7 TV Shows Made from Books ...

By Lydia

7 TV Shows Made from Books ...

I didn’t really know that there are so many TV shows made from books! When books are written in a series, it makes more sense than making them into a movie because that would take too long to tell the whole story. With a TV series, one book could last a whole season or two. Sadly, I’ve never read any of these books, but I’ve definitely shown interest in a few. Here are some of the TV shows made from books.

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1

Bones

I had no idea that “Bones” was based off of the Temperance Brennan novels until about two years ago. The Temperance Brennan character herself is extremely similar to the author of the books, Kathy Reichs. Knowing that one of my favorite characters on TV is based off of a woman that really exists, makes her even more awesome! The only thing I wonder is if the action and romance that appears in the show is also in the books. I guess I’ll have to read them to find out. I think this is one of my favorite TV shows made from books.

2

The Dead Zone

For some reason, no matter what I do, I just can’t finish “The Dead Zone” series. I’ve tried multiple times and I just can’t do it! Maybe this has nothing to do with book, but maybe it’s because they tried to base an entire series off of one book. Sometimes that can work, as we’ll see later, but maybe there just wasn’t enough material. Then again, it was originally a Stephen King novel and he’s a great writer, so maybe it has nothing to do with that. Either way, I wasn’t even aware that this was based off of a book. They have a way of keeping those things secret!

3

Pretty Little Liars

“Pretty Little Liars” is a show I never saw myself getting sucked into. I was very wrong, but it makes me think that I wouldn’t be able to get into the books. They’re very teenage/young adult style, which is fine when you’re in that age group, but harder to get into as you get older. Seeing as I’ve never read the books, I can’t say which medium is better, but I can say that I’ve heard that the books are very different. Apparently, there have been changes that some readers have been annoyed by, while others don’t mind. I’m nervous to get into the books because I might actually like the show better and that just isn’t OK.

4

Dexter

I want to read the “Dexter” books so badly! I’ve decided that once the show is over, I’m going to start reading the books and make a true comparison. Supposedly, the books and TV show are so different that it won’t feel too similar. I see this as a positive for the books, because I won’t sit there and say all of the things the show did wrong. I love “Dexter,” so I guess I’ll have to think of them as two separate entities. This is one series that I can’t wait to get my hands on!

5

True Blood

“True Blood” is based on “The Southern Vampire Mysteries,” otherwise known as “The Sookie Stackhouse Novels.” I’ve never read them and I assume they would just be an adult version of “Twilight,” but who am I to judge? I read “Twilight.” I absolutely love this show and I can’t imagine it being a book, but seeing as they were really successful, they’re probably written really well. I’ve never considered picking up the books, but if you’re obsessed with the show, like I know so many people are, maybe this is something you’d like to sink your teeth into. (Pun intended!)

Famous Quotes

To give oneself earnestly to the duties due to men, and, while respecting spiritual beings, to keep aloof from them, may be called wisdom.

Confucius
6

Game of Thrones

This is the one series on my list that I have neither read nor seen! I know, I know, it’s amazing, but it just doesn’t seem to be my sort of thing. I know plenty of people who can’t get enough, but I’m just not one of them. What I have heard is that the show has a lot more nudity than the books and that the books are kind of hard to follow. I’m assuming that it would be easier to follow characters in a TV show than in the books (the author even had to add a family tree to help keep people on track). Apparently the books are written well and the TV show is amazing, so even though I don’t watch, I’ll still suggest it.

7

Sex and the City

Much like “The Dead Zone,” “Sex and the City” is based off of only one book. This series for some reason was able to be pretty successful off of just one book. I don’t know what it is about this book, but the writers of the show were able to keep episodes coming for six seasons and two movies. This is another book I may consider reading, just to understand where the inspiration came from!

Who knew that books would create some really successful TV shows? I’m sure a lot of people would say that the books are better most of the time (I know that’s what I think about movies from books). Nevertheless, I have this optimistic hope that the viewers will pick up the books their favorite shows are based on, but in reality that probably won’t happen. Did any of these surprise you? What other shows can you think of that are based off of books?

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Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Vampire diaries, walking dead, gossip girl

The sookie stack house novels are very good. They are well written. They are wayyyyy better than twilight. They are on opposite ends of the spectrum. You should give them a try! :)

The vampire diaries!!!!!!!!!!

The first dexter book is closely related to season 1, but the characters are all wrong :( The other books are completely different, but I still couldn't get into them, much much darker than the series

Gossip Girl!

Vampire diaries though I wouldn't recommend them

I honestly don't understand why people seem to think that the A Song of Ice and Fire books are hard to follow. They are really quite good and the only parts that are hard to follow are the very tiny details that don't matter. Anyone who likes to read and reads at a high enough level should have no trouble keeping up with the plot. Give them a try, you'll love them :)

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