Books to Movies 2016 (January-March)

Here at MPL we love our books, so we get super excited to see our favorites become movies, even though, as we all know, the book was better. :-) So, to help you experience some of that joy with us, here's a list of some of the books being made into movies this year. Read the book, then see the movie to compare the two. Enjoy!

The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (Movie in theaters now!)
Dystopian books are still hot, and this one has aliens! Cassie Sullivan is a teenage girl just trying to survive the winter in Ohio. After four waves of terror by the unseen alien invaders, it's everyone for themselves. Cassie and her little brother were separated and she is now on a mission to find him, despite the constant dangers surrounding her. It's a very intense book with a lot of the harsh realities of survival. We reviewed this book a while ago here, if you want more details.

The Finest Hours by Michael Tougias and Casey Sherman (Movie in theaters now!)
This true story of a harrowing coast guard rescue mission will keep you enthralled right to the end. In 1952 a terrible storm off the coast of New England caused two oil tankers to split into two. The book discusses the coast guard's efforts to save the poor crew members trapped in either half of each ship. Battling against the storm and the sea, the book shows what a miracle it was that anyone survived such an ordeal. The movie is sure to be a breathless retelling as well.

The Choice by Nicholas Sparks (Movie in theaters now!)
It's close to Valentine's Day, so it's time for a new Nicholas Sparks book to movie. The Choice spans several years in the relationship of Travis and Gabby. Travis was happy being a single guy in his small town. When Gabby moves in next door to Travis, his life changes completely. You don't find out what "the choice" from the title is until near the end, so stick it out!

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (Movie in theaters now!)
Alright, now this one may seem more than a little ridiculous, but it is seriously entertaining, even for the Austen lover. I myself am an Austen lover as well as a zombie lover--perfection! Grahame-Smith takes the original work of Pride and Prejudice and turns it on its head. The book uses most of Austen's words, but replaces some with the occasional zombie. It winds up being an Edwardian zombie-fest, mixed in with the Austen comedy of manners we know and love. The movie looks to be more action-packed, but there should still be the Elizabeth and Darcy love.

How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo (Movie in theaters now!)
Julie, in her late thirties, gets dumped after being in a long-term relationship. Unsure what to do, she joins up with her single friends to have a ladies night out. During this night, she realizes none of her single friends are all that happy and she embarks on a quest. Julie wants to know how women deal with singledom outside of her home of Manhattan. To do this, she travels around the world to write a book about single women in different countries. Based on the previews I've seen for this movie, I'm guessing it is going to take quite a different track than the book, but seems like it will be funny.

The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (Movie in theaters Feb. 19)
This classic children's book (originally released in 1978) is finally being made into a movie! Gilly Hopkins is a feisty foster child, trying to charm her way into a family. Not exactly the kid everyone dreams of, Gilly has an attitude and a death stare she uses to keep people at arm's length. When she's placed in a nontraditional foster home, Gilly starts to open up and actually begin to settle in. That's before an unexpected family member comes out of the woodwork, threatening the only home she's ever liked.

The Taliban Shuffle by Kim Barker (Movie title Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, in theaters Mar. 4)
You may have seen the previews starting for this Tina Fey film. The book is a gem too! The true story of foreign correspondent Kim Barker, the book tells of her hilarious, sometimes scary, adventures in Afghanistan. Barker went to Afghanistan after the Taliban rule had been overthrown, so her unique story is one that takes place just after war.

Allegiant by Veronica Roth (Movie in theaters Mar. 18)
The final book in the Divergent series is making its theatrical debut. This book focuses on the aftermath after the factions have been destroyed. The new world is just as dangerous as the old, only now there are new secrets to uncover as Tris tries to make her way in the factionless world. The book will keep you on the edge of your seat, so I imagine the movie will be the same way.

We'll share more book-to-movie lists later this year. Hurry up and get started on these!

~Cailey