Today's TV channel selection can reach over 200 channels depending on your cable or satellite provider. Have you ever wondered where some television shows get their inspiration? A quick online search can provide the answer. Some of the current and past television shows were inspired by popular novels. There is nothing like a good book to capture your attention for a while. Television producers have adapted a few popular fiction novels into hit TV shows. The TNT crime drama Rizzoli & Isles spin-off from Tess Gerristen's Jane Rizzoli books equaled success this summer with 8.6 million viewers. On the author's stated the TV series received a renewal for its third season. Deciding if the book or TV show is better...I'll leave that up to you. Listed below is a small sampling of some of the popular novels that have become a television series. Each listing has a link to the author's web page and to the television series if available.
Popular Novels = Television Series
Romance, Horror, and Fantasy
Charlaine Harris combined romance, horror, and fantasy to create the Sookie Stackhouse novels the popular series has real bite. The small town waitress, Sookie Stackhouse has the ability to read minds, but she cannot seem to keep out of trouble. If that wasn't interesting enough, she has an affair with a vampire. Let the fun begin! The Sookie Stackhouse novels are the inspiration for HBO's True Blood series.
Mystery and Drama
Tess Gerritsen's Jane Rizzoli novels features two unlikely friends a police detective, Jane Rizzoli and a medical examiner, Maura Isles. The duo work together to rid crime from the streets of Boston. The novels/show feature crime, mystery, and friendship. TNT struck gold with Rizzoli &Isles TV series adapted from Gerritsen's Jane Rizzoli novels.
Children's Horror
The children's master of horror, R. L. Stine gives young readers a good scare with the Goosebumps novels. The Goosebumps television series (1995-1998) was not on the air long, but fans of the author can now watch the R. L. Stine's Haunting Hour also inspired by his works. The R. L. Stine's Haunting Hour television show is on the HUB channel.
Young Adult Fiction
Cecily von Ziegesar's Gossip Girl novels were the basis for the popular Gossip Girl television series on the CW. The controversial show is all about excess. Set in a New York private school, the wealthy high school teens spend their time partying and having back-biting relationships.
