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Winter Reading List: Over 40 Books to Read Before They Become Movies

What Books Are Being Made Into Movies Winter 2015

Winter Reading List: Over 40 Books to Read Before They Become Movies

What Books Are Being Made Into Movies Winter 2015

Winter is here freezing our bones, so what better time to crack a book in front of the fireplace? We have a whole list of books to read now — which all happen to be coming out as movies in the near future (make sure you see all the 2016 adaptations here). So take a look, snap one up, and take a little break from all that wintertime family bonding to escape into a whole new literary world.

1 Love May Fail by Matthew Quick

Love May Fail by Matthew Quick
  • What it's about: A woman dealing with the breakup of her marriage heads back to her hometown to clear the name of a former teacher.
  • Who's starring: Emma Stone will star in the movie, which is being adapted by Mike White.
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2 Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff
  • What it's about: This young adult sci-fi tale is the first book in a trilogy about Kady and Ezra, two former love interests whose planet is invaded in the year 2575. Breakup stress and intergalactic warfare abound.
  • Who's starring: No one has been cast yet, but Brad Pitt is producing the film.
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3 The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
  • What it's about: In this mystery, a woman thinks she may know something about a crime involving a couple she sees on her train commute every day. Here are more details about the adaptation.
  • Who's starring: Emily Blunt is starring (see the cast here), and The Help's Tate Taylor is directing.
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4 The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey
  • What it's about: The 16-year-old Cassie Sullivan struggles to survive in a world devastated by an alien invasion.
  • Who's starring: Chloë Grace Moretz will star as Cassie, costarring with Liev Schreiber and It Follows breakout star Maika Monroe.
  • Watch the trailer for The 5th Wave.
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5 The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls

The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
  • What it's about: The memoir of Jeannette Walls chronicles her unconventional and sometimes bizarre upbringing and relationship with her parents.
  • Who's starring: Brie Larson will take on the role of Jeannette.
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6 The Choice by Nicholas Sparks

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks
  • What it's about: A confirmed bachelor falls for the girl next door in this 2007 novel from the romance master.
  • Who's starring: Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer, and Tom Welling will star.
  • Watch the trailer for The Choice.
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7 Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
  • What it's about: After her mom, Bernadette, disappears, 15-year-old Bee dives into emails, documents, and secret correspondence to find her.
  • Who's starring: Richard Linklater is set to direct the film, and Cate Blanchett has been cast as Bernadette. Scott Neustadter and Michael H. Weber — the writers behind (500) Days of Summer — are set to write the screenplay.
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8 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
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9 Fifty Shades Darker by E L James

Fifty Shades Darker by E L James
  • What it's about: In this Fifty Shades of Grey sequel, Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele's relationship deepens as he lets her in a little more.
  • Who's starring: Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson will reprise their roles as Christian and Ana. Here's everything else we know about the adaptation.
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10 Live by Night by Dennis Lehane

Live by Night by Dennis Lehane
  • What it's about: Set in the Prohibition era of the '20s, the novel tells the story of a Boston thief who finds success as a rum runner.
  • Who's starring: Ben Affleck is writing, directing, and starring in the film, marking his second time adapting one of the author's books — his directorial debut came with the adaptation of Lehane's Gone Baby Gone. Chris Messina, Zoe Saldana, and Sienna Miller are costarring.
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11 How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo

How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo
  • What it's about: Manhattanite Julie travels the world to study the dating habits of other women, and back in New York, her single friends navigate their love lives.
  • Who's starring: Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Dan Stevens, Leslie Mann, Lily Collins, and Alison Brie will star.
  • Watch the trailer for How to Be Single.
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12 My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier
  • What it's about: The classic novel tells the story of Philip and his mysterious cousin Rachel, who may or may not be guilty of murdering another of their family members.
  • Who's starring: Rachel Weisz and Sam Claflin will star as Rachel and Philip.
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13 The Silent Wife by A. S. A. Harrison

The Silent Wife by A. S. A. Harrison
  • What it's about: The book changes perspective between a couple who has been together for 20 years while she takes care of him and he cheats on her.
  • Who's starring: Nicole Kidman will produce and star in the adaptation as the wife.
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14 Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer

Annihilation by Jeff Vandermeer
  • What it's about: In this thriller, a biologist sets out on an expedition to a mysterious area to find out what killed her husband there.
  • Who's starring: Natalie Portman and Jane the Virgin's Gina Rodriguez will costar.
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15 The Taliban Shuffle by Kim Barker

The Taliban Shuffle by Kim Barker
  • What it's about: In this memoir, Kim Barker records her time as a journalist in Afghanistan and Pakistan in the early 2000s.
  • Who's starring: Tina Fey is starring in and producing the adaptation, which is now titled Whiskey Tango Foxtrot. Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman, and Nicholas Braun will costar.
  • Watch the trailer for Whiskey Tango Foxtrot.
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16 Allegiant by Veronica Roth

