If You Love "New Girl," Read "Funny Story" By Emily Henry And 10 More Book Recommendations Based On Your Favorite TV Shows
As a voracious reader, I am always scouring BookTok, Goodreads, and my local library (call me old school) for the next novel that will keep me up way past bedtime. This year alone, I've found a surplus of really great books ranging from murder mysteries to romance.
Whether you're a big reader looking to add to your TBR or a new reader hoping to form a fresh habit, these 11 books will have you hooked from page one. Choose your next read based on your favorite TV shows:
1.If you liked New Girl, Fleabag, or Gilmore Girls, read Funny Story by Emily Henry
After Daphne's fiancé dumps her for Miles' girlfriend, Daphne and Miles become roommates out of convenience. A friendship begins to blossom as they both begin their journey of healing. With quippy dialogue that rivals Fleabag, a coziness that resembles Gilmore Girls, and fun roommate antics a la New Girl, Emily Henry's newest novel is heartfelt and endearing.
2.If you liked Severance, Black Mirror, or Westworld, read Annie Bot by Sierra Greer
Annie is a robot created with one purpose only - to please her owner, Doug. As she gains more experience, Annie starts to wonder if life with Doug truly makes her happy. Sierra Greer's novel is a thought-provoking look at the human psyche (much like Severance) and artificial intelligence (similar to Westworld) in a world where advanced technology comes with consequences (a la Black Mirror).
3.If you liked One Day, Normal People, or Breaking Bad, readTomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
Gabrielle Zevin's bestseller chronicles the life of two childhood friends, Sam and Sadie, as they navigate love and loss, and build video games together. While the plot of this book is a far cry from One Day, Normal People, and Breaking Bad, Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow has one notable thing in common with these popular TV shows: it provides a moving commentary on the human experience.
4.If you liked Younger, Grey's Anatomy, or Abbott Elementary, read Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
In Abby Jimenez's Yours Truly, two emergency room doctors strike a deal to pretend they're in a relationship for the sake of their families. If you're a sucker for Abbott Elementary's workplace romance trope or enjoy the antics of Younger, you won't be able to get enough of Jacob and Briana. If hot doctors are your thing... this book might speak to Grey's Anatomy fans too!
5.If you liked Apples Never Fall, Big Little Lies, or Sherlock, read Everyone In My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson
While snowed in at a ski resort with his dysfunctional family, writer Ernest Cunningham finds himself at the center of a murder mystery. Told from Ernest's perspective, this novel includes a whacky cast of characters, all of whom are a little bit sus. Fans of a good old-fashioned Sherlock-type mystery will enjoy this read, as will those who loved binge-watching Big Little Lies or Apples Never Fall.
6.If you liked Good Girls, Ginny & Georgia, or Emily in Paris, read Women of Good Fortune by Sophie Wan
With a little extra money in the bank, Lulu could travel the world, Rina could freeze her eggs, and Jane could afford plastic surgery. When Lulu begrudgingly gets engaged to one of Shangai's wealthiest bachelors, the three friends plot to steal gift money from the wedding so that they can achieve their dreams. These criminal ladies are giving Good Girls and Ginny & Georgia, with a bit of Emily In Paris glitz and glam.
7.If you liked Only Muders In The Building, Wednesday, or Mare of Easttown, read If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
Set at a theater conservatory, If We Were Villains follows a group of friends who perform Shakespeare together until a tragic death shocks the school. Some moments of this book feel like a detective story akin to Mare of Easttown, while others embody the dark academia found in TV shows such as Netflix's Wednesday. Like Only Murders In The Building, this story also pays homage to the power of art.
8.If you liked House of the Dragon, Game of Thrones, or The Witcher, read Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Written by Sarah J. Maas of A Court of Thorns And Roses fame, the Throne of Glass series is a must for fans of the fantasy genre. It follows Celaena Sardothien, a slave chosen to be the king's assassin. If thrones, epic battles, and magical creatures are your thing, Throne of Glass is bound to win over anyone who enjoys the world of Game of Thrones, House of the Dragon, or The Witcher.
9.If you liked Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte, or Downton Abbey, read Earls Trip by Jenny Holiday
A rom-com set in the Regency era is the perfect match for readers already caught up on Bridgerton season three. Earls Trip is as whimsical as the title suggests! It follows three earls whose annual boys' trip becomes intercepted by two sisters. The rest is a delightful romp for anyone who can't get enough of Bridgerton/Queen Charlotte or a period piece such as Downton Abbey.
10.If you liked Succession, Empire, or Shameless, read Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Nina, Jay, Hud, and Kit Riva are known for their famous rock-star dad, though each sibling copes with fame and family differently. Malibu Rising takes place over 24 hours and combines the lofty wealth of TV shows like Succession or Empire with the gritty sibling dynamics of Shameless.
11.And finally, if you liked This Is Us, Parenthood, or Little Fires Everywhere, read Anxious People by Fredrik Backman
When a bank robbery goes wrong, it sets off a chain of events that impacts several people in a small town. Anxious People is one of the most moving and sentimental books I've ever read, and feels like something out of an episode of This Is Us, Parenthood, or Little Fires Everywhere as it tackles the ups and downs of raising a family, the importance of vulnerability, and what it means to forgive.
Do you know of a good book that would appeal to fans of a popular show? Tell me all about it in the comments!
