A new season has arrived and with it comes a whole new crop of literary adaptations hitting your screens! Summer already typically means ditching sweaters in favor of tank tops and changing out boots for scandals, but this year it also brings the potential of ditching your face mask (if you’re vaccinated & comfortable!) and going bare-faced into a new normal of getting back together. Whether you’re reigniting a book club that lapsed during the pandemic or starting a new one from scratch, these books (and their adaptations!) are perfect for getting the conversation started.
Fear Street, July, Netflix
Calling all horror, SciFi, and R.L Stine fanatics to Fear Street! This three-part series adapted from Stine’s best-selling teen-horror series of the same name premiers this summer in three parts: 1994 on July 2; 1978 on July 9; and finally 1666 on July 16. Although the books are solidly PG, the new trilogy of movies is rated R, and the trailer leaves little mystery as to why. Fans already know that the Fear Street books were one of the first examples of a series that introduced teens to the horror genre, more grown-up than Stine’s Goosebumps series, but not quite as mature as books by Stephen King, making them the perfect series to act as a bridge between the two.
While the Netflix adaptation will incorporate critical elements from the beloved series, it’s not a pure 1:1 adaptation of any single storyline from the books. With that said, both the books and the movies take place in the fictional suburban haven of Sunnyside, where “Fear Street” is named after the Fear (aka Fier) family. Both incorporate elements of supernatural, mystery, and horror while also exploring well-known tropes coming of age stories such as finding love, experiencing sacrifice, and facing one’s fears. Whether these books represent a nostalgic part of your adolescent bookshelf or are completely unfamiliar, they’re a perfect summer read (and watch!) for any horror-fanatic book clubs looking for some page-turning beach reads.
The Pursuit of Love, July 30, Amazon
This BBC miniseries might not sound immediately familiar, but eagle-eyed pop culture enthusiasts will instantly recognize it as the project in which Lily James and (the very much married) Dominic West got a bit too cozy while filming in Rome. If that wasn’t enough to create a ton of buzz ahead of its upcoming US-premier, a spectacle-filled musical scene featuring the always captivating Andrew Scott is starting to make the rounds on TikTok. Ensure both you and your book club are ahead of the pop-culture curve by picking up a copy of the book this miniseries is adapted from, The Pursuit of Love by Nancy Mitford. This 1945 classic is the first book in a trilogy narrated by Fanny Logan, a member of an upper-class British family. Set in the interwar period in England, it focuses on the love life of the more traditional Fanny and her wild-child cousin Linda Radlett. Although it has plenty of swoon-worthy romance and hilarious antics, this is not a story that shies away from devastating loss (so be sure to have those tissues ready). Expect a ton of romance, drama, comedy, and tragedy as this rollercoaster of a story keeps you captivated from start to finish.
The Green Knight, July 30, theaters
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight might just be the most well-known and oft-read Arthurian tale, and for good reason! It’s the epic saga of a knight of King Arthur’s Round Table, Sir Gawain (pronounced guh-wain), who accepts a challenge from a mysterious Green Knight after he dares one of the knights to strike him with his axe, but with the caveat that whoever strikes him must receive the same exact blow a year and a day later. The ever-loyal Sir Gawain accepts this challenge to protect his uncle, the fabled King Arthur, and with a single stroke beheads the Green Knight. Shock fills the room as the injured knight does not falter, but instead picks up his severed head and reminds Gawain of their deal before departing the hall. The story continues with Gawain’s adventures as he journeys to the “Green Chapel” where he is set to meet the Green Knight and receive his fated blow to the neck.
The A24 movie adaptation stars Dev Patel as Sir Gawain, Sean Harris as King Arthur, and Ralph Ineson as the Green Knight. The cast also includes Erin Kellyman, who you will surely recognize from her recent role as Karli in The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is the perfect read for anyone craving a bit of adventure and some good old-fashioned chivalry this summer. But adventurers be wary, for if you aren’t fluent in Middle English you’ll need to find a proper translation of the work (this one is a favorite)!
Nine Perfect Strangers, August 31, Hulu
Nicole Kidman is experiencing her own personal golden age of television and Nine Perfect Strangers looks like yet another hit under her belt. This 2018 NY Times Bestseller from Liane Moriarty is set at a remote health resort, Tranquilium House, where nine strangers from different walks of life have all gathered to transform their life at a ten-day retreat. Tranquilium House is run by a mysterious Russian woman named Masha (Kidman) who is as enchanting as she is unsettling. Before long, each guest is left asking if they’re ready to dive into everything the resort has to offer, or run while they still can.
The show is produced by the same team behind Kidman’s prior television hits Big Little Lies (another adaptation of a Moriarty novel) and The Undoing, so you already know it’ll keep audiences ravenous for more week after week. If that wasn’t enough, the show also features a star-studded cast including Luke Evans, Melissa McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, Regina Hall, Michael Shannon, and The Good Place’s Manny Jacinto. With such a stacked cast and talented creative team, it’s hard to believe it’ll be anything but mesmerizing. Pick up the book before the show premiers to ensure you’re able to keep up with all the twists and turns of this must-watch television event of the summer.
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No matter if you’re looking for the perfect binge-able beach read for your next laid-back day soaking in the sun, or just want to stay ahead of the Twitter trending topics, these books are sure to keep you entertained/turning those pages. There’s a little something for everyone, no matter if your taste is more epically Arthurian, unapologetic horror, remote-island mystery, or historical family drama, you’re sure to find something that fits you and your book club’s tastes. Don’t forget to schedule separate events for discussing the books and the adaptation, so you can finally decide once and for all, was the book better?
Not an organizer yet, start a group now to connect with other booklovers and make friends! Wondering what adaptations we recommended in the spring, here’s our list from April. Have suggestions for books/adaptations we might have missed? We’d love to hear from you on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
Last modified on July 13, 2021
