If you like this TV show/ movie, try this book
(or vice versa)
This list is based on 1) 8 Book & Netflix Original Series Pairings by Susie Dumond, 2) Book & Sitcom Pairings For Your Reading Pleasure by Danielle Bourgon, & 3) 32 Cross-Media Recommendations: Book & Movie/TV Pairings by Aimee Miles on Book Riot; 4) Fall TV Fever: What to Read Based on Your Favorite Show by various contributors & 5) 5 Binge-Worthy Reads to Feed Your Reality TV Obsession by Nicole Sam on Get Literary.
Switch it up! Find a new read based on your favorite TV series or pick a new show to binge based on a book you loved. #1 – 8 are Susie Dumond's recommendations, #9 – 15 are Danielle Bourgon's suggestions, & #16 – 18 are from Aimee Miles (with their commentary respectively) - credit to them & to Book Riot. #18 – 23 are from various Get Literary contributors, and #24 – 28 are from Nicole Sam - credit to the OP authors & Get Literary.
​
Bonus! Find a book based on your favorite classic TV cartoon from your childhood. Pairings #29 – 38 offer adult fiction pairings for classic cartoons.
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^ This section is based on What to Read Based on Your Favorite Classic TV Cartoon by Ann Foster on Book Riot. Descriptions are from the original post.
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Based on 50 engrossing and adorable rom com books and movies for your Valentine’s weekend by Modern Mrs Darcy.
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Even more Watch-Read lists at the end...
Part 1: TV Shows
01
WATCH
READ
THE CHILLING ADVENTURES OF SABRINA
LABYRINTH LOST
By Zoraida Córdova
"If you enjoy the balance of dark magic and teen drama in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina, you’ll love Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Córdova. Much like Sabrina, teenage bruja Alex has a complicated relationship with her family legacy of magic. When she tries to rid herself of her powers at her Deathday celebration, her spell backfires and her whole family disappears. She must team up with Nova, a brujo she doesn’t trust, to save her family and redeem herself."
02
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READ
JESSICA JONES
ZERO SUM GAME
By S.L. Huang
"If you’re a fan of badass private eye/superhero Jessica Jones, you’ll definitely appreciate badass mercenary/math genius Cas Russell from S.L. Huang’s Zero Sum Game. The author is a weapons expert & professional stuntwoman with a math degree from MIT. She’s used her expertise to create Cas, a protagonist who can calculate the trajectory of bullets & use her knowledge of physics to jump off of roofs & through windows. When she encounters a secret organization experimenting with mind control, her mastery of numbers gets more complicated. Much like Jessica Jones, Cas faces a lot of ethical questions when her skills, her job, & enemies that can control minds clash."
03
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READ
BLACK MIRROR
FRIDAY BLACK
By Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
"If you like the experimental sci-fi feel of Black Mirror, you should check out the captivating short story collection Friday Black by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah. Adjei-Brenyah examines the everyday racism black people face by putting his characters in heightened, surreal situations. In one story, a young actor struggles with his role in an augmented reality that allows players to hunt “terrorists” or “intruders.” In another, a mall store employee must survive an apocalyptic zombie-like Black Friday sale. These & other haunting tales serve as social commentary in a way fans of Black Mirror will love."
04
WATCH
READ
UNBREAKABLE KIMMY SCHMIDT
MR. & MRS. AMERICAN PIE
By Juliet McDaniel
"For fans of the absurd & hilarious Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel is the perfect fit. Socialite & former beauty queen Maxine is climbing the social ranks in Palm Spring in 1969. That is, until her husband leaves her for his significantly younger secretary & she has a public meltdown. She decides that winning the Mr. & Mrs. American Pie contest is the only way to save her image. But first, she has to find a makeshift family she can sell to the judges as her own. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, led by an outrageous cast of characters & a plucky protagonist who will always find a way."
05
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READ
DEAR WHITE PEOPLE
ELOQUENT RAGE
By Brittney Cooper
"If you love the razor-sharp social commentary of Dear White People, read Eloquent Rage: A Black Feminist Discovers Her Superpower by Brittney Cooper. This essay collection is an astute &vcaptivating examination of modern racism, respectability politics, & Black womanhood. Much like Samantha in Dear White People, Brittney Cooper has chosen to use her anger to fight racism & sexism in a powerful, thought-provoking way."
