Read the Movie, Watch the Book, Spring 2018 Edition
Posted on March 13, 2018
by Amy H
There are a lot of films and/or television series coming out in Spring, 2018 based on very popular books (and a few sleepers). For your reading/viewing enjoyment, we’re thrilled to hook up the words with the pictures!
If you enjoy this post, you may want to check out “Read the Movie, Watch the Book – Part One” and “Read the Movie Watch the Book: Part Two!” for ideas on books to films from 2017, now on DVD or streaming.
Please note: The movie trailers featured below may not be appropriate for all audiences – viewer discretion advised.
Books Becoming Movies in 2018
“Ophelia” by Lisa Klein William Shakespeare’s tragedy “Hamlet” is retold entirely from Ophelia’s perspective, as she struggles to reconcile her love for Hamlet, Prince of Denmark, and maintain her sanity as the court falls to chaos around her. Available formats: About the Movie “Ophelia”Daisy Ridley brings one of Shakespeare’s most alluring characters to life in the film adaptation. Directed by Claire McCarthy. Genres: Drama | Romance Rating Unavailable Opened at the Sundance Festival in January 2018. |
“Horse Soldiers: The Extraordinary Story of a Band of U.S. Soldiers Who Rode to Victory in Afghanistan” by Doug Stanton A true story of a U.S. Special Forces team who secretly entered Afghanistan after 9/11 and rode horses into battle against the Taliban. Available formats: About the Movie “12 Strong”Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon star in this film. Directed by Nicolai Fuglsig. Genres: Action | Drama | History Rated R In theaters January 2018. Watch the “12 Strong” trailer. |
“Monster” by Walter Dean Myers Steve Harmon is an honors student and aspiring filmmaker in juvenile detention after getting caught up in a robbery where a murder happens. Steve’s story reveals how a single decision can change one’s life entirely. Available formats: Print | Graphic Novel About the Movie “Monster”The film adaptation stars Jennifer Hudson, Jeffrey Wright and Nas. Directed by Anthony Mandler. Genres: Drama Rating Unavailable Opened at the Sundance Festival in January 2018. |
“Annihilation” by Jeff VanderMeer Southern Reach Trilogy, Book 1 Area X has claimed the lives of members of eleven expeditions. The twelfth expedition consisting of an anthropologist, a surveyor, a psychologist, and a biologist, hopes to map the terrain and collect specimens, to record all their observations and, above all, to avoid being contaminated by Area X itself. Available formats: About the Movie “Annihilation”Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, and Gina Rodriguez star in this thriller. Directed by Alex Garland. Genres: Adventure | Drama | Fantasy Rated R In theaters February 2018. Watch the “Annihilation” trailer. |
“Red Sparrow” by Jason Matthews Drafted against her will to serve the regime of Vladimir Putin as an intelligence seductress, Dominika Egorova is assigned to operate against first-tour CIA officer Nathaniel Nash, with whom she engages in a charged effort of deception and tradecraft before a forbidden attraction threatens their careers and the security of America’s most valuable mole in Moscow. Available formats: Print | Large Print | Audio About the Movie “Red Sparrow”Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton. Directed by Francis Lawrence. Genres: Drama | Mystery | Thriller Rated R In theaters March 2018. Watch the “Red Sparrow” trailer. |
“A Wrinkle in Time” by Madeleine L’Engle Meg Murry and her friends become involved with unearthly strangers and a search for Meg’s father, who has disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government. Available formats: Print | Large Print | Graphic Novel About the Movie “A Wrinkle in Time”Starring Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Mindy Kahling. Directed by Ava DuVernay. Genres: Adventure | Family | Fantasy Rated PG In theaters March 2018. Watch the trailer for “A Wrinkle in Time.” |
“Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda” by Becky Albertalli Sixteen-year-old, not-so-openly-gay Simon Spier is blackmailed into playing wingman for his classmate or else his sexual identity—and that of his secret pen pal—will be revealed. Available formats: About the Movie “Love, Simon”Starring Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel and Jennifer Garner. Directed by Greg Berlanti. Genres: Comedy | Drama | Romance Rated PG-13 In theaters March 2018. Watch the trailer for “Love, Simon.” |
“Ready Player One” by Ernest Cline Immersing himself in a mid-21st-century technological virtual utopia to escape an ugly real world of famine, poverty and disease, Wade Watts joins an increasingly violent effort to solve a series of puzzles by the virtual world’s super-wealthy creator, who has promised that the winner will be his heir. Available formats: About the Movie “Ready Player One”Starring Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, Letitia Wright, Hannah John-Kamen, Ben Mendelsohn, T.J. Miller, Simon Pegg and Mark Rylance. Directed by Stephen Spielberg. Genres: Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi Rated PG-13 In theaters March 2018. Watch the “Ready Player One” trailer. |
“The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society” by Mary Ann Shaffer Set in post–World War II England, this is the story of a young British author and an island community that formed a book club during the German occupation. Overflowing with warmth, humor, and charm, this novel is a poignant celebration of the power of the written word. Available formats: Print | Large Print | Audio About the Movie “The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society”“Downton Abbey” actors Lily James and Matthew Goode star. Directed by Mike Newell. Genres: Drama | History | Romance Rating Unavailable In theaters August 2018. Watch the “The Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Pie Society” trailer. |
“Where’d You Go, Bernadette?” by Maria Semple When her notorious, hilarious, volatile, talented, troubled, and agoraphobic mother goes missing, teenage Bee begins a trip that literally takes her to the ends of the earth to find her wayward mother. Available formats: Print | Large Print | Audio About the Movie “Where’d You Go, Bernadette?”Starring Cate Blanchett and Kristen Wiig. Directed by Richard Linklater. Genres: Comedy | Drama Rating Unavailable In theaters August 2019. |
“Fahrenheit 451” by Ray Bradbury A totalitarian regime has ordered all books to be destroyed, but one of the book burners, Guy Montag, suddenly realizes their merit. Available formats: Print | Large Print | Graphic Novel About the Movie “Fahrenheit 451”Starring Michael B. Jordan, Sofia Boutella and Michael Shannon. Directed by Ramin Bahrani. Genres: Drama | Sci-Fi Rating Unavailable Coming to HBO Spring 2018. Watch the “Fahrenheit 451” trailer. |
Looking for your next great read?
Let us help you!
Tell us what you’ve enjoyed reading, watching or listening to, and our librarians will give you personalized recommendations.
No algorithms, cookies or data mining – just real experts in your community sharing their love of great books, music and movies with you. We call it Give 3 Get 3.
Get started today at
toledolibrary.org/Give3Get!
Featured Image Credit: Photo courtesy of Jason Gessner.
Did you like this blog post? Keep up to date with all of our posts by subscribing to the Library’s newsletters!
Keep your reading list updated with our book lists. Our staff love to read and they’ll give you the scoop on new tv-series inspired titles, hobbies, educational resources, pop culture, current events, and more!
Looking for more great titles? Get personalized recommendations from our librarians with this simple form.
