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Binge This: 25 Books That Sparked Your TV Obsessions

Nab these books off our shelves and see how they stack up to their TV counterparts. Get comfy… this could take a while.
1.

A Song of Ice and Fire Series

George R.R. Martin’s bestselling epic fantasy series A Song of Ice and Fire spawned the HBO series Game of Thrones and a multi-media franchise that’s become unconquerable.
A Game of Thrones Book Cover
A Game of Thrones
from $3.59
A Clash of Kings Book Cover
A Clash of Kings
from $3.59
2.

Outlander Series

With elements of historical romance, fantasy, and time travel, Outlander is an epic that can reach just about anybody, both in Diana Gabaldon’s books and the TV adaption on Starz.
Outlander Book Cover
Outlander
from $4.19
Dragonfly in Amber Book Cover
Dragonfly in Amber
from $4.19
3.

The Governor Series

The chilling Governor Series by Jay Bonansinga and Robert Kirkman gave rise to not only The Walking Dead on AMC, but also a hit video game franchise, comic, and more.
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor Book Cover
The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor
from $4.99
The Road to Woodbury Book Cover
The Road to Woodbury
from $4.79
4.

Sookie Stackhouse Series

The slick images for HBO’s True Blood may look very different from the covers of Sookie Stackhouse Series books by Charlaine Harris, but rest assured, both deliver the same bite.
Dead Until Dark Book Cover
Dead Until Dark
from $4.69
Living Dead in Dallas Book Cover
Living Dead in Dallas
from $4.19
5.

Kathy Reichs

Forensic anthropologist Kathy Reichs is not only a scientist and prolific author, but she’s also the inspiration for Bones on Fox–for her life, her work, and her writings.
Déjà Dead Book Cover
Déjà Dead
from $4.96
6.

Francis Urquhart Series

Exploring the dark underbelly of American politics, Michael Dobbs brings thrills even to readers who might shy away from politics. The success of House of Cards on Netflix stands testament to its appeal.
House of Cards Book Cover
House of Cards
from $4.29
To Play the King Book Cover
To Play the King
from $5.29
7.

The Vampire Diaries Series

If you’re looking for Young Adult vampire tales dripping with sex appeal and romance, The Vampire Diaries By L.J. Smith delivers. The CW series has been one of its most-watched since 2009.
The Awakening Book Cover
The Awakening
from $4.79
The Struggle Book Cover
The Struggle
from $4.59
8.

Dexter Series

This series by Jeff Lindsay about police lab tech slash serial killer Dexter is not only a crime series, but also a whole lot of bloody fun. Dexter’s TV killing spree lasted 8 years on Showtime, ending in 2013.
Darkly Dreaming Dexter Book Cover
Darkly Dreaming Dexter
from $3.59
Dearly Devoted Dexter Book Cover
Dearly Devoted Dexter
from $4.59
9.

The Raylan Givens Series

Elmore Leonard’s Raylan Givens (as recently seen in Justified on FX) is a U.S. Marshall who knows how to get the job done – by whatever means he deems necessary. He’s a tough guy who’s also good for a few laughs.
Pronto Book Cover
Pronto
from $3.99
Riding the Rap Book Cover
Riding the Rap
from $4.79
10.

The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s super sleuth Sherlock Holmes couldn’t uncover the number of spin-offs he’s inspired. Most recently, he can be found on two hit shows: Elementary on CBS and Sherlock on BBC One/PBS.
A Study in Scarlet Book Cover
A Study in Scarlet
from $4.49
The Sign of the Four Book Cover
The Sign of the Four
from $3.99
11.

The 100 Series

Kass Morgan takes the Young Adult dystopia to a new level when 100 juvenile delinquents are sent back from space to repopulate a devastated Earth. The 100 has picked up numerous TV awards for The CW.
The 100 Book Cover
The 100
from $4.19
Day 21 Book Cover
Day 21
from $4.19
12.

Boardwalk Empire

Some people may be surprised to learn that HBO crime series Boardwalk Empire is based on a book. It’s true: Nelson Johnson told the sordid history of the Atlantic City first in this scintillating book.
13.

