Contemporary Novels That Should Be Adapted to Movies/TV Shows

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Book adaptations are as popular as ever. Every year, there’s a surge of adaptations and reboots ready to delight both readers and viewers alike. With any adaptation comes the fear of missing the mark, but there are many benefits to book adaptations. Contemporary novels have the advantage of being relatable, comedic, and heartfelt, and these are the novels that would make brilliant adaptations.

33413128Beartown by Fredrik Backman

Beartown would be the kind of show that emotionally crushes you. The novel explores the very best and worst of humanity. There’s something for everyone in Beartown. You’ve got the Ice Hockey team carrying the dreams of a town, the fragile bonds of friendship and family, and the vicious cycle of exploiting athletic merit to turn a blind eye to the suffering of others. It’s the kind of adaptation that can be harrowing, hopeful, and incredibly moving.

Related Post: Beartown Book Review

I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios21469068

I’ll Meet You There has everything you could possibly want in an adaptation. Skylar and Josh are two individuals desperate to escape the confines of their small, drive-through town. Josh, through the marines, and Skylar with her art scholarship. However, along this journey comes an exploration of one’s self, as Josh struggles to reconcile the man he was with the marine he grew to be, and the trauma of losing his leg. Skylar, on the other hand, has the burden of responsibility in providing for her mother. The relationship between Josh and Skylar is one based on honesty, work, and love, and by incorporating Skylar’s art and creativity into the adaptation, you have yourself one hell of a story.

Related Post: I’ll Meet You There Review

28161530Bittersweet by Sarina Bowen

When it comes to romance this one takes the crown. Romance is making a comeback in cinema, and Bittersweet has the perfect combination of a romantic setting, brilliant banter, and relatable characters that could easily become a big-screen hit.

Related Post: Bittersweet Review

The Hard Count by Ginger Scott30827273

Fans of Friday Night Lights should not pass on The Hard Count. It’s a novel that spotlights how American football can simultaneously bring a family together and tear them apart. It also explores the racial tensions and social divisions within the footballing community through the character of Nico Medina as he defies the odds that stack against him and tirelessly proves to the team that he deserves to be their starting quarterback.

Related Post: The Hard Count Review

13453868The Piper’s Son by Melina Marchetta

The Piper’s Son does not get enough attention in the book community. Technically, serving as a sequel to Saving Francesca, an adaptation of Piper’s Son could utilise both books through the use of flashbacks to Tom Mackee and the gang in their younger days. The Piper’s Son, like every Marchetta novel, has the subtle nuance that makes the characters feel so real and builds up to an emotional climax that will not leave a dry eye in the house.

Related Posts: The Piper’s Son Review

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson29415084

A fun and flirty Young Adult flick. Like every Matson novel, The Unexpected Everything has the benefit of exploring brilliant family dynamics, the changing nature of friendship, a journey of self-discovery, a slow-burn romance, and the company of dogs. What more could you want from a feel-good summer movie?

Related Posts: The Unexpected Everything Review

23492282Thunder Road Series by Katie McGarry

Think Sons of Anarchy for Young Adults. This series puts the spotlight on teens raised in a motorcycling community and the judgements that follow. You could easily turn this three-book series into a limited series, exploring the biker community in all of its highs and lows. The books are addictive and exciting, but also have an array of complex characters that would have you hooked to the screen.

Related Posts: Nowhere But Here Review | Walk the Edge Review | Long Way Home Review

Boomerang by Noelle August18869613._sy475_

The underrated romantic comedy will undoubtedly make you laughing from start to finish. Boomerang, has the beauty of taking place at a dating website company, with our main characters fighting for the last work placement. This is the type of film that has would have plenty of hilarious banter.

36199084The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Technically cheating since the film is already in development, but this adaptation has everything you could possibly want in a romance film. The Kiss Quotient is a book that proves to everyone that romance novels can have all those feel-good moments while also providing an insightful exploration of our characters. The diversity in this book is also wonderfully executed, with Stella being one of the most endearing characters in the book, and is never defined by her autism.

Related Post: The Kiss Quotient Review

Which books would you like to see adapted to the big screen?

 

15 thoughts on “Contemporary Novels That Should Be Adapted to Movies/TV Shows”

  1. Oh yes, a Piper’s Son adaptation would have me in tears! I would love to see a lot of these books on the screen too! I’m not personally sure how TKQ would translate on screen given the explicit and important sex scenes, so I’m VERY nervous about this adaptation. The Unexpected Everything would make such a cute movie – maybe a Netflix one?

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    1. I feel like TKQ would have to be a delicate balance with everything, but I’m hoping it’s tastefully handled. I feel like YA novels are Netflix’s home. They’ve got so many of them already, one more wouldn’t do any harm haha.

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  2. AAAAH! Love these choices and agree on everything (even the ones I haven’t read). I’d SO be here for Beartown. Sports dramas are just really all that!
    I think in general, all of Morgan Matson’s books would make GREAT movies. When I was still younger, I always wanted the Anna and the French Kiss series to be adapted, but now everyone hates on it and maybe it’s better if it stays in book form. But Anna K and Tweet Cute and The Fieldguide to the North American Teenager were my most recent contemporary reads and they’d all work. I think contemporaries are easier to imagine as movies than Fantasy stuff sometimes …

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    1. If Beartown ever does get adapted, I can 100% guarantee I will be a mess by the end of the very first episode haha. Morgan Matson’s books are made for the big screen and I’m surprised they haven’t already snapped them up.
      I completely forgot about Anna and the French Kiss, that one brings back memories, but yes, people would probably rage at that adaptation now haha.
      I feel like contemporaries have the benefit of relatability and the feel-good factor that everyone can enjoy.

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    1. Netflix seems more than happy to boost their book adaptation catalogue, so a couple more wouldn’t hurt haha. Melina Marchetta can do no wrong, I need an adaptation of all her novels haha.

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    1. I think a lot of it depends on the casting and how they handle the topics explored in the book. It could be brilliant, but I’m very protective of the book so if they butchered it I’d be so angry haha.

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  7. Oh my god this is such a great list, I love it so much! An adaptation of The Unexpected Everything would be the kind of heartwarming movies I’d fall in love with for sure, I’d love it so much! and I’ll Meet You There AHH this would give me all the emotions and I would cry for sure, but I’d love to see it, too! 😀

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