06
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QUEER EYE
GURU
By RuPaul
"Love the life advice & feel-goodiness of Queer Eye? Then you’re sure to enjoy the charming stories, thoughtful guidance, & beautiful pictures in GuRu, a new book from legendary drag queen RuPaul. Mama Ru is full of memorable one liners & tips for mindfulness. GuRu has a little bit of everything to provide perspective for the mind, body, & spirit. It will leave you feeling joyful & refreshed, much like Queer Eye’s Fab Five."
07
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ORANGE IS THE NEW BLACK
THE MARS ROOM
By Rachel Kushmer
"Fans of Orange is the New Black, a dramedy set in a New York women’s prison, should check out The Mars Room by Rachel Kushner, a novel set in a California women’s prison. When single mother & former stripper Romy kills a man who stalked her, she’s sentenced to two consecutive
life sentences. Upon her arrival in prison, she meets a variety of inmates with their own stories to
tell. It’s a look at the harsh realities of incarceration & a flawed justice system told through many perspectives. The diversity of voices & experiences will appeal to Orange is the New Black viewers."
08
WATCH
READ
GRACIE AND FRANKIE
BINGO LOVE
By Tee Franklin, Jenn St-Onge, Joy San, Cardinal Rae
"If you’re obsessed with the late-in-life romances & quirky relationships in Grace and Frankie, you’re bound to adore Bingo Love, a comic by Tee Franklin, Jenn St-Onge, Joy San, & Cardinal Rae. Hazel & Mari fell in love at first sight at church bingo in 1963, but they were forced apart by their families and society. When they meet again decades later, they decide to give their love a chance. It’s heartwarming & sincere, much like the love & friendships in Grace and Frankie."
09
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NEW GIRL
THE WEDDING DATE
By Jasmine Guillory
"The set-up for The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory is straight out of a New Girl episode. I can absolutely see Winston meeting someone while trapped in an elevator, that leading them to going to a wedding together, & then eventually leading to a will they/won’t they storyline full of heart & humor. In fact, it’s eerily similar to an episode from early in the series when Jess goes as Nick’s plus one to a wedding & hilarity ensues. The mix of absurd situations & romantic hilarity make these two a match made in sitcom heaven."
10
WATCH
READ
FRESH OFF THE BOAT
THE WANGS VS. THE WORLD
By Jade Chang
"If you love Fresh Off the Boat’s look at the life of an immigrant family moving across the country, you are going to love The Wangs vs. The World by Jade Chang. Funny & charming straight out of the opening scene of Fresh Off the Boat where we see the Huang family in a van talking through their move from Washington to Florida. This is a great pairing for those looking for that special mix of immigrant family drama & the absolute hilarity of being new to a city or a country."
11
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BIG BANG THEORY
HOW TO LIVE SAFELY IN A SCIENCE FICTIONAL UNIVERSE By Charles Yu
"A book that takes on hard science fiction in a humorous way? Sounds exactly right for those who 'Bazinga!' along with Sheldon every week. Just like Big Bang Theory, How To Live Safely in a Science Fictional Universe by Charles Yu finds the funny at all of the wibbly-wobbly timey-wimey stuff that comes with science fictional universes."
12
WATCH
READ
BLACK-ISH
YOU CAN'T TOUCH MY HAIR
By Phoebe Robinson
"If you’re looking for something that takes a funny look at the serious issues that face African-Americans, look no further than Phoebe Robinson’s memoir, You Can’t Touch My Hair. In fact, I’m almost 100% certain that Zoey Johnson read this book after seeing Phoebe on Broad City & then following her on Twitter. Zoey then probably gave it to her Mom, Rainbow, & now it’s sitting on her nightstand underneath The Origin of Others and The Underground Railroad. Anyways, if you love the perspective & humor of Black-ish, you’re gonna love this memoir. Hint: Listening to it on audiobook will give you a whole new respect for Robinson’s amazing pop-culture infused wit that will serve to further reinforce this pairing. I guarantee it!"
13
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YOUNGER
THE PERFECT FIND
By Tia Williams
"If you love seeing Liza try to navigate the publishing world while being significantly older than most of her co-workers, you’re going to love The Perfect Find by Tia Williams. Both take a serious yet hilarious look at the hardships that come when trying to start over. It’s even got a steamy subplot with a younger man that I’m sure will appeal to those who are #TeamJosh."
