13 Books That Inspired Our Favorite Guilty Pleasure Rom-Coms
Snuggling up with our coziest colorful throw blanket, munching on some DIY cheez-its and streaming a romantic movie is our go-to night. But even though we’d be perfectly fine spending an evening watching our fave meet-cute moments for the thousandth time, we feel like our Netflix queue is judging us (yes, we still want to watch The Notebook, okay?). So instead of letting our technology get us down, we’re taking things old school and reading all the books that inspired our favorite big screen love affairs. Take that, haters.
1. PS I Love You by Cecelia Ahern ($7) adapted into PS I Love You (2007): A debut novel from the amazing mind of Irish novelist Cecelia Ahern, this beautiful tale of love, loss and moving forward will have you weeping from the very first chapter. You’ve been warned. (Image via Warner Bros)
2. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks ($6) adapted into The Notebook (2004): This list wouldn’t be complete without this modern rom-com classic. Following the unforgettable tale of Noah and Allie, this novel reads like a screenplay, making it ever-so-easy to imagine Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams soaring like birds. (Image via New Line Cinema)
3. One Day by David Nicholls ($13) adapted into One Day (2011): This can’t-put-down read shares the story of every July 15th throughout the relationship of two best friends turned soul mates, and is sure to make any romantic swoon. (Image via Focus Features)
4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green ($8) adapted into The Fault in Our Stars (2014): Even though we know exactly how this amazing story is going to end, reading the hauntingly real tale of two teenagers who fall in love, despite the worst of circumstances, will still make us ugly cry. (Image via 20th Century Fox)
5. A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks ($10) adapted into A Walk to Remember (2002): First of all, can we just say how much we miss Mandy Moore? Another Sparks classic, this beautiful story about the power of all-encompassing love is just what the doctor ordered. (Image via Warner Bros)
6. Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell ($12) adapted into Gone With the Wind (1939): “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.” Need we say more? (Image via MGM)
7. Brooklyn by Colm Toibin ($9) adapted into Brooklyn (2015): When a young Irish immigrant moves to Brooklyn in the 1950s, she has no idea that she’ll find love — or that she will have to fight so hard to keep it. Whether you’ve already fallen in love with the award-winning movie or are a complete Toibin newbie, this breathtaking tale is definitely worth the investment. (Image via Fox Searchlight Pictures)
8. The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff ($11) adapted into The Danish Girl (2015): If you loved the Academy Award winner starring Eddie Redmayne and Alicia Vikander, get ready to have your socks knocked off. This beautifully written tale of changing love is everything you could hope for and more. (Image via Focus Features and Universal Pictures International)
9. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky ($8) adapted into The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012): Even without Emma Watson’s amazing performance, this book is still hard to put down. Plus, at only 224 pages, this fresh cult classic is the perfect short pairing for a rainy Saturday afternoon. (Image via Summit Entertainment)
10. The Story of the Trapp Family Singers by Maria Agusta Trapp ($12) adapted into The Sound of Music (1965): If you love listening to the ever-amazing Julie Andrews belt it out as Maria, you must read this real-life tale by Maria Augusta Trapp herself, detailing everything from her whirlwind romance with the baron to their narrow escape from Nazi-occupied Austria. (Image via 20th Century Fox)
11. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion ($2) adapted into Warm Bodies (2013): Combining the hip zombie fandom with a classic love story, this fun read is the perfect romantic comedy to curl up with this spring. (via Summit Entertainment)
12. Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote ($4) adapted into Breakfast at Tiffany’s (1961): Audrey Hepburn can do no wrong in our books, and neither can literary legend Truman Capote. Pick up this fascinating tale of Holly Golightly and feel your troubles melt away. (Image via Paramount Pictures)
13. The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot ($6) adapted into The Princess Diaries (2001): What would you say if your distant relative showed up at your doorstep and told you that you were princess of Genovia? Probably the same thing as Mia Thermopolis. (Image via Buena Vista Pictures)
BONUS: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes ($10) soon to be adapted into Me Before You (June 3, 2016): Before the much-anticipated Emilia Clarke and Sam Claffin rom-com comes out this June, have a read through Jojo Moyes epic love story. Not only can you brag about having read the book before the movie, but you’re also in for an absolute treat, as Moyes describes a whirlwind romance that will surely sweep you off your feet. (Image via Warner Bros)
What’s your favorite rom-com of all time? Let us know on Twitter by mentioning @BritandCo.
(Featured image via New Line Cinema)
