Move over, Percy Jackson: These books deserve TV adaptations ASAP

Book-to-screen adaptations are some of the most talked-about pieces of media in history. Who can forget intensely debating Team Edward Cullen or Jacob Black, reciting the iconic “The Hunger Games” line “may the odds be ever in your favor” or deciding what Hogwarts house you fit into?

Even classic, massively popular TV shows like “Pretty Little Liars,” “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Game of Thrones” are all inspired by books.

The fact that these adaptations are still talked about today and that many new ones are sparking interest — especially on streaming platforms — shows that the novels we love to read before falling asleep at night are perfect for rounding up their own ensemble casts and bringing the pages to life in front of our eyes. 

With “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo” and “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” being adapted for the screen, it raises the question of what other imaginative books deserve the same fate. 

“The Song of Achilles” by Madeline Miller 

This is one novel that is perfect for the big screen. The poetic retelling of Homer’s “The Iliad” is from the perspective of Patroclus, a young prince who is swept into the world of the godly Achilles.

Their connection is quick and strong, deepening into a passionate love that’s set against the backdrop of the Trojan War. It starts at Patroclus’ own beginnings and spans his entire life along with Achilles as his companion. 

The story is heart-wrenching and beautiful from the first page, and it culminates into an intense tale of love and war. There are moments of suspense and drama and others of quiet romance and peace of mind, all making this LGBTQ+ love story one for not only the books but also for the screens!

It’s a new spin on a classic (“The Iliad”) and with the added element of Greek history and myths, "The Song of Achilles" is a series many would be interested in seeing, especially after the popularity of a series like “Percy Jackson and the Olympians.”

“The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle” by Stuart Turton 

For any mystery lovers, "The 7 ½ Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle" would make the perfect suspenseful TV series. The book's protagonist wakes up in the woods one day not knowing a thing, except that he screams for a woman named “Anna.” This book is filled with twists and turns at every corner and will leave you wanting more at the end of each episode.

This book would make an amazing show as the viewers could try to decode the mystery alongside the characters.

It would definitely give off the same thrilling vibes of shows like HBO Max’s “Big Little Lies,” where the audience is left in the dark and has to figure out everything based on small hints that slowly come to light. Mystery novels are perfect for the screen, and this popular novel should be the next one to hit the streaming platforms.

“Beach Read” by Emily Henry 

This read is not only perfect for the beach but for the big screen. If you love romantic dramas like “Crazy Rich Asians” or enemies-to-lovers tales like “Pride and Prejudice,” you’ll want to check out “Beach Read.”

"Beach Read" focuses on two polar opposites who both have careers as authors, but they write completely different genres. They’re worlds apart — but upon being stuck at the beach together over the summer, their rivalry (based on the fact that they have nothing in common) sparks into something more.

Much like the hit Netflix film “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” this contemporary romance would make the perfect romantic comedy, other known as rom-coms. The opposites-attract love story of the characters, January Andrews and Augustus Everett, would be perfect on the big screen. With the debatable lack of great rom-coms these days, “Beach Read” could be just what we need.

“The Cruel Prince” by Holly Black 

This fae fantasy series focuses on the mortal protagonist Jude Duarte, who gets sucked into the whimsical world of fairies. Once he's there, he's forced to deal with the seemingly cruel and dark fae prince, Cardan Greenbriar.

These novels gained immense popularity over the last two years via TikTok, as many BookTokers hyped up the series. It would definitely be an edgy twist on a fairytale story, one made for romance, drama and fantasy lovers. 

With last year’s release of “Shadow and Bone,” a hit Netflix series based on the “Shadow and Bone” and “Six of Crows” book series by Leigh Bardugo, “The Cruel Prince” would be a great addition to the world of TV and bring another, equally magical and drama-packed plotline to our screens. 

Whether you're an avid reader or waiting for something to show up on the small screen before you get invested, there's no doubt that each of these books would shine as TV series like many books before them.