14
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JANE THE VIRGIN
THE WEIGHT OF FEATHERS
By Anna-Marie McLemore
"If you like your sitcom with a dose of magical realism & telenovela drama, you’re going to love The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore. A love story a la Romeo & Juliet, except that the feuding families are traveling magical acts. Mermaids, fated love, family drama. This book truly feels like it was made for Jane the Virgin fans."
THE GOOD PLACE SEASON ONE SPOILER ALERT BELOW --
CLICK HERE TO SKIP PAST!
15
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THE GOOD PLACE
DAMNED
By Chuck Palahniuk
WARNING: SEASON 1 SPOILER ALERT
"Damned by Chuck Palahniuk is a book written by a renowned comedic novelist about a young girl trying to come to terms with the fact that she’s going to be spending eternity in hell. Sound familiar? If you love the morality humor & twisty examination of hell & heaven from the Good Place, this book seems like the perfect pairing given the twist at the end of Season One."
OKAY, SPOILER OVER
16
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MISS FISHER'S MURDER MYSTERIES
THE DIVINERS
By Libba Bray
"Do you like mysteries with a zazzle of irrepressible women with a wild sense of humor and a great sense of style? Historical progressivism with echoes of issues we still wrestle with in the modern world? How about jazz and the occult? No? Do you even like fun?" The Diviners by Libba Bray is a YA fantasy pick that will likely appeal to fans of Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries.
17
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CALL THE MIDWIFE
STATION ELEVEN
By Emily St. John Mandel
"Both Call the Midwife & Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel are about the preciousness of people and their personal stories. One person’s story may seem small to a stranger but to that person, their whole life is so huge. Bring extra tissues because both of these stories stick with you."
18
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PRODIGAL SON
MINDHUNTER
By John E. Douglas
"The son of a notorious serial killer grows up to become a hot-shot forensic profiler who solves crimes & catches murderers with the NYPD? Sure, why not?! Fox’s new police procedural with a ripped-from-the-headlines twist, Prodigal Son, was clearly designed for me and my fellow murderinos. Sure enough, it’s one of my favorite new shows of the fall. If it’s keeping you on the
edge of your seat too, then I have just the book recommendation to help you fill the time between episodes: Mindhunter by John E. Douglas. Based on real-life cases from Douglas’s 25-year career
as a psychological profiler for the FBI Investigative Support Unit, Mindhunter takes you behind the scenes of the hunt for sadistic murderers like the Green River killer & the Atlanta child murderer.
You may never sleep again, but hey, you’d have something in common with Prodigal Son’s
Malcolm Bright." - Heather
19
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STUMPTOWN
TWO DEAD
By Van Jensen
"So you like crime, mystery thrillers, procedural detective shows, & no-nonsense ladies who do what it takes to get to the truth? Stumptown boasts Cobie Smulders as its practical but abrasive lead (finally!) & is looking to take over network TV. With a stellar supporting cast (including Michael Ealy, Jake Johnson, and Tantoo Cardinal) & a fantastic comic book to draw from, Stumptown is primed to blow us out of the water. If this sounds up your alley, take some time to check out Two Dead, a graphic novel by Van Jensen & Nate Powell, that follows two hard-hitting private investigators as they search for justice & truth in a small southern town. Set just after World War II, the issues of racism, sexism, & the rise of organized crime are all looked at from multiple perspectives. The book has the local flavor of southern towns paired with the struggles of individuals to do the right thing amid violence & terror. Stumptown & Two Dead are here to deliver all the slow-burn drama and fast-paced action you could want." – Linda H. Codega
20
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THE CROWN
THE LAST CASTLE
By Denise Kiernan
"Patiently awaiting The Crown Season 3 to hit Netflix? Same here. Sadly, we have a few more weeks before the Windsors are back at Buckingham Palace. But lucky for us, there's something of an American equivalent that can keep us entertained in the meantime. The Last Castle by Denise Kiernan tells the true story behind the Vanderbilts & the Biltmore Estate, the largest private residence in North America. This book will take you back to society in the Gilded Age, where the wedding of Edith Stuyvesant Dresser to George Vanderbilt was the event of the century. Get lost on the Vanderbilts’ 125,000-acre North Carolina estate & live the high-society life through the World Wars, the Jazz Age, & the Great Depression, meeting the likes of F. Scott Fitzgerald, Teddy Roosevelt, & Edith Wharton along the way. Now we’re thinking about who we’d cast if this book becomes a TV series next. (Hey, Netflix, are you listening?)" – Kristin
