5 Books To Read Before They Hit The Big Screen

5 Books To Read Before They Hit The Big Screen
{Guest post by Caroline}

Book adaptions are a controversial subject. While occasionally these on-screen releases give an extra dimension to our favorite literary franchises, there’s always a risk that a bad adaption can destroy the imaginary world you created in your head during your initial reading.

Due to this, getting stuck into a good book before a film is released is an essential practice! If the motion picture is going to be a total flop, it’s best to have already absorbed the story before you see it. These five books are incredible works that you should definitely check out before they are released to cinemas later this year.

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Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

Based on a set of photos, the true impact of this story is found when it’s read with these impacting visual aids set with the words. When young Jacob finds the bewildering snapshots in the home of his estranged Grandfather, he could never imagine the significance of his discovery. After many unexplained disappearances, Grandpa Ade is mysteriously killed. As the family visits a remote island to come to terms with the loss, Jacob discovers a whole new reality that he is sure is the secret to the murder.

This story hops between worlds, has weird and wonderful characters, and contains an evil underground plot. The action, drama and potential for special effects mean that this could be a fantastic film. However, if dealt with badly, it could also be a lackluster event. To avoid disappointment, get reading now and enjoy this story in its original format before its cinema release in late September.

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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

The Harry Potter series was a story that wove its way across the screen just as successfully as it did on the page, but will this new story from Rowling’s much-loved magical universe fare equally well? The book itself is a reproduction of a textbook that is mentioned in the original story, with a foreword provided by Albus Dumbledore. Rowling produced the work under the alias of Newt Scamander, who the book was originally accredited to in the original Harry Potter series.

The film is not a straight adaption (that would be quite difficult), but instead is based around the life of this now-famed fictional author. So, while there’s no chance of the book being ruined for fans, it is an essential bit of background reading for those excited about finally having a new Harry Potter movie to look forward to.

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• Did you know? Guiltless Reading is a huge Harry Potter fan. Check out other Harry Potter-related posts. 

Inferno by Dan Brown

Dan Brown is an author whose books cause as much speculation as their film counterparts. With mystery, real-life conspiracy theories and a historical commentary that seems so completely feasible, the Angels and Demons series, of which “Inferno” is the fourth installment, has sparked discussion and debate worldwide.

After a Harvard professor wakes up half across the globe with a head injury and no memory, the tone is immediately set. Alongside associates that he meets along the way, he is catapulted into a long line of clues that uncover some terrible secrets and fracture his band of detectives.

If you haven’t had a chance to catch up with the rest of this series yet, there’s a fantastic documentary for American Netflix (if you’re outside the country, you can use software to access it) called “Cracking the Da Vinci Codes,” which provides a fantastic overview and in-depth exploration into the works of Dan Brown.

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Nerve by Jeanne Ryan

This young adult thriller has taken the world by storm since its release in 2012. Likened to the box office smash hit “The Hunger Games,” we have high hopes for this film’s release in late July. The title refers to an online game of dares which is integral to the plot. When Vee is invited to play, it isn’t long before she realizes that this game knows way too much about her life. While at first this is exciting and novel, in time the true terror of this seemingly harmless pursuit is exposed.

Perfectly paced and highly suspenseful, the true success of this novel is in the writing. No amount of camera tricks or special effects could reproduce the gut-wrenching excitement of reading through the books tensest moments. Due to this, I highly recommend checking it out before it hits the screen.

Get it on Book Depository*.

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson and Chris Tebbetts

Any adult remembers the turbulent years of their teenage life. This fantastic children’s book by James Patterson is sure to transport you back to a time of uncontrollable hormones, awkward relationships and feeling constantly uncomfortable in your own skin. Lead protagonist Rafe Khatchadorian decides to subvert his difficult middle school years by creating a game to rule all games. Rafe aims to break every rule in the school’s code of conduct along with his friends.

Needless to say, hilarity ensues. And with loveable characters and a poignant message, this little novel is an easy and quick read that packs a punch! The film version will be released in October, so you have plenty of time to whizz through before the adaption hits cinemas.

Get it on Book Depository*.

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Film release dates can be hard to keep track of. If you know of any more looming book adaptions that you want people to know about, be sure to leave a comment below. We’d love to hear your ideas!

About the Author

Caroline is an entertainment blogger and writer. She loves books and films, but can’t stand when a classic story is ruined on screen. She hopes fellow bookworms enjoy her recommendations!