How to express: I wish... 大家好！

I had a question that I have often asked my native-Chinese speaking friends, but I have not been satisfied with the answer.  In English, I find myself often saying, "I wish..."  For example:

I wish I could go to the movies tonight, but I have too much work to do.

I wish that I would have thought of that earlier. 

I wish I had bought this book at the beginning of the semester.

I wish I did not have to go to work every day.

My friends have often given me the translation 希望, but I feel like this is hope.  But I feel like this may not be appropriate for things that cannot come true.  In all the examples above, "I hope" is not accurate.  And if I said, say, "我希望每天不要上班” I feel like I am saying, "I hope I do not have to go to work every day."

How can I express this "wishful" thinking?
There are several options that clearly state that it cannot come true:


I wish I could go to the movies tonight, but I have too much work to do.


我 本想（本来想要）今晚去看电影，但要做的事情太多了。

我 倒想（倒是想要）今晚去看电影，但要做的事情太多了。


I wish that I would have thought of that earlier.


我 真希望 我之前能想到，（现在说什么都晚了。）


I wish I had bought this book at the beginning of the semester.


我 真希望 我一开学就买了这本书，（但当时钱不够啊。）

我 本想 我一开学就买了这本书，（但后来忘记了。）


I wish I did not have to go to work every day.


我 真希望 不用天天上班。

我 倒想 不用天天上班。