
Under the Skin by Michel Faber
What it’s about: A voluptuous woman of unknown origin combs the highway in search of isolated or forsaken men, luring a succession of lost souls into an otherworldly lair. They are seduced, stripped of their humanity, and never heard from again. Who’s in it: Scarlett Johansson, Antonia Campbell-Hughes
What it’s about: Dark comedy about four lost souls – a disgraced TV presenter, a foul-mouthed teen, an isolated single mother, a solipsistic muso- who decide to end their lives on the same night, New Year’s Eve, mutually agree to call off their plans for six & search together for reasons to keep on living Who’s in it: Pierce Brosnan, Toni Collette, Imogen Poots, Aaron Paul, Rosamund Pike, Sam Neill, Tuppence Middleton, Joe Cole
The Hundred-Foot Journey by Richard C. Morais
What it’s about: When an Indian family moves to France and opens a restaurant across the street from a Michelin-starred French eatery, tension builds among families as they struggle with loyalty. Who’s in it: Helen Mirren as chef Madame Mallory, Manish Dayal and Om Puri. Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey Juliet Blake are producing. Release date: Aug. 8
What it’s about: A young boy named Jonas gets the task of being the new “receiver of memory,” who keeps society’s past memories, but meeting the previous receiver — “the giver” — makes him conflicted. Who’s in it: Brenton Thwaites as Jonas, Jeff Bridges = the giver, plus Taylor Swift, Meryl Streep, and Alexander Skarsgard. Release date: Aug. 15
What it’s about: This thriller from the author of Gone Girl tells the story of Libby Day, whose mother and sisters were murdered at the family’s farmhouse when she was only 7. Her testimony sent her older brother, Ben, to prison for life, and 25 years later, Libby decides to meet with the Kill Club, a group of crime enthusiasts who investigate the case and force her to rethink what really happened. Who’s in it: Charlize Theron — also a producer — as Libby Day, plus Nicholas Hoult, Christina Hendricks, and Chloë Moretz. Release date: Sept. 1
This Is Where I Leave You by Jonathan Tropper
What it’s about: Dysfunctional siblings who aren’t used to observing their Jewish faith are forced to fulfill their father’s final wish and ‘sit shivah’ together for an entire week and confront their problems. Who’s in it: Jason Bateman, Tina Fey, Timothy Olyphant, Jane Fonda, Rose Byrne, and Adam Driver. Release date: Sept. 12
The Maze Runner by James Dashner
What it’s about: The first in a young adult trilogy, the sci-fi book follows a young protagonist, Thomas, as he navigates a fantasy world called the Glade. With a group of other boys, they must solve the mystery of the maze they’re in while dodging monsters and other danger. Who’s in it: Dylan O’Brien as Thomas. Release date: Sept. 19
Here Be Monsters! by Alan Snow (now The Boxtrolls, animated version)
What it’s about: Similar to works by Roald Dahl, the middle-grade-level book is set in Ratbridge, a place where strange, quirky creatures like boxtrolls and cabbageheads live beneath the city. When a boy named Arthur uncovers an evil plot, he enlists the help of odd allies. Who’s in it: Voices of Ben Kingsley, Toni Collette, Elle Fanning, and Tracy Morgan. Release date: Sept. 26
What it’s about: This tightly woven novel is told from two perspectives: that of a husband whose wife suddenly goes missing and from the missing wife herself. Who’s in it: Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike as Nick and Amy. Release date: Oct. 3
The Best of Me by Nicholas Sparks
What it’s about: High school sweethearts Dawson and Amanda reunite years later, when they both return to their hometown. Who’s in it: Michelle Monaghan is Amanda. Release date: Oct. 17
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins This gets 5* from 57 Leeds readers!!
What it’s about: In the third Hunger Games book, Katniss fights against the corrupt Capitol from within District 13. Who’s in it: Jennifer Lawrence etc Release date: Nov. 21
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien (The Hobbit: There and Back Again)
What it’s about: The prequel to the Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit is the story of Bilbo Baggins’s journey — and adventures along the way — through Middle Earth. Who’s in it: Martin Freeman, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom etc. Release date: Dec. 17
What it’s about: Four people meet on New Year’s Eve on the top of a building and form a surrogate family, helping one another overcome the difficulties of their lives. Who’s in it: Aaron Paul, Toni Collette, Pierce Brosnan, and Imogen Poots are all starring.
A Book of Common Prayer by Joan Didion
What it’s about: An American woman travels to Central America to reunite with her fugitive daughter. The country is on the brink of a violent revolution, and she is anything but prepared for what she sees. Who’s in it: Christina Hendricks (Mad Men)
What it’s about: Newlyweds George and Serena move from Boston to North Carolina in 1929 to start a timber business. The pair are ruthless in building their empire, and when Serena finds out that she can’t have children, she sets out to kill George’s illegitimate son. Who’s in it: Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper
Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
What it’s about: A young woman named Bathsheba Everdene has to deal with the difficult, sometimes tragic consequences of being in relationships with three different suitors at the same time. Who’s in it: Carey Mulligan, Tom Sturridge, and Matthias Schoenaerts
Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges (The Imitation Game)
What it’s about: The book tells the story of British mathematician Alan Turing, who helped crack Nazi codes for the Allies during World War II. Who’s in it: Benedict Cumberbatch, poss Keira Knightley.
What it’s about: The savage murders of three young children spark a controversial trial of three teenagers accused of killing the children as part of a satanic ritual. Who’s in it: Reese Witherspoon, Stephen Moyer (Bill in True Blood) , Dane DeHaan, and Colin Firth.
What it’s about: Cheryl Strayed details her physical and emotional journey along the Pacific Coast Trail in the wake of losing her mother. Who’s in it: Reese Witherspoon as Cheryl, Laura Dern as Cheryl’s mother.
What it’s about: When three boys in a third world country discover something valuable in a trash heap, they find themselves at the heart of a major mystery. Who’s in it: Rooney Mara, Martin Sheen.
Hector and the Search For Happiness by Francois Lelord – What it’s about: Traveling across the world, Hector takes notes on all the people he meets, hoping to find the secret to happiness. Who’s in it: Toni Collette, Jean Reno, Simon Pegg, and Christopher Plummer .
True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa by Michael Finkel – What it’s about: In True Story: Murder, Memoir, Mea Culpa, a former New York Times writer recounts his bizarre downfall. As he was about to be fired for fabricating details on a big story, Finkel learned that an arrested mass murderer named Christian Longo had posed as Finkel Who’s in it: Jonah Hill as Finkel, James Franco as Longo.
One Fat Summer by Robert Lipsyte (now Measure of a Man) – What it’s about: A boy named Bobby Marks struggles with his dysfunctional family, his absent best friend, and a local bully when he spends the summer at a lake house. Who’s in it: Christina Hendricks of Mad Men as Bobby’s mum, Bobby= Riley Griffiths.
Thanks to Buzzfeed