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
  • What it's about: In the third installment of the Divergent series, Tris, Four, and her allies discover what's on the other side of the fence — and why. The book will be divided into two parts: 2016's Allegiant and 2017's Ascendent.
  • Who's starring: Shailene Woodley and Theo James will reprise their roles; here is the full cast.
  • Watch the trailer for Allegiant.
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17 Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll

Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll
  • What it's about: The sequel to Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland has spawned a film sequel to 2010's Alice in Wonderland. Six months later, Alice has another adventure through said looking glass and meets characters such as the Jabberwocky.
  • Who's starring: Mia Wasikowska and Johnny Depp are reprising their roles as Alice and the Mad Hatter, respectively.
  • Watch the trailer for Alice Through the Looking Glass.
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18 Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
  • What it's about: In this love story, young Louisa forms a bond with Will, the paralyzed man she is employed to help.
  • Who's starring: Emilia Clarke is playing Louisa opposite Sam Claflin. Other costars include Matthew Lewis, who you can see in this onset roundup. Here is the whole cast.
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19 The BFG by Roald Dahl

The BFG by Roald Dahl
  • What it's about: In the children's classic, a young girl named Sophie befriends the titular friendly giant.
  • Who's starring: Bill Hader is playing the giant, and Steven Spielberg will direct the live-action adaptation.
  • Watch the trailer for The BFG.
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20 Goat by Brad Land

Goat by Brad Land
  • What it's about: The memoir of a young man, Brad Land, who joined a fraternity at college in an already fragile emotional state, only to be hazed and tormented.
  • Who's starring: Ben Schnetzer will play Brad, with Nick Jonas as his brother.
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21 Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates by Mike and Dave Stangle

Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates by Mike and Dave Stangle
  • What it's about: Real-life brothers Mike and Dave Stangle put out a Craigslist ad for wedding dates, and the ad went viral. Their experience with the ad and the subsequent search around the country is chronicled in their book.
  • Who's starring: Adam DeVine and Zac Efron (who will be shirtless a lot) are playing Mike and Dave. Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza also star.
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22 A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
  • What it's about: A young boy deals with bullying and his mother's illness by inventing a fantasy world filled with monsters and other creatures.
  • Who's starring: Felicity Jones will play Mum, with Liam Neeson and Sigourney Weaver costarring.
  • Watch the trailer for A Monster Calls.
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23 Inferno by Dan Brown

Inferno by Dan Brown
  • What it's about: The Da Vinci Code series continues with Robert Langdon's latest adventure as he tries to stop another international scheme by following clues in Dante's Divine Comedy.
  • Who's starring: Tom Hanks will reprise his role as Langdon, and Felicity Jones will costar as Sienna Brooks. Ben Foster will play the villain.
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24 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
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25 Silence by Shusaku Endo

Silence by Shusaku Endo
  • What it's about: Set in 17th-century Japan, the book follows the story of Jesuits who are trying to bring Christianity to Japan.
  • Who's starring: Andrew Garfield is playing Father Rodrigues in the film, which is being directed by Martin Scorsese. Adam Driver and Liam Neeson are also playing priests.
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26 The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman

The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman
  • What it's about: A lighthouse keeper and his wife discover a baby and a dead body near their home off the coast of Australia after World War I.
  • Who's starring: Michael Fassbender will star, alongside Alicia Vikander as his wife.
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27 Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
  • What it's about: In this YA novel, a teenager named Jacob explores the ruins of a strange house on an island near Wales.
  • Who's starring: Eva Green and Asa Butterfield will star, with Tim Burton directing.
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28 The Circle by Dave Eggers

The Circle by Dave Eggers
  • What it's about: A young woman named Mae Holland takes a job at a Google-like tech company, where she quickly climbs the corporate ladder.
  • Who's starring: Emma Watson is starring as Mae, alongside Tom Hanks and John Boyega. James Ponsoldt is directing.
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29 The Queen of Katwe by Tim Crothers

The Queen of Katwe by Tim Crothers
  • What it's about: It's the true tale of Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan teen who came from poverty to become one of the world's best chess players.
  • Who's starring: David Oyelowo will star as the man who mentors Phiona, and Lupita Nyong'o will play her mother.
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30 The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman
  • What it's about: This true story follows the keepers of the Warsaw Zoo, who helped to save hundreds of people from the Nazis in World War II by smuggling them in empty cages.
  • Who's starring: Jessica Chastain will star with Daniel Brühl in the movie.
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31 Looking For Alaska by John Green

