Needless to say, books have a greater amount of space to explain intimate details to the reader that movies don't exactly have the time for (or else they would all be "Lord of the Rings"-long, and then some). Some movies also have a reputation for not doing the book justice or leaving out parts of the story that fans find critical. For all these reasons and more, you may want to read these books before they hit the big screen. If you aren't too apprehensive about being tipped off on a few plot lines before seeing the movie in theaters, check them out:

"Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen 

In midst of the Great Depression, twenty-three-year old Jacob Jankowski joins the Benzini Brother's Circus, after experiencing a family tragedy and failing his exams. We are thrown into Jacob's life in the circus in retrospect from his life as an old man living in a nursing home. The novelcenters on a forbidden love affair between Jankowski and Marlena, the wife of a cynical animal trainer, and a secret Jankowski has been keeping since a tragedy at the circus 70 years ago.
Theater Release Date: April 22nd 2011
Film Starring: Robert Pattinson, Reese Witherspoon, and Christoph Waltz.

"Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows" by J.K Rowling

Though the first part of the movie adaptation of the final Harry Potter book was released last November, you should still pick up the book before the second half is released this summer when things get really interesting. If you saw the first half (or read the books) then you know that it greatly foreshadowed Harry and Voldemort's final showdown, along with the Order of the Phoenix and Voldemort's Death Eaters.
Theater Release Date: July 15th 2011
Film Starring: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson.

"Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn" by Stephanie Meyer

As long as we are talking about series coming to a close, I may as well throw in Breaking Dawn, which will be released in two-parts, with Part 1 being released this fall. In the final book of the Twilight series, Bella and Edward are faced with new challenges in their progressing relationship, old enemies in the vampire brethren the Volturi, and new beginnings after which neither of their lives will remain the same. 
Theater Release Date: November 18th 2011
Film Starring: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, and Taylor Lautner.

"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" by Steig Larsson

Mikael Blomkvist, an investigative journalist sued for libel, was once well-respected for his craft but struggles as his career falls to pieces. However, when a chance to fix his circumstances presents itself in the form of a rich Swedish man looking for answers about the disappearance of his great-niece, Blomkvist teams up with Lisbeth Salander, a tattooed computer-hacker with an edge and a few secrets, to find the answers.
Theater Release Date: December 21st 2011
Film Starring: Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara

"The Perks of Being A Wall Flower" by Stephen Chbosky

This novel tells the story of an introverted young man named Charlie who writes letters to an anonymous recipient in the form of journal entries. We learn about Charlie as he transitions into a teenager and faces problems like sexuality, drugs, and family conflicts, for the first time as an adolescent. However, the book also explores Charlie’s mind as he deals with the suicide of his close friend and deeply rooted psychological issues.
Projected Theater Release: 2012
Projected Cast: Logan Lerman and Emma Watson

"The Hunger Games" by Suzanne Collins

Sometime in the future, the United States has been altered into a Capitol with twelve districts. Every year, two representatives from each district must compete in the The Hunger Games, a violent competition televised to the citizens where they must each eliminate their competitors. When her sister gets recruited to compete in the games, Katniss takes her place and along with her teammate Peeta fight for survival.
Projected Theater Release: March 23rd 2012
Projected Cast: Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

By: Dominique