tries to take over the world, but Bond takes him down first (in between sleeping indiscriminately with beautiful women and having his manhood attacked by a giant laser). Great music, a classic Bondmobile and outrageously-named characters like Oddjob and Pussy Galore. What’s not to like?

4. “Casino Royale” (2006)

Otherwise known as the 007 reboot, this film launches Daniel Craig in the role of Bond and tries to get back to basics after the technofetishism of Pierce Brosnan’s Bond (you know, things like the invisible car in “Die Another Day”). Craig’s 007 is more psychological (he cries), physical (he runs) and gritty (he kills a man with his bare hands in a public urinal). Look for the influence of “The Bourne Identity” (2002) on the look and feel of this film.

5. “Quantum of Solace” (1960) by Ian Fleming

This short story about a government dinner party in the Bahamas shares only its title with the most recent Bond film. Knowing the origin of the film’s title, plus being able to show familiarity with Fleming’s minor works will really boost your 007 street cred, and might even get you accepted by die-hard Bond fans (the ones who wear the 007 socks/ties/watches).