Looking For Alaska by John Green
  • What it's about: A cerebral teen falls for a girl, the titular Alaska, in this novel from The Fault in Our Stars author John Green.
  • Who's starring: There's no cast yet, but the screenplay will be adapted by the same team who did The Fault in Our Stars.
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32 Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan

Brain on Fire by Susannah Cahalan
  • What it's about: Susannah Cahalan's autobiography examines her diagnosis of the rare autoimmune disorder encephalitis, which caused her to black out, have violent episodes, and have delusions.
  • Who's starring: Chloë Grace Moretz will play Susannah. Tyler Perry, Thomas Mann, and Jenny Slate will costar.
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33 The Lost City of Z by David Grann

The Lost City of Z by David Grann
  • What it's about: In this true tale, Grann tells the story of how British explorer Percy Fawcett got lost searching for an ancient, fabled civilization in the Amazon in 1925.
  • Who's starring: Charlie Hunnam will play Fawcett, and Robert Pattinson and Sienna Miller will costar in the film, which will be directed by James Gray.
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34 The November Criminals by Sam Munson

The November Criminals by Sam Munson
  • What it's about: A misbehaving high-school senior investigates the death of his classmate.
  • Who's starring: Ansel Elgort and Chloë Grace Moretz will star. Catherine Keener also has a supporting role.
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35 Nerve by Jeanne Ryan

Nerve by Jeanne Ryan
  • What it's about: In this YA novel, a high-school senior gets caught up in a creepy online game of Truth or Dare.
  • Who's starring: Emma Roberts and Dave Franco are starring.
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36 The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
  • What it's about: This coming-of-age tale tells the story of a boy and his fascination with a tiny but special painting.
  • Who's starring: The adaptation has not been cast yet, but we have many ideas about who should star.
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37 The Rules of Inheritance by Claire Bidwell Smith

The Rules of Inheritance by Claire Bidwell Smith
  • What it's about: This memoir follows Bidwell Smith's experiences with love, loss, and grief in the wake of her parents' deaths.
  • Who's starring: Jennifer Lawrence will star in the film adaptation as Claire.
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38 Home Is Burning by Dan Marshall

Home Is Burning by Dan Marshall
  • What it's about: Marshall's memoir tells the story of his return home as a 20-something to help take care of his mother and father, diagnosed with cancer and ALS, respectively.
  • Who's starring: Miles Teller will star and produce, and Jonathan Levine is directing.
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39 A Hologram For the King by Dave Eggers

A Hologram For the King by Dave Eggers
  • What it's about: A struggling businessman heads to Saudi Arabia in a fight to save his finances. He hopes to steer clear of foreclosure and pay his daughter's college tuition.
  • Who's starring: Tom Hanks will star in the film adaptation, which Tom Tykwer is directing.
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40 American Pastoral by Philip Roth

American Pastoral by Philip Roth
  • What it's about: The life of Seymour "Swede" Levov is chronicled, beginning in 1960s New Jersey and following him for decades.
  • Who's starring: Ewan McGregor is directing and also starring as Seymour, alongside Jennifer Connelly and Dakota Fanning.
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41 The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson

The Devil in the White City by Eric Larson
  • What it's about: The unbelievable true story of Daniel Burnham, the architect responsible for the construction of the Chicago World's Fair in 1893, and Dr. H. H. Holmes, a serial killer who used the fair to lure victims to his own "World's Fair Hotel" — and to their deaths.
  • Who's starring: Leonardo DiCaprio will play the sick-minded Holmes, though there's no word yet on who will step in as Burnham. Martin Scorsese will direct.
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42 All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
  • What it's about: In this young adult romance, a girl named Violet falls for Finch, a boy who is intent on ending his life.
  • Who's starring: Elle Fanning is starring, and Miguel Arteta is directing.
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43 Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain

Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain
  • What it's about: A soldier and his squad survive a battle in Iraq and come back to the US for a promotional tour that includes a stop at a Thanksgiving Day football game.
  • Who's starring: Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund, and newcomer Joe Alwyn are attached to star. Ang Lee will direct.
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44 Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock by Matthew Quick
  • What it's about: A young, disturbed man plans a murder-suicide in this YA drama.
  • Who's starring: Channing Tatum and his producing partner Reid Carolin are codirecting, and Tatum may star in the film.
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45 The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin

The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
  • What it's about: Two strangers on a charter plane crash in the wilderness and have to depend on each other to survive.
  • Who's starring: Charlie Hunnam and Rosamund Pike are starring opposite each other.
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46 Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
  • What it's about: The relationship of two young Nigerians is tested by long distance and immigration issues when one of them moves to America.
  • Who's starring: Lupita Nyong'o will play the female lead opposite David Oyelowo, while Brad Pitt is producing.
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