To be honest, I don’t spend much time with poolside reads these days. If I’m by a pool, I’m likely watching my child or getting splashed in the face.
But one day, I imagine sitting by a pool with a child who’s capable of swimming safely on their own and reading the perfect summer book with an iced coffee in hand.
If you’re already in that season of life, first of all, congrats. Second, this list is for you.
Even better? Every book on this list has a movie or show adaptation. That means when the sun goes down (or the pool day gets rained out), you can keep the story going on the screen.
Poolside read by day, cozy movie night by evening. Now that’s a summer vibe.
11+ Poolside Reads That Are Also Movies or Shows
A lot of people think of romance or something light and fluffy when they think of poolside reads. And I get it, easy books that ooze summer vibes are the jam, and romance fits that perfectly (Just for the Summer by Abby Jimenez, for example).
But summer reading doesn’t have to stick to one lane.
In this list, I’ve pulled together books across different genres (including romance) that are worth exploring and have a bonus: they’ve all been adapted into movies or TV shows. So after you finish the book, you can keep the story going on screen.
Poolside Reads on Self-Discovery
Self-discovery reads are great for the summer. When you read a self-discovery book, you often learn more about yourself and rethink things in a different light. What’s great about these selections below is that the movies are just as good (in my opinion) as the books!
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
A heartfelt memoir that follows Elizabeth Gilbert’s year-long journey of self-discovery across Italy, India, and Bali. It’s a beautiful blend of travel, spirituality, and personal growth, all wrapped in vivid storytelling that feels both honest and inspiring. The book has resonated with many readers over the years for its wanderlust and reflection on inner transformation.
I love the 2010 movie adaptation starring Julia Roberts, which captures much of the book’s essence, although the book’s deeper reflections make it worth reading first.
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
This charming memoir chronicles Frances Mayes’s adventure of buying and renovating a villa in the Tuscan countryside. It’s a warm, sensory-rich escape into Italian culture, food, and the joys (and challenges) of starting fresh in a new place.
The 2003 movie adaptation is stunning and captures the romance of Tuscany and the spirit of reinvention, making this a perfect pairing for summer reading and watching. Both the book and film invite you to dream of sun-drenched afternoons and fresh pasta.
Julie & Julia by Julie Powell
A delightful true story told through two parallel narratives: Julie Powell’s attempt to cook all 524 recipes from Julia Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking in one year, and Julia Child’s own culinary journey. This book is a fun, food-filled exploration of passion, perseverance, and finding joy in everyday challenges.
The 2009 movie adaptation starring Amy Adams and Meryl Streep brings the story to life with humor and heart. Although the book offers a deeper, more personal look at Julie’s experience, the movie is done well and true to the book, with minimal creative liberties that make sense.
Contemporary Romance Poolside Reads
The classic poolside or beach read, contemporary romance novels are easy to get lost in with great banter and swoon-worthy moments. These picks below are perfect for lounging with a drink in hand and will keep you smiling throughout the summer.
The Idea of You by Robinne Lee
A captivating and emotional romance, The Idea of You explores the complicated relationship between a 39-year-old woman and a 20-year-old male pop star. The novel explores the complexities of love, fame, and self-discovery. It was a great read, and I loved the reverse age-gap romance where the woman was older. Moreover, the ending was nothing that I expected and nothing like a traditional romance novel. It was truly a romance read that made me think, and I like it because of that.
In 2024, it was made into a movie, which you can watch here, but I think the book is better (which is often the case with book-to-movie adaptations). It’s a good movie, but they made some significant changes from the book.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
A charming Young Adult (YA) romance, To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before tells the story of Lara Jean, a high schooler whose secret love letters accidentally get mailed to all her former crushes. It’s filled with family dynamics, fake dating fun, and just the right amount of emotional depth.
The Netflix movie adaptation is just as delightful. Lana Condor as Lara Jean conveys the tenderness and innocence from the book perfectly. And this is a great read-and-watch combo for a light summer day.
Another bonus is that this is book one in a three-book series, and all three books have been turned into Netflix films too!
Persuasion by Jane Austen
One of Jane Austen’s quieter, more mature love stories, Persuasion follows Anne Elliot, who gets a second chance at love with the man she once let go. It’s about missed opportunities, lingering feelings, and the courage to follow your heart (even if it’s years later). While the writing is classic and a bit more reflective than Austen’s other works, it’s beautifully rewarding.