21
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THE WALKING DEAD
THE WALKING DEAD: TYPHOON
By Wesley Chu
"The world of Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead is expanding with Typhoon by Wesley Chu, an international spin-off of the hit TV and comic series. In China, three protagonists find themselves caught in a typhoon as it roils the most populous country in Asia, and the trio become among the survivors known as walkers (jiangshi)." – LJ
22
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LOOKING FOR ALASKA
THE PERKS OF BEING A WALLFLOWER By Stephen Chbosky
"If you’re like me & have devoured John Green’s entire books catalog, you can’t wait for the upcoming Looking for Alaska TV show. And if you & I are the same person, you’re wondering what other book will move you to your core & stick with you for years. That book is The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky. It’s more than your typical coming-of-age story & not for the faint of heart —it’s heartbreaking & haunting & so, so beautiful. An epistolary novel, Perks follows high school freshman Charlie as he navigates new friendships with an eclectic group of older students after the loss of his middle school best friend & his aunt. It’s a frequently challenged book due its heavy subject matters of sexuality, abuse, trauma, abortion, drug use, & body image issues, but it’s these exact subject matters that make it a must-read. (Plus, let’s be honest: if a novel is on a banned books list, it usually means it’s worth reading.) Perks is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, so there’s no better time to immerse yourself in this classic. It’s what John Green would want." – Molly
23
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READ
BLUFF CITY LAW
LAST RIDE TO GRACELAND
By Kim Wright
"No one is more surprised than me that Bluff City Law—an NBC series about a civil rights attorney, Sydney, who comes home to rejoin her father’s Memphis law firm after the unexpected death of her mother—is on my list of must-see TV. I don’t normally tune into legal dramas, so I blame the charisma of actor Jimmy Smits for making me try it & the emotionally resonant writing for getting me hooked. What can I say? I’m a sucker for a good family drama, which is exactly what you’ll also find in Kim Wright’s Last Ride to Graceland. Winner of the Willie Morris Award for Southern Fiction, the novel follows blues musician Cory as she struggles to process her own mother’s passing by traveling to Graceland. While she hits the road in search of answers about her father’s identify & her mother’s past as a backup singer for Elvis Presley, she ends up learning just as much, if not more, about herself. It’s a big-hearted novel perfect for fans of Bluff City Law." – Heather
24
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90 DAY FIANCÉ
ROOMIES
By Christina Lauren
"This pairing might be controversial if you believe the couples on 90 Day Fiancé are there for all the right reasons. But sometimes even the families of the couples think the relationship is nothing more than a marriage of convenience so one party can make it to the United States. Enter: Roomies by Christina Lauren! Holland Bakker has herself a crush on a talented street musician in NYC, but she’s never been able to work up the nerve to talk to him. That is, until she’s attacked in the subway station & Calvin, her crush, comes to her aid, but then quickly disappears. When Holland tries to get Calvin into her uncle’s Broadway show as a thank-you, she learns he disappeared because he is in the States illegally & is terrified the police will find out his status. Naturally, Holland decides to marry Calvin to protect his status despite her infatuation. But will the two realize that what they thought was just acting was actually a bit more?"
25
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AMERICA'S GOT TALENT
SPACE OPERA
By Catherynne M. Valente
"Competition shows are the heart of reality television, & America’s Got Talent sets itself apart by not limiting itself to just singing or dancing. Anyone with a talent is welcome to audition & prove why they should be crowned the winner. In Space Opera by Catherynne M. Valente, sentient races compete for glory in a galactic musical contest. Thanks to a galaxy-altering war one century ago, the Metagalactic Grand Prix was formed as a way for civilizations to come together & compete in a Eurovision style competition featuring singing, dancing, beauty, & more. If any new species is discovered, then they need to compete, but if they fail, their entire species will be destroyed. Enter: humankind. Humans discover this universe, & what they absolutely don’t expect to do is fight...via singing. The fate of Earth lies in the hands of Decibel Jones & the Absolute Zeros’ ability to rock."
