With our library decked out in twinkle lights and cozy blankets piled next to my reading chair, I plan on reading as many pages as possible in the coming weeks—but I also hope to carve out time for great stories, well-told in a different format: the small screen.
Hygge season is an inviting time to enjoy a new-to-you show or rewatch a longtime favorite movie. Today, for your bookish viewing pleasure, I’m sharing a list of television shows and movies with a literary touch. Featuring literary inspiration, bookworm characters, and endearing stories, these shows will suit solo watching sprees or movie night with the whole family.
What are you watching this time of year? Help us build our To Be Watched list in the comments.
Gilmore Girls
It’s easy to miss a book reference here and there from the fast-talking mother-daughter duo and their Yale-educated family, but you don’t need to catch them all: list-makers with a special attention to detail and a love for this show cite over 339 books read by Rory alone. Whether you’re watching this early 00’s show for the first time or the seventeenth, it’s fun to pick out the literary Easter eggs both on screen and in Amy Sherman-Palladino’s punchy dialogue. And, at least in the early seasons, you’ll likely see yourself in Rory, the introverted bookworm who would rather be reading.
Younger
Sutton Foster stars as a 40-year-old empty nester seeking to reenter the world of publishing she left behind as a young mother. The problem is no one will hire her—until she lies about her age and begins to impersonate a 28-year-old up-and-comer. Working at Empirical Press offers her character Eliza an opportunity to climb the ladder as an editor, as well as engage in juicy office drama and a potential romance. The show doesn’t get everything right about publishing, but it’s frothy, fun, and offers a glimpse at how a book gets made and marketed.
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Based on the fan favorite historical novel of the same name, this 2018 film brings to life the story of a London-based author and the close-knit community of Guernsey, who exchanged letters and came together through their shared love of literature. Lily James and Michiel Huisman star as the central romantic pair in this bittersweet yet ultimately hopeful story about the power of books to unite us, even during the darkest days.
Jane the Virgin
Inspired by telenovelas, this romantic and heartfelt drama follows Jane, her love interests, her family, and her dreams of becoming a bestselling romance author over the course of five seasons. Jane adores Isabel Allende and swoons at the chance to share her own stories with an audience. Come for the bookish main character and stay for the family dynamics as Jane, her grandmother, and her mother make an intergenerational home together. (Bonus: you can actually read Jane’s debut historical romance Snow Falling.)
Matilda
This weird, magical, and humorous 1996 classic adapts Roald Dahl’s book to the screen. Danny Devito (the director) stars as Mr. Wormwood and also narrates Matilda’s journey from quiet, shy bookworm to powerful, confident girl. He voices lines directly from the book, such as: “Matilda’s strong young mind continued to grow, nurtured by the voices of all those authors who had sent their books out into the world like ships on the sea. These books gave Matilda a hopeful and comforting message: You are not alone.” I had no idea there was a musical version coming out December 25th, 2022, starring Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull!
Murder She Wrote
Angela Lansbury’s sweater-wearing author-turned-detective dominated the television lineup from 1984 to 1996. Each episode features a tight mystery with Maine resident Jessica Fletcher on the scene. Whether she’s visiting her niece, enjoying a single’s cruise, or attending a play, murder seems to follow this amateur sleuth wherever she goes. Cozy, iconic, and a little bit silly, this show is perfect for readers who loved The Thursday Murder Club or Magpie Murders.
Heartstopper
My daughter adored this coming of age romance series in graphic novel format; the show is supremely charming and sprinkled with literary references. One of the sweet side characters, Isaac Henderson, brings a book everywhere with him. While watching, see if you can spot his current reads in each episode and connect the dots to possible themes in the show; a book can communicate so much as a prop! Bookish best friends aside, this adorable LBGTQ+ show deserves all of the praise for its sincere depiction of growing up and finding your identity.
Beauty and the Beast
I think we all know why Belle falls in love with the Beast: without a doubt, it’s thanks to the castle’s ginormous library. I’m partial to the animated classic, but for live action fans, the newer version starring Emma Watson provides plenty of magic, music, and totally gorgeous bookshelves. In either film, Belle’s nose is stuck in a book—and Belle, we can totally relate. Who cares if the townspeople think you’re weird if you can ignore them and read all day?
