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Ever watched a movie or TV show and found yourself wanting for more? Or ever have a friend says, “It’s not as good as the books!” This is because many of our favorite on-screen stories are based on must-read books! If you feel like 2 hours or 3 seasons are not enough for you, you can read the books to satisfy your curiosity and to know more about the characters you have come to love.
Aside from the above-mentioned, there are other reasons why sometimes, the books are always better such as:
Unlimited Imagination
In books, you are the casting director, the line producer, and the cinematographer. You can imagine the scenes without worrying about the budget. Unlike in movies or TV shows where the books are adapted based on the movie’s budget or interpretation of the director. The bias of the director affects the way the books are translated into the silver or big screen.
Deeper Character Development
Since books are not restricted to a run time, books dive deep into characters’ thoughts, emotions and backstories. This is the reason why book fans turn into rabid fans when their favorite characters aren’t fleshed out in the movies or TV shows, or a significant plot point wasn’t included. Sometimes, it’s even obvious that the actors and actresses have not read the source material, aka the must-read books, making the fans more furious.
Richer World Building
Books literally have the pages to create intricate worlds with history and culture that adaptations often have to exclude. You can get lost in the world of a book in a way that movies or TV shows rarely allow.
Pacing and Detail
Books let you enjoy every detail at your own pace. You can linger on a page, or a plot point for as long as you like, unlike in movies and TV shows where details are often rushed to fit a limited runtime.
Subplots and Side Characters
Due to the limited runtime, adaptations often cut characters or simplify subplots to streamline the story. In books, these elements add complexity, giving the story more depth.
Faithfulness to the Source Material
How many TV shows and movies have been accused of not being faithful to the source material? Adaptations often change or omit key elements, leaving out details that made the book or source material special in the first place.
Emotional Connection
The time you spend reading a book often creates a deeper emotional connection with the characters and the story. The journey through a novel can make the highs more exhilarating and the lows more heartbreaking, something that’s hard to emulate in a two-hour movie or a season of TV (that’s why these must-read books are better!)
Inner Monologues
Books let you into characters’ minds, providing inner monologues and thoughts that give you a deeper understanding of their motivations and conflicts. Adaptations often lose this internal perspective, relying on dialogue and action to convey what’s going on since watching a character have an inner monologue is boring in movies or TV shows.
Room for Interpretation
Books allow for more personal interpretation. Without the visual and auditory elements provided by movies and TV shows, readers are free to interpret scenes, character emotions, and even endings in their own way, creating a more personalized experience. Hello, fan fiction writers!
Timelessness
Some of the classic literature and must-read books are still relevant and widely read. While special effects in movies might become outdated and TV shows may suffer from dated cultural references, the written word remains timeless.
The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Dive into the epic fantasy world of Middle Earth with J.R.R. Tolkien’s legendary trilogy. The books offer an even deeper exploration of the characters, history, and intricate details of this beloved universe.
Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin
Before HBO brought Westeros to life, there was George R.R. Martin’s gripping series A Song of Ice and Fire. The first book, A Game of Thrones, is just the beginning of a tale filled with political intrigue, complex characters, and unexpected twists. Perfect for fans who want to forget about the last season and are dying to wait for Martin’s last two volumes.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
Margaret Atwood’s dystopian novel takes readers on a journey through a society where women are stripped of their rights (WTF, right?). The book’s chilling portrayal of power and control is a powerful read, even if you’ve watched the series.
The Shining by Stephen King
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of The Shining is a horror classic, but the book by Stephen King delves even deeper into the twisted mind of Jack Torrance and the terrifying secrets of the Overlook Hotel.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
If you were captivated by the twists and turns of the Gone Girl movie (kudos to the casting director making Rosamund Pike as the lead), the book will take you on an even more thrilling ride. Gillian Flynn’s writing adds layers of depth to the characters and plot, making it a gripping page-turner you won’t be able to put down.
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
This is one of the movies based on a book I’ve read that I feel robbed of, although Teresa Palmer’s portrayal of Number Six is total badass. The book series follows John Smith, an alien teenager on the run from intergalactic enemies. The movie captured the action, but the book delves deeper into John’s struggle to blend in while discovering his extraordinary powers.
Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
If you were swept away by the romance between Bella Swan and Edward Cullen in the movies, you’ll find even more to love in the original Twilight series. While it’s rare for a movie to be better than the book, there’s one exception in Breaking Dawn Part 2—the faceoff between the Volturi and Team Cullen features a scene that shocked fans.
