From Page to Screen
Written By Melanie Carroll
Head of Adult Services
As more and more books are being adapted into movies and TV shows, I thought it would be fun to review some of the titles I’ve recently read that have become adaptations or are about to. There have definitely been times when I’ve found a movie or TV show almost unwatchable because of how much it strayed from the book or completely lost the essence of the story. Other times, the adaptation ends up becoming one of my favorites. Seeing a book you loved brought to life on screen can be so much fun, and when it’s done well, it makes the whole story even more enjoyable.
Have you read any of these titles? What adaptions are you excited for? Comment below!
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Available for check out in the library, Hoopla, and Libby!
My Rating: 4
His & Hers
Alice Feeney
Anna Andrews, a high-functioning alcoholic and BBC news anchor, returns to her hometown to cover the murder of a woman in the quiet village of Blackdown, while her ex-husband, DCI Jack Harper, leads the investigation and soon becomes a prime suspect himself. Told through the alternating perspectives of Anna, Jack, and an anonymous killer, the story unravels conflicting accounts, hidden secrets, and unreliable narrators as the search for the truth grows increasingly deadly.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Psychological thrillers, unreliable narrators, and alternating perspectives.
Book vs. TV Show
The book definitely won out over the TV show for this adaptation. While the actors gave great performances and had good on screen chemistry, the show lost a lot of the character depth from the book, especially when it came to Anna. The suspense and tension also just were not as strong.
I was shocked by the location change from a village in London to a small town in Georgia. It completely changed the feel of the story. I feel like British mystery and thriller books have a certain kind of magic, and that was lost in the adaptation. Anna’s unreliability is such an important part of the story, and I really missed the ambiguity of the book’s ending. The violence and gore were also significantly toned down in the show, which surprised me because they added so much to the thrilling atmosphere of the book. In my opinion, the changes to Anna’s character and some of the plot changes left major holes in the show.
I would definitely recommend the book over the TV show. I also really enjoyed the audiobook and thought it was a great way to experience the story. If you’re deciding between the two, I would skip the show and read or listen to the book instead.
Available for check out in the library, Hoopla, and Libby!
My Rating: 4
The Housemaid
Freida McFadden
A young woman takes a job as a live in maid for the wealthy Winchester family, hoping for a fresh start. As she cleans their beautiful home and cares for their daughter, she becomes drawn into their complicated lives and begins to question what is really happening behind closed doors. When she discovers disturbing secrets about the family and finds herself trapped, she realizes the Winchesters may be just as dangerous as the secrets she is hiding.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Fast-paced thrillers, unexpected twists, and complex female protagonists.
Book vs. Movie
I remember how much I enjoyed how easy this book was to get into, and I finished it in less than two days because it completely pulled me in. The story kept me on my toes, with the twists and turns throughout. Maybe it was because I already knew what was coming, but the movie did not create the same level of excitement or suspense for me. It felt slower and did not have the same suspenseful impact as the book.
I think some of the changes made in the movie were meant to shock and alarm the audience, but I am not sure they were necessary. Instead of focusing on the psychological fear and tension that made the book so compelling, the movie seemed to rely more on violence and gore to create suspense. I was also surprised by how much they reduced Enzo and Cecelia’s roles because they were important parts of the story and added more depth to the book.
Amanda Seyfried was definitely the highlight of the movie. She was spectacular as Nina and brought the perfect amount of chaos and unpredictability to the role. She was unhinged in the best way, and I thought she captured the character really well. I would encourage people to read the book first and give themselves some time before watching the movie.
Available for check out in the library and Libby!
My Rating: 3
The Last Thing He Told Me
Laura Dave
Hannah Hall’s husband disappears without warning, leaving behind a mysterious note asking her to protect his teenage daughter, Bailey. As Hannah and Bailey uncover secrets about Owen’s hidden past and why he vanished, they are forced to confront the truth about the man they thought they knew. Along the way, they form an unexpected bond and discover a new future together.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Domestic mysteries, character-driven stories, and slow burn suspense
Book vs. TV Show
I enjoyed The Last Thing He Told Me, but the fact that it was only a three star read for me honestly made it easier to enjoy the show. I thought it was a great adaptation overall, and it makes sense considering Laura Dave co-created the series.
