This weekend sees the release of two major theatrical adaptations of popular books — “Vampire Academy,” based on the best-selling young-adult series by Richelle Mead, and “The Monuments Men,” derived from the nonfiction narrative by Robert M. Edsel.
Both are worth at least a Kindle sample, but why not get ahead of the curve and catch up on the books adapted for this year’s most anticipated movies?
Sure, you already know there’s yet another “Hobbit” movie, but these 10 reads are certain to keep you entertained — and busy — while you wait for their big screen bows.
Paddington
Film release: Dec. 12
Book released: The first book, “A Bear Called Paddington,” was published in 1958.
Numerical bona fides: More than 30 million copies of the various books have been sold.
Why we care: It’s criminal that the world has not yet received a big-screen adaptation of the classic children’s book series about a lovable bear in a sou’wester and duffle coat. Colin Firth will voice the CGI Paddington, with Nicole Kidman appearing as a villainous taxidermist. Somehow that sounds exactly right.
Winter’s Tale
Film release date: Feb. 14
Book release year: 1983
Numerical bona fides: Not available
Why we care: Colin Farrell stars as the robber who falls for an ailing heiress in Mark Helprin’s fantasy novel. He then sets out to save her via a flying horse and reincarnation. For Valentine’s Day, what could be better than a literal hunk on a white horse?
This Is Where I Leave You
Film release: Sept. 12
Book released: 2009
Numerical bona fides: On the New York Times extended best-seller list for three weeks.
Why we care: Good old-fashioned family drama erupts in Jonathan Tropper’s hilarious novel about four estranged siblings who return home after their father dies to sit shiva. Did we mention those four siblings are being played by Tina Fey, Jason Bateman, Corey Stoll and Adam Driver? Count us in.
Unbroken
Film release: Dec. 25
Book released: 2010
Numerical bona fides: Nearly four million copies sold; spent 14 weeks on top of the New York Times best-seller list.
Why we care: Laura Hillenbrand’s best seller follows the true story of Olympic runner Louis Zamperini, who went on to survive a plane crash during World War II, which left him at sea on a raft for 47 days. Upon finally discovering land, he was captured and sent to a notorious Japanese POW camp. Angelina Jolie directs the film — her second — and its release date means we could be talking about this one come next year’s Oscar race.
Divergent
Film release: March 21
Book released: 2011
Numerical bona fides: More than 10 million copies of the series have been sold.
Why we care: If the early hype is to be believed, the “Divergent” franchise is set to be the next “Hunger Games.” Rising star Shailene Woodley tackles the heroine in this one: A young girl who discovers she has a special mind that keeps her from fitting neatly into her dystopian society’s four succinct factions. Woodley (“The Descendants” and TV’s “The Secret Life of the American Teenager”) has proven she’s got the acting chops to hold it down, and millions of readers of the trilogy have proven author Victoria Roth knows her way around a young-adult epic.
Gone Girl
Film release: Oct. 3
Book release year: 2012
Numerical bona fides: More than six million copies sold.
Why we care: Gillian Flynn’s smash thriller gets a David Fincher adaptation, complete with a megawatt star in Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne. When Dunne’s wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike), goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary, all signs point to Nick as the killer. But things aren’t exactly as they seem, and knowing whom to trust is as complex as the mystery itself.
The Giver
Film release: Aug. 15
Book released: 1993
Numerical bona fides: Has sold more than five million copies.
Why we care: The Newbery Medal-winning classic from Lois Lowry finally gets its turn on the big screen thanks to Jeff Bridges, who worked for 20 years to get it. He also stars as the titular Giver, who gives history’s disruptive memories — good and bad — to a young boy (Brenton Thwaites) in a dystopian society that champions “sameness.” Meryl Streep, who makes no mistakes ever, plays the Chief Elder, a part that was beefed up for her.
The Fault in Our Stars
Film release: June 6
Book release: 2012
Numerical bona fides: No. 1 New York Times best seller; on the best-seller list for 107 consecutive weeks; more than five million copies in print.
Why we care: Woodley’s other adaptation this year isn’t as splashy, but it’s certainly just as buzzy. In the film version of John Green’s novel, Woodley plays a 16-year-old cancer patient who falls in love with a boy (Ansel Elgort) in her support group. In other words, yes, you will cry . . . a lot.
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay — Part 1
Film release: Nov. 21
Book released: 2010
Numerical bona fides: More than 50 million copies of the series have been sold.
Why we care: OK, so you know about this one. But still: Jennifer Lawrence! In the third film — which covers the first half of the final book in the trilogy — Katniss becomes the face of the rebellion against the Capital. Gone are the games — now it’s all-out war. In addition to the tried-and-true ensemble, Julianne Moore and the late Philip Seymour Hoffman join the cast.
Wild
Film release: TBD in 2014
Book released: 2012
Numerical bona fides: More than one million copies have been sold.
Why we care: Oprah Winfrey gave Cheryl Strayed’s memoir a huge boost when she selected it for her book club. Reese Witherspoon stars, sans makeup, in the film adaptation which follows Strayed on a 1,100-mile hike as she attempts to find herself after a failed marriage and her mother’s death. If it’s good enough for Oprah, it’s good enough for us.