5 BookTok Favorites That Need A Movie Adaptation ASAP
So many of the books we love stay with us long after we've read them, and the desire to get back into the plot lingers. There's always the option of re-reading favorites, but it's reasonable to want another way of immersing ourselves into the storyline by experiencing the book in movie form. Thanks to the world of BookTok, we can stay connected with others who were also deeply moved by certain books, and because of that digital world, we're realizing that there's a huge demographic of readers who would also love the retelling of our favorite stories through movies.
The bibliophile TikTok subculture digs into all sorts of gorgeous novels. There are countless LGBTQ+ books that are must-reads (and hopefully must-watches one day)! Some books delve into reproductive rights for women, and why that focus is so important, and there are incredible Sci-Fi feminist stories that re-work the male-driven genre. So much reading and so little time! So with this huge buffet of literature, we've reigned in our top five books that must be cinematized.
Fans are already casting actors for Laura Nowlin's If He Had Been with Me
Laura Nowlin's 2013 novel "If He Had Been with Me" has become a fan obsession on BookTok, even though it was published over ten years ago. The novel is all about what-ifs and lost chances for the lead character, Autumn. On Booktok, readers rave about the book, particularly its heartbreaking ending. (Don't worry. No spoilers here!) TikToker @sarareads121 flipped through "If He Had Been with Me" and added the caption: "I will never stop recommending this book." Others quickly chimed in. "[I] absolutely loved this book but it broke me," someone replied. Another person asked, "[T]his book shattered me, why is it your fav? [I] am still heartbroken over the ending!!" In reply, @sarareads121 said, "It made me feel so much more than any other book!! It obviously didn't make me happy but it's that kind of book that [I] think abt months later." TikToker @iamoliviaponton raved about Nowlin's novel, calling it the saddest book she had ever read.
Obviously, we need a movie, and fans are on it. Avid readers contributed their casting suggestions on the site myCast, voting Froy Gutierrez as the perfect choice for the character Finny and Lexi Jayde as the best choice for Autumn. On TikTok, @skythereader jumped in with her casting choice, nominating Joey King as their favorite choice for the lead, Autumn. People are psyched for a film adaptation of this heartbreaking novel.
We are desperate for a film of Madeline Miller's The Song of Achilles
Anyone who loves Greek Heroic historical fiction will devour Madeline Miller's 2011 masterpiece "The Song of Achilles." The novel depicts the love story between Achilles and Patroclus. Through their adventures, the two end up fighting in the Trojan War, and the battle scenes are as harrowing as they are romantic. If you haven't read this book, stop what you're doing and go get a copy.
Fans are eager to see a film adaptation of this epic novel. On the Reddit group r/FilmIndustyLA, someone asked why no one had made a movie or TV series of "The Song of Achilles." They wrote, "I honestly would love to see the book come to life and have a visual attached to it, with good cinematography and an epic soundtrack. I just finished it last week and [I]'m so eager to see this story on the screen." Same as us! TikToker @alexmissael1655 brought up "The Song of Achilles" when speaking about great LGBTQ+ books that would make excellent movies.
On the website change.org, there's even a fan petition to have Miller's love story made into a movie, so people are champing at the bit for production to get rolling. What's more unusual is that Miller's later novel, "Circe," published in 2018, got picked up by HBO for an eight-part series, as Miller announced on her website. This is wonderful news, but what's the hold up with "The Song of Achilles?"
Readers can't get enough of Hannah Grace's Icebreaker and want a movie STAT
Hannah Grace's 2022 romance novel "Icebreaker" has become a viral sensation on BookTok, and for good reason. The novel follows the story of skater Anastasia Allen, who has to share a rink with hockey captain Nate Hawkins. As one can imagine with such a scrumptious premise, the two go through a series of conflicts before reaching their happily ever after.
With such a fuss on BookTok over Grace's novel, people are asking why there's no talk of a film or TV series for it. There's a petition on change.org to have the novel make it to production. The petition was created by user Malia Hal, who wrote: "'Icebreaker' is not just another novel; it's an exploration of human resilience in the face of adversity which resonates with readers across the globe. Its popularity is evident from its high ratings on various platforms like Goodreads where it has garnered positive reviews from thousands of readers." That's high praise! People are so desperate for a film adaptation of "Icebreaker" that on BookTok, one fan, @megreadsbooks, suggested watching the 1992 movie "The Cutting Edge" due to its similarity to "Icebreaker" and it might satisfy the fan itch for a film. But what we really want is an adaptation of Grace's novel!
Can production companies please get on Kathleen Glasgow's Girl in Pieces?
Kathleen Glasgow's 2016 novel "Girl in Pieces" is not a light read, but fans of the novel want a film adaptation nonetheless. The novel deals with mental health issues and survival as Charlie, the main character, navigates high school after spending time in a psychiatric ward. Readers do give the novel trigger warnings on GoodReads, for content dealing with self-harm and suicide, but still speak about the rich experience of reading "Girl in Pieces." One reader wrote, "Although this book tells a story of people being cruel to themselves, it is a book about being gentle with yourself. It seems odd to call this novel kind, as it was often a savage read (it is unflinching in its portrayal of self-harm, homelessness, addiction, and desperation) but it has such a sweet heart, such a piercing desire for its characters to improve themselves in every way, that hope persists in even the darkest moments."
With reviews like that, it's unsurprising that readers want a film adaptation. Glasgow addressed fan questions about a movie on TikTok, with a funny clip of Jason Momoa promising to get information soon. Glasgow also addressed this on Instagram. She said that fans ask her all the time when a movie is coming out, and she doesn't have an answer for them. "Please let there be a movie for Girl in pieces," a reader replied. Hopefully, the ball will get rolling soon!
There would be a huge audience for a movie of Amber Smith's The Way I Used to Be
Amber Smith's 2016 novel "The Way I Used to Be" is another BookTok favorite that comes with some trigger warnings. The novel deals with trauma caused by SA, and the protagonist, Eden, has to navigate the harrowing memories. Despite its tough content, readers were deeply moved by "The Way I Used to Be," and are clamoring for a film. On myCast, people already have leads picked out. People want Joshua Bassett to play the character Joshua Miller and have voted for Katie Douglas to play Eden McCrorey. For the character Cameron, fans have chosen Miles Heizer, with Eden's parents played by Jon Hamm and Jennifer Garner. That's some solid casting! Fans on TikTok have also made videos with their dream castings, so it's evident that people are in movie mode for "The Way I Used to Be."
The author has also spoken about castings. On TikTok, Smith replied to fans' questions of who the character Josh looked like. Josh is Eden's love interest in the novel, FYI. Smith said that she got a fan email, saying that the reader visualized Josh as actor Noah Centineo, and Smith admitted that she now sees Josh as Centineo. Sounds like we're hatching a plan!