The trend of adapting books into movies or TV shows is not new, and the subsequent surge in book sales post-adaptation is well-established. However, Canadian book retailers are currently witnessing an unprecedented surge in sales for book-to-screen adaptations. Kobo, a prominent online retailer of e-books and audiobooks, has noted significant spikes in sales for books recently adapted for the screen.
One notable example is the hockey romance novel “Heated Rivalry” by Nova Scotia author Rachel Reid, which inspired the successful Crave television series of the same name. Similarly, Emily Bronte’s classic gothic novel “Wuthering Heights” is slated for release as a movie starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi on Feb. 13.
Another instance is Emily Henry’s romance novel “People We Meet on Vacation,” now a Netflix movie featuring Emily Bader and Tom Blythe, and Julia Quinn’s period romance “An Offer From a Gentleman,” the inspiration behind a 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. Platforms like BookTok and Bookstagrammers, along with spinoff podcasts and online communities, have played a crucial role in amplifying interest and engagement with these adaptations.
“Heated Rivalry” stands out as a prime example of this phenomenon. The series’ debut on Crave led to a 265% surge in e-book sales within the first two days and a subsequent 500% increase by Dec. 7. Print sales at Indigo reported a staggering 5,805% rise since the TV adaptation premiered, making it the No. 1 book on CBC’s bestseller list.
The anticipation surrounding the film adaptation of “Wuthering Heights,” directed by Emerald Fennell, has sparked controversy and garnered attention, driving a nearly 600% increase in book sales since the beginning of the year.
Book-to-screen adaptations like “Heated Rivalry” are not only boosting sales but also attracting new readers to bookstores. Lionel Zahrai, a new reader drawn in by the show, expressed appreciation for the depth of character development in the book compared to the screen adaptation.
Looking ahead, upcoming adaptations like Suzanne Collins’ “Sunrise on the Reaping,” Andy Weir’s “Project Hail Mary,” and Marissa Stapley’s “Lucky” are expected to generate significant interest and sales. Additionally, Carley Fortune’s debut novel “Every Summer After,” set to be adapted into an Amazon Prime show called “Every Year After,” is poised to capture the Canadian audience’s imagination.
As the book-to-screen trend continues to captivate audiences, the question lingers: read the book first or wait for the adaptation?