Odds are your favorite movies were books before hitting the big screen. Perhaps even your favorite show or mini-series is based on or inspired by a novel. From classics like Jane Austen novels to the Harry Potter series, reading the book before watching the movie or show makes the experience unique and magical.
The debate will always stand on whether the book or the movie was better. Some people love reading their way through a story, while others prefer to sit back and watch it happen. Others swear by reading the book before watching the movie. If you’re in the third group, we’ve got the perfect list for you. Scroll through these books that’ll soon be coming to your nearest movie theater or will be easily accessible on a streaming service, from limited series to movies.
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
You’ve either heard of this book or have seen the cover before. It quickly gained popularity on TikTok and will soon be getting a TV show. This new adult fantasy novel follows a war college for dragon riders. It’s full of drama, twists, and romance.
It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover
The story follows a unique love triangle that you’ll quickly get tangled up in. The movie for this book is coming out this summer, on August 7. The main character, Lily, is played by Blake Lively, alongside Justin Baldoni, Brandon Sklenar, and Jenny Slate.
Magnolia Parks by Jessa Hastings
A24 is developing this set of novels into a TV series for its latest project in the UK. This series is described as Gossip Girl in high society London. The first novel follows the story of the London socialite, Magnolia Parks, and BJ Ballentine, the bad boy who broke her heart.
The Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea & Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey
A heartfelt Latinx YA novel following the story of Lila Reyes after the loss of her grandmother. She leaves her life in Miami behind to spend the summer cooking at her aunt’s inn in Winchester, where she of course meets a charming British tea shop clerk. The upcoming movie is set to star Maia Reficco, Kit Connor, and Kate del Castillo.
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
If you want some science to go with your romance, pick this one up. The Love Hypothesis is a fun enemies-to-lovers, fake dating story. Bisous Pictures is adapting the movie, but not many details have come out yet.
A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
If you have yet to hop on the Sarah J. Maas train, the time has come as a TV series is coming to Hulu. This “romantasy” story follows three human sisters who end up in a magical and deadly world after one of them murdered a faerie wolf.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston
Following a bidding war, Hulu acquired the rights to develop this book into a TV series, with Octavia Spencer. This book was Reese Witherspoon’s first book club pick of the year. It’s described as a fast-paced thriller you won’t be able to put down.
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
This bestselling thriller will soon become a TV series. It’s inspired by real-life events, telling the stories of the sorority women whose lives were changed by Ted Bundy’s killing sprees. Jessica Knoll reunites with Made Up Stories and Picturestart after last year’s successful adaptation of Luckiest Girl Alive.
Oona Out of Order by Margarita Montimore
Imagine every year at the strike of midnight on New Year’s Eve, you jumped to a different year of your life, completely out of order. This time travel fiction book takes you on a journey as Oona tries to figure out her life. Amazon Studios is developing a series adaptation of the bestselling novel.
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
This bestseller suspense thriller will soon be a limited series coming to Peacock, starring and executive produced by Amanda Seyfried. It tells the story of a police officer, Mickey, who patrols a Philadelphia neighborhood as a series of murders begin to take place.
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
Soon to become a limited series, this novel follows a mother who relocates to her hometown to take over the family beekeeping business, and whose son is suspected of killing his girlfriend. It focuses on some high-intensity courtroom drama.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
If you enjoyed Little Fires Everywhere and Tiny Beautiful Things, then you’ll want to read this book being adapted by the one and only, Liz Tigelaar, before the limited series comes out on Hulu. The story follows the classic whodunit formula, as a group of guests attend a celebrity wedding on a remote island.
Girl Abroad by Elle Kennedy
The fan-favorite Elle Kennedy hands us her latest romance to obsess over. This one follows Abbey Bly as she navigates her year abroad in London. The twist? When she meets her roommates, they’re all boys. Better yet, A24 and Chris Van Dusen, creator of Bridgerton, are set to make this book a series.
