Based on a Book

Grab your towels and hold on tight—we’re hitchhiking across the galaxy! In this episode, we dive deep into the absurd brilliance of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams and its 2005 movie adaptation. From planet destruction to depressed robots and intergalactic poetry slams, we’re unpacking the chaos one improbable event at a time. Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey....

In the kickoff to our MAYhem theme, we’re blindfolding our fears and diving headfirst into Bird Box – both the 2014 novel by Josh Malerman and the 2018 Netflix film starring Sandra Bullock. We break down what worked, what differed, and what absolutely wrecked us emotionally. Whether you love psychological thrillers, survival horror, or just Sandra Bullock in a blindfold rowing a canoe, this one’s...

Welcome to Based on a Book’ s three-part April Adventures special, where we are diving into The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan–along with its 2023 Disney+ TV adaptation and the 2010 movie version. In Part 3, we’ll reluctantly visit the infamous 2010 movie adaptation and wrap things up by finding out which godly parent would claim us if we were demigods in the Percy Jackson universe. Hosted by Ker...

Welcome to Based on a Book’ s three-part April Adventures special, where we are diving into The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan–along with its 2023 Disney+ TV adaptation and the 2010 movie version. In Part 2, we’ll be breaking down how the last four episodes of the Disney+ series stack up against the original book. Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal. Books & Adaptations Mentioned...

For this week’s episodes of Based on a Book and to wrap up April Adventures , we’re launching a special three-part series diving into The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan–along with its 2023 Disney+ TV adaptation and the 2010 movie version. In Part 1, we’ll be breaking down how the first four episodes of the Disney+ series stack up against the original book. Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and...

In this week's episode of Based on a Book, we slip into the daydreams of the one and only Walter Mitty. Join us as we explore the evolution of James Thurber’s iconic short story—from the imaginative original, to the 1947 Danny Kaye comedy, to the visually stunning 2013 film starring Ben Stiller. Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: The Secret Life of...

Welcome to episode two of April Adventures! This week, we’re diving deep (and we mean deep) into The Ruins by Scott Smith and its 2008 film adaptation. What starts as a group of friends looking for a good time in Mexico quickly turns into a claustrophobic, skin-crawling nightmare. (Spoiler alert: we are never going into the jungle again.) Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri. Books &am...

Every great story has an origin—and this is ours! In this bonus episode, we’re sharing childhood reading memories and the chaotic moment we started this podcast. Whether you’re a longtime listener or a newcomer, this is your chance to get to know the voices behind Based on a Book. Grab a cozy drink, settle in, and join us! Books, Movies, & Series Mentioned: We Need to Do Something by Max Booth...

Welcome to April Adventures — our newest monthly theme where every story is a journey! And we're kicking things off with a tale that’s both heartwarming and wild: The Wild Robot by Peter Brown and its beautiful, animated film adaptation. In this episode, we dive into the story of Roz, a robot who wakes up alone on a remote island and must learn how to survive in the wilderness... and maybe even fi...

Welcome to the final episode of March Mysteries! This time, we’re diving into the world of artificial intelligence, rogue robots, and Isaac Asimov’s iconic Three Laws of Robotics with I, Robot! We’re breaking down both the 1950 book of short stories that shaped the sci-fi genre and the 2004 film adaptation starring Will Smith. Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey. Books & Adaptatio...

This week, we’re stepping into the haunting world of Shirley Jackson’s We Have Always Lived in the Castle—a gothic tale of mystery, isolation, and murder. And of course, we’re breaking down its 2018 film adaptation to see if it captures the eerie magic of the book. Isolated mansions, family secrets, and a town full of angry villagers—what more could you want? Join us as we unravel the mystery and...

In Part 3, we’re at the season finale and wrapping up Season 1 of the A Good Girl's Guide to Murder TV adaption with episodes 5 and 6. Things are really heating up, and we're here to see if the show can stick the landing. We’ll compare how the finale stacks up to the book–did they nail those jaw-dropping twists, or did they leave us screaming at our screens? Join us as we dissect all the suspense,...

In Part 2 of our A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder journey, we’re back at it, breaking down episodes 3 and 4 of the TV adaptation. Spoiler alert: things get even more twisted and the pieces start to come together. We’ll compare how the show handles those shocking twists and whether the book’s suspenseful moments are holding up on screen–or if the show’s added drama was worth the watch! Hosted by Keri...

