10 Books To Read Before They Become Movies In 2014

"The Monuments Men"

“The Monuments Men” film is a comedy-drama based on the book “The Monuments Men: Allied Heroes, Nazi Thieves and the Greatest Treasure Hunt in History” written by Robert M. Edsel. The story tells the astonishingly true tale of a group of museum curators and art historians who in 1943 went uncover into the heart of fighting in WWII to save one of a kind art pieces that the Nazi Party had stolen. Not only did the Nazis steal this culturally significant pieces, but Hitler planned on destroying them, essentially erasing them from modern day history. The film will be released on February 7 and stars George Clooney, Matt Damon, John Goodman and Bill Murray as one Allied platoon in Germany.

"Gone Girl"

“Gone Girl” is a thrilling suspense novel form Gillian Flynn which sky rocketed up the top of the New York Times Best Seller list. The story chronicles the rise and fall of Amy Dunne and her husband and Nick Dunne. The reader and soon the audience will first met Nick and Amy in the midst of a serious rut in their marriage, they are both out of work writers who have recently and resentfully relocated out of New York City. Filled with plot twists and increasingly unreliable narration, the story is a thrill to read and its steadily unfolds. The film stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike will be released on October 3, however recent reports from Entertainment Weekly reveal the film will have a completely different ending to that of the shocking book.

"Vampire Academy"

Everyone loves a vampire, right? Well prepare to get sucked into this book because it is just the tip of the fang! “Vampire Academy” is the first of six books in the paranormal series by Richelle Mead, which chronicles the return of 17-year-old Dhampir (half-human/vampire) guardian-in-training Rose Hathaway, and her royal Moroi (the peaceful, mortal vampires) best friend Lissa Dragomir. The pair was peacefully living in our mortal world until being dragged back to their boarding school, St. Vladimir's Academy. Now that the girls are back a new threat grows, as does the promise of a forbidden romance. A guilty pleasure read for sure which hits theaters on February 14 as “Vampire Academy: Blood Sisters.”

"A Long Way Down"

Despite how good this film is, I don’t know if any movie could capture the dark yet comedic voice and tonality of author Nick Hornby. The novel which was released in 2005 tells the story of 4 perfect strangers with much more in common then they initially realize. Martin, Maureen, Jess and JJ all meet on a roof the night of New Year’s Eve, however this group did not come with noise maker, and they all planned on committing suicide. After meeting another the group decides to take the stairs and descend from the roof, a gripping tale of depression, suicide and sex, this book is stellar, oh and “Breaking Bad’s” Aaron Paul stars in it. So you have to see it.

"Divergent"

“Divergent” is the all new “Hunger Games” with even more action and intrigue. Set in a future dystopian Chicago, the audience meets a young seemingly quiet teenager named Beatrice. Soon we learn that there is much more to this perfectly created society. The society split into five factions based on personality type Dauntless, Amity, Erudite, Abnegation, and Candor. When Beatrice who soon becomes “Tris” finds out she doesn’t quite fit into any one faction, she’s declared Divergent which threatens the inner workings of the system. The action, adventure, and mystery of this book should translate well on screen, in addition to this exciting story, there are two more sequels that follow!

"The Fault In Our Stars"

This emotional and moving novel by Jon Green is narrated by 16-year-old cancer patient Hazel, who soon falls deeply in love with Augustus, a cancer survivor she meets in therapy group. While the film has be met with some heavy criticism due to an insensitive tagline of “One Sick Love Story.” While fans were immediately shocked, they should remember the love story of Hazel and Augustus is raw, bittersweet and deeply saddening. Be sure to grab the Kleenex, because this book is a tear jerker.

"Serena"

“Serena” by Ron Rash tells the story of an overly ambitious wife to a North Carolina timber baron, who brings the spirit of Lady MacBeth to depression-era North Carolina. The couple are ruthlessly determined and plan to take down anyone or anything that stand in their way. After the discovery of an illegitimate child fathered by her husband, Serena sets out on a serious plan to have him eliminated. As if you already weren’t intrigued, Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper portray the newlyweds.

"Dark Places"

Another Gillian Flynn thriller, instead of Nick and Amy, in “Dark Places” the reader meets Libby Day who was made a household after losing her family in a tragic event known as “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” The story picks back with Libby as she lives a depressingly barely existent life, she is desperate for money when she encounters the “Kill Club,” a group of people obsessed with notorious crimes. Libby gets sucked back into the investigation of her family’s murder with shocking twists and turns!

"The Giver"

“The Giver” is a children’s novel by Lois Lowry which is set in an almost too perfect utopian society. The reader quickly meets Jonas, in the 12^th year of his life, and while the society has eliminated pain and strife, the have created a “Sameness” throughout the entire society. Jonas soon learns of the society before the “Sameness” from “The Giver.” As Jonas receives the memories from the Giver, he discovers the power of knowledge. The film stars Jeff Bridges and Meryl Streep.

"The Hundred Foot Journey"

If you love food, travel and culture than “The Hundred Foot Journey” written by Richard C. Morris is for you. The story which chronicles the life of a Bombay-born Muslim who ends up devouring and conquering the culinary scene in Paris! Before the success comes the turmoil as Hassan and his family face off against their French rival Madame Mallory after opening a popular Indian restaurant in the French Alps.