Have you ever read a book and pictured it so vividly and fell in love with the plot that you wish you could see it play out in real life? For me, it’s all the time.
So many amazing books go undiscovered until they get turned into movies, so it is a great investment for the author, producers, and fans. For example, I had never heard of the “Hunger Games” trilogy until the first book was being turned into a movie and now it is one of my favorite series.
While many books deserve the honor of being turned into a cinematic film, here are our top 5 choices.
#5 – “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series by Jenny Han
Han is the author of the successful book and movie series, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” This trilogy is comprised of “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” “It’s Not Summer Without You,” and “We’ll Always Have Summer.”
The series follows Belly as she spends her summers at Cousin’s Beach with her mother, brother, her mother’s best friend and her sons. The coming of age novels are perfect for anyone who dreams of having that summer where they finally feel independent.
Han revealed that a film script was in the works by a very talented screenwriter. It was confirmed that Lion Gate Entertainment has secured the rights and plans to turn the trilogy into a TV series.
#4 – “Where She Went” by Gayle Foreman
It has been 5 years since “If I Stay,” the first book in the series, was released as a movie. To wrap up Mia’s (Chloe Grace Moretz) story, “Where She Went” is told from Adam’s point of view. You can’t just make one movie and not finish up the story. It’s not fair to the readers.
“If I Stay” did well in the box office, so there is no doubt “Where She Went” would too. There is even a petition for the book to be made into a movie.
#3 – “Denton Little’s Death Date” series by Lance Rubin
Imagine knowing what day you were going to die, but not how or what time. That is how it is for Denton Little and everyone in his world. Denton is one of the few who has an early death date, in fact it is the day of his high school prom. He contracts a weird purple rash that infects him and anyone he has shared saliva with. A man shows up to Denton’s funeral and says he knows his long-deceased mother and to be aware of the government. From there, his short life becomes a whirlwind.
The second book in the series, “Denton Little’s Still Not Dead” provides the answers readers wondered about and left them wanting more.
#2 – “One of Us is Lying” by Karen M. McManus
The debut novel by McManus is a young adult, mystery/suspense novel that will have you suspecting every character in the book. “One of Us is Lying” is about four students who happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. They all wind up in detention with Simon, the not-so-popular kid, who winds up dying in detention. It goes on to show the perspective of all four ‘suspects’ and their peers until the end reveals who really did it.
I just read this book a few months ago and I could not put it down. Every chapter has readers changing their mind on who they think did it. It is a great mystery novel for teenagers and young adults to enjoy and a movie would be amazing.
A second book, “One of Us is Next,” is expected to be released on January 7, 2020.
#1 – “Hush, Hush” series by Becca Fitzpatrick
Nora Grey falls in love with a fallen angel, Patch Cipriano, and discovers her own angelic heritage. They go through the ups-and-downs of relationships while fighting off demons. The series is comprised of four books- “Hush, Hush,” “Crescendo,” “Silence,” and “Finale.”
In 2012, Lionsgate and LD Entertainment had optioned the rights to the series in the hopes of turning it into a film. However, in 2014, Fitzpatrick had announced on her website that it was not the right time for the series to be turned into films and did not move forward with LD Entertainment. Finally, in July 2019, she posted an update that a “Hush, Hush” movie would be headed to production ‘very soon.’ Kellie Cyrus, best known for directing The Vampire Diaries and The Originals would be directing this film.
These books were the highlight of my middle school years. Patch was my crazy, fantasy love and I have been waiting for so long for movies of this quartet. Maybe Shawn Mendes would make his acting debut as the angel, Patch. A girl can hope.