Based on a Book

This week, we’re discussing Mockingjay Part 2 and breaking down both the book and the second film as the rebellion reaches its devastating conclusion. In this episode, we talk about the emotional weight of the ending, the cost of war, the Capitol showdown, and how this final installment brings Katniss’s story to a close. We also get into the adaptation choices, the biggest moments from the book an...

This week, we’re stepping into the rebellion with Mockingjay Part 1, discussing both the book and the film as the story moves away from the Games and into propaganda, resistance, trauma, and war. We break down the emotional tension, the role Katniss is forced to play, and how this first half of Mockingjay builds toward the final fight. Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri. Books &...

This week, we’re discussing The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman and the third and final season of His Dark Materials. As we wrap up this trilogy, we’re diving into the book, the adaptation, and all the big emotions, themes, and character moments that come with the final chapter of Lyra and Will’s story. From Dust to destiny to the emotional weight of saying goodbye to these characters, The Amber...

We read Grey, Darker, and Freed—the Fifty Shades trilogy told from Christian Grey’s POV—and now we have thoughts. In this episode, we’re talking about what it was like to revisit the story through Christian’s eyes, whether these books gave us new insight, and how his narration changed the overall experience of the series. Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Crystal and Lindsey. Books & Adaptations Me...

We’re kicking off our Finishing Our Series theme with Fifty Shades Freed, the final installment in the original Fifty Shades trilogy. In this episode, we discuss how the adaptation wraps up the series, sharing our thoughts on the story, the characters, the drama, and whether the ending delivered for us. We also look back on the trilogy, compare this final movie to the others, and talk about where...

This week, we’re discussing The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman. This episode closes out our Anything Goes April theme with a mystery full of charm, humor, clever twists, and a very memorable cast of characters. We’re diving into the mystery itself, the dynamics between the members of the Thursday Murder Club, the tone of the story, and what made this one such a fun read to talk about. Hoste...

This week, we’re diving into Vladimir by Julia May Jonas and its 2026 Netflix adaptation. In this episode, we talk about the book’s dark humor, unsettling tone, unreliable narration, and the obsession at the center of the story, along with how those elements translated to the screen. We break down our thoughts on the narrator, the character dynamics, the social commentary, and the adaptation choic...

Weddings, chaos, and three generations of movie dads! We’re diving into Father of the Bride by Edward Streeter and the surprising franchise it created. In this episode, we start with the original novel before comparing three different adaptations across decades: the 1950 classic, the beloved 1991 version, and the 2022 modern remake. Join us as we compare each movie to see which one captures the he...

We’ve finished breaking down Season 2 of Percy Jackson, but now it’s time to travel back to an earlier era of demigod adaptations. This week, we’re revisiting Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters, the sequel to The Lightning Thief movie starring Logan Lerman, Alexandra Daddario, and Brandon T. Jackson. We talk about how this movie stacks up against the book, what changes we liked or disliked, and whethe...

Dive into Anything Goes April with us as we head back to Camp Half-Blood for Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters. In this episode, we compare the second book in Rick Riordan’s beloved series to the Disney+ adaptation, breaking down what the show kept, what it changed, and how it brought this mythological adventure to life on screen. Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Keri and Crystal. Books & A...

We’re wrapping up Made of Madness March with one of the wildest adaptations we’ve covered yet: Poor Things by Alasdair Gray and its 2023 film adaptation starring Emma Stone. This strange, bold story about Bella Baxter takes us from page to screen in a way that’s as chaotic as it is fascinating. We break down the biggest differences, the themes of identity and freedom, and whether the movie capture...

The madness continues, and a winner will be crowned. In this episode of Based on a Book, we return to our Frankenstein adaptation tournament to finish the bracket and determine which version best captures the spirit of Mary Shelley’s legendary story. After narrowing the field in Part 1, the remaining adaptations now battle it out in the final half of the tournament. Using our scoring system, we de...

It’s alive, and so is our Frankenstein adaptation tournament! In this episode, we officially kick off our 12-film Frankenstein face-off, where adaptations from across decades battle it out to determine which version best captures the spirit of Mary Shelley’s legendary novel. Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: Frankenstein by Mary Shelley Frankenste...

