Top Ten Tuesday – 10 books that should be adapted for Netflix

Posted August 18, 2020 by elzaread in Top Ten Tuesday / 38 Comments

 ……and – Action!

Welcome to another episode of Top Ten Tuesday! Today we will try our best to convince the Netflix creators / directors / writers / sponsors / producers, to bring 10 books we loved, alive on screen. 

This was a great prompt, but strangely enough, not so easy to make a selection. I don’t watch all that much TV, but I do love a good adaptation.  My husband loves watching Jack Ryan and I can list quite a few movies/series adaptations that I loved! From Agatha Christie to Pretty Little Liars. I went through my Goodreads books and listed books that I thought would make great movies/series. And then I had to start scratching out…

The Casual Vacancy;  The Nightingale; Where the Crawdads Sing; Devil at my heels (Unbroken); The woman in the window

I was pleasantly surprised to see how many books have been adapted lately and how many are in production stages. Not to mention the older ones that I’ve somehow missed! Jippie Yea! I have some TV to look forward to. If they would only add the following books as well, the small screen will be ever so great: 

1. Shelter in Place by Nora Roberts (TV series at least 20 episodesWhy? Too much detail and characters for a book. Will work perfect as a TV series. It also ticks quite a few boxes:
  • Suspense
  • Crime
  • Romance
  • Family intrigue
  • Small town shenanigans
  • Scenic value
2. The rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman (movie) Why? Because Practical Magic. That’s why. Imagine if the producers can convince Sandra Bullock to play Jet, and Nicole Kidman to play Franny. Ooooh, I can’t wait for this one! 
3. Nine Perfect Strangers by Liane Moriaty (mini-series) Why? Nine people gather at a remote health resort. Do I really need to say more? Health resorts can make for some highly entertaining reality TV, not to mention fictional. 
4. The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware (movie) Why? Have you read The Turn of the Screw by Henry James? And did you see the following adaptation? Will be great to see what the Netflix producers can do with The Turn of the Key. 

5. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (movie) Why? Once again, this one will also tick a number of the right boxes:
  • Science Fiction 
  • Fantasy
  • Alternating realities
  • Suspense
  • One-man army (he is actually only one man)
6. The Whisperer by Donato Carrisi (TV series) Why? Do you remember the whole intrigue with Red John in The Mentalist? Now think of a character that is a mixture between Patrick Jane and Raymond Reddington from The Blacklist. We will also need a strong female lead. She needs to be Italian and brooding. Gosh, this can be sooooo good. You’ll binge watch and then won’t be able to sleep.
7. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (can’t decide between TV series or Mini-Series.. The producers can decide). I live in Africa and know absolutely nothing about Alaska. This is a super great history lesson and most probably the bookish facts I Googled the most in a long time. Would love to visit one day. For now, I will be content with the book and the upcoming adaptation. 
8. Summer House with swimming pool by Herman Koch (movie) Why? I know what you did last summer for adults. With an Agatha Christie twist. 
9. Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance by Ruth Emmie Lang (movie) Why? This one will also tick a few boxes, but most of all, there has never been anything quite like this. Truly extraordinary. Closest I can think of, maybe The Lorax.
  • Fantasy
  • Magical Realism
  • Romance
  • Third person perspective from a whole bunch of different third persons
  • Safe the trees
If any of our South African producers would only get the bright idea to adapt Fever by Deon Meyer into a TV-series as well, it will be great. Same picture as above applies. 
…… And – Cut!
Which of these would you also like to see on Netflix? And which one would make your list? Remember to add you link to That Artsy Reader Girl so that other bloggers can visit you as well!
Happy TTT!
Mareli 


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38 responses to “Top Ten Tuesday – 10 books that should be adapted for Netflix

  1. Hi Destiny! I'm the same. I do still prefer to read the books first in most circumstances, but every now and again I really don't mind!

    Thanks for stopping by!

  2. This sounds like a great list! A few of these have been on my TBR for way too long and I selfishly want them to be adapted just because a book-to-movie adaptation is usually one of the easiest ways to convince me to finally pick up a book I've been meaning to read haha!

  3. Nine Perfect Strangers would be fabulous! And I'd love to see any of Roberts' books turned into a series. They made some really really terrible movies here years ago and I just think they could be redone so much better!

  4. What a great list! Yes – I think The Rules of Magic would do well, as I think Hoffman's viewpoint would work well as a film or series. And I DEFINITELY would want to see the Netflix series of The Great Alone – while Dark Matter would make a marvellous foot-to-the-floor non-stop action thriller…

  5. RS

    Oh wow, you scratched out a lot! It's the best feeling when you wish there was an adaptation of something, AND THEN FIND OUT THERE IS. I actually didn't know about The Nightinggale or Where the Crawdids sing until now, both books that I don't know if I want to commit to reading at this point vs. spending my time finding less popular titles, but which sound interesting enough that I'd watch (and maybe read after!).

    I haven't read any of the books on your list proper either, but I think I'd take a look at just about any of these. I'd especially love to see The Turn of the Key or Station Eleven.

    Thanks for the heads up on The Whisperer. It does sound like something that would interest me.

    • Hi there! Yes, this week's TTT has got me browsing through all the book adaptations. I've missed a few.

      Hope you get to read some of my choices, I thought they were all brilliant!

  6. Based on your descriptions The Great Alone and Summer House with Swimming Pool sound intriguing. I loves Big Little Lies so would devour anything based on Lianne Moriarty. Had Station Eleben this week too… though maybe not for a few years! Great list!

  7. Totally agree with youuu! I have epic reads and when I checked they are movies or in progress already. I love Liane Moriarty so I'll add what you mentioned on my TBR!

  8. Dark Matter would make a great movie! Must check out that Nora Roberts, and the Kristen Hannah, since I love stories set in Alaska (would like to visit too!). Swimming Pool! Love me a good Agatha Christie twist! I want to read some of these books now, too! Great list and thanks for visiting my TTT! 🙂

  9. Hi Marg!! YEA!!! So glad you enjoy the South African series and Deon Meyer is just sooo the best. I do hope someone will pick up Fever for a series. It will be amazing!

  10. Hi Deb! Station Eleven will work especially well yes. And it will be a low budget movie if they get a clever producer.

    Thanks for stopping by!

  11. I wish they want to make more Nora Roberts' books into movies or mini-series. I really think a large number of them will actually work better on screen.

    Thanks for returning the favor!

  12. Nine Perfect Strangers! I have to confess I haven't seen the Big Little Lies series so I am curious as to how the show is going to turn out!

  13. I almost did an entire post on just Nora Roberts'books that should be adapted! I'd also like to watch Station Eleven and Beasts of Extraordinary Circumstance! I loved both those books.

    Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier!

  14. Dark Matter!!! Yes one of my favorite mess-with-your-head reads haha! I would LOVE to see that adapted. And that sign oh my gosh i love that!