TV show hiatuses suck, so why not treat your withdrawal with some just as awesome (if not better) books!
‘The Perfectionists’
If you love Riverdale and can’t stand to think about the coming weeks without it, check out The Pefectionists by Sara Shepard.
Why you’ll like it
By the same author who wrote Pretty Little Liars, The Pefectionists is a mixed bag of mystery, friendship, and murderous behavior. Similar to Riverdale, this book is a page turner. Bonus points for this book, Perfectionists is also being made into a TV show by Pretty Little Liars showrunner and starring PLL‘s Sasha Pieterse and Janel Parrish.
The story is about five girls who have nothing in common except that they all hate Nolan Hotchkiss, who has done terrible things to each of them. To ease their hatred they come up with his hypothetical murder, but of course it’s just a joke! Until Nolan turns up dead in the exact way they had planned, only they didn’t do it. Unless they can catch the real killer, their perfect lives may be crashing before them.
‘Metamorphosis’
BoJack Horseman is a unique show that requires a unique placeholder while waiting for season 5. Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka has just the right mix of odd and dark humor while questioning mortality that any Bojack fan craves.
Why you’ll like it
The first line of the book says it all, “As Gregor Samsa awoke one morning from uneasy dreams he found himself transformed in his bed into a gigantic insect.” Author Kafka is known for writing strange stories, so much in fact people often describe any absurd and strange situation as being “kafka-esque”. While BoJack Horseman may also have a lighter side, it’s dark humor, depressing story lines, and odd human-animal characters make Metamorphosis the perfect choice to fill your BoJack Horseman needs.
‘Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant’
This is Us is a family tear-jerker that even the mightiest have a hard time not shedding a tear. Dinner at the Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler replicates a similar affect to your lacrimal glands.
Why you’ll like it
In 1944 Pearl’s husband left her to raise their three children alone. Now near the end of her life, she and her three children gather together again to reflect on their lives with anger, hope, and beauty.
The characters and stores are written so realistically, that just like This is Us it’s hard not to relate.
‘Difficult Women’
HBO’s new hit Insecure shares similar rawness to Roxane Gay’s Difficult Women, which follows the stories of multiple women that live lives of privilege and of poverty, of marriages of love, and blackmail.
Why you’ll like it
If you love Insecure and/or Insecure‘s inspiration, The Misadventures of Awkward Black Girl you should give this book a chance.
Like the show, the book explores being different and women having to fight and act “difficult” to get through life. Difficult Women is a collection of short stories that tell stories will raw emotion from an author that is a feminist and overall inspiration.
‘A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet’
A Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers takes the sci-fi novel to a whole new place, much like The Good Place. You walk in expecting the usual, and walk out with something you haven’t seen before.
Why you’ll like it
If you aren’t a sci-fi reader, don’t be discouraged. While this novel does take place in space, it’s as much a sci-fi thriller as The Good Place is a serious drama. Author Becky Chambers explained in an interview with The Mary Sue,
‘The Boys of Summer’
The recent announcement of the upcoming season 3 of Stranger Things is wonderful news for fans of the Netflix original. But since there is still a full year until its release, The Boys of Summer by Richard Cox might be something to help hold you over.
Why you’ll like it
After a devastating tornado, nine year old Todd Willis is put into a coma. Four years later he awakens to a world that looks the same, but feels very different.
Sharing the early ’80s nostalgia of Stranger Things and elements of paranormal The Boys of Summer pulls you into the lives of a group of friends who’s lives will never be the same.
‘Neuromancer’
Ranking up there with 1984 and A Brave New World as a vision of the future, Neuromancer by William Gibson takes similarities from FX’s Mr. Robot that makes it a perfect companion book.
Why you’ll like it
This classic book isn’t just a sci-fi hacking thriller, it’s thought provoking and definitely worthy of multiple read throughs. Mr. Robot is known for taking its time in revealing twists and backstories and never falls to the pressure of tying up the loose ends immediately. These elements are found in this novel makes it a mind-bender of a read for any fan of Mr. Robot.
‘The Virgin Romance Novelist’
Jane the Virgin never takes itself too seriously but at the same time is able to capture such relatable and wonderful characters. The Virgin Romance Novelist by Meghan Quinn not only shares a similar name and main character, but also elements that make The CW show so special in the first place.
Why you’ll like it
Fans of Jane the Virgin know that the ‘virgin’ part of the title is far less important than the crazy, fun plots and the importance of friends and family. Rosie is emerging from her cocoon and decides to write a romance novel, except she’s a virgin and is a bit naive on the subject of romance.
The humor and a confusing navigation through life pairs well for anyone missing Jane the Virgin
‘The Fair Fight’
Fans of the hit Netflix Original, Glow might enjoy the novel, The Fair Fight by Anna Freeman for awesome ass-kicking women boxers.
Why you’ll like it
This novel is a dynamic story of female boxers in 18th-century Bristol. Much like Glow the plot is fascinating, the characters intriguing, and the writing spectacular. This historical fiction is much more than just about boxing. It’s about life itself, having no chance at life and then finding that chance.
‘The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay’
Exploring the early days of comic books in America, this novel is recommended for any comic book lover and fans of shows like Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., The Flash , etc.
Why you’ll like it
Looking into the early days of comic books in the United States, the book follows a young Jewish artist who is trained in the art of Houdini-esque escapes, and smuggles himself out of Nazi-invaded Prague and into New York City. There he and his cousin take part in the new comic book craze of America and create heroes and villains from their personal fears and dreams.
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