We’re currently living through the Golden Age of book-to-screen adaptations. It seems like every single day yet another beloved book is getting its turn to shine on the big screen. From Emerald Fennell’s take on the literary classic, Wuthering Heights, to the first trailer dropping for the highly anticipated adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s bestseller, Klara and The Sun, we are constantly rereading our favorites in preparation for their adaptations, adding books and movies alike to our “must read” and “must watch” lists.
Not that we’re complaining! As Los Angelenos, we love all stories—from books, to TV shows, to movies—and love to see how our favorite novels transform in a visual medium. In that spirit, we’re sharing our favorite recent (and most highly anticipated) adaptations coming out, and the books that inspired them.
Verity by Colleen Hoover: Before it hits the big screen starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett, pick up the thriller that captivated millions of readers. Verity is a dark, twisty psychological suspense novel filled with secrets, obsession, and shocking revelations. It’s the kind of book you’ll race through in a weekend and immediately need someone to discuss with afterward.
Dog Stars by Peter Heller: With a film adaptation directed by Ridley Scott and starring Jacob Elordi, Margaret Qualley, and Josh Brolin on the horizon, now is the perfect time to discover this unforgettable novel. Set in a hauntingly beautiful post-pandemic world, The Dog Stars is both a gripping survival story and a moving meditation on love, loss, and hope. Peter Heller’s lyrical prose makes this literary dystopian tale truly soar.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt: Remarkably Bright Creatures is every bit as charming as you’ve heard. Blending mystery, humor, and heart, this book celebrates the unexpected connections that help us find our way. Read this delightful relationship-driven drama and then cozy up on the couch to watch Sally Field bring it to life in a way only Sally Field can.
Dark Matter by Blake Crouch: Now adapted into a hit series starring Joel Edgerton and Jennifer Connelly, Dark Matter is the mind-bending thriller that takes the multi-verse to a whole new level. Blake Crouch masterfully explores alternate realities, second chances, and the lives we might have lived, all while delivering relentless suspense. Grab a copy before season 2 drops on August 28th!
Beach Read by Emily Henry: With The White Lotus’s Patrick Schwarzenegger and Bridgerton’s Phoebe Dynevor set to bring this fan-favorite romance to life on screen, now is the perfect time to fall in love with Beach Read. Equal parts witty, heartfelt, and emotionally resonant, Emily Henry’s novel follows two rival writers who challenge each other to swap genres for the summer. It’s a smart, swoony romance that proves some of the best love stories begin when you least expect them.
