It's May and that means summer is right around the corner...sunshine, 4th of July cookouts, trips to the beach, snow cones and...movie blockbusters!

This summer, in addition to the usual superhero CGI extravaganzas, there's a plethora of book adaptations. From children's bedtime stories to Japanese military sci-fi to psychological suspense thrillers that will have you questioning everyone/thing you thought you knew, you'll want to stop by the bookstore before the theater to answer the argument - which is better, the book or the movie?

Here are a few of the movies that bring life to the characters and dialogue on the page, along with release dates and recommendations to keep you reading after the credits end:

Every Secret Thing (Laura Lippman) has Dakota Fanning as Ronnie, a bad girl gone really bad. Seven years ago, she and another girl had 'rescued' a baby who subsequently died. Now out of juvie, the two girls are suspects in another disappearance. The question is... what happened all those years ago? You'll have to catch this movie soon before it leaves theaters - it was released April 20.

- Other books by Laura Lippman - What the Dead Know, And When She Was Good and the Tess Monaghan series.     

Fault in Our Stars (John Green) is this year's teenage angst romance that has two cancer patients falling in love. All eyes will be on Ansel Elgort and Shaillene Woodley as they bring these two witty and charming characters to life. The film releases June 6. Don't forget to grab extra napkins for the inevitable tears.

- Other books by John Green - Looking for Alaska, An Abundance of Katherines, Paper Towns, and Will Grayson, Will Grayson.

All You Need Is Kill (Hiroshi Sakurazaka)...aliens, rebirth, war, love. Sounds like a Tom Cruise movie, doesn't it? The June 6 adaptation has been retitled to Edge of Tomorrow and has Cruise and Emily Blunt fighting to live another day.

The Hundred-Foot Journey (Richard C. Morais) pits curry against crossaint as culinary war rages between immigrant Hassan Haji (Om Puri) and French native, Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren). With producers Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg and Juliet Blake, you will leave the theater hungry. Make your dinner reservations for when the movie opens Aug 8.

- Other books by Richard C. Morais - Buddhaland Brooklyn and Pierre Cardin: The Man Who Became a Label.

The Giver (Lois Lowry) was written decades before YA dystopian novels were all the rage. In this Newbery Medal winner, 12-year-old Jonas (Brenton Thwaites) lives in a perfect society with no war, hunger, pain. But when 'the giver' (Jeff Bridges) bestows upon him the society's past memories, Jonas learns how perfection has a cost. Releases Aug 15.

- Other books by Lois Lowry - Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son of the Giver Quartet, A Summer to Die and Number the Stars.

Dark Places (Gillian Flynn) is the first Gillian Flynn hitting theaters this year. Libby Day examines her memories of her mother and sisters' murder by her brother's hand. Was she correct in her testimony when she was seven or did something else happen? Charlize Theron will have you wondering on Sept 1.

These movies arrive in theaters this fall so you have plenty of time to read:

This is Where I Leave You (Jonathan Tropper) takes dysfunctional to a whole new level as siblings sit Shivah after their father's death. With Jason Bateman, Tina Fey and Jane Fonda, this one will have you laughing hysterically and looking at your own family as more functional than you thought starting Sept 12.

Maze Runner (James Dashner), a YA survival series, has young Thomas navigating a dangerous unending maze that seems to have no exit. Then a girl arrives making all the boys wonder if the rules were about to change on Sept 19.

Here Be Monsters (Alan Snow) shows that even Box Trolls can be helpful and friendly to a young boy trying to stop evil. This animated features hits theaters Sept 26.  

Gone Girl (Gillian Flynn) will leave you wondering if you can trust the ones you love. Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike bring this couple to life on Oct 3.  

Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day (Judith Viorst) will show us just what a bad day really is on October 10.

Best of Me (Nicholas Sparks) has high school sweethearts, Dawson and Amanda, wondering if it's not too late for happily ever after. Release date: Oct 17

And don't forget the first part of Mockingjay and the last installment of the Hobbit this winter!