26
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UNREAL
THE FAVORITE SISTER
By Jessica Knoll
"Sometimes the most salacious reality story lines are the ones that happen behind the scenes, and that’s true in both UnREAL and The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll. UnREAL follows Rachel, a producer on Everlasting, as she navigates the drama behind the scenes (drama that she often manufactures) of the popular dating show. The Favorite Sister also gives a look into reality show life as Brett & Kelly deal with Brett’s newfound success, thanks to a reality show called Goal Diggers. Kelly, with her knowledge of her sister’s secret, manipulates herself onto the show, threatening to topple everything Brett has built."
27
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THE REAL HOUSEWIVES
PASSION ON PARK AVENUE
By Lauren Layne
"Sometimes there’s nothing better than sitting back with a glass of wine & watching the lives of the rich & semi-famous crumble in front of your eyes. The Real Housewives has given us some of the most iconic reality television moments, from Teresa Giudice flipping a table to Kenya Moore showing us “Gone with the Wind fabulous” to RHONY’s infamous Scary Island episode. Each week, we tune in to get a peek into the fancy & dramatic lives of ladies who lunch in Chanel & party in Dior. That same aesthetic shines in Passion on Park Avenue by Lauren Layne. Three Upper East Side women become unlikely friends while they struggle to achieve their dreams & find love in NYC. This book addresses class differences, emotional baggage, & the reality of dealing with aging parents in a way that will remind you of...an episode of The Real Housewives."
28
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OUTDAUGHTERED
SOMETHING REAL
By Heather Demetrios
"I find multiples FASCINATING! It Takes Two was my jam growing up, & I was one of millions who tuned in to Jon & Kate Plus 8 every week. Outdaughtered is TLC’s latest show about a lovable family with SIX daughters. Adam and Danielle Busby give viewers a look into the chaos of raising six little girls (including quintuplets) while maintaining humor & relatability. Something Real by Heather Demetrios follows Bonnie™ Baker, a one-time star of a reality show that featured her & her twelve siblings. After the show’s cancellation, Bonnie™ tries to live a normal life, until their show, Baker’s Dozen, goes back on the air. Bonnie™ tries to quit, but her mother & producers won’t let her, threatening the life she’s built for herself. I imagine Something Real is what would happen if Blayke (the Busbys’ eldest daughter) decided she had enough of the reality TV life."
Part 2: Classic Cartoons
TV Bonus! Find an adult book pick based on your favorite classic cartoon.
29
IF YOU LOVED
READ
SCOOBY-DOO
MEDDLING KIDS
By Edgar Cantero
From the name of the mysterious lake — Zoinx — to the title of Edgar Cantero’s Meddling Kids, it’s apparent the influence the classic cartoon was a big influence. This decidedly grown-up novel explores the traumatized grown-up version of a teen investigative gang, brought together in adulthood to revisit the one case that may have truly been paranormal. Legitimate horror combines with retro 1970s and 1990s touches in a work that’s equal parts homage and its own unique thing.
30
IF YOU LOVED
READ
SAILOR MOON
THE STRANGE CASE OF THE ALCHEMIST'S DAUGHTER By Theodora Goss
In a manner not dissimilar to how five reincarnated space goddesses unite in Sailor Moon to fight even, a group of unlikely friends team up in The Strange Case of the Alchemist’s Daughter by Theodora Goss. In this book, the young women in question are the daughters and/or creations of famous literary villains like Dr. Jekyll, Victor Frankenstein, and Dr. Moreau, and, like the Sailor Scouts, each character has a special power or ability that works best when they’re all working together.
31
IF YOU LOVED
READ
THE SMURFS
THE BEAR & THE NIGHTINGALE
By Katherine Arden
The 13th century Russian heroine of Katherine Arden’s The Bear and the Nightingale shares a close connection with the elemental spirits who live in the woods around her village. Though she believes these spirits to be protectors, their existence is threatened when a newcomer to town interprets them as dangerous. While these creatures may or may not be blue, the villains certainly have an element of grown up Gargamel to them.
