Let’s be honest – having the privilege to read a book before the film adaptation comes out is always a great way to boost your ego. There is a sense of superiority that comes with knowing the plot of a film before the rest of the general audience does, and even though many of us don’t like to admit it, we just can’t wait to say “I read the book” to our friends at the movie theatre.
There have been so many announcements regarding book-to-screen adaptations throughout this past year that it’s become quite a challenge to keep track of them all. In fact, it seems like it’s become a trend for some of the most popular books to get their rights snatched by companies like Netflix or Amazon Prime so they can be turned into a feature film or limited series. Personally, I think it’s really exciting when a book is adapted into a television show or film. Picturing the characters, plot and setting in my head is a great experience, but when the trailer for the film comes out, it’s like the world that I created inside my head has come to life. However, it could also be the opposite — we all know that many film adaptations do not always meet the expectations of the readers.
If you’re interested in getting a head start on what could be the next film or television series that everyone will be talking about, I’ve compiled a list of books that are currently being adapted for the screen. Many of these are bestsellers, so it’s likely that you’ve already heard of the titles or seen them on the shelves of your local bookstore. Or you might already know the titles because of other important reasons, like how Harry Styles is set to star in one of them.
Where the Crawdads Sing – Delia Owens
Delia Owens’ Where the Crawdads Sing is the book that we all can’t seem to escape. Since its release, I’ve seen the book cover everywhere. The story follows Kya Clark, also known as “marsh girl,” in the fictional town of Barkley Cove, North Carolina – a quiet fishing village set in 1969. She finds herself drawn to two young men in her town, but after one of them is murdered, the blame is put on her. The film adaptation is scheduled for release on June 24, 2022 and has already wrapped up filming, starring Daisy Edgar Jones, Taylor John Smith and Harris Dickinson. The film is also being produced by Reese Witherspoon and distributed by Sony Pictures. Where the Crawdads Sing is described as mysterious, complex and moving, so I’ll definitely be adding this one to my list.
Daisy Jones and the Six – Taylor Jenkins Reid
I’m trying really hard to conceal my excitement about this. If you’re a lover of all things 70s rock and roll, Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Daisy Jones and the Six is the book for you. It follows L.A. singer Daisy Jones and her rise to fame in the late 60s and 70s, including how she claimed her spot in The Six — the fictional rock band that dominated the music world. The novel is written in interview style and reads like a script of a documentary, which in my opinion, adds so much authenticity to the story. According to Deadline, the novel was grabbed by Reese Witherspoon’s production company Hello Sunshine in 2018 and is set to be released in a 13-episode television series through Amazon Studios. While there is no set release date yet, the cast already looks impressive. It stars Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, Suki Waterhouse and many more. They’re currently filming the series as we speak, so I don’t think it’ll be long before the name “Daisy Jones” is all over the Internet.
Conversations with Friends – Sally Rooney
Hopefully this one will summon all of the Normal People fans. Sally Rooney’s novel Conversations with Friends follows Frances and Bobby, two best friends who befriend a married couple, Nick and Melissa. The novel covers the very complicated relationship between these four characters, and as Sally Rooney’s novels typically are, it is a very raw and emotional story with dialogue so realistic that sometimes it feels like you’re eavesdropping on a private conversation – hence the title. The series began filming back in April and is set to air as a 12-episode television series for Hulu in 2022. It will star Joe Alwyn, Alison Oliver, Sasha Lane and Jemima Kirke.
My Policeman – Bethan Roberts
If you’re a Harry Styles fan, you probably already own this book or remember when the paparazzi photos of Harry on set were leaked, flooding everyone’s Twitter pages. Set in England in the 1950s, Bethan Roberts’ novel is a love story between a married police officer and an older museum curator. It’s being adapted as a film through Amazon Studios, starring Harry Styles (of course), The Crown’s Emma Corrin and David Dawson. I haven’t read the book yet, so I think I’m going to start manifesting not needing any tissues for this one. Let’s hope this love triangle has a happy ending.
All the Light We Cannot See – Anthony Doerr
Back in 2015, Anthony Doerr’s All the Light We Cannot See was awarded the Pulitzer Prize and received praise from critics after its release. Recently, it was announced that Stranger Things’ Shawn Levy and Peaky Blinders creator Steven Knight will be adapting the novel as a series for Netflix. It’s set during World War II and follows Marie-Laure, a young blind girl who is forced to flee her home in Paris, and Werner, an orphan who is forced to join the academy for Hitler Youth. Described as heartbreaking, poetic and moving, Doerr’s novel sounds like the type of book everyone should read at least once.
Heartstopper – Alice Oseman
Alice Oseman’s Heartstopper is the YA graphic novel series we all need in our lives. Since 2016, Oseman has been creating the series that follows the love story between British high school students Nick and Charlie, as well as their relationship with their circle of friends. The novel addresses mental illness, friendship, identity and first love, while also portraying teenagers in a realistic and diverse light that the mainstream media usually has trouble with. Back in April, the actors for the eight-part Netflix series were announced, starring a cast of fresh faces; Joe Locke, Kit Connor, Yasmin Finney, William Gao and many others. Even though the show has wrapped up filming, there isn’t a set release date yet, but I’m hoping that it will be available to stream in the near future.