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Did Pennywise the clown haunt you back in 1990? Well…he’s baaaack. And considering how far we’ve come in terms of special effects, he promises to be even scarier. Bill Skarsgård replaces Tim Curry as the creepy clown, who haunts the members of the ‘Losers Club’ in the town of Derry, Maine.

The Gunslinger (Dark Tower #1)

The Gunslinger is the first book in the Dark Tower series, an eight-book series of epic proportions. This series will take you places; it’s fantasy, horror, sci-fi, and western all rolled up into one! The main character, Roland Deschain of Gilead, is on a quest for the Dark Tower, while trailing an evil being with the power to bring the dead to life.

My Cousin Rachel by Daphne du Maurier

Daphne du Maurier, author of Gothic classic Rebecca, has another dark mystery, My Cousin Rachel. Orphan Philip is raised by his older bachelor cousin, Ambrose. During a trip to Italy, Ambrose spends time with his cousin Rachel and – shortly after – marries her. After tragedy occurs, Philip is suspicious of Rachel, but is she the villain or victim in this story?

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

This is Agatha Christie’s 10th book in the Hercule Poirot detective series, but perhaps one of most well-known. Poirot is traveling by train when a passenger is stabbed in his room while the door is locked from the inside. Everyone’s favorite Belgian detective must solve a real “locked room” mystery by using his interview skills, powers of observation, and of course, his “little grey cells” to tie the whole thing together.

Across the River and into the Trees by Ernest Hemingway

Set in Venice at the close of World War II, American Colonel Richard Cantwell was stationed in Italy, where he fell in love with an Italian countess. This character study is an exploration of love and resilience after war, as well as Hemingway’s love letter to the city of Venice.

Hidden Figures: the American dream and the untold story of the Black women mathematicians who helped win the space race by Margot Lee Shetterly

Released late 2016, you may have already seen the movie version of Hidden Figures, but it certainly deserves a spot on the list for those who haven’t read/seen it yet. The true story of three brilliant African-American women at NASA, who were the brains behind John Glenn’s launch into space. These mathematicians never received the credit or celebration they deserve for such an accomplishment. Until now!

The Zookeeper's Wife: a war story by Diane Ackerman

Antonina and her husband, Jan, ran the beloved Warsaw zoo, until bombings from World War II destroyed much of the zoo. Still caring for the animals that were left, the couple became active in the Polish underground resistance.

The Lost City of Z: a tale of deadly obsession in the Amazon by David Grann

In 1925, British explorer Percy Fawcett set out through the Amazon jungle, looking for what he dubbed the city of “Z,” which was possibly the famed El Dorado. His party disappeared into the jungle without a trace. Journalist Grann, who makes it very clear that he is not the outdoorsy type, became curious about Fawcett’s story and bravely followed his footsteps through the jungle to write this book.

A Dog's Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron

Rumor has it that cats have nine lives, but what about dogs? Told from the dog’s perspective, Cameron explores the idea that our four-legged friends may be re-born again and again to work towards their life’s purpose: forming tight bonds with us humans and making us laugh by being silly, of course! This promises to be a fun and heartwarming one, and it’s a nice idea that dogs never really “leave” for good.

Wonder by R. J. Palacio

Wonder is a sweet, moving book about a 10-year-old boy who just wants to fit in at a new school. August, Auggie for short, was born with a facial deformity but after years of surgeries and homeschooling, he is ready to attend fifth grade at Beecher Prep. The book, told from multiple perspectives, including Auggie’s sister and his classmates, chronicles Auggie’s struggles and triumphs in school. 

It’s a serious topic, but interspersed with Auggie’s perfectly timed one-liners and the strong support of his family and friends, it makes for a lighter read than expected. A sweet story with an important lesson. Let’s hope that the movie version does the book justice!

Thank You for Your Service by David Finkel

In Good Soldiers, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Finkel wrote about men of the 2-16 Infantry Battalion during a 15-month tour in Baghdad. In Thank You for Your Service, Finkel has followed the soldiers back home to America and captured their experiences, as well as the experiences of their families. If it’s anything like the book, this promises to be a very powerful movie.

The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers

Written by an Iraq veteran, The Yellow Birds is the story of 21-year-old Private Bartle and 18-year-old Private Murphy, fighting for their lives in Iraq. During basic training, Bartle promised Murphy to keep him safe, and the two men do everything they can to keep that promise, despite the harrowing experiences they face.