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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. 👇