Our mystery theme continues as we dive into the dark and twisty world of A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson—and no, we’re not planning any crimes (we promise). In this episode, we’ll be comparing the first two episodes of the TV adaptation to the book, sharing our initial ratings, and debating whether the show got it right. Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal. Books &...

Join us as we kick off our Month of Mysteries with Janet Evanovich’s One for the Money and its 2012 film adaptation starring Katherine Heigl! We’re talking Stephanie Plum’s first foray into the wild world of bounty hunting—complete with quirky side characters, bad car karma, and more attitude than you can fit in an oversized handbag. Hosted by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey. Books & Ad...

Our final stop on this Month of Love is anything but lovey-dovey. Join us as we tackle Gillian Flynn’s Gone Girl, the psychological thriller that redefined marriage (in the scariest way possible) and its 2014 film adaptation directed by David Fincher. In this episode, we dive into the manipulations, mind games, and media frenzies that make Amy and Nick Dunne’s story so disturbingly captivating. Is...

In this special bonus episode, we’re pouring our hearts out with romance recommendations galore! Each pick comes with a list of classic tropes guaranteed to make you swoon, giggle, or even shed a happy tear. Whether you’re into enemies-to-lovers, fake dating, or second-chance sparks, we’ve got something to sweeten your TBR pile. Books & Adaptations Mentioned: Viciously Yours by Jamie Applegate...

From hate to love to office shenanigans - it’s time to play “The Hating Game”! What better way to capture February’s month of love than a spicy romantic comedy where workplace competition  turns into falling for your grumpy nemesis? In this episode, we break down the similarities and differences between The Hating Game by Sally Thorne and its 2021 film adaptation starring Lucy Hale and Austin...

Surprise! We’re back with a little extra Princess Bride magic. In this bonus episode, Crystal gets personal about how The Princess Bride shaped her love for whimsical romance and epic one-liners, while Lindsey dives into Buttercup’s Baby—the lesser-known follow-up/extension to this beloved fairytale. Is it official canon or just more narrative mischief from William Goldman? We’ll let you decide! B...

Join us for a trip to Florin as we continue our Month of Love with a fairytale that’s equal parts comedy, romance, and inconceivable adventure! We dive into William Goldman’s timeless classic The Princess Bride—both the novel and the beloved film adaptation. From sword-fighting Spaniards to R.O.U.S.s, we break down the moments that made us swoon, laugh, and maybe even exclaim “As you wish!” Hosted...

To kick off our first episode of Season 2, we’re sinking our teeth into Warm Bodies, a unique love story that’s equal parts romance, humor, and brain-eating zombie action. We’ll discuss Isaac Marion’s heartwarming (and a little gruesome) book and how it was adapted into the charming 2013 movie starring Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer. Get ready to laugh, swoon, and shamble your way into the new s...

Welcome to our official Season 2 of Based on a Book trailer! Join Lindsey, Crystal, and Keri as they tackle book-to-screen adaptations with a twist. From February to June, we’ll be rolling out monthly themes, and each host will pick an adaptation they feel best captures the theme. There’s something for everyone—whether you’re in the mood for something sweet, something spooky, or just a bit of chao...

It’s time to celebrate Based on a Book’s very first season! 🥳 Join us for a special mini episode where we take a quick stroll down memory lane and revisit all the amazing titles we’ve covered so far. From spine-chilling thrillers to laugh-out-loud comedies, epic love stories, and beyond, we’ve explored the wild, wonderful world of book-to-screen adaptations together. Which story surprised us the...

Ho-ho-hold onto your Santa hats because we’re wrapping up Season 1 with a festive bang! 🎁 In our final episode of the season, we’re diving into John Grisham’s hilarious holiday novel Skipping Christmas and its over-the-top movie adaptation, Christmas with the Kranks . Is this a holiday classic or a seasonal misstep? We have opinions ! Plus, we reflect on what makes the holidays truly special—and...

Hi-ho, the gang’s all here, To talk of tales both old and dear! From The Sobbin’ Women by Stephen Vincent Benét, To the technicolor charm of a musical great! It’s our first-ever musical episode—oh, what fun! We’re singing, we’re laughing, we’re on the run. From pioneer tales to big-screen tunes, We’re dancing under rustic moons! Is it romantic? Is it absurd? You’ll have to listen to catch every wo...