Welcome to our Made of Madness March, where we kick things off by diving into the dark and fascinating world of Mary Shelley—the brilliant mind who dreamed up one of literature’s most haunting creations. We’ll explore her unconventional upbringing, the stormy night that sparked the idea of Frankenstein, and share our thoughts on the Frankenstein novel itself including its haunting themes and compl...

Our Listener Submission theme wraps up with a story of longing, regret, second chances, and one of the most swoon-worthy letters in literary history. This week, we’re diving into Persuasion by Jane Austen, and comparing it to three very different adaptations—the 1995 TV movie, 2007 BBC TV movie, and 2022 Netflix movie. Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey. Books & Adaptations Menti...

This week, we're heading into the snowbound terror of The Shining and comparing it to Stanley Kubrick's iconic adaptation. We break down how the novel and the film tell very different stories, from character motivations to thematic intent, and why King's version and Kubrick's version often feel like two completely separate nightmares. Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri. Books & A...

Surprise! We headed to the theater to catch Emerald Fennell’s brand-new “Wuthering Heights”, starring Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff—and we’re sharing our immediate, straight-out-of-the-cinema reactions. What worked? What didn’t? And was this the dark and twisted story we were hoping to see on screen? Tune in to this bonus episode for all our hot takes. Hosted by Crystal...

Keri kicks off this month’s theme with our first listener-recommended pick, Nimona by ND Stevenson, along with its 2023 animated film adaptation. In our first-ever graphic novel-to-screen deep dive, we explore the vibrant world of Nimona and the standout themes that make the story unforgettable. Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: Nimona (2023 Film)...

For our Season 4 premiere, we experienced Wuthering Heights for the very first time—both the book and three different screen adaptations. Each host claimed a different era of the moors—Crystal with the 1939 film, Lindsey with the 1998 adaptation, and Keri with the 2009 BBC miniseries—to see how Emily Brontë’s famously obsessive and unforgiving story has been translated across generations. Hosted b...

Season 4 is almost here and it’s packed with adaptations you’ve been waiting for! This teaser trailer gives you a first look at the titles we’re dropping all season long, from listener-recommended picks to long-awaited series finales. New themes, fresh stories, and unforgettable book-to-screen moments are on the way. Trust us—you won’t want to miss what’s coming. Connect with Us Want to keep up wi...

We’re sending off 2025 with a can’t-miss year-end finale! Join us as we face off in a game of guessing titles from the very first line, break down the stats that defined our year, and dive into our year-in-review questions. From celebrating our favorite moments and standout book adaptations to debating the episodes that didn’t quite hit the mark, welcome to Based on a Book’s 2025 Final Credits! Ho...

We're wrapping up Jane Austen December and our final adaptation of the year with a delightfully undead twist: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies! This episode dives into the mash-up novel and its 2016 film adaptation to explore how classic Regency romance collides with flesh-eating chaos. Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: Pride and Prejudice and Zomb...

This month, Jane Austen turns 250, and to celebrate, we're stepping out of our comfort zone and trying something new. Analyzing Pride and Prejudice has been done to death. So rather than walk our listeners through the plot step by step and compare it to just one adaptation, we decided to take a different approach. In this episode we talk about the book alongside three major screen versions—the 194...

Best way to wrap up Next Chapter November? Mood lighting, emotional whiplash, and finally diving into what comes next after Fifty Shades of Grey left us on a juicy cliffhanger. This episode, we peel back the satin curtain of Fifty Shades Darker and its 2017 movie adaptation starring Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan. Whether you love it, hate it, or simply can’t look away, we’re breaking down exactl...

In the second half of our journey through The Subtle Knife and the remainder of His Dark Materials Season 2, we dive deep into the most emotional, intense, world-jumping stretch of the story so far. This is where destinies collide, secrets unravel, and the stakes rise higher than ever for Lyra, Will, the witches, the Magisterium, and Mrs. Coulter. Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey....