Next week, the San Mateo Community College District will have its spring break and give students a much-needed rest from their courses. For those of us shopping for a book, this list shows the many books being adapted into movies in the following months. There are diverse stories encompassing plenty of preferences and tastes, many intriguing enough to branch out for.

“Reminders of Him”

Reminders of Him, by Coleen Hoover, which came out March 13, follows Kenna Rowan returning home from a 5-year prison sentence after causing the death of her boyfriend.

She attempts to adjust to life following the incident, reconnecting with family and friends, but she builds her strongest connection with her boyfriend’s best friend, Scotty.

“Project Hail Mary”

“Project Hail Mary” by Andy Weir, whose adaptation premiered March 20, tells the story of an astronaut who wakes up on a ship with no memory of who he is or how he got there, only to find that he may well be humanity’s last hope.

Equipped only with the ship’s manual and his scientific knowledge, he must solve an impossible mystery and save the world.

“The Odyssey”

Homer’s “The Odyssey” details the adventures of Odysseus after the Trojan War. Leaving his wife and son, he battles in Troy for 10 years, but on his trip home, mystical forces seek to prevent him from returning.

Odysseus becomes trapped at sea and on an island, facing the forces of the gods, wishing only to see his wife Penelope again. Its movie will be closing out the summer on July 17.

“Verity”

In “Verity,” Coleen Hoover follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, who hopes to complete a famous series left unfinished by an author incapacitated by a car accident.

Arriving on Oct. 2, while living in the Crawford House, Lowen begins to unravel a thrilling mystery surrounding the author and her family.

“Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping”

Starting 24 years before the events of the first “Hunger Games” books, the new story by Suzanne Collins covers the semicentennial games.

Set during the Second Quarter Quell, we will see the origin of Haymitch Habernathy from District 12 fighting against twice the number of tributes on Nov. 20.

“Dune Messiah”

Twelve years after the events of the first book, Dune Messiah, by Frank Herbert, examines the rule of Paul Atreides and his absolute control over the known galaxy.

Paul struggles to control the brutality of his “butlerian jihad” — his galactic conquest in the name of his own religion — as the groups he once revolted against seek to conspire against him. Fans will be watching “the epic conclusion” of his story on Dec. 18th.

This year has one of the strongest movie adaptation slates in years; it will be very interesting to see how well these novels are transferred onto the big screen.

These movies may drastically change the plot, but in some cases, it could be a seamless transition that lets book fans experience it live. 

No matter how the movies turn out, these books offer unique experiences that any reader can benefit from.