What To Read In 2020: The Books Behind The Upcoming Films

Dune charts the story of Paul Atreides as he and his family take up the stewardship of Arrakis. Though it's a desolate desert, the planet is the only location where a life extending, performance enhancing drug is found. This drug, melange, allows the user to comprehend the multidimensional thinking required to navigate space and, therefore, makes Arrakis a planet worth protecting – and seizing. Dune is a true and epic classic of the science-fiction genre and was the winner of the first ever Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1966. Adaptation Release Date: 18th December 2020Director: Denis VilleneuveStarring: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Josh Brolin

This thriller from A. J. Finn is laced with a film-noir sensibility and follows the reclusive and heavy-drinking Anna Fox who, when she's not watching films, spies on her neighbours from her window. One day, Anna sees something life shattering – she thinks. Though it treads some familiar ground, The Woman in the Window is an addictive page-turner littered with twists and misdirection. Adaptation Release Date: 15th May 2020Director: Joe WrightStarring: Jennifer Jason Leigh, Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore

The Artemis Fowl series follows the exploits of Artemis Fowl II, a child-genius and criminal mastermind, who, with his faithful guardian Butler forever at his side, uncovers a technologically advanced fairy realm. Initially an exploitative force, Artemis Fowl comes to support the Fairy People against criminal dwarves, maniacal pixies and ceaseless threats to the realms anonymity. The series is a tale which transcends children's literature and will enchant whimsical readers young and old. Adaptation Release Date: 29th May 2020Director: Kenneth BranaghStarring: Ferdia Shaw, Judi Dench, Josh Gad, Hong Chau

In Agatha Christie's quintessential crime novel, moustachioed super-sleuth Hercule Poirot finds his holiday in Cairo disturbed by a socialite's plea for assistance. Though the initial plea is kindly rejected, Poirot finds his boat trip on the Nile scuppered by claims that a murderer is aboard – such an event he cannot ignore. Secrets, shocks and twists abound as Poirot investigates his way through a dramatic and thrilling stream of revelations. Adaptation Release Date: 9th October 2020Director: Kenneth BranaghStarring: Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer

Griffin has made a breakthrough – he has discovered how to make himself invisible. Rather than share the secrets of his art and utilise his new-found powers for good, Griffin unleashes himself into a world of madness and violence. Within the pages of this science-fiction classic, H.G. Wells created a timeless and iconic legend of horror fiction - The Invisible Man. Adaptation Release Date: 28th February 2020Director: Leigh WhannellStarring: Elisabeth Moss, Aldis Hodge, Oliver Jackson-Cohen

The young Mary Lennox has returned to England after the death of her parents in India. Moving in with her uncle in Yorkshire proves quite the culture shock, and Mary's behaviour is less than polite. When her uncle takes a trip and provides his niece with the opportunity to explore, things start to change. A locked garden is discovered, and sorrowful crying can be heard from the mansion. This children's tale is one of kindness, truth and more than a little curiosity. Adaptation Release Date: 17th April 2020Director: Marc MundenStarring: Dixie Egerickx, Colin Firth, Julie Walters

First published in 1898, Henry James' classic horror novella will leave readers intrigued, confused, and, most importantly, deeply unsettled. The tale tells of a governess who finds employment caring for two children, her disinterested employer's niece and nephew, in a grand country house where distant figures stroll the grounds and each child holds a terrible secret. The Turn of the Screw is a short story that'll stick with the reader long after its end. Adaptation Title: The TurningRelease Date: 24th January 2020Director: Floria SigismondiStarring: Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard, Brooklynn PrinceRead Empire's review of The Turning.

The Call of The Wild has as its main character Buck, a dog that's kidnapped from a ranch and taken to Alaska. In the midst of the Klondike Gold Rush, he's mistreated and forced into working on a sled. The harsh treatment suffered by Buck from man, nature and his fellow canines, unlocks his latent survival instincts and he begins to seek dominance. Don't let the dog fool you, this an exploration of nature, nurture, greed and violence. Adaptation Release Date: 21st February 2020Director: Chris SandersStarring: Karen Gillan, Harrison Ford, Jean Louisa KellyRead Empire's review of The Call Of The Wild.

In her misguided vanity, Emma Woodhouse interferes in the life of all those around her, believing herself to be perfectly and rightfully able to arrange their affairs. This proves to be a misstep, and is presented by Jane Austen in comedic, romantic and mysterious splendour. Adaptation Release Date: 14th February 2020Director: Autumn de WildeStarring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Nighy, Josh O'Connor, Mia GothRead Empire's review of Emma.

Charles Dickens' eighth novel, The Personal History, Adventures, Experience and Observation of David Copperfield the Younger of Blunderstone Rookery (Which He Never Meant to Publish on Any Account), is a masterpiece of the coming-of-age story. The novel follows Copperfield from youth to middle age, disclosing his various comedic adventures and recording his numerous eccentric friends loved and lost. An expansive and seminal tale. Adaptation Title: _The Personal History of David Copperfield_Release Date: 24th JanuaryDirector: Armando IannucciStarring: Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Darren Boyd, Morfydd ClarkRead Empire's review of The Personal History of David Copperfield.

The Devil All The Time take place in the American Midwest during the years following the Second World War, and tracks three distinctly different, and frankly unusual, characters - a married serial-killing couple who haunt highways, a war veteran who prays for his dying wife and a dishonest preacher fleeing from justice. This award-winning novel is a visceral and moving read like no other. Adaptation Release Date: 2020Director: Antonio CamposStarring: Eliza Scanlen, Bill Skarsgård, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Sebastian StanAmazon.co.uk

Stephen King's The Stand is an epic post-apocalyptic horror fantasy novel takes place in the wake of a deadly influenza. With only one percent of Earth's population surviving, allegiances are forged or forced as all strive to rebuild civilisation for themselves, or for God. King's yarn is biblical, in every sense of the word. Adaptation Miniseries Release Date: 2020 Director: Josh BooneStarring: Alexander Skarsgård, James Marsden, Amber Hears, Whoopi GoldbergAmazon.co.uk

When the anonymous narrator of du Maurier's Rebecca agrees to marry the widowed Maxim de Winter, she is overwhelmed by her fortune. A dashing husband, a jump of several social classes and a country house as residency, things seem too good to be true. Little does she know of the malevolent power the memory of a deceased wife can hold. Adaptation Release Date: 2020Director: Ben WheatleyStarring: Lily James, Armie Hammer, Kristin Scott Thomas Amazon.co.uk

In a world where everyone can hear your thoughts, what happens when you find a thing, a person, of complete silence? The Chaos Walking Trilogy is an unpredictable dystopian series based in a world when men, and only men, have survived the Germ. The trilogy includes the novels The Knife of Never Letting Go, The Ask and the Answer, and Monsters of Men.Adaption Title: Chaos WalkingRelease Date: 2020 (now expected 2021)Director: Doug LimanStarring: Tom Holland, Daisey Ridley, Mads MikkelsenAmazon.co.uk