The Complete Guide Of Books To Read Based Off Netflix Top-Rated Shows & Movies 2021

Jacey Hen

Last updated 28 May 2021

Books To Read Based Off Netflix Top-Rated Shows & Movies 2021

Stay Safe At Home With A Good Book To Read

We're once again back in lockdown with our 3rd MCO and with the cases still remaining at an all-time high, this is probably what's best for us right now. However, we totally understand the frustration of being stuck at home again and what's more, you've probably already run out of things to watch on Netflix. We've got a suggestion though - instead of rewatching your favourite Netflix shows, why not escape into those familiar worlds through a book instead?

Wondering what to read based off your favourite Netflix shows? Well, you've come to the right place. Take a pick from some of our top recommended books for you to read during this lockdown and get ready to dive deep into the worlds you've seen and loved on the small screen!

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10 Book Recommendations: Top-Rated Netflix TV Series

1. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Shadow and Bone has been the latest fantastical series on Netflix and if you've watched it (and fell in love with the characters like we did), you can now delve deeper into its intricate world by reading the Shadow and Bone trilogy. The YA book series follows cartographer Alina Starkov on the same journey, as she discovers her miraculous wield over the power of sunlight and figures out a way to finally end her war-torn nation's suffering.

All three books in the series are captivating page-turners filled with magic and fantasy, but if you prefer a more 'heisty' plot, you can jump straight to the Six of Crows duology instead, where you follow the well-loved gang of Crows on a complex heist, to seek out and end what could very well become a worldwide disaster.

Genre: Young adult, fantasy
No. of books: 3 (Shadow & Bone trilogy), 2 (Six of Crows duology)
Published in: 2012

2. The Duke & I by Julia Quinn

Bridgerton was a sparkly historical romance series on Netflix that quickly became a global pop culture phenomenon and is now one of the biggest shows ever on the streaming platform. We have to admit - it's hard not to get hooked on all the drama and romance that the Bridgerton family gets involved in, and as you patiently wait for the next season, why not treat yourself to more enticing plot through eight romance novels from the bestselling Bridgerton series?

Set in the background of Regency-era England, each book follows the romantic life of each Bridgerton sibling. While we may sob in despair over the news of Rege-Jean Page not returning as Simon Basset next season, we can still enjoy the duke's captivating character as we follow Daphne Bridgerton's storyline first in The Duke & I.

Genre: Romance, historical fiction
No. of books: 8 (Bridgerton Series)
Published in: 2000

3. The Queen's Gambit by Walter Tevis

We can confidently say that The Queen's Gambit was the show of the year, with it becoming the most watched miniseries on Netflix in 2020. We heard that so many people picked up chess after watching it - that just goes to show how much influence Beth Harmon's got with her captivating chess plays and intriguing personality!

Unfortunately, with it being a Netflix limited series, that's all we'll get of chess prodigy Beth and her story, but you can always enjoy its unique coming-of-age tale through its written predecessor from 1983. The American novel relatively follows the same journey that Beth goes through, but perhaps shining even more light on the harsh realities of a male-dominated era in the world of chess, as our teen female protaganist struggles through addiction towards her triumphant rise up the ranks.

Genre: Psychological thriller, coming-of-age
No. of books: 1 (The Queen's Gambit)
Published in: 1983

4. The Last Wish by Andrzej Sapkowski

Whether you were a fan of the comics, video game or TV series first, you'd agree that the high-stakes fantasy world of The Witcher is an exciting setting to be immersed in, with its complex characters and monsters, as well as an intriguing magic system. Unsurprisingly, the series on Netflix had a great run for its first season, with its sequel coming to your screens later this year.

If you'd like an even better understanding of the intricate world-building and characters, we definitely recommend picking up The Witcher books while you wait for the next season. The Netflix show was based off The Last Wish, a collection of short stories that precede the main Witcher saga, so we definitely recommend starting off from here, followed by Sword of Destiny.

Genre: High fantasy
No. of books: 8 (The Witcher Saga)
Published in: 1993

5. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah

Calling out to all fans of Firefly Lane - the show has been renewed for a second season! It's no surprise to us, as many viewers across the world watched the show and ended up falling in love with the heartwarming tale of Tully and Kate. We'd say it was the perfect show to watch as you snuggle up at home, following the lives of these two teenage girls in the 1970s, all the way through to their adulthood.

If you enjoyed the show's nostalgic story surrounding themes of love and friendship lost, we're sure that its ending has also got you feeling some type of way. Well, let us invite you onto another rollercoaster ride of emotions by asking you to read its book counterpart. The ending of the Firefly Lane novel is different from what you'd have seen in the show, but here's a warning - it would probably hurt as much.

Genre: Historical fiction, coming-of-age
No. of books: 2 (Firefly Lane series)
Published in: 2008

6. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

Here's one for those of you who'd like some horror in your reading. The Haunting of Hill House has remained to date as one of the best supernatural shows that has ever debuted on Netflix. If you've watched the show, you'd know that it isn't just your regular horror story - it's a compelling story that combines human complexities and psychological elements to create a haunting tale that will surely send chills down your spine.

