The Best Books Coming to a Screen Near You
This autumn continues to be a banner season for films based on books. For October, we recommend three standout titles to add to your read and watch list: Scorsese's ambitious adaptation of David Grann's Killers of the Flower Moon; a classic haunted house horror tale that's a perfect read-ahead of Halloween; and Bonnie Garmus’ clever feminist tale about a chemist-turned-TV chef.
1. Killers of the Flower Moon
Releases October 20 | In theaters, then streaming on Apple TV+ | Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro, Lily Gladstone, and Jesse Plemons
Well into the sixth decade of his career, Martin Scorsese shines more than ever for his overpowering talent as a storyteller. His hotly anticipated, star-studded latest film is based on author David Grann’s book of the same name. The 2017 National Book Award finalist, Killers of the Flower Moon, tells the true story of Osage Indian murders – a string of killings of wealthy members of the Osage Nation, which happened between 1918 and 1931. The book suggests that many of the murders were likely done to steal the wealth of the Osage, who resided on oil-rich land, and follows the FBI’s efforts to uncover the truth and find the killers. Writing in the Boston Globe, Michael Washburn called it, “...a masterful work of literary journalism crafted with the urgency of a mystery.”
2. The Fall of the House of Usher
Releases October 12 | Netflix | Starring Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, and Mary McDonnell
Rave reviews are already rolling in for Netflix’s grisly and ghostly modern retelling of mystery master Edgar Allen Poe’s classic horror tale. First published in 1839, the story follows an unnamed narrator’s experiences assisting his friend Roderick Usher who, along with his cataleptic twin sister Madeline, are the last remaining members of the Usher family residing in the family home. The pair are both ailing from vague and puzzling maladies and as the story progresses Roderick's mental state deteriorates rapidly. He grows increasingly paranoid and fearful which he in part attributes to the house itself which he suggests may be alive. Once he begins to hear noises beneath the floorboards and notices an increasing erraticism in Roderick's behavior, the narrator begins to suspect that a dark secret is being harbored by his friend.
3. Lessons in Chemistry
Releases October 13 | Apple TV+ | Starring Brie Larson, Stephanie Koenig, Alice Halsey
Bonnie Garmus’ runaway bestselling 2022 novel is coming to Apple TV+ with a series starring Oscar winning actor Brie Larson. The story is set in 1960s America and follows chemist Elizabeth Zott who unexpectedly becomes an adored television chef, after an unplanned pregnancy derails her career in science and leaves her as a single parent to a daughter named Madeline. Thriller grandmaster Stephen King called it, “Witty, sometimes hilarious, angry, and often surreal. It's the CATCH-22 of early feminism.”
Best Book Adaptations for September
This month we're featuring a thrilling commentary on racial animus set in the publishing world, a classic Agatha Christie mystery just in time for Halloween, and a horror-tinged fantasy tale that would give even the Brothers Grimm a fright.
1. The Other Black Girl
Released September 13 | Hulu | Starring Sinclair Daniel and Ashleigh Murray
This new Hulu series is adapted from Zakiya Dalila’s thrilling 2021 debut novel The Other Black Girl which follows editorial assistant Nella Rogers as she struggles through feelings of alienation as the only Black employee at the New York-based publishing house Wagner Books. When the company hires a second Black editor, Nella is overjoyed. But a series of strange events and unnerving experiences leads Nella to realize that everything is not as it seems at Wagner.
Writing for BookPage, critic Carole V. Bell said: “Brilliantly positioned at the intersection of satire and social horror, The Other Black Girl incorporates subversively sharp and sly cultural commentary into an addictive and surprisingly dark tale of suspense.”
2. A Haunting in Venice
Released September 15 | In theaters | Starring Kenneth Branagh, Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Dornan, and Tina Fey
This adaptation of Agatha Christie’s 1969 novel, Hallowe'en Party, is Academy Award-winning actor and director Kenneth Branagh’s third time playing the role of the author’s beloved detective, Hercule Poirot. In the book, Poirot must solve the mystery of a 13-year old girl’s death, only hours after she confessed at a Halloween party that she had once witnessed a murder.
Branagh will star alongside the ever-hilarious Tina Fey as mystery novelist Ariadne Oliver.
3. American Horror Story: Delicate
Released September 20 | FX/Hulu | Starring Emma Roberts, Kim Kardashian, Sarah Paulson, and Cara Delevingne
Kim Kardashian makes her scripted TV debut in the 12th season of the popular American Horror Story which draws inspiration from Danielle Valentine’s thrilling, recently released novel, Delicate Condition. The book tells the story of Anna Alcott who, after months of unsuccessfully trying to become pregnant, is finally able to conceive through in vitro fertilization – only for that baby to seemingly be lost through a miscarriage. However, Anna quickly discovers something is still growing inside of her.
