One of the many simple pleasures in life is relaxing at the end of the week and watching a new episode of your favorite show. However, we all know the disappointing feeling when the “Next Episode” button turns into “You May Also Like” after you watch an earth-shattering season finale. If your brain is still stuck in the world of your treasured summer TV show, consider picking up one of these books to fill your evening entertainment void.
If you watched “The Gilded Age,” you should read “The House of Mirth” by Edith Wharton
If you are missing the social and economic drama of the Russell family and Marian Brook’s tumultuous engagement after finishing season three of “The Gilded Age,” you should pick up “The House of Mirth” by Edith Wharton. Also set in New York, it’s the early 20th century, and Lily Bart is desperate to find a wealthy husband to sustain her position in society as she approaches 30. Like the show, this book centers on individuals of New York’s highest class and the unspoken codes of society. Similar to Marian, Lily also struggles to navigate the marriage market. She is stuck between choosing Simon Rosedale, a man with impressive wealth but a poor personality, and Lawrence Selden, a man she loves but who struggles financially. As old money and newcomers clash, this book is sure to satisfy any Gilded Age cravings until the potential next season comes out.
If you watched “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” you should read “Every Summer After” by Carley Fortune
It’s hard to replicate the sheer drama of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” that had seemingly everyone in a chokehold this summer. Yet, Carley Fortune’s romance novel “Every Summer After” comes pretty close to doing so. Set in a small Canadian lakeside town that encapsulates the same summery vibes as Jenny Han’s series, the novel follows Percy and Sam’s budding relationship. It’s an incredibly sweet friends to lovers tale — until Sam’s carefree older brother, Charlie, throws a wrench in their relationship. Much like Belly in “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” Percy must pick between two brothers that could not be more different.
If you watched “We Were Liars,” you should read “The Guest List” by Lucy Foley
For those looking for something just as bingeable and suspenseful as “We Were Liars,” Lucy Foley’s novel “The Guest List” will do just the trick. Readers are placed in the middle of Jules Keegan and Will Slater’s wedding weekend. Expertly paced, the book shifts perspective every chapter between different wedding guests, whether it be the bride herself or a random plus-one. As much as readers might think they know what’s going on, the plot twists are just as unpredictable as those in “We Were Liars.”
If you watched “Adults,” you should watch “Happy Place” by Emily Henry
There’s nothing better than the messy, magnetic friend group trope and “Happy Place” nails it. A tight-knit group of college friends reunite for their annual summer trip to the coast of Maine, and every personality feels larger-than-life. The witty dialogue pulls you right into their world, making you feel like part of the group. Like “Adults,” it captures the limbo of early-adulthood — trying to figure out careers and love all while leaning maybe a little too heavily on your friends. And if you were left hanging after the unresolved tension between Paul Baker and Anton in “Adults” season one, “Happy Place” leans fully into the romance between its main protagonists. It’s messy, heartfelt and addictive.
If you watched “Wednesday,” you should read “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder” by Holly Jackson
If “Wednesday” season one had you in a chokehold back in 2022 — cue Jenna Ortega’s viral dance and the flood of Halloween costumes — then your life is probably already consumed by season two. If you’ve binged both parts in one sitting and are spiraling for something equally dark and twisty, look no further than “A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder.” With the same nostalgic young adult themes, it follows Pip, a determined teen who decides to reopen a supposedly closed murder case in her small town. Packed with secrets, clues and a touch of awkward high-school romance, it’s the perfect read to hold you over until season three.
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