2018 will see some more popular books made into movies, which leads us to ask: Has the movie ever been better than the book? Of course, us book lovers would say no. The reason being a book can provide you with hours, days, or weeks of enjoyment which the movie version limits to a standard two hours. To squeeze everything into a film, the story is largely adapted often losing the very essence of the book, and what more your imagination is set for you. So before some more classic reads get the Hollywood makeover, why not find time to enjoy the original version in ebook or audiobook format. We’ve created a list of books made into movies in 2018.
Peter Rabbit – Beatrix Potter
This classic children’s book is about a mischievous rabbit named Peter who disobeys his mother and sneaks into Mr McGregor’s vegetable garden. Peter gets chased out of the garden when the angry owner spots him. He then ends up lost while trying to escape.
The 3D CGI film features the voice of James Corden as Peter.
Simon vs. the Homo sapiens Agenda – Becky Albertalli
This coming of age book follows the complicated Simon Spider, a closeted teenager who falls in love with a guy he’s been emailing. An entertaining read that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. The message of the book is clear. Why do gay people have to come out of the closet?
The film stars Nick Robinson as Simon and Jennifer Garner as Emily.
Where’d you go Bernadette? – Maria Semple
This 2012 comedy novel is about Bernadette Fox and narrated by her 15-year-old daughter Bee Branch. Bernadette, who is agoraphobic, disappears before a family trip to Antarctica. Her daughter then tries to figure out what has happened to her mother and track her down by gathering all her correspondence.
Cate Blanchett stars as Bernadette in the upcoming movie.
12 Strong – Doig Stanton
Originally published as Horse Soldiers, this non-fiction book tells the story of the first Special Forces team deployed to Afghanistan after 9/11. The soldiers rode to war on horseback and pursued the Taliban across the mountainous Afghan terrain. Eventually, they capture the key city of Mazar-i-Shariff, which was key to help them defeat their enemy.
12 Strong the movie stars Thor actor Chris Hemsworth.
Meg – Steve Allen
This science-fiction horror novel follows the underwater explorations of Jonas Taylor, a US Navy deep sea diver. As the sole survivor of a mission, Jonas has a difficult time convincing everyone what he came face to face with. A huge ancient predator, a Megalodon, that everyone thought was extinct.
Jason Statham takes up the role of Jonas in the movie version.
Red Sparrow – Jason Matthews
State intelligence officer Dominika Egorova is drafted against her will to become a ‘Red Sparrow’, a person trained in seducing the enemy. Her first mission is to target young CIA Agent Nathaniel Nash. The unavoidable attraction between the two leads to a thrilling spy game between two people and two powerful nations.
Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Egerton star as the main protagonists in the film.
A Wrinkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle
First published in the 1960s, this fantasy novel is considered a young adult classic. Meg Murray goes on a journey through space in search of her father, who has disappeared after working on a time machine. Along with her brother Charles Wallace and friend Calvin, the teenager must battle against all things evil on the way.
Reese Witherspoon stars as Mrs Whatsit in the movie.
Death Wish – Brian Garfield
Before the mugging of his wife and daughter, Paul Benjamin was an ordinary liberal guy living a tranquil life. However, the terrible attack leaves his wife dead and his daughter in a vegetative state. This sparks something in Benjamin who becomes an extremist looking for vengeance. He buys a revolver while on a business trip to Arizona and when he returns to New York he takes the law into his own hands.
The new movie stars Bruce Willis in the lead role.
Boy Erased: A Memoir – Gerrard Conley
At the age of 19, Gerrard Conley was outed as gay to his fundamentalist Arkansas parents. He was given the choice of being disowned or going to gay conversion therapy. Coney recounts the harm to which he was subjected to cure him of his homosexuality. He also tells of his personal history leading up to the event.
The movie stars two of Australian’s finest, Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe.
First Man – James R. Hansen
Neil Armstrong’s official biography looks at his participation in the space program and looks at his upbringing and personal life. As a young man, Armstrong loves flying and even gains his pilot licence before his driving licence. On the 20 July 1969, he became the first man on the moon.
“That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.”
Ryan Gosling takes the lead as Armstrong in the movie.
Fifty Shades: Freed – E. L. James
This is the third book in the amazingly popular erotic romance trilogy. Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele are finally ready to settle into their new life as newlyweds. After returning to Seattle from their honeymoon, Christian and Ana seem to have it all. However, not all is plain sailing as they continue to learn more about each other in the final instalment of this sexually charged series.
James Doran and Dakota Johnson reprise their roles in the film.
Ready Player One – Ernest Cline
This science-fiction novel is set in 2044. Fossil fuel reserves have been depleted and the effects of global warming have caused social and economic problems. Young Wade Watts escapes the dystopian world by going into the virtual utopia known as OASIS. Within the digital world, Wade is obsessed with finding clues to solve the puzzles. But with the promise of power and wealth to whoever can unlock them, players are ready to kill to take the ultimate prize.
Tye Sheridan plays Wade in the movie.
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