Find yourself in a familiar story as you read The Haunting of Hill House, an award-winning gothic horror novel published in the late 1950s. The author was inspired to write the novel after reading about a group of real-life 19th century paranormal investigators. Considered as one of the best literary ghost stories published during the 20th century, you can expect a promising spine-tingling tale.

Genre: Gothic horror, psychological fiction
No. of books: 1 (The Haunting of Hill House)
Published in: 1959

7. The Alienist by Caleb Carr

Psychological thriller series The Alienist is a truly addictive period piece available to watch on Netflix now. We're huge fans of the suspense-filled detective story that's set in late 19th century New York and follows the show's main trio lead by Dr. Laszlo Kreizler, as they conduct their private investigation over a case of gruesome murders.

While we're not sure if the show would be renewed for a third season, you could always dive back into the thrilling story by reading The Alienist and its sequel The Angel of Darkness, the first two books of the Kreizler crime series. When the book was first published in 1994, it became a major phenomenon, receiving critical acclaim and sold millions of copies worldwide, and remains till today a classic go-to for historical suspense fiction.

Genre: Mystery, historical fiction, crime
No. of books: 3 (Kreiszler series)
Published in: 1994

8. Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

All three seasons of Anne with an E told the inspiring tale of young orphan Anne, who won the hearts of many viewers with her passion, wisdom and loyalty. The Canadian TV series even won the Canadian Screen Award for Best Dramatic Series for two years consecutively, which was no surprise considering the show's thoughtful and fun approach in tackling a range of psychological trauma and social issues. However, the Netflix series was unfortunately cancelled in 2019, which led to the disappointment of many fans worldwide.

If you're on the same boat and are currently missing our witty Anne Shirley, reading Anne of Green Gables will surely fill that gap. Written for all ages, the classic children's novel series is a beautiful gem of a read and has been a favourite book for many since the mid-20th century. This 8-book series will fill you with hope - Anne's tale is no-less inspiring than in the show and you'll surely root for her book counterpart just the same.

Genre: Children's fiction, coming-of-age
No. of books: 8 (Avonlea series)
Published in: 1908

9. You by Caroline Kepnes

If the ending of season two of You left you thinking to yourself like - "What in the world just happened?", don't worry, because everyone else probably felt the same way (us included). Joe's story, as twisted as it may be, has kept us wholly engaged, invested and always on the edge of our seats. If you found yourself enjoying the whole ping-pong of twists and turns, and now are itching for that sort of suspense again, you can try out the books on which Joe's story is based off.

Get pulled into the story once again with Joe's charm in You, a razor-sharp thriller that puts you right into our twisted protagonist's head, exploring the terrifying truth of how vulnerable all of us are to the habits of stalking and manipulation. We'd argue that the book may be even more mind-boggling than the show itself, because the story unfolds completely from Joe's point of view, making you reason with his twisted decisions via his justified lens.

Genre: Psychological thriller, suspense
No. of books: 3 (YOU series)
Published in: 2014

10. Orange is the new Black: My Year in a Women's Prison by Piper Kerman

Season 7 of Orange Is The New Black ended with many of the prison inmates' stories wrapped up, and it was honestly a bittersweet end as we watched what we thought was the show's finale. However, the show was renewed again (yay!), and with the 8th season right around the corner, many fans are excitedly anticipating the return of our well-loved characters in this comedy prison drama, but did you know that the show is actually based off a true story?

If you're looking for a real-life account, minus all the drama and scandal, do check out the memoir entitled Orange is the new Black: My Year in a Women's Prison. The book was written by American author Piper Kerman (yeap, she shares the same first name as our show's protagonist!), as she tells the story of her conviction for money laundering and drug trafficking, followed by her spending the subsequent year in a federal women's prison.

Genre: Memoir
No. of books: 1 (Orange Is the New Black memoir)
Published in: 2020

8 Book Recommendations: Top-Rated Netflix Movies

1. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

The remarkable 2019 film adaptation of the classic Little Women tale stole the hearts of many viewers, as they followed the uplifting stories of the four March sisters growing up and entering womanhood, with each girl individually experiencing her own taste of love, loss, and finding herself. It's amazing how this classic children's story set in the 1800s could still resonate with many modern day viewers, a testament that it stands strong as a truly timeless tale.

Many fans have grown up reading this well-loved book, and with this 2019 adaptation already being the third film adaptation of the same Little Women story, it's no question that the book is a gem you should definitely pick up too.

Genre: Children's literature, coming-of-age, comedy
No. of books: 4 (Little Women Series)
Published in: 1868

2. Words On Bathroom Walls by Julia Walton

If you had high expectations going into the Words On Bathroom Walls film and came out absolutely in love with it, well, same here. The film was a brilliant piece that told the coming-of-age story of witty teenager Adam, a senior in high school, who also happens to be diagnosed with schizophrenia.

The book that the story was based on follows a different format by telling Adam's story through journal entries that he writes to his therapist. Find yourself cheering for him again as he remains expressive and unfiltered through every chapter as he struggles to live with his condition, striking the right balance between honest reality checks and witty humour.

