Read the Book Before Watching These Fall Screen Adaptations

by Donna Huber

Even the most bookish book nerd needs a little break from the page. Screen adaptations, when done well, can bring our favorite tales to life. A few fan favorites are coming to the big and small screens this fall. It is the perfect time to pick up the book before watching it on the screen. Which one are you most excited for?

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THE BIG SCREEN

Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen

The Adaptation: Austen fans are thrilled that they get not one, but two adaptations this fall! The Focus Features big-screen adaptation of Austen's Sense and Sensibility stars Daisy Edgar-Jones, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, and Caitríona Balfe. Mark your calendars for October 16. 

What It's About: Following their father’s sudden death, the Dashwood sisters—pragmatic Elinor and emotionally impulsive Marianne—are forced out of their family estate and into financial uncertainty. As they navigate romance, societal pressures, and heartbreak, they must find the balance between logic and passion.

Why Read the Book First: Austen’s sharp, witty social commentary and biting narration are best appreciated on the page. Getting to know the distinct internal logic of Elinor and Marianne makes watching Daisy Edgar-Jones bring those subtle emotional nuances to life on screen so much richer.

Buy Sense and Sensibility at Amazon

Verity by Colleen Hoover

The Adaptation: The long-awaited film adaptation from Amazon MGM stars Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett. Mark your calendars for October 2.

What It's About: Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer, accepts the job offer of a lifetime: complete the remaining books of a bestselling franchise after its famous author, Verity Crawford, is severely injured in an accident. But while sorting through Verity’s office notes, Lowen discovers an unpublished manuscript containing horrifying admissions about Verity's family—leaving Lowen to decide if her grieving husband is in real danger.

Why Read the Book First: The book’s shock value hinges on reading the chilling manuscript-within-a-novel passages in real time alongside Lowen. Reading it first allows you to form your own theory about Verity's true motives before the movie's visual director makes those choices for you.

Buy Verity at Amazon

THE SMALL SCREEN

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

The Adaptation: A Netflix episode series of the beloved Austen novel Pride and Prejudice is slated for a late fall release. This new adaptation stars Emma Corrin, Jack Lowden, and Olivia Colman. 

What It's About: The iconic story of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy gets a fresh, modern-feeling television treatment penned by Dolly Alderton (Everything I Know About Love). Starring Emma Corrin, the series explores the sparks, misunderstandings, and social commentary surrounding love, class, and family expectations in 19th-century England.

Why Read the Book First: Austen’s dialogue is peerless, and Alderton's screenwriting promises to lean into the sharp humor of the text. Re-reading (or reading for the first time) will give you a deeper appreciation for how the dialogue translates into full episodic television arcs.

Buy Pride and Prejudice at Amazon

Paris is Always a Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay

The Adaptation: a 6-episode series streaming now on Hallmark+. The first episode dropped July 30 with a new episode each week. It stars Lacey Chabert as Chelsea and Scott Michael Foster as Jason. 

What It's About: Following her mother's passing, Chelsea Martin decides to retrace a life-changing gap year across Ireland, France, and Spain to reconnect with three past loves and rediscover who she used to be before grief took over.

Why Read the Book First: I've long read McKinlay's cozy mysteries, but with this book I discovered that she also wrote summer rom-coms. It's a fun novel. It has great characters. Reading first lets you experience Chelsea's emotional journey and internal healing in full depth before watching Lacey Chabert bring the gorgeous filming locations to life on screen. Read my review.

Buy Paris is Always a Good Idea at Amazon

Donna Huber is an avid reader and natural encourager. She is the founder of Girl Who Reads and the author of how-to marketing book Secrets to a Successful Blog Tour. 

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