Rizzoli & Isles Series

When Detective Jane Rizzoli and Maura Isles partner up to investigate a serial killer in this series by Tess Gerritsen, the results are dynamite. A 7-year stint on TNT supports their case.
The Surgeon Book Cover
The Surgeon
from $4.19
The Apprentice Book Cover
The Apprentice
from $4.99
14.

Pretty Little Liars Series

Following the lives of four teens, Sara Shephard’s Pretty Little Liars is a coming-of-age tale that shows life isn’t always so pretty. These on-page gals have also been quite popular on-screen with Freeform TV.
Pretty Little Liars Book Cover
Pretty Little Liars
from $4.19
Flawless Book Cover
Flawless
from $4.19
15.

Harry Bosch Series

Michael Connelly’s Hieronymus “Harry” Bosch has quite a name to live up to…and boy does he, with a complexity most “flawed” fictional cops only aspire to. At Amazon, he’s known simply as Bosch.
City of Bones Book Cover
City of Bones
from $4.59
Echo Park Book Cover
Echo Park
from $3.59
16.

Orange Is the New Black

Get a peek behind the locked doors of a women’s prison with the true story behind the Netflix hit comedy/drama series, written by Piper Kerman herself.
17.

Walt Longmire Series

Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire series (just Longmire to Netflix) proves that the sun has not set on the Western just yet. The panorama of the American West gives this modern police procedural its unique charm.
The Cold Dish Book Cover
The Cold Dish
from $4.09
Death Without Company Book Cover
Death Without Company
from $6.09
18.

The Magicians Series

The Magicians Series by Lev Grossman is “fantasy for grown-ups.” Appearing as The Magicians on Syfy, its appeal is no trick: realistic, brooding, complex magicians in a fantasy setting. What’s not to love?
The Magicians Book Cover
The Magicians
from $4.29
The Magician King Book Cover
The Magician King
from $4.09
19.

Olive Kitteridge

Olive Kitteridge is a one of modern literature’s finest character studies. Elizabeth Strout has woven an emotional tale like no other, one that HBO has delivered beautifully on the small screen.
Olive Kitteridge Book Cover
Olive Kitteridge
from $4.19
20.

Kurt Wallander Series

It’s tough to outrank all the other police procedurals, but Henning Mankell’s Kurt Wallander Series (BBC One’s Wallander) manages it with a British take on a Swedish cop. A bit depressing. A bit existential. Far worth your time.
Mördare utan ansikte Book Cover
Mördare utan ansikte
from $3.59
Hundarna i Riga Book Cover
Hundarna i Riga
from $4.39
21.

The Saxon Stories Series

The Saxon Stories by Bernard Cornwell brings 9th and 10th century Britain to life in a vibrant series of historical war novels. Over at BBC America, they call this The Last Kingdom.
The Last Kingdom Book Cover
The Last Kingdom
from $4.49
The Pale Rider Book Cover
The Pale Rider
from $4.19
22.

Hannibal Lecter Series

Best known from the chilling Silence of the Lambs film, The Hannibal Lecter Series by Thomas Harris is a psychological thriller too good to die, with NBC’s Hannibal only the most recent incarnation.
Red Dragon Book Cover
Red Dragon
from $3.59
Hannibal Book Cover
Hannibal
from $4.29
23.

Under the Dome

Countless film and TV adaptations have come from the prolific novels of Stephen King. What’s special here is how much freaking fun this horror-thriller is. CBS aired the series and wrapped it up neatly.
Under the Dome: Part 1 Book Cover
Under the Dome: Part 1
from $4.99
Under the Dome Book Cover
Under the Dome
from $6.49
24.

The Strain Trilogy

This horror trilogy by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan presents a new breed of vampire: “dark, bloody, and packed full of mayhem and mythology.” It’s the perfect series for a grown-up audience and a perfect fit for FX.
The Strain Book Cover
The Strain
from $3.99
The Fall Book Cover
The Fall
from $4.19
25.

Hemlock Grove

A novel that can launch an entire TV series (Netflix) is a pretty impressive one indeed. This modern gothic novel examines mysterious happenings in small-town Pennsylvania.
Hemlock Grove Book Cover
Hemlock Grove
from $5.19
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