Genre: Contemporary, mental health, young adult, romance
No. of books: 1 (Words on Bathroom Walls)
Published in: 2017

3. I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt

Martin Scorsese's 2019 mob film The Irishman follows the life of mafia hitman Frank Sheeran who got involved with the Bufalino crime family, resulting in this enthrallingly epic story filled with violence, betrayal and loss. The critically-acclaimed film performed unquestionably well and bagged 9 Oscar nominations, with many viewers captivated by this haunting epilogue of a man's life which was spent mostly steeped in violence.

If you'd like to dive deeper into the real-life case of Frank Sheeran and his killing of Jimmy Hoffa, the film was based off I Heard You Paint Houses: Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran and Closing the Case on Jimmy Hoffa, a truly gripping crime memoir that chronicles his alleged life in the mob. The narrative nonfiction includes over 70 pages filled with details of the case, including independent evidence of Sheeran's confessions that eventually came to light after the book was published.

Genre: Memoir, true crime
No. of books: 1 (I Heard You Paint Houses)
Published in: 2004

4. Moxie: A Novel by Jennifer Mathieu

Feminism has never felt as empowering till the Moxie girls started taking over their school, calling out the sexism that blatantly exists within its four walls. Say it out loud - Moxie girls fight back! The 2021 comedy-drama film directed by Amy Poehler was a refreshing hit unlike any other high-school story, where we see a group of teenage students fight back against the system, rebel girl style.

Having had enough of the gender discrimination that they face on the daily, you'll see the same group of characters stand up for their rights in Moxie: A Novel. Empowering and insightful, follow Vivian Carter in this coming-of-age story that's truly an inspiring feminist piece for readers who feel as if they were in the same shoes as any of these high school students.

Genre: Contemporary, young adult, romance
No. of books: 1 (Moxie: A Novel)
Published in: 2017

5. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly

Many viewers would agree that the award-winning Hidden Figures 2017 film was a revolutionary piece, both inspiring and entertaining. Set during the civil rights movement, we watch as three extraordinary African-American women play a crucial role as mathematicians in NASA, all the while overcoming gender and racial discrimination at work, to make a change in space history.

The film was actually based on a biography published in the same year, entitled Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race. The title speaks enough for itself - read and discover as the author shares intimate, untold stories of five courageous African-American women, all real-life mathematicians working as 'Human Computers' for NASA back in the 1960s.

Genre: Biography, history, science
No. of books: 1 (Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Who Helped Win the Space Race)
Published in: 2016

6. To All The Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Earlier this year, we finally wrapped up our 3-year long journey with Lara Jean Song Covey in the third and final instalment of the Netflix film series, To All The Boys I've Loved Before. It's been a fun and entertaining ride as we lived through the thrills of high school romance and heartbreaks with our favourite half-Korean protagonist, and if you're thinking of revisiting her story, you can always check out the book trilogy that the films are based on.

The plot kicks off the same as in the films - in To All The Boys I've Loved Before, Lara Jean's mundane life gets thrown off course when she discovers that her secret love letters have all been mailed out to her past crushes. With the same heart, soul and vibrancy that existed in the films, you can expect a light-hearted read as you manoeuvre through her rollercoaster of a love life once again.

Genre: Comedy, romance, drama
No. of books: 3 (To All the Boys series)
Published in: 2014

7. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Crazy Rich Asians was the talk of the town back in 2018, especially with our very own charmingly handsome Henry Golding starring in it as the show's main love interest, together with Michelle Yeoh as his intimidating, yet super iconic Asian tiger mom. The romantic comedy film was as entertaining as it was refreshing, finally being able to witness a full Asian cast in a modern love story that rang familiar notes with its sprinkles of Chinese culture spun throughout.

If you're looking for a fun read, the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy would definitely fit the role. Revisit Rachel Chu romance with Nicholas Young, as she's swept up in the whirlwind of his community's opulent splendour, sky-high expectations, as well as the inevitable gossip and backbiting that comes with super-rich, pedigreed Chinese families. It's honestly an outrageously funny and entertaining series that we love enjoying from time to time.

Genre: Comedy, romance, drama
No. of books: 3 (the Crazy Rich Asians trilogy)
Published in: 2013

8. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

With its haunting, poignant tale, A Monster Calls received widespread acclaim when it debuted on the big screen, but we believe that this hidden gem of a film should be known by many more people. The film was brilliantly executed, focusing on the timeless topic of love, loss and death, through the eyes of 12-year-old Conor.

The movie was a beautiful adaptation of a book with the same name, successfully bringing over the imaginative, heartbreaking tale of life and death presented in the books. Penned by award-winning author Patrick Ness, A Monster Calls is, at its heart, a simple story of a young boy who is coping with the diagnosis of his mother's cancer, but it explores loss in a way that may strike an achingly familiar chord with those of us who've experienced it, and brings us on a journey of acceptance and learning to let go.

Genre: Fantasy, children's literature, horror, magical realism
No. of books: 1 (A Monster Calls)
Published in: 2011