8 Books To Read Before They Hit the Big Screen!

I love books. But I also love seeing film adaptations of books that I’ve enjoyed reading. There are a lot of great books being made into movies and I thought I’d share some of the ones that are being released in the next few months.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Why You Should Read It: If you enjoyed the Hunger Games and haven’t got around to the sequel yet – I highly recommend it. It’s got all the drama of the first book but more. More tributes, more arena and more twists and turns that you probably aren’t expecting. I know I wasn’t This trilogy is very quick to read with engaging characters and more of what I loved about the first book.

Australian Release Date: 21st November 2013

Staring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hucherson, Woody Harrelson, Elizabeth Banks, Donald Sutherland, Stanley Tucci

Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card

Why You Should Read It: In preparation of the return of evil aliens, young children are sent to an intense military like academy to train. Family drama and zero gravity – this book may be almost thirty years old but it stands the test of time.

Australian Release Date: 5th December 2013

Staring:  Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin, and Harrison Ford

The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug by JRR Tolkien

Why You Should Read It: Okay – so I haven’t actually read the Hobbit yet. But I recently bought myself a copy (and a copy of the Lord of the Rings books too!) and plan on reading them soon. This book has been loved by children and adults for decades and has influenced literature for just as long. I have to admit I’m rather excited about this second film too – the cast is amazing!

Australian Release Date: 26th December 2013

Staring: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Richard Armitage, Benedict Cumberbatch.

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Why You Should Read It: This is a beautiful book that tugged on my heartstrings when I read it. Set in Nazi Germany, The Book Thief follows a young girl who steals books. But it’s so much more than that. It’s about love and war with one of the most unusual narrators I’ve ever read. And plus – it’s written by an Aussie!

Australian Release Date: 9th January 2014

Staring: Sophie Nélisse, Geoffrey Rush, Emily Watson, Ben Schnetzer

The Maze Runner by James Dashner

Why You Should Read It: Once a month a new boy is deposited into the maze knowing nothing but his name. It’s creepy, full of monsters and only a matter of time before escape isn’t an option any more.

Australian Release Date: 13th February 2014

Staring: Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, and Patricia Clarkson

Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters by Richelle Mead

Why You Should Read It: You may think the world has had enough of YA vampire novels. But don’t write Vampire Academy off just yet. These are vampires with some bite. Rose Hathaway is a kick-arse heroine who isn’t like any sparkly vampires you may have met before. Warrior types protecting other vampires who rule their own with magical powers. And trust me – the book isn’t quite as Fanged Gossip Girl as the trailer makes it look.

Australian Release Date: 13th March 2014

Staring: Zoey Deutch, Lucy Fry, Danila Kozlovsky, Sarah Hyland

Divergent by Veronica Roth

Why You Should Read It: Set in a dystopian society where the population is segregated based on their talents, Divergent is one I’d recommend for lovers of the Hunger Games. With a main character who is engaging and brave, Tris is faces danger as she is different. Having traits belonging to more than one category or faction, she’s in danger of being found out. Her life is in danger as she tries to fit in or be found out. There’s a lot more going on that just that but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone!

Australian Release Date: 20th March 2014

Staring: Shailene Woodley, Kate Winslet, and Theo James

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Why You Should Read It: It’s a beautiful story about life and death. Teenagers Hazel and Augustus meet at a support group for teenagers fighting cancer and the novel follows them as they both muddle their way though. Young yet wise beyond their years, terminally ill Hazel falls in love and has to deal with the consequences relating to that. I’d not read a John Green book before this one and I enjoyed the journey he took me on despite needing to read for the box of tissues a few times along the way!

Australian Release Date: June 2014

Staring:  Shailene Woodley and Ansel Elgort

That is my list of eight books that I recommend you read before the films come out! Let me know in the comments which of these you’ve read or want to read – or which movies you’re excited about!

12 Comments

  1. I’ve already read The Hobbit (I read that and Lord of the Rings last year before the first Hobbit movie came out) and am in the middle of reading The Book Thief. As far as the others, I really, really, really want to read Ender’s Game and The Fault in Our Stars!

    • I highly recommend The Fault in Our Stars! I bought another copy last week. I walked past a store that had a gorgeous hard cover and I just couldn’t help myself! I hope if you get around to reading them you enjoy them as much as I did.

      • Thanks! A couple of my friends have been telling me I have to read it since around this time last year, so maybe I’ll finally get around to it within the next couple of months. *fingers crossed*

  2. Catching Fire, Divergent, and Vampire Academy…can’t wait for those! I actually saw Ender’s Game this past weekend and wasn’t impressed, but I have not read the book, so that may have had something to do with it. I usually try and read the book before the movie, and I’ve actually read all of the others. I do need to reread Catching Fire, though, it’s been awhile. Fun post! I hope Divergent and Vampire Academy turn out to be good! I read an interview with Richelle Mead about VA movie and she is happy with it and talked about the marketing (making it appear more campy and gossip girl-like) is attempting to gain a wider audience. She mentioned that we all need to go see the movie so they’ll make the next one and we’ll get to see Adrian on the big screen! Fun post!

    • Oh no! It’s a shame that you didn’t like Ender’s Game all that much. I’m excited for VA the most. I’m a huge fan of the books and Bloodlines. And whilst I’ll definitely be going to see it and hope they make extra movies, I think I’ll prefer how I see the characters in my head rather than whoever they cast.

  3. EEEP!! I don’t think I’m going to watch all of these, but the ones that I am, I am definitely excited for (Catching Fire, Divergent, The Fault In Our Stars, The Maze Runner, The Book Thief). I have yet to watch the first Hobbit movie, and have yet to read Ender’s Game, and while I loved VA, the trailers just make me feel as if the movie is going to be a major disaster so never mind! XD

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