Five Books To Read Before They Become Films

Looking through my ‘to be read’ list for this year there is a fair few on there that are due to become films in 2017. I thought I’d share a few of them as if you’re like me you’re going to want to read the book before watching the movie! I’m someone who always loves to read the book before I see the film, I need to have my own ideas on the characters before it’s all visualised for me and I can’t imagine them being anyone else but the actors who play them. Occasionally I will see a film first and then won’t enjoy the book as much, I may be the only person who likes the Silver Linings Playbook film more than the book! It can go either way with book to film adaptations, people have such strong opinions about their favourite books – here are a few to look out for over the next year.

Wonder – R.J. Palacio

I’ve wrote about this book many times before, it’s one of my favourites. The film version is due out April this year and I just don’t know how I feel about it. It has never been one of those books that I’ve thought, ‘oh, that would be a brilliant film’, in fact I think I will be difficult to convert to the big screen. It stars Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson but the thing that may win me over is that it’s directed by Steve Chobsky who wrote and directed Perks Of Being A Wallflower, an amazing book and equally amazing film. I think this is a big one to read before you even think of seeing the film.

The Dark Tower The Gunslinger Vol. 1 – Stephen King

I’ve carted this book around with me for about 15 years, it was one I took from my parents bookshelf as I always intended to read it and never got round to it. I think this will finally be the year I do knowing that the film is due out in July. It stars Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba and they are a popular series of books so you’d hope the films would do them justice.

Hidden Figures – Margot Lee Shetterly

I’m hoping to read this book soon, the whole story sounds fascinating. The film looks like it’s going to be popular and it’s great that it’s throwing the book into the spotlight too, it stars Octavia Spencer and Taraji P.Henson and is out the end of February.  It’s based on the true story of the African-American female mathematicians who were part of the crucial work done at NASA during the space race, it covers nearly three decades from the end of WW2, through the civil rights movement up to the cold war. I can imagine it’s a very inspiring read.

The Circle – Dave Eggers

This book always pops up in my recommendations and it’s another one which sounds interesting, it’s based on our obsession and addiction with the internet and social media. The book has mixed reviews but the premise is certainly timely and something very relevant to us today. The film is due out the end of April this year and stars Emma Watson and Tom Hanks – the actors are selling this one to me!

The Glass Castle– Jeanette Walls

This book is a memoir by journalist Jeanette Walls and follows her unconventional, nomadic childhood up to how she ended up living the life she did. The book gets some amazing reviews and sounds like such a different read, it already seems like the kind of story that would make a great film. The film stars Brie Lawson and Naomi Watts and is due out some time this year.

Also in cinemas at the moment is A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, I’d thoroughly recommend the book and I’m hoping to see the film soon. Not a film but worth a mention, American Gods by Neil Gaiman has been made into a television series which is due out on Amazon Prime this year. The book is mind-blowing, I’m not sure it will matter if you watch the show first or read the book but do read the book at some point.

I’d love to know if you’ve read any of these and if you’re planning to see the films!

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