Electric Lit relies on contributions from our readers to help make literature more exciting, relevant, and inclusive. Please support our work by becoming a member today, or making a one-time donation here .

The second best part about movie and TV adaptations is you can eat snacks throughout the entire story, which is hard when you need to turn pages. The best part is that you can complain that “they changed that from the book.” Here are some books to dig into before their adaptations come to the big and small screen in 2018.

Movies

The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter: February 9

Lovers of children’s classics, rejoice! The Tale of Peter Rabbit is slated for release on February 9th. It should be a great film for the kids, and maybe for you if you don’t mind seeing your childhood classic reimagined in CGI.

https://medium.com/media/40cf5212d38969a1a6c028dbeea596f2/href

Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer: February 23

This science fiction flick, starring Natalie Portman, looks like it is ready to deliver some serious sci-fi with those timely political undertones that make the genre so sexy.

Every Day by David Levithan: Feb 23

A tear-jerker of a page-turner, Every Day will now be on the screen so you can get a good cry out in a crowd of people. Almost like crying on the subway, but more communal.

Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews: March 2

Jason Matthews, former CIA, probably knew his book would be picked up by Hollywood. It looks like it’ll be an attractive film filled with the unbelievable action that producers and consumers love.

https://medium.com/media/31e0f442b531feb645f58a011222c28c/href

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle: March 9

A beloved young adult fantasy classic, a hotshot director (Ava duVernay), and OPRAH.

Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda (Love, Simon) by Becky Albertelli: March 16

I’ve never seen a book be described as cute multiple times, but Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda nailed it.

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline: March 30

When this science fiction novel/compendium of nerdy self-congratulation hit the shelves in 2011, it was an instant cult favorite, and an almost-as-instant hate-read. Will the Spielberg adaptation be beloved, loathed, or both?

Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple: May 11

Just in time for Mother’s Day 2018, Where’d You Go, Bernadette tells a story about a daughter trying to track down her missing mom (played by Cate Blanchett).

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan: August 17

The insanely wealthy families of Singapore are now gaining a platform in the U.S. with the release of the Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan. The film adaptation will most likely be glamorous, shimmery, and all around visually pleasing.

Boy Erased: A Memoir of Identity, Faith, and Family by Garrard Conley: September 28

After memoirist Conley’s family discovered his identity as a gay man, they forced him into conversion therapy that used faith in an attempt to erase his homosexuality. Expect the movie to be timely and harrowing.

The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (Mowgli): October 19

This film adaptation is definitely set to be more action-packed and less sing-along than the last adaptation.

Queen of Scots by John Guy: November 2

The film and the book are perfect for passing time on a chilly evening and being inspired by a kickass lady so you can grab life by the horns when the weather isn’t so frightful.

https://medium.com/media/b8e6bad179e08b2b810fa633f45c3379/href

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Seuss: November 9

It’s been almost two decades since the last How the Grinch Stole Christmas so I guess it’s time.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald based on Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling: November 16

They will never stop doing this to J.K. Rowling.

Mary Poppins Returns based on Mary Poppins by P. L. Travers: December 25

Emily Blunt as Mary Poppins, Dick Van Dyke in a cameo role, and Lin-Manuel Miranda! Anybody else see this as a perfect Christmas gift?

Ashes in the Snow based on Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys: No official release date

Between Shades of Gray is a work of historical fiction, drawn on true testaments from survivors of the Baltic genocide.

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: No official release date

Kirsten Dunst is directing this adaptation starring Dakota Fanning, who is somehow now old enough to play college-age Esther Greenwood, the thinly-veiled Plath analogue.

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett: No official release date

Bel Canto, in Italian, means “beautiful singing,” but the story isn’t just about singing. (Though it is about a singer!) It’s about the ways that the unexpected interfere with the anticipated, the same way beautiful singing startles us with its piercing beauty. Should be good.

The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells: No official release date

Attempting to follow Claude Rains in this role may be Johnny Depp’s greatest act of hubris so far.

Television:

The Alienist by Caleb Carr: TNT, January 22

Think Law & Order: SVU, 1892 edition. Featuring Theodore Roosevelt and J.P. Morgan. (And Dakota Fanning again!)

https://medium.com/media/0fb4d7836448ef3dd651e3521d45d7d1/href

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: PBS Masterpiece, May 13

On Mother’s Day, literature’s four favorite women will premiere thanks to PBS. Thank you, Louis May Alcott!

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn: HBO, June

The official date is yet to be announced, but expect to be glued to this crime-drama, from the author of Gone Girl, sometime in June.

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury: HBO, no official release date

It’s hard to ignore why any book lover would be excited for Fahrenheit 451’s television series. There’s no official release — but it’s coming, for all of us.

Sweetbitter by Stephanie Danler: Starz, no official release date

Working in the restaurant industry already has the drama and tension of a reality TV show, so this should be good.

Dietland by Sarai Walker: AMC, no official release date

Judging from the book as well as its reviews, Dietland will be one of those shows you watch with your friends over some wine and charcuterie, followed by revisiting the @Mencatperson twitter page.

They are amazing. This is them in the opening scenes, 11 years ago, in St James's Park. David and Michael, demon & angel. #GoodOmens — @neilhimself

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman: Amazon Prime, no official release date

This hilarious romp about Armageddon could not be more timely. Features Michael McKean, Jon Hamm, and David Tennant in a very bad wig.