9 Books to Read Before They Become Movies in 2016
1/10With the New Year already upon us, there is no better time to give your bookshelf a bit of a spritz. If you're on the hunt for a book that goes beyond the brilliance of a shiny new cover, then we've got the perfect suggestions for you: movies. Yes, really! Hollywood is continually turning literary pieces into pure cinematic goodness so it's no doubt that you're keen to get first dibs on what's coming to your local movie theater.
In anticipation of what's heading our way, we've rounded up 9 books that are set to become big hits at the box office this year. Bonus: while reading ahead may ruin the suspense of what happens on the big screen, you'll be able to compare the text and its adaptation and pick a favorite between the two. And that way, you'll always be in the know.
2/10Allegiant
Book by: Veronica Roth
Movie release date: March 18th
If you thought the Divergent series couldn't get any more exciting, you're in for a treat. Allegiant sees Tris, Four, and the rest of their kickass crew take a leap of faith as they leave the confines of the world that they know as home only to discover life on the outside. Pretty intense, right? If you've seen the previous movies, it's only right to guarantee that it will escalate in even more drama, chaos, and hopefully a lot more shirtless scenes of Theo James (we hope). Plus, if you read the book, you'll know what's coming in the fourth movie — they split the final installment into two movies. Thanks, Hollywood, for the constant cliffhangers!
3/10The Girl on the Train
Book by: Paula Hawkins
Movie release date: October 7th
Thanks to Edge of Tomorrow and the glorious Sicario, Emily Blunt is no stranger to playing major, multifaceted badasses. In The Girl on the Train,, she'll play Rachel Watson, a seemingly ordinary woman who sees something mysterious on her daily commute, only to find herself embroiled in a murder mystery. We'll definitely be needing more than popcorn to stomach that one.
4/10Let It Snow
Book by: John Green
Movie release date: December 9th
John Green has already proved to be a Nicholas Sparks in the making after he tragically crushed our hearts with the story of Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters in The Fault in Our Stars. He even added a bit of mystery to the mix with Paper Towns, and now he's back with Let It Snow. The story sees the intertwining of three romances that take place over the course of Christmas Eve. We know you literally just stopped listening to "All I Want for Christmas Is You," but queue up that holiday playlist all over again because this book will make you count down the days until the most wonderful time of the year.
5/10The 5th Wave
Book by: Rick Yancey
Movie release date: January 22nd
Our girl Chloë Grace Moretz is going to be literally everywhere this year. The 5th Wave sees Moretz playing the character of Cassie, a teen girl who tries to save the world from being torn apart by aliens for the fifth time in a row. If the prospect of aliens and destruction appeals to you, this may just be one to put on your calendar and your bookshelf, ASAP.
6/10Me Before You
Book by: JoJo Moyes
Movie release date: March 4th
If soppy romances are right up your alley, you'll be glad to hear that JoJo Moyes has come to the rescue with the perfect cast to get those crocodile tears flowing. The book tells the story of a girl from a small town who forms an unlikely bond with a recently paralyzed man. Game of Thrones actress Emilia Clarke and the Hunger Games's Sam Claflin are among the actors tied to the film, and can we say it? We'll say it: Best. Lineup. Ever.
7/10Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Book by:
Newt ScamanderJ.K RowlingMovie release date: November 18th
It's been a long four years since we witnessed the final credits of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 roll up on our screens. Mercifully, J.K. Rowling is back with yet another magical tale. Starring Eddie Redmayne, the story reveals the life of Newt Scamander who travels the globe in search of magical creatures — and American wizards, listen up: he's headed our way.
8/10The BFG
Book by: Roald Dahl
Movie release date: July 1st
Nothing says a good bedtime story like a good old classic from Roald Dahl — and even more so now that it's been given a modern day makeover. Dahl's fantasy adventure tells the story of an orphan named Sophie, who gets whisked away into a land of bloodthirsty giants. She finds protection with a kinder and much smaller giant — but don't let the size fool you, he's still the big friendly giant. If a trip back to your childhood sounds ideal, this book is for you.
9/10Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Book by: Seth Grahame-Smith
Movie release date: February 12th
Any true bookworm will have come across Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice at some point in their lives... but if you thought the book might have benefited from a modern twist, Seth Grahame-Smith has the adaptation for you. Enter: flesh-eating zombies. Yep, you read that right. Smith's comedy mash-up is set to contain some of the biggest names in Hollywood: Suki Waterhouse, Lily James, and Douglas Booth will all show the undead who's boss. Surely we can endure a few hours of 19th century brain eaters for that epic trio.
10/10The Chronicles of Narnia and the Silver Chair
Book by: C.S. Lewis
Movie release date: Unknown
It's been almost five years since we saw The Chronicles of Narnia in cinemas, but the next film is finally set to be making headway in the epic franchise. The Silver Chair sees King Caspian, who is now aged as an older man, enlisting Aslan the lion to track down his missing son. There isn't a release date tied to the film quite yet, however, so that means one thing: reread all of the books in C.S. Lewis's epic series, and feel like a kid all over again.
