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This post was in partnership with Barnes & Noble but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.

10 Books to Read (or Listen To!) Before You Watch Them on Screen

written by JULIA BIRKINBINE POULTER

This post was in partnership with Barnes & Noble but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.

audiobooks to read before watching onscreen"
audiobooks to read before watching onscreen
Graphics by: Anna Wissler
Graphics by: Anna Wissler

Here at The Everymom, we’re always on the lookout for good book recommendations, and our team regularly shares our favorites in our company-wide Slack chats. And with movie and TV productions ramping up again after delays due to the pandemic over the last few years, our TBR lists are growing fast as we aim to read (or listen to!) titles soon coming to the big or small screens. After all, there’s just nothing like watching characters you love appear onscreen after first experiencing their story unfold in a “can’t put it down” book.

Unfortunately, that “can’t put it down” feeling doesn’t always fit into my busy daily schedule. So lately, I’ve been using Barnes & Noble’s newly-launched B&N Audiobooks platform to listen to books while working, doing chores, or running errands.

Users can listen anywhere by downloading the B&N NOOK App or via BN.com and instantly have access to more than 300,000 new releases, bestsellers, and more. Subscribers get their first audiobook for free (yes, free!), and after that, users pay $14.99 per month and receive one monthly credit to redeem for your next listen (1 credit = 1 book). And if a subscription isn’t for you, users can buy books a la carte at any time and get access to daily savings on thousands of audiobooks.

Read on for a roundup of books to read or listen to before you watch them on the big or small screen!

where the crawdads sing audiobook
Barnes & Noble
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Coming to theaters July 15.

One of Barnes & Noble's top-selling audiobooks, Where the Crawdads Sing was an instant bestseller when it debuted back in 2018. The story follows "barefoot and wild 'Marsh Girl'" Kya Clark as she becomes the suspect in the murder of a popular young man named Chase Andrews. The highly anticipated movie stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and even features an original song, "Carolina" by Taylor Swift.

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daisy jones & the six audiobook
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Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Coming soon to Amazon Prime Video.

A gripping novel about the rise of an iconic 1970s rock group and their beautiful lead singer, the story ultimately reveals the mystery behind the band's infamous breakup. The 13-episode limited series, which started filming in September 2021, stars Riley Keough as Daisy and is being produced by Reese Witherspoon's company, Hello Sunshine.

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the summer i turned pretty audiobook
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The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Coming to Amazon Prime Video on June 17.

By the same author of beloved YA book series To All the Boys I've Loved Before—which was recently turned into three Netflix movies—this book tells the story of 16-year-old Isabel “Belly” Conklin as she spends a summer in a fictional beach town and falls into a love triangle with her two childhood best friends, Conrad and Jeremiah. Listen to this cute beach read before the feel-good show comes out this week!

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luckiest girl alive audiobook
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Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Coming soon to Netflix.

Ani FaNelli seemingly has it all after reinventing herself to cover up her past trauma. But then her former life comes roaring back in an unexpected way—and the story takes a turn you'll never see coming. Author Jessica Knoll also wrote the screenplay for this book's movie adaptation, coming to Netflix later this year, that stars Mila Kunis as Ani.

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death on the nile audiobook
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Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

Currently streaming on HBO Max.

A motion picture sequel to 2017's Murder on the Orient Express, this story follows a group of people on a luxury cruise along the Nile who witness the murder of a stylish young woman. Listen to this mystery audiobook before streaming the movie—starring Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright, and more stars—at home.

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romancing mister bridgerton audiobook
Barnes & Noble
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Coming soon to Netflix.

Get ready for season 3 of Bridgerton (hopefully coming to Netflix as soon as early 2023!) by listening to the love story of Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington. Though this tale is the fourth title in the Bridgerton book series, the TV series is skipping ahead to focus on this fan-favorite couple and their steamy path to the altar.

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pieces of her audiobook
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Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter

Currently streaming on Netflix.

In Pieces of Her, a woman uncovers secrets of her mother's dark past after a violent attack occurs in their small town. I highly recommend listening to this top-selling audiobook before tuning in to the limited series, now available on Netflix.

*Not eligible for the B&N Audiobooks subscription but may be purchased a la carte.

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peter pan audiobook
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Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Coming soon to theaters.

You probably know the Peter Pan story, but have you ever read the beloved children's book? Get ready for the highly publicized release of the latest Peter Pan movie, titled Peter Pan and Wendy—coming to theaters soon and starring Yara Shahidi, Jude Law, and Ever Gabo Anderson—by listening to this story in just two hours and 12 minutes.

*Not eligible for the B&N Audiobooks subscription but may be purchased a la carte.

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the nightingale audiobook
Barnes & Noble
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Coming to theaters December 23.

The Nightingale tells the story of two French sisters during World War II who each deal with the Nazi occupation in unique ways: One sister is forced to house a German soldier while her husband fights on the front lines, while the other joins the French resistance movement. The movie stars real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning.

*Not eligible for the B&N Audiobooks subscription but may be purchased a la carte.

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This post was in partnership with Barnes & Noble, but all of the opinions within are those of The Everymom editorial board. We only recommend products we genuinely love.