- These bestsellers are to be shown on the screen
Colleen Hoover (44), Emily Henry (33), and Holly Jackson (31). If you're part of groups like "BookTok" or "Bookstagram," you've likely heard these names. Thanks to social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, books are experiencing a resurgence, and certain authors are particularly popular. Their books are gaining rapid popularity and topping bestseller lists. Consequently, adaptations of these books are becoming more common, with many set to hit the big screen.
"It Ends With Us" by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover is one of those authors who has already placed several of her books on bestseller lists. Her book "It Ends With Us" ("It Ends With Us"), published in 2016, is among her greatest successes. According to the New York Times, the book has been on the bestseller list for 130 weeks, so it's no surprise that the novel is now being adapted for the big screen.
The story follows Lily Bloom, who moves to Boston to leave her past behind and builds a new life. She quickly falls in love with neurosurgeon Ryle, and they have a passionate relationship. However, when Ryle shows sides that remind Lily of her traumatic childhood and Atlas Corrigan, Lily's first love, reappears, her life is turned upside down.
The film will be released in German cinemas on August 15. Fans have already gotten a first impression with an emotional trailer set to Taylor Swift's (34) song "My Tears Ricochet." The main roles will be played by "Gossip Girl" star Blake Lively (36) and "Jane the Virgin" actor Justin Baldoni (40).
"A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" by Holly Jackson
Holly Jackson (31) has created a bestseller with her book "A Good Girl's Guide to Murder" and both its sequels, "Good Girl, Bad Blood" and "As Good as Dead," have been great successes. Fans can now look forward to a series based on the first book in the crime series.
The gripping crime novel focuses on model student and amateur detective Pippa Fitz and the murder of 17-year-old Andie Bell. The case is supposedly closed, as Andie's then-boyfriend Sal confessed to the crime five years ago. However, the body was never found, and other secrets surround the case. Pip wants to get to the bottom of it and prove Sal's innocence.
The series, commissioned by the BBC, is already available in the UK and Ireland on BBC Three and BBC iPlayer. In the US, it will be available on Netflix starting August 1, but German fans will have to wait until August 30, when the six episodes will be available on ZDFneo. The role of Pip is played by actress Emma Myers (22), who gained fame with the Netflix series "Wednesday."
Emily Henry and her five successful novels
Romance author Emily Henry has been captivating fans with her books for years, selling millions of copies. Her stories tell of complex characters and their great love, with many relatable moments.
Her first of five novels is "Beach Read" ("Love on the Page"), published in 2020 and immediately becoming a bestseller. In April 2023, it was announced that the book will be adapted into a film. 20th Century Studios has taken on the project, and author Yulin Kuang (34) will direct. Henry herself announced the news on Instagram, saying, "Who's ready to cry?" She also revealed in an interview with "Variety" in March 2024 that there is already a "fantastic" first draft. Further details about the film are not yet known.
The second novel by the bestselling author will also find its place on the big screen. "People we meet on vacation" ("No Summer Without You") was released to the public in 2021 and became a big success as well. The announcement for its adaptation even came before the "Beach Read" announcement in October 2022. As reported by the industry portal "Deadline", 3000 Pictures will take over the film and director Brett Haley will helm it. The screenplay is by Yulin Kuang, and further details about the adaptation are not known.
Another love story by the successful author is "Book Lovers". The novel was published in 2022 and Henry broke records with it again. In March 2023, the film production company Tango announced its intention to adapt the book. The author of "Girls" and "Modern Love", Sarah Hayward, will write the screenplay. Henry writes on Instagram about the adaptation: "This film will be funny, cozy, moving, and chaotic. I can hardly wait."
With "Happy Place", Henry published another bestselling novel in the summer of 2023, which became an international success. On June 26, 2024, the author was able to announce some good news to her fans: "Happy Place" will be her first book to appear not as a film, but as a series. The novel will be adapted by Jennifer Lopez's (55) Nuyorican Productions for Netflix.
The last book in the series will also get its own moment with a film adaptation. "Funny Story" was released in April 2024 and also quickly received bestseller status. As Henry announced in July 2024, "Funny Story" will be produced by Lyrical Media and Ryder Picture Company. Who will write the screenplay and further information about the adaptation is still unclear.
"Fourth Wing" by Rebecca Yarros
In the summer of 2023, author Rebecca Yarros (43) celebrated her final breakthrough as her fantasy novel "Fourth Wing - Fire-Kissed" became a massive sales success and a TikTok phenomenon. Together with fantasy author Sarah J. Maas (38), Yarros now belongs to the most popular writers in the fantasy genre. "Fourth Wing" won, among others, the "Goodreads Choice Award for Romantasy 2023". A few months later, the second book in the series, "Iron Flame", was also a big hit. There are supposed to be three more books in this series.
The first book in the series is about Violet Sorrengail, who, contrary to expectations, does not begin her training as a scribe but joins the dragon riders. The training at Basgiath War College is ruthless and dangerous, and Violet does not have the physical prowess of a dragon rider. Moreover, her name is famous, and her death would be a satisfaction for many.
In October 2023, the U.S. film industry magazine "Deadline" announced that "Fourth Wing" will receive a series adaptation on the streaming platform Amazon Prime Video. The series will be produced by Michael B. Jordan's (37) production company Outlier Society. Yarros herself will serve as a producer of the series. According to "Deadline", screenwriter Moira Walley-Beckett will lead the project. The bestselling author writes on Instagram: "I can't even express how excited I am and how grateful I am to work with such amazing people!"
I'm not going to speculate about the exact release dates, but I'm eagerly waiting for both the film adaptation of "Beach Read" and the series adaptation of "Happy Place". These book adaptations sound like they'll be amazing.
