5 Books That Should Be Movies

Clearly, I’m a big reader (we know, Kelsey). And I’m a big fan of reading a book before the movie, but I’m also a big fan of predicting which books would make for a great movie.

Some books live better in their own format. And that’s not a bad thing! There are tons of books I am a diehard fan of, but wouldn’t want to see them leap from page to screen. But there are some stories that feel like they were made for the screen. For this list, I tried picking books where I thought the plot, characters, and action would all translate well to a movie.

LET’S GO

Things in Jars by Jess Kid
If you liked: Sherlock Holmes, Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries

Oh man, this book is such a great time. There’s a murder mystery, endless twists and turns, a wide and compelling cast of characters, and an element of the fantastical. You never know where this book is going to take you from one page to the next.

In THINGS IN JARS we’re following Birdie, a lady detective in Victorian England. She’s hired to solve the kidnapping of an important societal figure’s secret daughter. Birdie is aided by her giantess maid as they circle deeper and deeper into the darkest parts of society in order to uncover the truth.

It starts off a little confusing, but once you settle in, you cannot put this book down. I’m dying for a movie, but until that day comes I may just have to settle for a re-read.

2. You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

If you liked: To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, She’s All That

This book is so dang cute. I am cold and dead inside, but even my grinch heart was thawed while reading this. I think I started smiling on page one and that smile held until I finished. If you like sweet YA romcoms, this is for you! While totally different from To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, it has the same spirit and warmth.

In YOU SHOULD SEE ME IN A CROWN, we’re following Liz, who feels “…too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small town…” and she’s looking for a way to be able to leave her small town for an illustrious university. When her finances fall through, she turns to the one thing that could help; the prom queen scholarship. Feeling totally out of her league but determined, Liz goes for it. Problem is, she’s falling for one of her running-mate, the new girl in school, Mack.

Filled with both heart and endless hijinks, this would be a PERFECT movie. Like I’m begging. Please.

3. Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

If you liked: Lord of the Rings

If you love a quest watching multiple characters work through their own storylines in order to converge in one epic climax then, listen. THIS IS IT. You don’t have to watch that director’s cut of LOTR again (I mean, you can), you can just read this masterpiece.

In BLACK SUN we’re following a few different perspectives as our players make their way to Tova for the winter solstice and the rare solar eclipse. There are ships and cults and intrigue and magic and betrayal and gods and prophecies and prisoners. THIS BOOK HAS IT ALL. I think this story would SHINE on the big screen.

This is full adventure, and the next one in the series comes out this year! Lucky us!

4. Fable by Adrienne Young

If you liked: Pirates of the Caribbean

LADY PIRATES. LADY. PIRATES. This book starts with a bang and does not let up. I vividly remember listening to this during my neighborhood walks peak 2020 lockdown and thinking over and over “this is so much fun.” It was the perfect escape.

In FABLE we’re following Fable as she goes after what’s rightfully hers. Dumped by her trader (and traitor) father on an island filled with backstabbing criminals, Fable is determined to escape the island and get her birthright. Fable has to learn to survive, and when she finally convinces a ship to take her on as a crew member and bring her to her father, she thinks she’s made it. But the journey is more perilous than she imagined. HOW COOL DOES THAT SOUND?!

The cast, the found family, the way the story is structured, the adventure! The most perfect pirate movie, you cannot convince me otherwise.

5. The Ravens

If you liked: Skull and Bones

This is actually the one book on the list that I think would be better as a movie. I had a fun time reading the book, but I think the way everything played out, probably would have been more interesting in film format.

In THE RAVENS we’re following Scarlett and Vivi, members at the exclusive Kappa Rho Nu sorority at Westerly College in Savannah. Kappa Rho Nu is so exclusive because it has a secret: it’s really a witch coven. Scarlett and Vivi are paired as contentious big and little (respectively), and trying to navigate (and survive) the year while something mysterious and sinister is happening to the sorority.

Once again, a fun time and worth a read, but the action, atmosphere, and dark underbelly of coven/Greek life would translate flawlessly.