We’ve all heard the popular mantra that “the book is always better than the movie.” Well, if you have any intention of seeing some of the most anticipated films based on books in 2015, you’re definitely going to want to get your hands on these books and read them quickly before you see their film adaptations.

  1. American Sniper by Chris Kyle

This non-fiction, autobiography of Chris Kyle—the most deadly sniper in American military history—promises to keep readers turning the pages. There’s a reason why acclaimed actor and director Clint Eastwood picked this story up to film. It’s a riveting first person account of what military combat is actually like, which has the potential to provide readers with critical insight into the interesting and terrifying moments associated with war.

  1. In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

If you’re into swashbuckling tales of adventure on the high seas, this book is for you. While the movie directed by Ron Howard looks incredibly promising, this book describes the true story that inspired Herman Melville to write Moby Dick, one of the great American novels. It tells the tale of a whaleship in the early 19th century that undergoes immense trials of the human spirit after being attacked by a sperm whale in the Pacific Ocean.

  1. Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

2014 introduced many readers and viewers to Gillian Flynn’s acclaimed story Gone Girl. 2015 promises to deliver a great film adaptation of her novel Dark Places. It is a dark and enthralling crime story that will capture you from page one.

There are several other highly anticipated films of 2015 that will be based on popular non-fictional and fictional novels. You’re definitely going to want to read all the books soon, however, so you get the most out of each story. Happy reading!