Read these before the films are out

Sometimes the film is better than the book. No, seriously. But most of the time, you just wish you’d read the book first! And because 2015 is going to be a glorious year for film adaptations of all kinds of books – none of that Fifty Shades of Nonsense here, though – we picked out some you may like – to read, that is.

There are plenty more because really, every other film is based on a book it seems! Read these, and tweet to @HTBrunch using the hashtag #BrunchBookChallenge

Far from the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
Published in: 1874
Slated release: May 1
Mid 19th-century England: The relationship between the beautiful Bathsheba Everdene, and her three suitors: a rich bachelor, a strong sergeant and a hot shepherd.
Notes on the film: Carrey Mullingan plays the protagonist

The Longest Ride by Nicholas Sparks
Published in: 2013
Slated release: April 10
The stories of two couples – a 90-year-old man and his deceased wife, and a pair of college kids – which eventually merge. If you’re a Sparks fan, you’ll like it.
Notes on the film: Scott Eastwood, Clint Eastwood’s unbelievably hot son…

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Published in: 1818

Slated release: October 2

If you think the monster is called Frankenstein, you need to read it. This is the story of Viktor Frankenstein, a scientist, who makes a grotesque monster which sets out to destroy the world of the creator.

Notes on the film: The perspective of Frankenstein’s assistant Igor (Daniel Radcliffe). A side note for the Harry Potter fans, Radcliffe as Igor looks like Lily and Snape’s son

The Martian by Andy Weir
Published in: 2011
Slated release: November 25
This is a geek retelling of Robinson Crusoe. Astronaut Mark Watney gets stranded on Mars and has to improvise to survive, while NASA tries to rescue him.
Notes on the film: Matt Damon plays Mark, Ridley Scott is directing. Irrfan Khan turned down a role

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

Published in: 2009

Slated release: TBD

A lovely little book set in the 1950s about a young Irish girl who moves to New York, and is torn between her new American life (and boyfriend) and her family back home.

Notes on the film: Nick Hornby wrote the screenplay, and the reviews from Sundance Film Festival are all good

Serena by Ron Rash
Published in: 2008
Slated release: March 27
In 1929, a newly-wed passionate couple builds a timber empire in the North Carolina woodlands. But when the wife finds out she can’t conceive, she sets out to kill her husband’s illegitimate child.
Notes on the film: Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper <3

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

Published in: 2012

Slated release: August 21

A 26-year-old small-town girl lands a job as a "care-assistant" to a rich and rude 35-year-old quadriplegic man. You’re going to howl through the last 100 pages.

Notes on the film: Daenerys Targaryen of Game of Thrones plays the lead

Paper Towns by John Green
Published in: 2008
Slated release: June 5
Girl meets boy. Boy falls in love with girl. It’s cute. Then one morning, she disappears and leaves several clues for him to find her.
Notes on the film: It’s written and produced by the same team as The Fault In Our Stars

From HT Brunch, February 1
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