This year, I dove headfirst into almost 30 TV adaptations of books. Why so many? Well, it turns out that TV execs have realized there’s nothing quite like the allure of a good book – or a mediocre one since they adapt those too. Whether it was fantasy epics, historical dramas, or action-packed thrillers, these shows brought stories to life in ways that made me laugh, cry, and, on rare occasions, question the writer’s life choices.

While not every show was a hit – I’m looking at you, Dune: Prophecy –, others were pure gold. Here are my top five along with a quick rundown of the rest. Let’s jump in, shall we?

5. The Day of the Jackal

If I went by my own ratings season 3 of Heartstopper, X-Men ’97, Invincible S2, or even Interview With The Vampire Season 2 should be in this top 5 edging out The Day of the Jackal since they were rated higher then this show but I was pleasantly surprised by the series that I didn’t expect to be as invested in as I ended up being.

Source Material: Frederick Forsyth’s espionage thriller The Day of the Jackal.

Why It’s in the Top 5: This show is as sharp and slick as its titular assassin. The pacing? Chef’s kiss. The performances? Magnetic. And the climax? Let’s just say I wasn’t emotionally prepared.

Standout Moment: The finale. I won’t spoil it, but I’ll just say my jaw was on the floor, and I may or may not have audibly gasped.

Book vs. Show: I haven’t read the book yet, but this adaptation made me want to. It’s also on my “shows to overanalyze in a future blog post” list. Stay tuned.

4. Agatha All Along

Source Material: Based on Marvel Comics, but spun off from WandaVision.

Why It’s in the Top 5: Don’t let its whimsical exterior fool you—this show is a masterclass in writing, casting, and production design. It’s clever, mysterious, and downright spellbinding.

Standout Moment: When the puzzle pieces finally click into place, revealing Agatha’s motives. It’s the kind of moment that makes you want to re-watch the series with a notepad in hand, muttering, “How did I miss that?” or “Oh so that’s what that was about.”

Comparison with the Comics: Since it draws from a mix of comics, I didn’t try to read the source material. But honestly, Kathryn Hahn’s performance alone is worth it, 10/10 I would recommend.

3. Solo Leveling

Source Material: Chugong’s South Korean web novel Solo Leveling.

Why It’s in the Top 5: The animation is so crisp you could cut paper with it, and the story is an adrenaline rush wrapped in beautiful visuals. It’s thrilling and perfect for fans of action-packed fantasy.

Standout Moment: The season finale’s action sequence. It’s intense, jaw-dropping, and introduces a key character who promises to shake things up in Season 2.

Comparison with the Manwha: I read the entire novel series before the anime aired, and I’m impressed. Watching the anime unfold was like discovering the characters all over again.

2. Shogun (2024)

Source Material: James Clavell’s historical epic Shogun.

Why It’s in the Top 5: Imagine a show where the stakes are as high as the production budget. The sets? Stunning. The costumes? Gorgeous. The story? Engaging enough to make you willingly pause your TikTok scrolling. Move over, period dramas Shogun has redefined the genre. This adaptation of James Clavell’s sweeping historical epic is a feast for the eyes and the mind.

Standout Moment: My favorite isn’t a scene, but a character, Toda Mariko. She’s strong, layered, and basically the MVP of the show. I’d fight anyone who says otherwise (though I’d probably lose, so let’s keep it hypothetical).

Book vs. Show: As adaptations go, this one knocked it out of the park. Faithful to the book and visually breathtaking, it’s the kind of show that makes you want to re-read the source material while humming samurai battle music.

1. Reacher Season 2

Source Material: Lee Child’s Bad Luck and Trouble (Jack Reacher book #11).

Why It’s #1: This season is a masterclass in blending adaptation with innovation. They changed the setting from sunny California to a snowy East Coast winter and somehow made it work. Also, Alan Ritchson continues to be the human embodiment of Jack Reacher, and I’m not complaining. If charisma could punch you in the face, it would look like this.

Standout Moment: Introducing a bunch of new characters who actually felt like they had history with Reacher. The writers deserve a medal for making me care about all of them.

Book vs. Show: As someone who read and reviewed the book, I’m amazed at how the show stayed true to the source while making creative tweaks. Bravo.

The Rest of the Pack: Hits, Misses, and Everything In Between

Not every adaptation can be a winner, but many came close. Here are some quick takes:

• Interview With The Vampire Season 2 is a mesmerizing adaptation of Anne Rice‘s classic novel, proving that some stories only get better with time – and impeccable streaming budgets. The first two seasons dive deep into the lush, gothic world of Rice’s Interview With The Vampire, and it’s clear the showrunners spared no effort in bringing it to life.

• Dune: Prophecy: A valiant attempt with gorgeous visuals, but it didn’t quite capture the magic of Herbert’s (Frank) universe. Maybe next season?

• 3 Body Problem: A gripping sci-fi adventure that outshone its source material – in my humble opinion.

• Murder in a Small Town: Comfort food for the soul.

• Echo: Redemption stories and slick action. What’s not to love?

• Percy Jackson and the Olympians Season 1: Entertaining and visually fun, but let’s call it a warm-up lap for what the series could be. It also made some updates that might irk purists – and racists.

• The Boys Season 4: Didn’t read the comic, but the show continues to delight and disturb in equal measure.

• Will Trent Season 2: Started strong and delivered throughout. I’ve yet to read the books, but they’re officially on my TBR.

• Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale Season 1: A charming blend of magic and small-town drama. Worth a watch.

• Cross: movie-level production, gripping story, and stellar cast. I didn’t read the Alex Cross novels but there’s no incentive to since the series – at least in this season – isn’t adapting any specific book.

• Boy Swallows Universe: Loved the tone and the cast.

• Dead Boy Detective: great binge worthy show.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next?

This year proved that book-based TV shows are thriving. The production values are higher, the adaptations are more faithful, and even the creative risks are paying off. I’m sad I didn’t get to finish Masters of the Air because I suspect it’s a solid mini-series, but I’ll get to it. I’m already looking forward to next year’s adaptations, diving back to old favorites – The Wheel of Time I’m looking at you – and discovering new ones like The Electric State even if the trailer actually dampened my excitement a little bit. Oh, and I might just read Slow Horses and Wool series before diving into their adaptations.

Watching all those adaptations was a journey – one filled with highs, lows, and a lot of snacks. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: when done right, adaptations can expand the universe of a book in ways that surprise and delight. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have more shows to watch.

So, here’s my question for you: Which book-based show was your favorite this year? Or better yet, which adaptation are you eagerly waiting for? Let me know in the comments or my socials, I’m always looking to expand my watchlist!