32
IF YOU LOVED
READ
JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS
THE REGULARS
By Georgia Clark
Fans of the glitter/gold/fashion/fame of this show may find both the girlie pink cover and the plot of Georgia Clark’s The Regulars a fun read. The characters in this book stumble upon a magic method to change their appearance to something more glamorous — and in so doing, much confront who they really are on the inside.
33
IF YOU LOVED
READ
GARGOYLES
THE HOUSE OF SHATTERED WINGS
By Aliette de Bodard
While the show takes place in 1990s New York City, Aliette de Bodard’s The House of Shattered Wings — the first in a series — imagines an alternate Paris suffering in the aftermath of a war between fallen angels, one in which nobody is all good or all bad.
34
IF YOU LOVED
READ
MUPPET BABIES
EVERY HEART A DOORWAY
By Seanan McGuire
Remember how the Muppet Babies would spent much of each episode engaging in
imaginative play? Well, the kids in Seanan McGuire’s Every Heart A Doorway used to play in a Narnia/Wonderland/Neverland world until they grew out of it. What happens to magical children after their time in the other side comes to an end?
35
IF YOU LOVED
READ
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES
THE PREY OF GODS
By Nicky Drayden
The only thing more exuberantly bonkers than a kid’s show about mutant pizza-eating ninja turtles is Nicky Drayden’s unimaginably creative The Prey of Gods. This book, set in South Africa, finds an unassuming human a la April O’Neill caught up in a thrilling battle between robots and giant Gods.
36
IF YOU LOVED
READ
TRANSFORMERS
SLEEPING GIANTS
By Sylvain Neuvel
Grown up fans of the seminal kid’s series about giant robots are sure to enjoy Sylvain Neuvel’s Sleeping Giants, which takes a World War Z faux-documentary style to investigate the discovery of a Transformers-sized robot. After stumbling upon the robot’s hand as a girl,
grown-up scientist Rose and her team are interrogated about what they’ve found — and what
it could mean for all of humanity.
37
IF YOU LOVED
READ
CAPTAIN PLANET & THE PLANETEERS
THE BOOK OF JOAN
By Lidia Yuknavitch
While the classic multicultural environmental cartoon rallied behind Captain Planet, the survivors of environmental apocalypse in Lidia Yuknavitch’s The Book of Joan find hope in child-warrior Joan, herself a sort of version of Joan of Arc.
38
IF YOU LOVED
READ
THE MAGIC SCHOOL BUS
THE DYING GAME
By Åsa Avdic
Miss Frizzle led her students on a series of wildly dangerous but always educational & fun field trips. In The Dying Game by Åsa Avdic, a group of business professionals in the near future are trapped on an island together in a bloody battle for a coveted job. You just know Miss Frizzle would come out on top of this sort of battle.
Part 3: Romance Movies
If you're a romance fan, also check out our guide to romance tropes, chock full of examples.
01
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SET IT UP
THE DARE & THE
DOCTOR By Kate Noble
"In Set It Up, two professional assistants work together to set their bosses up on a series of dates, leaving them with more free time and less burnout. The ambitious pair develop a sweet friendship, which of course turns to love. This is one of the spicier movies on this list. In The Dare and the Doctor, pen pals Dr. Rhys Gray and Miss Margaret Babcock are just friends, but when Rhys helps Margaret realize her professional dream, they start to see one another in a new light."
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SWEET HOME
ALABAMA
SWEET TEA AND SYMPATHY
By Molly Harper
"Dripping with southern sass, this pairing is perfect for anyone who feels like a fish out of water in their own hometown. When high-powered city gals find themselves in the rural south, hilarity ensues. Strong family dynamics and southern hospitality serve as backdrops while the featured couples fall in love."
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NO RESERVATIONS
MANGOS & MISTLETOE
By Adriana Herrera
"Ignore the 'Mistletoe' part here, because this book is worth reading at any time of year. Pastry chef Kiskeya Burgos is determined to win this year’s Holiday Baking Challenge in Scotland, but sparks fly when she faces off with home-cook Sully Morales. In No Reservations, clashing personalities create chemistry between master chef Kate Armstrong and her sous-chef."
