5 Books You MUST Read Before They Become Movies

Movie or book? Sometimes one is better than the other, but one thing’s for sure, it’s always more fun to read the book first. There’s just something about watching the characters you’ve read about (and imagined in your mind) come to life on the big screen.

Some of the best movies ever made are based on books—everything from old-Hollywood staples like “Breakfast at Tiffany’s” (based on the novella by Truman Capote), “The Godfather” (based on the novel by Mario Puzo) and “Gone With The Wind” (based on the novel by Margaret Mitchell) to more modern movies like “Gone Girl” (based on the novel by Gillian Flynn), “The Devil Wears Prada” (based on the novel by Lauren Weisberger) and “Girl On The Train” (based on the novel by Paula Hawkins).

It’s always interesting to see how faithful—or not—the movie adaptation is to the book. If you love literary-based flicks, 2017 is going to be your year. Check out this list of five must-read books that will be released as movies next year or in early 2018.

1.“A Wrinkle In Time” By Madeline L’Engle

Before there was “The Hunger Games” and “The Fault In Our Stars,” there was “A Wrinkle In Time.” Published in 1963, this science fantasy classic was geared toward young adults but is also beloved by adults of all ages. Featuring witches, time travel and one awesome young female protagonist, “A Wrinkle In Time” should be pure movie magic when it hits the big screen (it was originally scheduled for release in July, but now it looks like we’ll have to wait until April 2018—but still, get reading!).

2. “The Bell Jar” By Sylvia Plath

This semi-autobiographical novel about a woman’s struggles with mental illness is a dark and poignant examination of what it means to be a woman and the struggles all of us face. Author Sylvia Plath sadly committed suicide a month after its publication. The novel has become a touchstone in popular culture, having been referenced in “The Heathers,” “Gilmore Girls” and “The Simpsons,” to name a few. Directed by Kirsten Dunst and starring Dakota Fanning, the movie adaptation should be in theaters by 2018.

3.“The Dark Tower” By Stephen King

Horror genre giant Steven King has a long track record of his books being turned into successful movies, including “Carrie,” “The Shining” and “Stand by Me.” “The Dark Tower” series is about gunslinger “Roland” who pursues “The Man in Black” in an alternate-reality universe. The books combine elements from several genres, including horror, science fiction and westerns, so there’s something for everyone. Check out the movie version in July 2017.

4.“A Dog’s Purpose” By W. Bruce Cameron

W. Bruce Cameron of “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter” fame penned this heartwarming tale of a dog who is reincarnated several times, learning life lessons along the way. Even if you don’t consider yourself a dog person, bring tissues with you to the theater when the film premieres in January 2017, because it’s sure to be a tearjerker.

5.“Hidden Figures” By Margot Lee Shetterly

Fiction not your thing? Check out this movie based on the non-fiction book about female mathematicians at NASA in the 1960s. Starring Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer and Janelle Monae, the film follows the women who calculated flight trajectories for famous spaceflights like the Apollo 11 trip to the moon. Look for “Hidden Figures” in theaters in January 2017.