4. The Changeling
Released September 8 | Apple TV+ | Starring LaKeith Stanfield, Clark Backo, and Adina Porter
Victor LaValle's 2017 horror-tinged fantasy novel serves as the inspiration for this new Apple TV+ series starring the Academy Award-nominated, Lakeith Stanfield. LaValle’s book, which Time named as one of its 100 best fantasy novels of all time, is set in New York and tells the story of a Black bookseller named Apollo Kagwe, as he embarks on a journey across the Big Apple in search of his missing wife and child. This is, as Tor.com puts it, “not a Disney-fied ‘happily ever after’ fairy tale, but an old school, Eastern European, bloody, serious-as-death-itself fairy tale… [which] calls to mind nothing as much as American Gods, or The Fisher King.”
Best Book Adaptations for August
In our August installment of the latest and greatest book-to-screen adaptations, we cover the timely Netflix adaptation of Barry Meier's Pain Killer; the trending dramedy based on a graphic novel by an artist you'll recognize if you read The New Yorker; and a royal queer rom-com that is a viral sensation. Plus, why now is a good time to re-read The Color Purple.
1. Painkiller
Released August 11 | Netflix | Starring Matthew Broderick, Udo Azuba, Sam Anderson and Clark Gregg
With the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma back in the news as their bankruptcy deal goes to the Supreme Court, the release of Netflix’s Painkiller is a timely look at the colossal effects of the opioid crisis. The series, directed by Peter Berg (Friday Night Lights) and starring Matthew Broderick as Richard Sackler, is based on Pulitzer-Prize winning journalist Barry Meier’s tell-all investigation of the pharmaceutical industry and Patrick Radden Keefe’s New Yorker article.
Why you should read the book: The TV series is number one on Netflix's Top 10 this week for a reason, as the dramatized retelling is addictive enough for a binge-watch. But you’ll get all the extra juicy details from the book. It’s scathing, insane, and often appalling, and it’s one of the most gripping books you’ll read. For a natural complement to read next, check out Patrick Radden Keefe’s Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty.
2. Red, White, & Royal Blue
Released August 11 | Amazon Prime | Starring Nicholas Galitzine, Uma Thurman and Taylor Zakhar Perez
The royals are forever entrenched in drama, but we’ve reached peak scandal after the release earlier this year of Prince Harry’s bombshell memoir, which the BBC called “part confession, part rant and part love letter that, in places, feels like the longest angry drunk text ever sent.” It’s no shocker that the new film Red, White & Royal Blue, based on Casey McQuiston’s book published back in 2019, is No. 1 worldwide on Prime Video. This queer love story about a secret romance between the American president’s son and the British prince next in line for the throne was a “best book of the year” according to NPR, Vanity Fair, Vogue and has been a mainstay on The New York Times bestseller list.
Why you should read the book: If you love the king-sized drama intrinsic to life as a royal, you’ll love this book — obviously. On the flip side, if tabloid-ready palace intrigue is not a draw, but you appreciate a clever, feel-good romcom, you’ll burn through it for its humor, wit and lovable new twist on the classic princely romance trope.
Already read the book and seen the movie? You'll get a kick out of watching the notable "Cornetto" scene that didn't make it into the final cut in this deleted scene released by Amazon Prime.
3. Shortcomings
Released August 4 | In theaters | Starring Justin H. Min, Sherry Cola, Ally Maki and Debby Ryan
If you’re a loyal New Yorker reader, then you’re intimately familiar with the work of cartoonist and illustrator Adrian Tomine, who has been doing internal and cover contributions for the magazine for decades. But you may have missed his graphic novel Shortcomings, which was one of the most acclaimed books of 2007 and finally got its big-screen release this month as a film adaptation with actors Ally Maki, Justin H. Min and Tavi Gevinson. The book and film tell the story of Ben Tanaka, an Asian-American man living in Berkeley struggling with his feelings about his Asian American identity and heritage. The adaptation, which is the directorial debut of comic actor Randall Park — who was said to be inspired by Noah Baumbach for this film — was called “a wickedly funny, absorbing character study” on RogerEbert.com.
Why you should read the book: After 15 years, the book holds up unbelievably well with its brutal honesty about sexual mores and racial politics. Come for the humor and the gorgeous illustrations — stay for the heart. If you’re from the Bay Area, both the film and the book are a must as you'll love the tour of iconic East Bay spots.
Get ready for: The Color Purple
On Christmas Day 2023, we’ll see the release of a musical film adaptation of The Color Purple, produced by the powerhouse quartet of Steven Spielberg, Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders and of course Oprah Winfrey, who starred in the 1985 adaptation produced by Spielberg. The film, which includes stars such as Fantasia Barrino (American Idol alum) and Halle Bailey (The Little Mermaid), is based on both the Pulitzer and National Book Award-winning book and its Broadway adaptation. Winfrey was quoted at CinemaCon as saying that the new version features "magical realism, wholesome family goodness and some of the best actors you've ever seen.”
