Perfect Book Pairings for Book Lovers

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10 Must-Watch TV Shows + Perfect Book Pairings for Book Lovers 2026

Craving your next binge-worthy TV obsession? Whether you're punching through conspiracies with Reacher, battling Upside Down monsters in Stranger Things Season 5, or unraveling mysteries in Murderbot, these 10 hottest TV series from recent seasons come with the perfect "if you like this, read this" book recs for book lovers. Plus, bookish printables & journaling ideas to track them all!

BookTok & Bookstagram are buzzing about cross-media pairings right now. I've curated these TV-to-book matches especially for readers who love cozy mystery bundles, reading journal printables, and TBR trackers.

1. Murderbot (Apple TV+) → All Systems Red by Martha Wells

TV Vibe: Snarky AI security bot navigating human drama

Read: All Systems Red (Murderbot Diaries #1) — Hugo & Nebula award-winner. Perfect for sci-fi reading bundles.

2. Slow Horses (Apple TV+) → Slow Horses by Mick Herron

TV Vibe: Misfit British spies saving high-stakes ops

Read: First Slough House novel — gritty espionage with grumpy mentorship.

3. Reacher (Prime Video) → Killing Floor by Lee Child

TV Vibe: 6'5" lone drifter punching conspiracies

Read: Killing Floor — Jack Reacher's explosive debut.

4. Long Bright River (Peacock) → Long Bright River by Liz Moore

TV Vibe: Philly cop family + addiction secrets

Read: Long Bright River: Emotional sibling mystery — perfect for mental health journaling.

5. It: Welcome to Derry (HBO) → It by Stephen King

TV Vibe: Pennywise's horrors revisit Derry

Read: IT: Stephen King's epic childhood terror.

6. Hacks (Max) → The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

TV Vibe: Comedy legends clashing generations

Read: The Lost Apothecary: Witty historical mystery with fierce female leads.

7. The Pitt (HBO) → The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

TV Vibe: Raw ER doctors racing time

Read: The Pull of the Stars: 1918 pandemic maternity ward tension.

8. Yellowjackets (Showtime) → The Girls by Emma Cline

TV Vibe: Survival horror + teen cannibals

Read: The Girls: Cultish wilderness vibes, perfect femgore niche.

9. Stranger Things S5 (Netflix) → Paper Girls by Brian K. Vaughan

TV Vibe: '80s nostalgia + Upside Down monsters

Read: Paper Girls: Time-jumping kids vs. cosmic weirdness.

10. The Gilded Age (HBO) → The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

TV Vibe: 1880s New York society clashes

Read: The Age of Innocence: Pulitzer-winning opulence & sca

Which pairing are you trying first?

Drop your faves in the comments! I'll create more TV-inspired printables based on your requests. 👇