Book-to-screen adaptations have long been a popular trend, often leading to increased book sales. However, Canadian booksellers are currently witnessing a surge in demand for adaptations like never before. Kobo, a prominent online retailer of e-books and audiobooks, has seen a significant rise in sales of books recently adapted for the screen.
One such example is the hockey romance novel “Heated Rivalry” by Rachel Reid from Nova Scotia, which inspired the successful Crave television series of the same name. Additionally, Emily Bronte’s classic gothic novel “Wuthering Heights” is set to hit the big screen with a star-studded cast including Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi on Feb. 13.
Another noteworthy case is Emily Henry’s romance novel “People We Meet on Vacation,” now a Netflix movie featuring Emily Bader and Tom Blythe. Similarly, Julia Quinn’s period romance “An Offer From a Gentleman” served as the inspiration for the recent season of Netflix’s “Bridgerton” series.
Deandra Lalonde, Kobo’s Content Sales Lead of North America, highlighted the impact of social media fandoms on these adaptations. The rise of viral moments, BookTok and Bookstagram influencers, along with related podcasts and online communities, has sparked widespread enthusiasm for immersing in these fictional worlds.
“Heated Rivalry,” in particular, experienced an unexpected surge in popularity following its TV adaptation. Sales of the e-book skyrocketed by 265% within the first two days of the show’s premiere in Canada, and by Dec. 7, sales had nearly quintupled on Kobo’s platform. Print sales at Indigo reported a staggering 5,805% increase since the TV adaptation aired, with the book consistently topping CBC’s bestseller list.
The anticipation for “Wuthering Heights” is also palpable, with a nearly 600% increase in book sales leading up to the movie release. Despite controversies surrounding the casting and on-screen chemistry, the adaptation directed by Emerald Fennell has garnered significant attention.
The influence of book-to-screen adaptations extends beyond sales figures, as they attract new readers to bookstores. Lionel Zahrai, a newfound enthusiast, discovered a deeper connection with the characters of “Heated Rivalry” through the novel, prompting him to explore more books in the series.
The process of adapting books for the screen varies, but the impact remains consistent – reaching a broader audience and enticing viewers to delve into the original source material. Upcoming adaptations like Suzanne Collins’ “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary,” and Marissa Stapley’s “Lucky” are expected to drive similar waves of interest.
With adaptations like Carley Fortune’s “Every Summer After” set to captivate audiences, the book-to-screen phenomenon shows no signs of slowing down. As anticipation builds, the perennial question lingers: read the book first or wait for the adaptation?