I did feel less connected to Hannah in the show, but I think that’s because the book is told entirely from her perspective. Hannah and Bailey’s relationship also felt much more strained at the beginning, which I didn’t care for, though I understood it was done to increase the drama. Because of how similar the book and show are, I do recommend spacing out reading and watching them.
Available for check out in the library, Hoopla, and Libby!
My Rating: 2.5
Margo’s Got Money Troubles
Rufi Thorpe
Margo Millet is a twenty year old single mother struggling to survive after an unexpected pregnancy leaves her unemployed and facing eviction. When her estranged father, a former professional wrestler, moves in to help with childcare, Margo creates a plan to start an online career using the storytelling and performance lessons he taught her. As her success grows, she must decide whether internet fame is the solution to her problems or if it comes with unexpected consequences.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Multigenerational sagas, literary fiction, and character-driven stories.
Book vs. TV Show
Unfortunately, I did not enjoy this book. It was unnecessarily stressful the entire time and somehow still ended with a “happily ever after” ending. However, I did like the concept of the story and the characters for the most part, so I had high hopes for the show.
Elle Fanning was the perfect Margo, and I enjoyed the whimsical and colorful production design. I am soooo happy they removed the JB romance plot. I felt no connection to that storyline in the book, and it took away from the other characters while also not making sense given how responsible Margo had been throughout the story. I was disappointed that the OnlyFans storyline was diminished in the show because I thought it added an important layer to Margo’s character and made her feel more complex. Without that focus, that part of her character felt less developed and less important.
Overall the amount of changes that were made, made this feel like a different story, but again because of my experience reading the book I did not take much issue with it.
Available for check out in the library and Libby!
My Rating: 4.5
People We Meet on Vacation
Emily Henry
Poppy and Alex are lifelong best friends who have spent every summer taking unforgettable trips together until one trip two years ago ended their friendship. Feeling lost and unhappy, Poppy convinces Alex to take one final vacation with her to repair their bond. As they revisit their past, they must confront the hidden feelings and truths that have always existed between them.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Contemporary romance, slow burn chemistry, and friends to lovers trope.
My Review:
This adaptation is my least favorite on this list. I loved this fun contemporary friends to lovers romance book, but I did not feel any connection to the movie at all. The book had so much emotional depth and expertly developed the characters’ relationship, but that depth was lost when the story was condensed into a movie.
I think the characters lost their personalities on screen, and I found myself not caring whether they ended up together. A lot of important details were cut, and some of the best scenes from the book were either removed or shortened, which made the story feel incomplete. This was a very disappointing adaptation, and I would give the movie 1 star.
Available for check out in the library and Libby!
My Rating: 5
Project Hail Mary
Andy Weir
Ryland Grace awakens alone aboard a spacecraft with no memory and gradually discovers he is on a mission to save humanity from an extinction-level threat. As his memories return, Ryland must solve a complex scientific mystery while realizing he may not be as alone as he first believed.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Realistic science fiction, suspenseful actions, and character-driven stories.
Book vs. Movie
I would give both the book and the movie 5 stars. I loved the adaptation! Seeing the space aspects of the story brought to life on screen made everything feel even more fantastical. I think Ryan Gosling did a great job, and the soundtrack was fantastic.
My only criticism is that I wish we had seen more of Grace’s relationship with the other astronauts and gotten a better sense that he had no memory at the beginning. I will say the movie was the easier experience. The beginning of the book has a lot of math and scientific information, which slowed the pace of my reading a bit. The adaptation felt very true to the book, and I would absolutely recommend experiencing both.
Available for check out in the library, Hoopla, and Libby!
