Loved 'The Odyssey'? Move beyond and read these 9 books adapted for the screen

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Movie adaptations of books will always draw intense scrutiny, held to high expectations when it comes to storytelling and quality. But whether an adaptation is a great success or a flop, there’s something about the connection between page and screen that nudges moviegoers back to the original book, to experience the story in greater depth and explore an alternative universe through the book’s version of the characters and their world. 

Amid the release of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’, celebrating this fascinating link between pages and screens, Crossword has introducedd a dedicated “Script to Screen” book-browsing experience across its stores, featuring a wide collection of titles that have inspired some of the best and most anticipated films and series. 

Available at around 40 Crossword stores pan-India from July until the end of August, it is designed for readers to browse, discover, and indulge in some of the best stories in their original form. 

While you can always read ‘The Odyssey’, there is a lot more that is in store. Whether you’re rediscovering a cherished favourite or reading it for the very first time before its on-screen adaptation, these stories promise a deeper connection to the characters, emotions, and worlds that continue to captivate readers and viewers alike.

Verity by Colleen Hoover

Dark, gripping, and impossible to put down, Verity follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh, who is hired to complete bestselling author Verity Crawford’s unfinished series, only to uncover a chilling manuscript that blurs the line between truth and fiction.

With a major 2026 film adaptation starring Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh Hartnett, Verity is back in the spotlight. The announcement has also sparked massive BookTok buzz, making this twisty psychological thriller a must-read before it hits the big screen. 

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

Millie takes up what seems like the perfect housekeeping job, only to discover the dark and unsettling secrets hidden inside her employer’s luxurious home.

With a film adaptation starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried released in late 2025/2026, The Housemaid has become one of the most anticipated thriller adaptations. The buzz has introduced a whole new audience to this addictive, page-turning read.

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Ryland Grace wakes up alone in space with no memory of who he is, only to realise he’s humanity’s last hope for survival.

The bestselling sci-fi novel is headed to the big screen in 2026, with Ryan Gosling in the lead and Phil Lord and Christopher Miller directing. One of the year’s most anticipated adaptations, it’s the perfect time to experience this thrilling adventure before it reaches theatres.

Beach Read by Emily Henry

A romance writer and a literary fiction author challenge each other to swap genres for the summer, only to find themselves falling for one another along the way.

With the film adaptation currently in production, Beach Read is back on every romance lover’s radar. Along with several of Emily Henry’s other novels heading to the screen, it’s the perfect time to discover the book that started it all.

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson

Five years after a local schoolgirl’s murder, teenager Pip Fitz-Amobi reopens the case, uncovering secrets that everyone thought were buried for good.

The hit BBC and Netflix series has introduced this young-adult mystery to millions of new readers, with Season 2 buzz continuing to drive its popularity. If you love a clever whodunnit, this is one to add to your reading list.

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros

When Violet Sorrengail is forced to join an elite dragon rider academy, she must fight to survive in a world where only the strongest make it.

With an Amazon MGM Studios television adaptation in development, Fourth Wing has become one of the hottest fantasy franchises in the world. The announcement has only fuelled its popularity, making it a must-read for fantasy lovers.

Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins

Set 24 years before Katniss Everdeen’s story, this gripping prequel follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he is chosen to compete in the brutal 50th Hunger Games.

With the film adaptation already announced for November 2026, readers are flocking back to Panem, making this one of the year’s most in-demand dystopian reads.

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

When college hockey captain Garrett Graham and student Hannah Wells strike a fake dating deal to help each other out, neither expects real feelings to get in the way.

With Amazon’s adaptation of the Off-Campus series in the works, sports romance is having a major moment. The announcement has reignited interest in The Deal, making it the perfect time to pick up the fan-favourite that started it all.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo finally decides to tell the truth about her glamorous, scandal-filled life, revealing secrets that have remained hidden for decades.

With a highly anticipated Netflix adaptation directed by Anna Kendrick in the works, interest in this modern classic continues to soar. Rich, emotional and unforgettable, it’s a story best experienced on the page before it comes to the screen.

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