The 2022 Netflix adaptation gives it a modern, beachy flair, which isn’t entirely faithful to the novel, but it still is an enjoyable watch after reading the book. Just be aware that it fumbles a bit as it tries to transpose a modern vibe into Regency England.
Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
The Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn brings Regency-era London to life with scandal, charm, and a whole lot of romance. There are eight books in the series, and each follows a different Bridgerton child on their journey to love and a happily ever after. The series is fun, fast-paced, and full of witty banter and family bonds.
While I enjoyed the books, the Netflix adaptation takes things to another level with lavish costumes, diverse casting, and a soundtrack that somehow makes classical covers of pop songs feel magical. Total poolside reads indulgence and worth watching even if you haven’t read the books!
The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Another novel by Han, this is a nostalgic and breezy coming-of-age romance. The Summer I Turned Pretty follows Belly Conklin as she navigates her summers at the beach with two brothers she’s known forever, and maybe starts to see them differently. It’s filled with warm, hazy summer vibes and that classic teenage mix of excitement and heartbreak.
The Amazon Prime series does a great job of capturing the emotional beats and the dreamy aesthetic, making it easy to binge after you’ve turned the final page.
Light Fantasy Poolside Reads
Fantasy isn’t for everyone, but it’s generally my preferred novel type. While I’m probably not reading a high-fantasy novel like The Witcher or Lord of the Rings (you can stream both of these, btw!) by the pool, many light, easy fantasy reads make for the perfect poolside pick. Here are some fun fantasy poolside reads that you can stream, too!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
This modern-day middle grade/YA adventure follows Percy Jackson, a 12-year-old who discovers he’s a demigod and is swept into a world of Greek mythology, quests, and monsters. I discovered this book and series thanks to my Latin teacher in high school, who read this to us throughout the school year. It was a great read, and I continued the series after the first book. It’s fast-paced, funny, and packed with heart, and honestly, still enjoyable as an adult.
The Disney+ series does a great job of bringing the story to life with more accuracy than the older movie adaptations. But I enjoyed the casting more in the movies. No matter which you pick to watch, it’s a fun summer choice that blends action with humor and myth.
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
A perfect blend of adventure, romance, satire, and fairy tale magic, The Princess Bride is an absolute classic and my all-time favorite movie ever. The book has the same wit and cleverness as the film, with even more quirky asides and backstory. It’s a story of true love and high adventure, filled with unforgettable characters (Inigo! Fezzik! Miracle Max!).
If you haven’t read the book yet, it’s a fantastic companion to the film (although I do think the movie is better). But the book is enjoyable, and you get more scenes and hidden gems that the movie just doesn’t have time for.
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
A Cinderella retelling, Ella Enchanted follows Ella, a girl cursed with obedience, as she sets off to break her own spell. It’s smart, empowering, and filled with just enough magic, romance, and humor to keep things light and engaging.
The 2004 movie starring Anne Hathaway is very different in tone (much more of a comedic fantasy romp). It’s not a direct adaptation of the book, but it’s still fun in its own right. And I think as long as you know that it’s not going to be a direct adaptation, you will enjoy the movie just as much as the book.
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
In Inkheart, books literally come to life. And, as a book lover, it is both thrilling and slightly terrifying. The story follows Meggie and her father, who can bring characters out of books just by reading aloud. It’s a novel about the power of stories, with a magical adventure that spans fictional and real worlds.
The movie adaptation captures some of the wonder (and stars Brendan Fraser, who does a great job), but like many adaptations, the book dives deeper into the richness of the world. This one is a great pick for a more imaginative poolside escape.
One Added Bonus…Anything by Emily Henry
I couldn’t create a list of poolside reads without mentioning Emily Henry. None of Emily Henry’s novels are movies…yet. It’s coming, though, with People We Meet On Vacation already in production and many other EH novels lined up to become major motion pictures, too.
I’ve read Beach Read and Funny Story myself, but have all her other books on my TBR. Henry is a great writer, and the romance is always top-notch with great characters and interesting plot lines. Her books are easy, classic summer reads, and you won’t be disappointed if you pick a Henry novel for your poolside read.
If you are looking for a stack ranking of all of Emily Henry’s books, check out this article on Rolling Stone.
I hope you enjoyed this list of poolside reads you can watch later!
So, tell me what you are reading first and then watching?