My Rating: 5
Remarkably Bright Creatures
Shelby Van Pelt
Tova Sullivan works the night shift at an aquarium while coping with the loss of her husband and the decades old disappearance of her teenage son, Erik. She forms an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a brilliant giant Pacific octopus, while Cameron, a young man searching for answers about his own past, arrives in Sowell Bay and becomes connected to Tova’s story. As Marcellus uncovers the truth about Erik’s disappearance, their lives become intertwined in a heartfelt story about grief, healing, friendship, and finding belonging in unexpected places.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Heartwarming stories, themes of grief and healing, and gentle mysteries.
My Review:
I adored this book, especially in audiobook form. Marcellus is such an incredible character, and his perspective makes the story feel truly unique.
My biggest disappointment with the movie was how much his role was reduced. He is a central character in the book but feels like a side character on screen. I also missed the slow burn development of Tova and Cameron’s relationship because the movie rushed their interactions and changed the feel of their connection. That said, Sally Field was perfectly cast as Tova and brought her warmth and quiet strength to life. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook to experience the story the way it was meant to be told.
Available for check out in the library and Libby!
My Rating: 2
The Woman in Cabin 10
Ruth Ware
Lo Blacklock, a travel journalist, boards a luxury cruise expecting a relaxing assignment but witnesses what she believes is a woman being thrown overboard. When every passenger is accounted for and no one believes her, Lo must uncover the truth while trapped at sea with a potential killer. As danger escalates, she begins to question who she can trust and whether she will make it off the ship alive.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Psychological suspense, isolated settings, and unreliable narrators.
My Review:
The Woman in Cabin 10 was one of my least favorite books on this list, and unfortunately, the movie didn’t do much to change my opinion. The story dragged for long stretches before eventually going completely off the rails, making it hard for either version to fully win me over. One thing I will give the adaptation credit for is how perfectly it captured the setting. The yacht felt both luxurious and isolated, which really enhanced the unsettling atmosphere and sense of claustrophobia.
That said, I think the movie made one significant mistake by cutting the home invasion and Lo’s struggle to cope with the trauma. In the book, the break-in leaves her deeply shaken, and she gets drunk the night before witnessing the body being thrown overboard. That context is a major reason no one believes her afterward. In the film, she appears to be mostly sober, which makes the gaslighting feel much less believable. However, I do appreciate that the movie made her slightly more likable. She was honestly pretty insufferable in the book, so that was one change I didn’t mind.
Adaptations Coming Soon!
Available for check out in the library, Hoopla, and Libby!
My Rating: 5
The Nightingale
Kristin Hannah
Vianne Mauriac and Isabelle Rossignol are sisters living in Nazi-occupied France during World War II who face the hardships of war in very different ways. Vianne struggles to protect her daughter and survive under German occupation, while Isabelle joins the French Resistance and risks her life to save others. The novel highlights the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of women during wartime.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: World War II historical fiction, dual perspectives, and emotionally impactful stories.
I am so excited for this movie adaptation. This was a 5 star book for me and I cannot wait to see the Fanning sisters play opposite each other in roles that felt like were written for them. I know this is going to be a difficult movie to watch, as it was a difficult book to read, however if done well I think it could be a great adaptation.
Online it says the movie will be released March of 2027.
Available for check out in the library and Libby!
My Rating: 4
Verity
Colleen Hoover
Written as a letter from Little Dog to his illiterate mother, this story traces a family history shaped by Vietnam, immigration, and intergenerational trauma. Through memories of love, violence, addiction, and identity, Little Dog reflects on race, class, and masculinity as he searches for understanding and connection. At its heart, it is a meditation on survival, storytelling, and the fragile beauty of being human.
Perfect for readers who enjoy: Poetric prose, coming-of-age narratives, and emotionally intense storytelling.
I was wary of getting excited for another Colleen Hoover adaptation after all the drama surrounding the last one. However, after watching the trailer, my optimism has been renewed. It also helps that I enjoyed this book significantly more than any of her other novels, which has me looking forward to this adaptation even more.
I really hope the movie is just as creepy as parts of the book were. The trailer leans more toward horror than thriller, and I’m completely here for it.
It is in theaters October 2, 2026.
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