Abbott Elementary
Remember the elementary school teacher who let you read under your desk when you finished your homework early? The teachers of Abbott Elementary are sure to let their students do the same … when they’re not busy fighting bureaucracy, scrounging up school supplies, or working out their own relationship dramas. Like Parks and Recreation, this show has a whole lot of heart and heaps of wholesome laughs. You don’t need to be a teacher to identify with one or more of these characters—but the show might take you back to your own public elementary school days, and prompt you to thank your favorite teacher from back when.
The Booksellers
A documentary on antiquarian booksellers immediately puts me in mind of a Charlie Lovett novel. These collectors of rare books not only find one-of-a-kind editions to sell; they also save precious pieces of history through research, ownership, and preservation. In an hour and a half, you’ll learn more about this fascinating corner of the bookish world through interviews and walk-throughs in some of the most beautiful literary spaces. You can practically smell the old books through your screen.
The Princess Bride
As tricky as it is to satisfy all six members of my family on movie night, this 1980s classic did just that. Satire, slapstick humor, and a fairytale storyline combine in this hilarious tale of the Dread Pirate Roberts and his one true love Buttercup. We laughed, we gasped, we recited our favorite lines the next day. Fairytale inspiration aside, I love how the movie frames the story: a boy is home sick from school, and his grandfather comes over to read to him while he recuperates. At first reluctant to set aside his video games, the boy agrees, and he gets swept up in his grandfather’s read-aloud.
Miss Potter
Renee Zellweger was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Beatrix Potter in this star-studded biopic. Potter narrates the film as we follow her from her spinster abode to the publishing house of the Warne brothers. Thanks to her new friend Norman, her children’s books move forward in the publishing process, and we get to see the small but important choices that go into book design: covers, binding sizes, and bookstore window displays. Of course, we know how popular Potter’s stories are to this day, but her personal journey reveals much about her passions and values.
84 Charing Cross Road
Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins play our favorite reader and bookstore owner duo, Helene Hanff and Frank Doel. Full of Britishisms, friendship, and bookshop delight, this movie adaptation stands out as a cult classic among many readers. Sweet (but not syrupy) and tinged with sorrow, this film will make you want to write a note of thanks to your favorite book seller, or make plans to visit an English bookstore someday.
You’ve Got Mail
Our appreciation for Nora Ephron runs deep on the Modern Mrs. Darcy team. For a seasonal treat, try her 1998 rom com featuring children’s bookstore owner Kathleen Kelly and big box store CEO Joe Fox who’s putting her out of business. Now, don’t fret. The bookstore plot line might make you a little mad (you’ll find solidarity in WSIRN Episode 77: How to save the shop around the corner), but the epistolary romance, sweet bookish moments, and Meg Ryan’s wardrobe will make up for it.
Do you have a favorite bookish television show or movie? Share them with us in the comments.
43 comments
Thank you for this list—such great selections. I want to add the 2019 Little Women adaptation, which is fantastic. It shows Jo refusing to give up copyright of her book and getting the opportunity to watch the printer bind her first book—just thinking about it brings a smile to my face. The movie is really smart in how it blurs the line between Jo and Louisa May Alcott, and all the cozy scenes would make it a perfect watch this time of year.
I just watched this for the first time two nights ago and adored it. I think it’s now in the rotation as a favorite!
Yes! This version has become a serious contender for my favorite vs. the Winona Ryder/Christian Bale version. So different, but both so good.
Thank you! I’m home with COVID and sometimes I don’t even feel like reading (oh my!). So this is the perfect diversion!
I find Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries so fun and comforting. I recently got my partner to start watching them. We dance to the intro music 🤣. There is such a strong sense of place and time. I love all of Phryne’s clothes. I think I’m probably on my 4th time thru the series!
I love Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries too. 🙂
I love your inclusion of The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. And Murder, She Wrote is a family favorite, even with my 12 and 14 yo!
