Since their beginning, books have been an instrument of higher learning, a useful communication tool and most recently, a key source for blockbuster hits.
Some of the most cherished movie titles of the 2000s have jumped off the pages of a book, including “Harry Potter,” “Twilight,” “The Lord of the Rings” and “The Hunger Games.”
Each year, Hollywood produces dozens of movies based on books, short stories, novels, poems and comic books.
In 2013, the list of books on their way to the big screen is lengthy and constantly growing.
“Warm Bodies” by Isaac Marion
Release date: Feb. 1, 2013
Genre: Comedy, horror, romance
Starring: Nicholas Hoult, Teresa Palmer and John Malkovich
When a zombie becomes involved with one of his “victims,” he begins to develop feelings that will change the world in ways he never imagined.
“Beautiful Creatures” by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl
Release date: Feb. 14, 2013
Genre: Drama, fantasy
Starring: Alice Englert, Viola Davis and Emma Thompson
“Beautiful Creatures” features a supernatural teen-romance. Ethan, who is restless in the small Southern town, meets Lena, who must decide whether her magic powers will side with the dark or light by her 16th birthday.
“Safe Haven” by Nicholas Sparks
Release date: Feb. 14, 2013
Genre: Drama, mystery, romance
Starring: Cobie Smulders, Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel
“Safe Haven” is the story of a woman with a mysterious past who arrives in Southport, North Carolina. Her unexpected bond with a widower forces her to confront her dark past as love blooms in the typical Nicholas Sparks fashion.
“Oz, The Great and Powerful”
Release date: March 8, 2013
Genre: Action, adventure, fantasy
Starring: James Franco, Michelle Williams and Rachel Weisz
Based on “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, a Kansas magician and con-artist is swept into the magical Land of Oz where he must go up against the evil witch and embrace his power.
“Admission” by Jean Hanff Korelitz
Release date: March 22, 2013
Genre: Comedy
Starring: Tina Fey, Paul Rudd and Nat Wolff
Portia, a Princeton admissions officer, loves her job and often hides behind her busy career. When she meets a promising student who does not measure up to the “college standards,” Portia must make the ultimate decision.
“The Host” by Stephenie Meyer
Release date: March 29, 2013
Genre: Sci-fi, thriller
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Diane Kruger and William Hurt
An unseen alien race called Souls is taking over the minds of humans. When a woman named Melanie refuses to let her body be a host, Wanderer, the female “soul” occupying her mind, is flooded with Melanie’s thoughts of Jared, a human in hiding whom both women have grown to love. Reluctantly working together, Melanie and Wanderer set off on a journey to find him.
“The Great Gatsby” by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Release date: May 10, 2013
Genre: Drama, romance
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Carey Mulligan and Joel Edgerton
“The Great Gatsby” is the classic beloved story of lavishly wealthy Jay Gatsby and his love for Daisy Buchanan. Nick Carraway, a Midwesterner who recently moved next-door to Jay Gatsby in Long Island, is entranced by the big-spender lifestyle where he witnesses the ups and downs that affect the rich.
“World War Z” by Max Brooks
Release date: June 21, 2013
Genre: Action, drama, horror
Starring: Brad Pitt, Mireille Enos and David Morse
A United Nations employee must race to stop the outbreak of the Zombie pandemic.
“R.I.P.D.” by Peter Lenkov
Release date: July 19, 2013
Genre: Action, comedy, crime
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Jeff Bridges and Mary-Louise Parker
Nick, a recently murdered cop, joins the team of undead police officers who make up the Rest in Peace Department in exchange for the chance to solve his own murder.
“Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters” by Rick Riordan
Release date: Aug. 16, 2013
Genre: Action, adventure, drama
Starring: Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario and Brandon T. Jackson
Percy Jackson, the son of Poseidon, and his friends must journey into the Sea of Monsters to find the mythical Golden Fleece in order to save their beloved Camp Half-Blood.
“The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones” by Cassandra Clare
Release date: Aug. 23, 2013
Genre: Action, adventure, drama
Starring: Lily Collins, Jamie Campbell Bower and Robert Sheehan
When 15-year-old Clary Fray witnesses a murder, she is led into the discovery of the Shadowhunters warriors, devoted to ridding the Earth of demons. Clary’s mother disappears, and as her world turns upside down, she must embrace the past to determine her future.
“Paranoia” by Joseph Finder
Release date: Oct. 4, 2013
Genre: Drama, thriller
Starring: Liam Hemsworth, Gary Oldman and Harrison Ford
After playing a prank at work and pulling money from an executive fund to throw a retirement party for a coworker, a technology company employee must infiltrate the company’s competitor in order to save his job.
“Carrie” by Stephen King
Release date: Oct. 18, 2013
Genre: Drama, horror
Starring: Chloe Grace Moretz, Julianne Moore and Judy Greer
A remake Stephen King’s debut novel, the story follows Carrie, a sheltered high school outcast who uses her new telekinetic powers to seek vengeance on her peers.
“The Spook’s Apprentice” by Joseph Delaney
Release date: Oct. 18, 2013
Genre: Adventure, family, fantasy
Starring: Ben Barnes, Julianne Moore and Jeff Bridges
A young boy is training with the local Spook to fight evil spirits. The boy must use his training when the supernatural Mother Malkin escapes while the Spook is away.
“Ender’s Game” by Orson Scott Card
Release date: Nov. 1, 2013
Genre: Action, adventure, sci-fi
Starring: Asa Butterfield, Abigail Breslin and Harrison Ford
After a devastating alien war, the government is breeding child geniuses to train as soldiers. Andrew “Ender” Wiggin, an extremely gifted child, is sent to the advanced military school in space to prepare for inevitable future alien invasions.
“Catching Fire” by Suzanne Collins
Release date: Nov. 22, 2013
Genre: Action, adventure, thriller
Starring: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth
In the second book of the “Hunger Games,” Katniss Everdeen, is safe is District 12, until it is announced that she must prepare to return to the arena for the 75th Games Quarter Quell.
“The Hobbit” by J.R.R.
Tolkien
Release date: Dec. 13, 2013
Genre: Adventure, fantasy
“The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug” is Part II of the prequel to “The Lord of the Rings.” Bilbo Baggins, the Dwarves and Gandalf continue on their journey through Middle Earth, where they plan to reclaim their gold from the dragon, Smaug.
“The Monuments Men” by Robert M. Edsel
Release date: Dec. 18, 2013
Genre: Drama
Starring: George Clooney, Cate Blanchett and Matt Damon
While Adolf Hitler was attempting to rule the world, his armies were collecting the most cherished treasures of Europe. The United States government puts together a few crew of art experts and museum curators called the Monuments Men, who must unite to recover stolen cultural works of art before Hitler destroys them.
“The Secret Life of Walter Mitty” by James Thurber
Release date: Dec. 25, 2013
Genre: Adventure, comedy, drama
Starring: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig and Adam Scott
When a negative goes missing, a shy magazine photo manager must break away from his life of daydreams and go on a real-life adventure.
