It happens every year. For better or worse, some brilliant works of fiction are turned into movies. Every year, the circle of people who’ve seen the movie but “never had time” for the book grows threateningly larger. If you’re still preparing your booklist for the year and wish to avoid the disappointment of another poor adaption, or at least make it through a social gathering without movie audience spoilers, you may want to start reading these.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
The Bennets take on the undead in this darkly humorous twist on the Victorian classic. Follow Elizabeth Bennet as she takes on the zombie hordes and takes a certain interest in recent neighbor Mr. Darcy. Is there room for love in the midst of a zombie crisis?
Release date: February 5th, 2016
Get The BookThe Choice
Nicholas Sparks
Travis Parker is a single man, and he likes his life just so. With all his hobbies and free time, he fears a serious relationship would keep him from the fun in his life. That is until his new neighbor moves in.
Release date: February 5th, 2016
Get The BookAllegiant
Veronica Roth
The third installment in the Divergent Series promises to reveal secrets of the dystopian society constructed in Divergent and Insurgent! Find out what happens before it’s spoiled by a friend.
Release date: March 18th, 2016
Get The BookThe Jungle Book
Rudyard Kipling
Enjoy this collection of stories with memorable characters like Mowgli the boy born in the wild, Baloo the bear, and more. Expect insightful tales, poignant metaphors, and fun adventures in this classic.
Release date: April 15, 2016
Get The BookThrough the Looking Glass
Lewis Carroll
The less famous but equally bizarre sequel to Alice in Wonderland. Ever hear of the poem the Jabberwocky? It’s from this trip back through the mirror. Maybe you’re looking forward to Johnny Depp’s return as the Mad Hatter, but regardless of the cast, the book is a treat.
Release date: May 27, 2016
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The BFG
Roald Dahl
A little girl makes friends with a giant that refuses to eat people…unlike the not so nice other giants from his world. While Charlie and the Chocolate Factory may not have been well liked, Matilda and Fantastic Mister Fox were critically acclaimed adaptions. Still, better safe than sorry.
Release date: July 1, 2016
Get The BookThe Girl On The Train
Paula Hawkins
A recently divorced woman’s routine train ride into London wraps her into an investigation when she witnesses a murder at the home she once lived in.
Release date: October 7th, 2016
Get The BookInferno
Dan Brown
Robert Langdon is brought back to Italy to follow the clues of dangerous scientist wrapped in the first part of Dante’s Divine Comedy, Inferno. If you liked Angels & Demons, The Da Vinci Code, and his other works, you’ll probably like this book. If you like Tom Hanks as Robert Langdon, you’ll probably like the movie too.
Release date: October 14, 2016
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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Newt Scamander
A guide to the monsters in the magical world around and beyond Hogwartz! Not much narrative here, though that hasn’t stopped Hollywood from turning it into a thrilling story of intrigue and capture starring Eddie Redmayne and Colin Farrel. J.K Rowling is attached to the film, which is a good sign for the feature. You may have enjoyed the original Harry Potter adaptions, but we’re still trying to forget The Hobbit trilogy…If you haven’t yet, it up and give it a read!
Release date: November 18, 2016
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Silence
Shusaku Endo
This story follows a young Jesuit missionary searching for his mentor in 17th century, Christian hating country of Japan. A highly praised and critically acclaimed novel about faith, racism, and sacrifice, Martin Scorsese has been working on this since 1991. Whether he’ll pull it off or not, the book stands on its own.
Release date: TBD
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