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BRIDE AND
PREJUDICE
AYESHA AT LAST
By Uzma Jalaluddin
"I love a good Austen retelling (as you’ll detect from this list). This Pride and Prejudice-inspired pairing is especially apt because in Ayesha at Last, our heroine Ayesha frequently watches Bollywood movies with her cousin. Movie nights are a big part of their bond until a surprise engagement threatens to tear them apart. Ayesha is a 2019 Summer Reading Guide selection, and will make readers seeking chaste romance happy."
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10 THINGS I HATE
ABOUT YOU
WELL MET
By Jen DeLuca
"10 Things I Hate About You is based on The Taming of the Shrew. No Shakespearean dialogue here, but there is plenty of social commentary on gender roles and romance. Well Met also follows the enemies-to-lovers trope, set at a renaissance faire. There are plenty of Shakespearean references for fans of the Bard, but this pairing is distinctly modern (and a little bit open door in places)."
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BEND IT LIKE
BECKHAM
CODE OF CONDUCT
By Cheyenne Blue
"Women kick-butt at sports and break the rules in this soccer and tennis pairing. In the essential soccer rom-com, Jess falls in love with “football” and her coach. Their romance is further complicated by her family forbidding her to play. In Code of Conduct, top tennis player Viva Jones falls for lineswoman Gabriela, but they face a tough challenge: players and officials aren’t allowed to date."
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HOW TO LOSE A GUY
IN 10 DAYS
NOT THE GIRL YOU MARRY
By Andie J. Christopher
"Not the Girl You Marry is a gender-bent retelling of the delightful rom-com, How to Lose a Guy in Ten Days. Typically, readers declare that the book is better than the movie. But in this unusual case where the movie came first, you’ll have to read and decide!"
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WHILE YOU WERE SLEEPING
WHILE THE DUKE WAS SLEEPING By Sophie Jordan
"This is such a fun pairing. While the Duke was Sleeping puts a historical spin on the 1995 film. When the dreamy Duke of Autenberry is hit by a carriage in front of the shop where Poppy works, she rescues him and gets mistaken as his fiancée. While the duke is in a coma, Poppy faces off with his handsome brother, who sees right through her lie. If you’ve seen the movie, you know which characters fall in love."
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MISS CONGENIALITY
THE ACCIDENTAL BEAUTY QUEEN By Teri Wilson
"Unlikely beauty queens take on pageant life in this pairing, featuring a 2019 Summer Reading Guide pick. In the movie, Gracie is an FBI agent sent undercover after a bomb threat. In the closed-door novel, Charlotte is a Harry Potter-loving elementary school librarian posing as her twin sister after an unfortunate allergic reaction. Both stories are fun, frothy, and light-hearted."
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THE PROPOSAL
THE HATING GAME
By Sally Thorne
"These fun, flirty office romances include motivated characters reaching for promotions, opposites-attract tension, and snappy dialogue. The Proposal features a boss-assistant relationship, while The Hating Game revolves around two executives competing for the same corner office. (Thorne writes some open door moments.)"
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CLUELESS
IF I LOVED YOU LESS
By Tamsen Parker
"Is there such a thing as too many Austen-inspired rom-coms? “Ugh, as if!” These delightful Emma retellings are firmly rooted in time and place, so prepare to be whisked away to Beverly Hills and Kauai. Well-meaning matchmaker heroines overstep their bounds, but it all turns out in the end as they find love despite their mistakes. We know Paul Rudd is dreamy as Josh, but Theodosia and Kini’s romance is equally swoon-worthy!"
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THE PRINCE & ME
A PRINCESS IN THEORY
By Alyssa Cole
"The girl-meets-prince fairytale trope gets a real life spin in this pairing. Both feature heroines who reluctantly fall in love with princes, while in school. The princes are accustomed to getting their way, of course, so when our studious heroines don’t immediately agree to run away with them, the heroes’ worlds are turned upside-down. (Alyssa Cole typically writes open door romance.)"
13
WATCH
READ
THE BIG SICK
THE CHAI FACTOR
By Farah Heron
"These rom-coms have a lot of heart and incorporate deeper themes of cultural tensions, family, and identity. Both the movie and the book feature interracial relationships and stage performance. In the movie, our hero is a stand-up comedian, and in the book, a barbershop quartet baritone. If you like a rom-com that makes you think, and maybe even tear up a little, this pairing is perfect for you."
