I’m sure we’re all aware of certain types of books that have been gaining popularity over the past few years thanks to the infamous BookTok. So much so that some of the books have already gotten approved for feature length film adaptations (and others have already been released)>
That being said, for every BookTok Banger that has earned their big-screen spotlight, there are a hundred more that haven’t gotten the chance. I’m a fan of the latter group, particularly Fourth Wing, It Ends With Us, and Butcher and Blackbird.
I should also preface that I’ll be judging whether or not a book is deserving of a film based on a theoretical budget, a rating of the books on Goodreads, and other factors that I’ll mention as I go. Ultimately, it’s my opinion, so feel free to share yours too!
1) A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas (Again)
In A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR), a young woman is dragged into the land of the fae and forced to live amongst the immortal as punishment for her unknowing transgressions.
Now the reason that I say “again” is because ACOTAR was actually green-lit for a show by Hulu back in March of 2021. However, the show’s production was canceled in February of 2025. When a project like this gets shelved, it’s often a death sentence, but thankfully Sarah J. Maas has stated on record that she’ll be shopping the rights to ACOTAR around to other studios.
Why ACOTAR?
There are dozens of reasons to put ACOTAR on this list, but honestly, the numbers alone sell it. Goodreads is a popular social media platform used by readers to rate books they’ve read. Goodreads also tracks every book’s total number of reviews and average rating. And while ACOTAR might not have the highest rating on this list, it does have the most reviews at just over four million for the first book alone.
The adaptation
There’s been a lot of talk online about how to achieve ACOTAR’s signature magic, creatures, and character visuals in a live action production without an astronomical budget. To that I say: Animate it! Shows like Vox Machina and Castlevania have stunning visuals with complex magic in styles that would greatly suit the world of Prythian.
All-in-all
ACOTAR is my top pick for an adaptation, because I’m a sucker for fun magic systems and unique monsters. While ACOTAR has a substantial number of plot holes, I think that working with a writing team and implementing tasteful deviations from the source could make for a Game of Thrones level series.
2) Icebreaker, by Hannah Grace
Nate and Anastasia are dedicated students at the University of California, Maple Hills, with ambitions in the athletic worlds of hockey and figure skating, respectively. When the two are forced to share a rink, chaos ensues.
Interestingly, it has the second highest number of ratings but the lowest average rating at 3.74 stars. Icebreaker by Hannah Grace is a big switch up from ACOTAR, but it definitely has its own charm. If you’re a fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, you’ll love this story.
Why Icebreaker?
Icebreaker has a large, dedicated audience. While the reviews may not be super high, they’re not super low either. When readers hear about a book-to-film adaptation, they’re usually intrigued enough to at least check it out regardless of their initial thoughts. With its massive audience, Icebreaker its bound to do numbers.
The adaptation
When it comes to the adaptation, this one feels pretty easy. The lack of beasts and magic significantly decreases production cost. The primary issue would be hiringgood actors with high skill levels in skating. But Hollywood’s bound to have good options.
All-in-all
Icebreaker is fun, casual, romantic, and heartwarming. It would make for a solid film that I am 1000% here for.
3) Lights Out, by Navessa Allen
Aly Cappellucci has very X rated thoughts, feelings, and fantasies, all of which are reflected in her social media following. Little does she know that those fantasies are about to come true via Josh Hammond, a faceless influencer who has taken a liking to Aly.
Lights Out is a more subjective pick, because it actually has the least number of ratings on our list, and its average rating is middle of the pack at 4.1 stars. But it’s highly entertaining, witty, dramatic, and evocative: all qualities I adore in a book series.
Why Lights Out?
The suspenseful vibes of Lights Out keep you on the edge of your seat. Aly and Josh’ s dynamic blurs a lot of lines, from stalking and sexy, to funny and tearjerking. I know I’m biased, but I’d love a Lights Out TV or movie series.
The adaptation
The adaptation would likely be more suited for live action than animated. A bonus on the budget side is that there’s no need for actors or actresses with special skill sets.
All-in-all
Lights Out is a thriller of book series that is rife with potential for visual storytelling.
4) Better Than the Movies, by Lynn Painter
Better Than the Movies follows a lovestruck Liz Buxbaum as her childhood crush moves back to town and strikes up a friendship with her next-door neighbor: Wes Bennett, who Liz just so happens to have a sour history with.
Better Than the Movies received a very solid 4.26 stars on Goodreads, which makes it the highest rated on our list, but it still falls below the average in total number of ratings.
Why Better Than the Movies?
Better Than the Movies is a classic teenage rom-com style book with a host of interesting characters. While not as suspenseful as Lights Out or ACOTAR, it contains the perfect elements for a good slow-burn, especially with the buildup of Liz’s prom night.
The adaptation
Based on format, the adaptation should definitely be a movie.
All-in-all
Better Than the Movies is a highly enjoyable book, and I totally recommend a read if you like classic rom-com vibes. Plus, it does have our highest average rating, after all!
5) Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
Haunting Adeline follows an author looking for a fresh start by moving into her late grandmother’s mansion. Things start to go awry when Adeline realizes that she isn’t alone in this manor.
Haunting Adeline is a brutal book that will put any reader through the ringer. It has a substantial number of reviews at just under a million but a sub-par rating of 3.94 stars. I mainly included it out of curiosity about how a visual adaptation might look.
Why Haunting Adeline?
It’s hard to go wrong with an eerie setting, and needless to say, I’m a sucker for them, as demonstrated by the list so far. I am morbidly fascinated by the idea of what a studio could do with Haunting Adeline.
The adaptation
Ideally, the film adaptation would ground the book’s disturbing plot points in a realistic medium. Live action is best if a studio wants to hammer home the themes and feelings communicated throughout the book. However, I can imagine that it might be difficult to find investors.
All-in-all
I won’t deny that Haunting Adeline is a controversial pick. But I would not be surprised if other horror movie fans are right there with me.
Final selection and thoughts
The board
- A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
- Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
- Lights Out by Navessa Allen
- Better Than the Movies by Lynn Painter
- Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton
Did I choose right?
My taste in books has been heavily scrutinized over the years, so I tried to be more objective with ratings here, though I still have my biases. But now I turn to you, reader. What books would you add? Which would you remove? Or did I just absolutely nail it? 😉
