10 Books to Read Before They're 2014 Movies

2014 is going to be a great year for page-to-screen adaptations. I will admit that I get excited when a book I like is going to be turned into a movie. There's something about seeing the characters and plot played out on screen that is very thrilling (provided, of course, that the adaptation is done well...).

So, here are 10 books that will be made into movies this year. *Drum roll please*

1. Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin

What it's about: Orphan/mechanic Peter Lake attempts to rob a lavish Manhattan mansion he believes to be empty. Once inside, he encounters Beverly Penn, a young girl who is sick and dying. From that moment on, the love they experience is enough for Peter to stop time and attempt to bring back the dead. 

Release date: February 14, 2014

Starring: Colin Farrell as Peter Lake and Jessica Brown Findlay (formerly Sybil Crawley on Downton Abbey!) as Beverly Penn.

I loved Jessica Brown Findlay in Downton Abbey and I'm a fan of Farrell, so I think they'll be able to pull of this fantasy-love tale. The trailer looked beautiful, too! 

2. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead

What it's about: "St. Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger..." -Goodreads review

Release Date: Originally scheduled for Valentine's Day as well, but the date has been pushed up to February 7th, 2014. 

Starring: Sarah Hyland (Haley Dunphy on Modern Family), Lucy Fry, Zoey Deutch, and Olga Kurylenko (former Bond girl).

3. Divergent by Veronica Roth

What it's about: Set in dystopian Chicago, society is divided into five factions based on personality type (Abnegation, Dauntless, Amity, Candor, and Erudite). When Beatrice Pryor takes the required test to determine the faction she should choose, she's labeled as "Divergent," a dangerous label that she must keep a secret. At the Choosing Ceremony, she follows her gut and chooses to join the Dauntless faction. She renames herself Tris and enters the initiation determined to conquer her fears. In doing so, she discovers herself and secrets about her society that change everything she knew to be true.

Release Date: March 21, 2014

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Kate Winslet, Zoe Kravitz, and Ashley Judd

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

What it's about: Hazel Grace suffers from stage IV lung cancer. Modern medicine has bought her some time, but basically she's a terminally ill time bomb. At the cancer support group her mom makes her attend, she meets Augustus Waters, a guy who pretends to smoke and has a prosthetic leg. The two become friends and through a mutual obsession over a book called An Imperial Affliction, the ill-fated pair soon fall in love.

Release Date: June 6, 2014

Starring: Shailene Woodley, Ansel Elgort, Willem Dafoe, Laura Dern

Seriously, if you have not read this book, stop what you are doing and go find it now. I haven't read something this stunning in a long time. John Green is a genius and puts forth an honest, yet sarcasm-ridden story about self-discovery, anger, love, and fate.

5. The Giver by Lois Lowry

What it's about: In Jonas' world, everything is perfect. There are no diseases, no wars brewing, and equality has been achieved. There are no choices- everything from your occupation to your spouse and child have and will be determined for you. When Jonas turns twelve, he's chosen for a special position in the Community that requires training with The Giver. Only one person can be the "receiver of memories" and only that person holds the memory of pain and pleasure in a Community where that is absent. As Jonas receives the truth, there's no turning back.

Release Date: August 15, 2014

Starring: Meryl Streep, Taylor Swift, Katie Holmes, Jeff Bridges, and Alexander Skarsgard.

I have been waiting for this to be made into a movie since I read this in the 5th grade. So excited!!

6. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

What it's about: Mia's day starts perfectly- a snow day, pancakes are made, and they make plans to visit their grandparents. But in a moment, everything changes. Suddenly, Mia is overlooking a horrible car wreck. She sees her mother and father splayed out on the road, her little brother being removed from the car by paramedics. Then she sees herself being pulled from the wreckage "Am I dead?" she wonders. As soon as she loses everything, she must make a choice: should she stay?

Release Date: August 22, 2014

Starring: Chloe Grace Moretz, Mireille Enos

7. The Maze Runner by James Dashner 
What it's about: "When Thomas wakes up in the lift, the only thing he can remember is his first name. His memory is blank. But he's not alone. When the lift's doors open, Thomas finds himself surrounded by kids who welcome him to the Glade-a large, open expanse surrounded by stone walls. The Gladers don't know why or how they got to the Glade. All they know is that every morning the stone doors to the maze that surrounds them have opened. And every 30 days a new boy has been delivered in the lift. The next day, a girl is sent up-the first girl to ever arrive in the Glade. And more surprising yet is the message she delivers. Thomas might be more important than he could ever guess. If only he could unlock the dark secrets buried within his mind." - Goodreads review
Release Date: September 19, 2014
Starring: Dylan O'Brien, Kaya Scodelario

8. Mockingjay (Part 1) by Suzanne Collins

What it's about: Katniss Everdeen, girl on fire, has survived, even though her home has been destroyed. Gale has escaped. Katniss's family is safe. Peeta has been captured by the Capitol. District 13 really does exist. There are rebels. There are new leaders. A revolution is unfolding. Will Katniss allow herself to become a pawn in the revolution she accidentally started? Without Peeta by her side, she's struggling with feelings of anger and distrust. Have they toppled the Capitol only to walk into the hands of another tyrant?

Release Date: Part 1 will be released November 21, 2014

Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth, Natalie Dormer, Sam Claflin, Julianne Moore, Phillip Seymour Hoffman

9. Serena by Ron Rash

What it's about: "In 1929, newlyweds George and Serena Pemberton travel from Boston to the North Carolina mountains where they plan to create a timber empire and ruthlessly kill or vanquish all who fall out of their favor. Yet when Serena learns that she will never bear a child, she sets out to murder the son George fathered without her. Mother and child begin a struggle for their lives, and when Serena suspects George is protecting his illegitimate family, their intense, passionate marriage starts to unravel as the story moves toward its shocking reckoning." - Goodreads review
Release Date: Sometime 2014
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper

If Bradley Cooper and Jennifer Lawrence's previous movies together are any indication of their on-screen chemistry, then I cannot wait for this. JLaw is going to kill it!

10. Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy

What it's about: "Independent and spirited Bathsheba Everdene has come to Weatherbury to take up her position as a farmer on the largest estate in the area. Her bold presence draws three very different suitors: the gentleman-farmer Boldwood, soldier-seducer Sergeant Troy and the devoted shepherd Gabriel Oak. Each, in contrasting ways, unsettles her decisions and complicates her life, and tragedy ensues, threatening the stability of the whole community." - Goodreads review

Release Date: Sometime in 2014

Starring: Carrey Mulligan, Tom Sturridge, Michael Sheen

This list wouldn't be complete without one piece of classic literature. I've never read this novel, but I definitely will.



Have you read any of these books? Which movie adaptation are you most excited about?