My kids introduced me to the Heartstopper books a couple of years ago and we all loved the show so much – it’s our feel-good rewatch. We also love Gilmore Girls and any Little Women adaptation.
Thank you for this list! It is absolutely charming and the perfect timing.
I recently watched the 2017 PBS version of Little Women and it was remarkable!
I’ve always struggled with You’ve Got Mail because I think she (spoilers) would eventually resent him for the loss of her wonderful bookstore! 🙂
I love your lists and suggestions – thank you and happy holidays!
What a great list! We just watched ” The Man Who Invented Christmas”. It’s about Charles Dickens and his writing of A Christmas Carol.
My sister just recommended this yesterday. Said it is wonderul!
I adore that movie! I make everyone watch it with me at Christmas!
I’ve been watching Magpie Murders on PBS Passport and really enjoy it.
All creatures great and small on PBS. It’s the best show and has all the feel goods and warmth.
It’s the best way to end your day. The show is based off of the pen name James Herriot books.
YEESSSSSSS and this latest adaptation is the best yet! The children’s illustrated version of All Creatures Great and Small is my go-to gift for baby gifts. I bought it when mine were little bitty and we still enjoy reading the stories together and they are teens.
I agree I was going to recommend All Creatures Great and Small too! So wonderful.
This is one of my favorite shows. A feeling of warmth just comes over me whenever I watch it.
We love “All Creatures Great and Small” and can’t wait for Season 3 in January. So glad when I can find something that everyone enjoys; teenage boys and my husband and myself!!
I enjoyed Charing Cross Road. You cannot go wrong with Anne Bancroft!
The Booksellers sounds good.
Of course You’ve Got Mail makes me think of Sleepless In Seattle.
These are all great suggestions.
I find a lot of great lesser known movies on Tubi. Especially some 70s/80s/90s ones. They’ll take note of your preferences and give you recommended titles. Free steaming.
OMG, there’s a movie version of “84 Charing Cross Road”?! I just read it for the first time this year and loved it. I just added it and “the Booksellers” to my watch list.
I did the same! I squealed when I saw there is a Charing Cross Road movie.
The new ‘Three Pines’ show on Amazon Prime! 6 episodes out and I’m really enjoying. Based on the Louise Penny Inspector Gamache books I learned about first here 🙂
My offering has to be the book Mrs. Miniver, which I purchased many years ago from a second hand bookstore and re-read often. It is a small book, offering the thoughts and wisdom of a grounded woman in England in 1938-39, just as the war was breaking out. It started as a small column in the London newspaper and became popular with everyday British trying to deal with the horrors of war by remembering the joys of everyday life. Don’t get distracted by her class – this beautifully written book shares the wisdom of a woman trying so hard to hold on to the beauty of her everyday life in the face of frightening world events. It resonated for me 40 years ago and does so, again. PS Forget the movie – there’s very little overlap.
Mrs. Miniver! My avorite movie, but I didn’t know there was a book. I plan to get it to read over the Christmas break. Thank you for the heads up!
This sounds so good. I may have to read Mrs. Miniver.
Inkheart, based on the book by Cornelia Funke. Stars Brendan Fraser, who fabulously narrates the audio book of the sequel, Inkspell. Incidentally, Fraser is one of my favorite audio book narrators. His reading of Cornelia Funke’s Dragon Rider is amazing!
Pachinko – an absolutely stunning adaptation of this book into a series is my favorite of the year.
My husband and I also loved this gorgeous series. We can’t stop recommending it. The book has been on my list for such a long time, and now it has jumped to the top.
I just adore Poirot, starring David Suchet. I could watch them over and over.
Thank you for this list!! I love the Hallmark movie called, Winter Love Story! It is about a new, reluctant female author who goes on a book signing tour (to get a following for her book) with an established, very popular male author. It is a joy to watch.
