From Screen to Page: Top Books Inspired by Your Favorite Films
Are you a movie buff? Do you find yourself looking for the next big screen production full of captivating characters and unique plot lines? If you're craving more of the stories and characters that you love, why not dive into books that offer similar themes? Time to swap out Letterboxd for Goodreads and dive into a new world of literary consumption.
Goodreads is currently the world’s largest site for readers and book recommendations. Since 2007, Goodreads has been able to help users find more books that they love.
Here are some recommendations for books that echo the same vibes of popular films:
La La Land weaves together a whimsical, fanciful movie about chasing dreams and love amidst the glamour of Hollywood. It delicately captures the poignant mix of ambition and sorrow. If you fell in love with Mia and Sebastian’s romantic tale in the “City of Stars,” these books will surely captivate you as well:
1. Daisy Jones and the Six: Set in the 1970s, this novel follows the rise and fall of a fictional rock band called The Six, and their lead singer, Daisy Jones. Told through a series of interviews with band members and associates, the book explores the dynamics within the band, their creative process, the tumultuous relationships, and the impact of fame and success on their lives in Hollywood.
2. One Day: This is the story of Emma Morley and Dexter Mayhew, who meet on the day of their graduation from university. The book then follows their lives by checking in on them on the same day, July 15th, for the next 20 years. Each chapter reveals where Emma and Dexter are in their lives, their successes and failures, their love lives, and how they grow and change over the years.
3. Maybe in Another Life: Hannah Martin moves back to her hometown of Los Angeles looking for a fresh start. The novel unfolds in two parallel storylines: one where Hannah goes home with her old boyfriend and another in which she leaves the party with her best friend. The book alternates between these two realities, exploring the different paths Hannah's life could take based on one seemingly small decision.
Knives Out is a cleverly crafted “whodunit” that keeps audiences guessing until the very end while blending in elements of humor, suspense, and social commentary. With an amazing ensemble cast, sharp dialogue, and intricate plot twists, the film offers a modern twist on the classic murder mystery genre, as I am sure these books do the same:
1. If We Were Villains: This is a mystery novel that follows a group of seven drama students at an elite arts college. The story begins with one of the students, Oliver Marks, being released from prison after serving a ten-year sentence for a crime he may not have committed. As Oliver reflects on the events that led to his incarceration, the novel delves into the dark and intricate dynamics of the group, their Shakespearean studies, and the blurred lines between their roles on and off the stage.
2. Then There Were None: A classic mystery novel by the queen of crime, Agatha Christie. The story follows ten strangers who are invited to an isolated island under different pretexts. Soon after their arrival, they realize they are being accused of past crimes and are trapped on the island with a mysterious host. The tension rises as the remaining guests try to figure out who the killer is and whether they will be the next victim.
3. Inheritance Games: In "The Inheritance Games," a wealthy and eccentric billionaire, Tobias Hawthorne, unexpectedly leaves his fortune to a complete stranger named Avery Grambs. However, there's a catch: she must live in the mansion with the Hawthorne family for a year to claim her inheritance. As Avery navigates this unfamiliar and dangerous world of wealth, privilege, and intrigue, she must unravel puzzles and clues left by Tobias to uncover the truth about why he chose her and what secrets the Hawthornes are hiding.
This 2023 rom-com captured the hearts of fans through charismatic leads, witty banter, and feel-good moments. Grace and James are nothing if not complete opposites, but as their adventure continues throughout the film on an unexpected journey of self-discovery and taking chances, they find nothing but common ground of love and attraction. If you are looking for books with similar enemies to lover’s characters and fake dating tropes, we’ve got you covered:
1. Happy Place: This is a romantic comedy novel about ex-finances, Harriet and Wyn, who need to pretend to be in a relationship for a week while on a group vacation with mutual friends. The writing is charming and relatable, the characters are flawed but also likable and sympathetic.
2. Things We Never Got Over: Enemies to lovers meets fake dating in this complex love story. Naomi, a runaway bride, finds her way to a small northern Virginia town to rescue her Twin sister from her typical troublemaking. Instead, her sister tricks her and steals her car and cash. She disappears and leaves her daughter behind, a precocious and smart 11-year-old girl named Waylay. Niomi is forced to start her life all over again with the help of grumpy, local bad-boy, Knox.
3. The Unhoneymooners: A romantic comedy about Olive Torres and Ethan Thomas, who find themselves on a honeymoon in Maui together despite being enemies. Olive's twin sister and Ethan's brother are the bride and groom, but the newlyweds fall ill, leaving Olive and Ethan to take their place on the luxurious trip. Determined to avoid each other, Olive and Ethan reluctantly agree to pretend to be newlyweds.
In this 2023 Academy Award-winning film, we find a warm-hearted story of three unlikely companions, the cranky, disliked professor, the head cook, and the troublemaker student, united by a common problem: deserted at a New England boarding school over the holiday break. By the end of the film, through their adventures, they can find a semblance of family amongst themselves. Check out these books for a similar feel:
1. Perks of Being a Wallflower: A coming-of-age novel written as a series of letters from Charlie, a shy and introspective teenager, to an anonymous recipient. Charlie navigates the challenges of high school life, including friendship, love, loss, and mental health struggles. The story delves into themes of adolescence, identity, and the journey toward self-discovery.
2. Catcher in the Rye: Follows the story of Holden Caulfield, a teenager expelled from his boarding school and wandering through New York City. Throughout the novel, Holden grapples with the insincerity he sees in the adult world, his alienation, and his struggle to find authenticity. This classic novel is celebrated for its exploration of teenage angst, rebellion, and the search for true meaning in your life.
3. The Secret History: A novel about a group of elite college students studying classics under the tutelage of a charismatic and enigmatic professor. The story takes a dark turn when the group becomes involved in a secret and deadly ritual. The novel delves into themes of morality, friendship, guilt, and the consequences of unchecked ambition.
Finally, another 2023 Oscar film, is an engrossing thriller and courtroom drama about the unexplained and unexpected death of a woman’s husband, with only one witness: their half-blind son. Far from simplicity, this film is complex, emotional, and beautifully laid out. If you love a complex, twisting thriller these books are sure to keep you guessing until the very end:
1. Gone Girl: A psychological thriller about wife and husband of five years, Nick and Amy, that begins on the morning Amy goes missing under suspicious circumstances. Despite media corruption, as the investigation unfolds, secrets and lies are exposed about Amy, and both Nick's and Amy's perspectives are revealed through alternating chapters.
2. Guest List: A mystery thriller set on a remote island off the coast of Ireland. The story follows a wedding celebration that turns deadly when a murder occurs. Told from multiple perspectives, including the bride, the groom, the best man, and others, the novel unravels the secrets and tensions among the wedding party, each with its motives and secrets.
3. The Couple Next Door: Anne and Marco Conti are attending a dinner party next door, leaving their baby daughter at home asleep. When they return, the baby is missing with no trace. As the investigation unfolds, dark secrets about the couple and their neighbors are revealed. At what lengths will parents go to protect their children?
