7 Books becoming movies in 2017

I love reading. And I also love watching movies! Both offers great story-telling and insights into other worlds. Since books and movies are such different formats, I often enjoy movies based on books as much as the book itself. They both tell the same story, just in different ways. As long as the book is well written, or the movie is well made, they are both great! At least that’s my opinion. I’ve collected a list of books I’ve read (and one that I haven’t) that are becoming movies in 2017. I hope you’ll all read and enjoy them, and then go watch the movies when they come out.

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All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

When Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of the bell tower at school, it’s unclear who saves whom. And when they pair up on a project to discover the “natural wonders” of their state, both Finch and Violet make more important discoveries.

All the Bright Places* is a beautiful book. Just truly beautiful. This YA novel is written in the stylings of John Green and it’s just as heart wrenching and lovely as his books. Both Finch and Violet has their own problems and joys, and I just really like the way they share it with each other and us.

 

The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Roland Deschain of Gilead is the Last Gunslinger. He is a haunting, solitary figure, on a mysterious quest through a desolate world that eerily mirrors our own. Pursuing the man in black, an evil being who can bring the dead back to life, Roland seems to leave nothing but death in his wake.

Stephen King has says that the Gunslinger series* is inspired when he read the Lord of the Rings and watched the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in the cinema. And that is what this book series really is: a great mix between the sweeping fantasy of the Lord of the Rings universe, and the grueling, gritty world of the Leone’s western. Roland is the true anti-hero, a bounty hunter who will do anything to catch his prey.

I am really looking forward to watching this movie. It feels like a movie while reading it, and I want to see this world ‘for real’.

 

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

On February 12th Samantha dies. However, she still wakes up the next morning. In fact, Sam lives the last day of her life seven times, until she realizes that by making even the slightest changes, she may hold more power than she ever imagined.

Lauren Oliver writes truly well crafted YA novels. Some of you might have read her Delirium trilogy, which I loved. She has a great gift for creating a universe that makes sense, one with it’s own rules and regulations, one you believe in. And that is the case with Before I Fall* as well, as I follow Samantha wake up and experiencing the same day again and again, I never question the validity of this happening to her. The only thing I want is the knowledge of why, and of what will happen to her.

I hope the movie is like that as well, the plot of the book lends itself easily to a movie, and I can’t wait to see what they do with it! I love time travel movies like Groundhog Day where time repeats itself. It’s a well used plot point and can be done really well.

 

Wonder by RJ Palacio

August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He’s about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep. The thing is Auggie’s just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he’s just like them, despite appearances?

Wonder* is one of my all time favorite books. If you choose just one book from this list to read before the movie, pick this one. It’s a great read about a boy that is just like everyone else, and at the same time extraordinary. The book tells the story of Auggie, starting school and meeting new people. But it also tells the story of his parents, of his new friends and of his sister. The book gives us insight into not only Auggie, but also the people in his life. I love getting to know the characters in this book. They seem like real people, with real flaws and failings, but also with loving, courageous aspects.

This is a great gift for the child in your life that enjoys good stories and interesting, different people. Reading about Auggie is a great window to talking about being different and being kind.

Because I love the book so much, it’s also one of the movies I’m the most nervous about. I hope they do the book justice.

 

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Esther Greenwood is brilliant, beautiful, enormously talented, and successful, but slowly going under—maybe for the last time. In her acclaimed and enduring masterwork, Sylvia Plath brilliantly draws the reader into Esther’s breakdown with such intensity that her insanity becomes palpably real, even rational.

The Bell Jar* is a harrowing and brutally beautiful description of someone who is lost within herself. It’s both frightening and heart wrenching what Esther goes through in this book, especially when you consider Sylvia Plath’s own life and death. I am not sure how I will manage to watch the movie, but I know I want to. It’s the kind of book you can’t stop thinking about, even though you sometimes want it to stop.

 

The Silver Chair by CS Lewis 

Once again Aslan has a task for the children, and Narnia needs them. Through dangers untold and caverns deep and dark, they pursue the quest that brings them face and face with the evil Witch. She must be defeated if Prince Rillian is to be saved.

I’ve loved Narnia since I was a kid, and the new series of movies are just great! I’m really looking forward to seeing the latest one: The Silver Chair*. It follows Eustace and Jill who must battle the evil witch to save Narnia. This book has more of an investigative quality that the earlier books, that have more of a pure adventure feel and it’s a really enjoyable read.

 

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

In the year 2044, reality is an ugly place. The only time teenage Wade Watts really feels alive is when he’s jacked into the virtual utopia known as the  OASIS that promise massive power and fortune to whoever can unlock it. When Wade stumbles upon the first clue, he finds himself beset by players willing to kill to take this ultimate prize. The race is on, and if Wade’s going to survive, he’ll have to win—and confront the real world he’s always been so desperate to escape.

Ready Player One* is the only book on the list I haven’t read already, but it’s on my to be read pile and I will read it before the movie comes out! This seems so good. A lot of people have recommended it to me, and with the movie coming out I have a deadline to finish it. I’ll let you know what I think once I’ve finished it. Has anyone else read it? Any good?

 

I’ve linked up to ModerMrsDarcy’s Quick Lit, head over to read more great book posts. What do you think? Any of the books becoming movies you’d like to read? Let me know!