At our house, we’re big fans of The Scarlet Pimpernel, with Jane Seymour and Anthony Andrews, fun for the whole family! (Educational, too) Then there was The Man From Snowy River, set in Australia, big fave, as well as a spin-off called The MacGregor Saga. The Horatio Hornblower series with Ian Gruffud does a great job and is fun for all ages. And who doesn’t love The Importance of Being Earnest with Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth?? Finally my husband and I can’t get enough of the How To Train Your Dragon cartoon series! We laugh and laugh over Toothless.
Re-watching (for nth time) 1998 LA MENTIRA currently available for streaming On Demand https://vix.com/es-es/detail/series-2756 Based on a book by Cuban author long out of print, hard to find even in libraries, story was inspired by Shakespeare’s OTHELLO (with happy ending after wife teaches hubby a lesson) and MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. 1998 version adds other literary references such as Cyrano de Bergerac, as well as Greek mythology–protagonist Demetrio shows traits of Demeter, goddess of fertility of the earth. Daughter of Miranda, heroine Veronica’s name means “true image”; she is identified with light of the sun, eventually winning out over dark lies spread by her jealous cousin, two-faced Virginia, associated with night, smoke and environmental pollution, whose male consort is professor of literature, in turns amusing and menacing. Considered best of many films & TV versions, 1998 LA MENTIRA (those with good vocabulary will recognize is related to English “mendacious”) also alludes to Christopher Vogler’s WRITER’S JOURNEY based on works of Joseph Campbell and female psychology THE HEROINE’S JOURNEY. Helpful in interpreting LM’s literary symbolism are HOW TO READ LITERATURE LIKE A PROFESSOR by Thomas C. Foster and A NATURAL HISTORY OF THE ROMANCE NOVEL by Pamela Regis. Search “Mentira” https://pensandoenparientes.blogspot.com/
My husband and I watched “The Shop Around the Corner” starring Jimmy Stewart and Margaret Sullavan for our weekly movie night. If you like “You’ve Got Mail” you will be surprised by the similarities. I love both of these classics.
The Durrells in Corfu is such a charming and fun series! Based on the memoirs of Gerald Corfu about the time they lived on a Greek island just before WW2. Also features his brother, Lawrence Durrell, as a character who is always in some corner of the house loudly typing out his novel in progress.
Gerald DURRELL above – sorry!
Christy by Catherine Marshall is one of my favorite books and then loved the TV series of it.
Anne of Green Gables is definitely a show for book lovers and perfect for watching right now. (The 1985 Megan Follows version, of course!)
Two enjoyable mystery series on PBS: Midsomer Murders (set in the U.K.) and Frankie Drake Mysteries (set in Toronto in the 1920s). There is a lot of dry humor in Midsomer Murders, and the village scenery is great. Frankie Drake is a private detective, and the show is very entertaining.
I enjoyed Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries. I would like to recommend to all my friends to read this blog. This blog is really enjoyable and exciting. Thanks to sharing this kind of blogs with us.
New Year’s resolution for language lovers (see end of comment). I’d love to browse books–on shelves and stacked on stairs, tables, windowsill of main character’s study–shown in PARIENTES A LA FUERZA (currently streaming On Demand on NBC.com and Spectrum etc.) including novels turned into movies. Bilingual telenovela is about Hollywood screenwriter who has strayed from his cultural roots, then finds new life when he falls in love with Mexican singer. Their two very different families eventually are united when members of both form six other couples. Writer’s stories seem inspired by or to reflect adventures of characters (like Danny Kaye movie SECRET LIFE OF WALTER MITTY). Films from around the world are cleverly alluded to, showing how “entertainment” influences our behavior and beliefs (May the Force be with you). Preface to 20th anniversary edition of amusing, helpful book BREAKING OUT OF BEGINNER’S SPANISH gives many reasons to study another language (being bilingual is good for the brain). Watching this warm hearted TV show is fun way to learn Spanish–a great New Year’s resolution! https://pensandoenparientes.blogspot.com/
No books, only a podcast (which obviously we all love too!), but Only Murders In The Building gives me all the feels of a favorite classic whodunnit.
My kids have adored Staff to Avonlea, made in the 1990s. It’s based on The Story Girl by LMMontgomery and is good, clean fun and well made.