As autumn approaches, we’ll see new books published by literary heavy-hitters and fan favorites like Zadie Smith, Michael Chabon, and J.K. Rowling. But there are also several film adaptations of great books hitting the big screen before the end of 2012 and you might want to pick a copy of these massive (and some not so massive) tomes before you head to the theater.
Les Misérables may be well known for the hugely popular Broadway adaptation, but it was a novel first. Victor Hugo’s epic French novel follows Jean Valjean, a peasant just released from prison, as he follows a path to redemption. The 2012 film stars Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe and Amanda Seyfried with a December release date -- plenty of time to take on the bulky novel (the Modern Library edition has 1,260 pages)!
Watch the trailer | Read the book
Anna Karenina was given new life when it was selected as an Oprah Book Club pick in 2004 and six years later it's love story is hitting a movie theater near you with Keira Knightly starring as the tragic socialite Anna and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Count Vronksy. The book is one of those hefty Russian reads, but it still reads as a scandalous love story. Look for it in theaters in November.
Watch the trailer | Read the book
J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit is such an epic adventure director Peter Jackson has decided it should be a trilogy. In December, you’ll only be viewing Part 1, “An Unexpected Journey”, but it still might be worth reading the classic fantasy one more time before heading to the multiplex.
Watch the trailer | Read the book
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a Young Adult classic -- it hit shelves in 1999 and has gained an avid following since. In fact, it made the top 20 on NPR’s 100 Best-Ever Teen Novels list over the summer. The film stars Emma Watson (yes! Hermione!), Paul Rudd, and Logan Lerman and hits theaters in September.
Watch the trailer | Read the book
Also look for:
What upcoming book-to-film adaptations are you excited to see? Head over to the PC Reads blog and let us know in the comments.