Did you know that 9th August is Book Lovers Day? A day dedicated entirely to celebrating the joy of reading.
Whether you’re someone who reads every day, picks up a novel for a long-haul flight, or prefers to experience stories through film and television, there’s something universally appealing about getting lost in a great narrative. We all have those moments when we crave an escape, on holiday by the pool, during a quiet evening after work, or just before drifting off to sleep.
Perhaps you’re already an avid reader. Maybe you’ve been meaning to read more but never know where to start. Whatever your relationship with books, book lovers’ day feels like the perfect excuse to discover a new favourite. So, if you’ve ever finished a film and wished you could stay in that world a little longer, we’ve paired some beloved movies with books that capture a similar spirit, atmosphere or emotional pull.
This month, why not swap the scrolling for a few chapters?
If you loved When Harry Met Sally, read…
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Few romantic comedies have captured the magic of friendship turning into love quite like When Harry Met Sally. If you love the film’s witty banter, slow-burn chemistry, and opposites-attract dynamic, Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation should be at the top of your reading list.
Poppy and Alex couldn’t be more different, yet for years they’ve shared one tradition: a summer holiday together. Across ten trips and countless memories, their friendship deepens, blurring the lines between platonic and romantic. Warm, funny, and full of heart, it’s the perfect companion for your next summer getaway.
If you loved About Time, read…
The Good Part by Sophie Cousens
Like About Time, Sophie Cousens’ The Good Part explores the temptation to fast-forward through life’s difficult moments in search of something better.
Twenty-six-year-old Lucy feels stuck. Frustrated with her flat share, uninspiring job, and disappointing dating life, she wishes she could skip ahead to the ‘good part’. When she unexpectedly wakes up sixteen years in the future with a successful career, a husband, and children, she discovers that the moments she rushed past were the very ones that shaped her life. Heartwarming and thoughtful, it’s a reminder that even life’s messy chapters have value.
If you loved You’ve Got Mail, read…
The Book Swap by Tessa Bickers
For anyone who adores the romance of You’ve Got Mail, The Book Swap offers a similarly charming premise with an irresistible literary twist. Instead of exchanging emails, two strangers communicate through notes left in the margins of second-hand books. As their anonymous conversations continue, they begin sharing hopes, fears, and dreams, building a connection that feels increasingly impossible to ignore.
It’s a love story for romantics, bookworms, and anyone who believes that the right words can change everything.
If you loved Dead Poets Society, read…
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
If Dead Poets Society left you fascinated by the intensity of academic life and the influence of charismatic teachers, Donna Tartt’s modern classic offers a much darker perspective.
Set within an elite group of classics students, The Secret History follows a circle of friends drawn together by an enigmatic professor who encourages them to think beyond conventional boundaries. What begins as intellectual curiosity gradually spirals into obsession, secrecy, and tragedy. Atmospheric, intelligent, and deeply compelling, it’s an ideal choice for readers who enjoy their stories with a darker edge.
If you loved Pulp Fiction, read…
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
Fans of Quentin Tarantino’s signature blend of violence, dark humour, and unforgettable characters will find plenty to enjoy in The Sisters Brothers.
The novel follows Eli and Charlie Sisters, two notorious assassins travelling across the American West on behalf of a ruthless crime boss. Along the way, they encounter an eccentric cast of characters, unexpected challenges, and moments of surprising tenderness. Sharp, funny and often brutal, it’s a brilliantly original read that combines crime, adventure and black comedy in equal measure.
If you loved Lost in Translation, read…
A Tale for the Time Being by Ruth Ozeki
Like Lost in Translation, Ruth Ozeki’s novel explores loneliness, connection, and the invisible threads that link people across cultures and continents.
The story begins with Nao, a teenager in Tokyo who pours her thoughts into a diary as she struggles with isolation and bullying. Years later, the diary washes ashore on the coast of British Columbia, where a writer becomes captivated by its contents and sets out to uncover Nao’s fate. Thoughtful, moving, and beautifully written, it’s a novel that lingers long after the final page.
Whether you’re revisiting a favourite genre or looking for something completely new, books have a remarkable way of extending the stories we love. This book lovers day, take inspiration from the films that have stayed with you and discover where the next page might take you.
