Nights in are all about cosying up with a drink in one hand, popcorn in the other and tuning into the latest series of your favourite show or a film you’ve been eagerly waiting to finally come onto Netflix.
What you might not know about many of these must-watch TV shows and films is that they are often based on a book. The likes of Bridgerton and Game of Thrones have captivated global audiences yet, many people haven’t dove into the inspiration behind these blockbusters.
Whilst watching TV requires less effort than reading the book, there’s something to be said about the power of stories and using your imagination to conjure up your own version of characters and events. There’s a reason why people will generally say that “the book is always better”.
What’s more is that many of your favourite films might be considerably different to its original muse - squeezing a whole novel into a couple of hours isn’t always possible, so you may find yourself learning more about your favourite characters or immersing yourself in wonderful storylines you had no idea even existed.
We’ve rounded up our favourite books that are based on much loved TV shows and films - you’ll find some books to be pretty similar to what you’ve seen on screen, whilst others may blow you away with the multitude of subplots you’d never even heard of.
Bridgerton Books 1-9 Collection Set by Julia Quinn
In a nutshell:Gossip Girl meets Downton Abbey as England’s upper echelons of society mingle, romance and defend their honour.
Hitting our TV screens at some point during the hazy blur of lockdowns, Bridgerton fulfilled a desire we didn’t know existed - salacious regency-era drama. Fans of the show will be pleased to know that there are eight books in the series that follow each one of the Bridgerton family siblings.
Similar to the show, the book features saucy encounters, witty commentary and heart-warming love stories. If you thought the series was too x-rated, be wary of the book as there’s an abundance of detailed sex scenes that can traverse many pages.
Buy now £6.00, Books2Door
A Song of Ice and Fire, 7 Volumes by George R.R. Martin
In a nutshell: an epic fantasy series inspired by the War of the Roses and the basis for Game of Thrones
For the best part of the 2010s, Game of Thrones kept many of us endlessly occupied. Running from 2011 to 2019, there were 73 episodes of this immense fantasy world that saw family dynasties put to the test in order to reign supreme.
The basis for that magical world is George R.R. Martin’s seven volume book set. Based on the fictional islands of Westeros and Essos, each chapter covers the different viewpoints of characters and their struggle for survival.
Buy now £35.00, Amazon
Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka
In a nutshell: dark comedy thriller of several hitmen trapped on board a train all with their own mission.
Anyone that’s been to the cinema in recent months will have seen posters or trailers for Brad Pitt and Sandra Bullock’s latest blockbuster film - Bullet Train.
The hilarious action movie is based on Japanese author KÅtarÅ Isaka’s 2010 novel with the same name. The energetic thriller sees five assassins all on board the same train and all after the same suitcase of money.
Buy now £10.99, Amazon
Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan
In a nutshell: court room drama following a high profile politician accused of rape
The recently released TV series starring Sienna Miller has taken Netflix by storm as it exposes the harsh realities of entrenched British class structures, toxic masculinity and flawed justice systems.
Sarah Vaughan’s novel is all of that and more. The psychological thriller will leave you shocked, confused and gripped from beginning to end as you build emotional attachments to characters and figure out who to believe.
Buy now £10.89, Amazon
Killing Eve by Luke Jennings
In a nutshell: an intelligence service worker and trained assassin come face-to-face in this cat and mouse book that takes them all over the world, revealing all manner of secrets.
The award winning series featuring brilliant actress Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh, is an absolute must-watch for those who love a thriller mixed with a healthy dose of dark comedy.
Fans will love the books by Luke Jennings - the three novellas are easy to read, gripping and humorous throughout. There are various subplots that aren’t covered in the TV series and a lot more to learn about Villanelle and Eve Polastri’s past.
Buy now, Books2Door
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
In a nutshell: two best friends journey through their 20s experiencing everything from love to heartbreak to finding out who they truly are.
The perfect ode to your 20s, Dolly Alderton’s autobiographical work has been the inspiration for BBC’s latest drama series that brings together four friends who move to London together and rent a flat.
For those that thought the series was moving and emotional, prepare for the book to evoke every emotion possible. Littered amongst the wonderful prose are great pearls of wisdom including how to cure a hangover and the perfect Mac N Cheese recipe.
Buy now £4.50, Amazon
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
In a nutshell: A disgruntled journalist explores the dark secret of her childhood village
Written by the same author as Gone Girl, a story with an unforgettable jaw dropping twist, this book will equally shock and amuse readers. It follows a Chicago-based journalist with her own vices, who is sent back to her all-American childhood town to investigate the murders of two little girls - and what she discovers will change her life forever. The book has also been turned into a chilling TV series featuring Amy Adams.
Buy now £5.74, Amazon
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
In a nutshell: a young girl fending for herself on the outskirts of a village is accused of murdering a local boy, but the truth is far from straightforward.
If you’re after a book that’s all at once a story of first love, an ode to nature and a gripping murder mystery then this is an absolute must-read. Following the life of Kya Clark, also known as ‘Marsh Girl’ to the unwelcoming villagers, this is an emotional rollercoaster of a book that perfectly encapsulates the social and racial divides of 1950s America.
Having always taken care of herself, Kya is apprehensive to let someone else into her protected life, but as two boys offer her the companionship she craves, she lets her guard down. It’s this action that will have consequences far beyond what Kya could have ever imagined.
After you’ve read the book, the newly released film starring Daisy Edgar-Jones is well worth the watch.
Buy now £5.00, Amazon
The Complete Collection of Arsène Lupin by Maurice Leblanc
In a nutshell: a master of disguise thief artfully and enigmatically galivants around France
Many of us will have first heard of Arsène Lupin from the successful Netflix crime drama that follows gentleman thief Assane Diop as he adopts Lupin’s disguises and tricks to avenge his father.
This set of 10 books, written by Maurice Leblanc in 1907, brings to life the enigmatic and mysterious world of underground France as master of disguise - Lupin - creates masterful plans, devious schemes and shoddy scandals all in the name of justice.
Read Arsène Lupin VS Herlock Sholmes for a thoroughly enjoyable and humorous read of the battle of wits between two of the greatest criminal and detective masterminds.
Buy now £18.99, Books2door
This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay
In a nutshell: A junior doctor details the highs and lows of working for the NHS
Recently turned into a BBC comedy-drama, This is Going to Hurt exposes the true stories of life as a junior doctor - there’s almost 100 hour working weeks, constant sleep deprivation and pressurising life and death decisions on a daily basis.
Adam Kay holds nothing back as he shares both the wonders and struggles of working for the NHS in the modern day. The perfect balance of hilarious and heart-breaking, you’re guaranteed to be shocked by what you’re about to read.
Buy now, Amazon
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
In a nutshell: five siblings are brought together years after they left their family home only to be haunted by the same secrets.
Is there anything more haunting than paranormal experiences? Fans of the Netflix TV series will devour this book as they are taken on a chilling journey of a family and their dark secrets.
With two parallel story lines in the book, you’ll discover a lot more than what’s covered in the series and there are various subplots that are spectacularly brought to life. This hardback edition is a must-have for those after a thrilling read.
Buy now £44.95, Folio Society