14
WATCH
READ
YOU'VE GOT MAIL
TWEET CUTE
By Emma Lord
"Kathleen Kelly is a true romantic. Joe Fox is logical and focused on his business. He has no time or space for fairytales. Annie and Wes don’t own storefronts, but their relationship does mirror the opposites-attract, book-centered romance of You’ve Got Mail. In the new YA novel Tweet Cute, two classmates who manage social media accounts for their families restaurants find themselves embroiled in a twitter battle on the Upper East Side. I read this sweet, fun, and chaste story in a single evening."
15
WATCH
READ
LOVE AND
BASKETBALL
FUMBLED
By Alexa Martin
"Different sports, same trope. Childhood sweethearts meet again and reconnect over shared history. These second-chance romance stories revolve around football and basketball, but you don’t need to be a sports fan in order to enjoy them."
16
WATCH
READ
27 DRESSES
ONE AND ONLY
By Jenny Holiday
"This pairing features responsible, loyal heroines and the heroes who help them let loose. Who can resist a romance series titled “Bridesmaids Behaving Badly?” Add Bridesmaids and Made of Honor to your queue for a wedding-themed movie marathon."
Part 4: More Watch <-> Read Lists
(From Book Riot)
Choose Some TV Shows & We'll Give You a Book to Read
5 Books to Get You Ready for Season 2 of The Good Place
Craving Black Mirror? Then You Need These Books in Your Life
Books to Read if You Love the TV Show Playing House
A Diverse Reading List for Downton Abbey Fans
Non-Fantasy Books for Game of Thrones Fans
(From Get Literary)
Not Ready to Leave Schitt’s Creek? Read These 8 Novels
4 Novels to Read after Watching Greta Gerwig’s Oscar-Nominated Little Women
6 Books to Investigate if You Love the Stumptown TV Show
Can’t Wait for The Witcher Season 2? Read These 8 Sweeping Fantasy Novels
6 Forking Great Reads for Your Faves in The Good Place
What Are Our Favorite Schitt’s Creek Characters Reading?
4 Books to Get You Through Post-Queer Eye Life
4 Chilling Reads to Get You Through Mindhunter Season 2
Let Brooklyn Nine-Nine’s Detectives Choose Your Next Mystery Read
4 Books You’ll Definitely Find at Dear White People’s Winchester University
7 Books to Tide You Over Between Euphoria Episodes
Get in the 1980s Vibe Before Stranger Things Returns with These 6 Books
7 Second-Chance Romance Novels to Fill Your Always Be My Maybe Void
4 Books to Read After Bingeing Dead to Me
Dystopian Reads to Get You Psyched for The Handmaid’s Tale
Still Not Over Veep? Check Out These 7 Books
4 Bunch-Tastic Reads to Fill the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend Void
5 Books to Read if You’re a Fan of Jordan Peele’s Us
What to Read Based on Your Favorite Bold Type Heroine
6 Books to Read After You Binge The Order
4 Books to Read When You’re Missing Criminal Minds After the Series Finale
3 Books to Read if You Love The Magicians!
Good Girls Who Have BIG Secrets
What Are Our Favorite Grown-ish Characters Reading?
4 Meta Reads for Fans of Russian Doll
8 Books to Read if You Love Game of Thrones
5 Con Artist Books to Read After Bingeing the Fyre Festival Documentaries
What to Read After Binge-Watching A Discovery of Witches
5 Books for People Who Love Roswell and Paranormal TV
10 Books to Read if You’re Obsessed with Sandra Bullock Movies
Do You Miss The Bold Type? Check Out These 4 Reads!
5 Books to Read if You Love Watching CBS Shows
5 Books to Read After Watching Bravo’s Dirty John
For Fans of 90 Day Fiancé: 5 Matched-for-Convenience Romances
Magical Worlds to Explore after Watching Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald
Craving More Chilling Adventures of Sabrina?
4 Scary Books to Binge While Waiting for Riverdale’s Return
4 Books to Read After Watching The Handmaid’s Tale
5 Books to Read While You’re Waiting for The Crown to Return
What to Read After Watching To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
5 Books to Read If You’re Watching Sharp Objects
9 Books to Read While You’re Waiting for Outlander to Return
What to Read after Bingeing Wild Wild Country
If You Love These International TV Series, Pick Up These Reads!
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