Why you should (re)read the book: If you haven't read this foundational text, stop reading this article now and buy it below. Following the lives of two poor Black sisters in rural Georgia during the 1930s through their letters, The Color Purple is a moving and challenging story which addresses topics like racism, violence, rape and incest in America like no other novel that came before it — which has also kept it in the headlines for being one of the most banned and challenged books of all time. Get to it now before the musical comes out later this year.
Best Book Adaptations for July
We know: you can’t just read ALL the time. That’s why we’re bringing you regular updates on the latest and greatest movies and streaming series based on books. Here’s our running list of new adaptations and the books that inspired them, which most of the time are well worth a read before you see them in the theater or your home screen.
Plus, in case you missed them, here are a few other guides for literary-minded film and TV buffs:
This week: Oppenheimer, Foundation, The Summer I Turned Pretty, The Walking Dead: Dead City, Silo
1. Oppenheimer
Released July 21 | In theaters | Starring Cillian Murphy, Florence Pugh, Robert Downey Jr. and Emily Blunt
Superstar director Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster-to-be tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer, the theoretical physicist and famed “father of the atomic bomb.” Nolan’s screenplay was adapted from Martin Sherwin and Kai Bird’s 700+ page Pulitzer Prize-winning biography, American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, which was written over the course of 25 years. Like the movie, the book focuses on the genius physicist’s work as the head of the secretive Manhattan Project, which successfully completed the world’s first nuclear weapon in 1945.
The upshot? Read it and watch it in whichever order. The book is one of the most epic biographies of any 20th century figure. As for the film, Nolan rarely disappoints.
You might also like:
Genius by James Gleick, The Making of the Atomic Bomb by Richard Rhodes, and the JUST-PUBLISHED Road to Surrender by Evan Thomas
2. Foundation
Season 2 premiered July 14 | Apple TV | Starring Lee Pace, Jared Harris and Lou Llobell
Show runner David S. Goyer described the Apple TV adaptation as a “remix” of the seven Isaac Asimov novels that make up the Foundation series, moving some characters from later novels to the front while also introducing entirely new ones. All this shifting, however, does not upset the spirit of the groundbreaking space opera, and all its core themes remain firmly intact.
The upshot? Hard-core Asimov devotees have probably already seen season 1 and are waiting in great anticipation for season 2 to kick off. But if you haven’t already started the series, we’d suggest digging into the books first. They’re an indisputable pillar of science fiction history and deserve the reverence of a comprehensive read.
You might also like:
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson, Dune by Frank Herbert, and The Dispossessed by Ursula Le Guin
3. The Summer I Turned Pretty
Season 2 premiered July 14 | Prime Video | Starring Lola Tung, Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno
Breathless Jenny Han fans were obsessed with last summer’s premiere of this series adapted from the trilogy of coming-of-age novels that capture first love, summer memories, and the highs and lows of growing up in a way that both teens and adults can appreciate. While the show deviates in some instances from the novels, the storyline remains largely intact. Both seasons are based on their respective books (e.g. season 1 is based on book 1), with season 2 leaping one summer ahead.
The upshot? Binge season 1 so you can get caught up with season 2 during the summer months. As for the books, get them for you or your kids after that season finale come-down.
You might also like:
Beach Read by Emily Henry, The Last Song by Nicholas Sparks, Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
4. The Walking Dead: Dead City
Episode 5 released July 16 | AMC | Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lauren Cohan and Zeljko Ivanek
America’s favorite long-running zombie series has its origins in Robert Kirkman’s hit comic book series of the same name. Dead City is the first sequel since the wildly popular original series’ conclusion last year, and follows a few returning characters – as well as several new ones – fighting to survive in a grim, post-apocalyptic New York City.
The upshot? If you love comic books, then the series or anthology is a must. If not, this fills the zombie void for anyone waiting for the next season of The Last of Us.
You might also like:
Zone One by Colson Whitehead, The Girl with All the Gifts by M. R. Carey, World War Z by Max Brooks
In case you missed it…
5. Silo
Premiered May 5 | Apple TV | Starring Rebecca Ferguson, Common and Tim Robbins
Based on the Wool trilogy by Hugh Howey, Silo takes place in a dystopic, post-apocalyptic future where all of humanity (that we know of) has moved underground into an enormous self-sustaining silo to protect themselves from the toxic outside. Who created the Silo, why they did so, and what led to the collapse of the outside world are all tightly guarded secrets. Like the book series, the show primarily follows the newly appointed sheriff, Juliette, played by Dune star Rebecca Ferguson, as she seeks the answers to the Silo’s greatest and darkest mysteries.
The upshot? Apple has done a fantastic job with its latest hit sci-fi series; Ferguson’s starring performance is can’t-miss prestige TV for all dystopian sci-fi fans. If, like us, you’ve already burned through all 10 episodes, the Wool books offer a deeper glimpse into this gripping new world and should help keep you occupied as we all wait for that season 2 release date.
You might also like:
Bird Box by Josh Malerman, The Passage by Justin Cronin, and Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel