Based on a Book

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 madness!

Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
• We Have Always Lived in the Castle (2018 Film)
• The Ornithologist’s Field Guide to Love by India Holton
• The Wisteria Society of Lady Scoundrels by India Holton
• The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
• Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
• The Player Next Door by K.A. Tucker
• Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer

Question of the Episode:

• “In the end, Merricat and Constance were stuck with the last library books they checked out—If you only had access to the last book or series you were reading, what are you stuck with?”

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podfriend, and Castbox!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(02:04) Ratings

(07:17) Book vs. Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS)

(55:36) Final Verdicts

(56:08) Question of the Episode

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, drama, and “Wait, they did what?!” moments.

Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson 
• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder TV Show
• Ted Bundy
• Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes
• Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile
• Green River Killer
• Jack the Ripper
• Beware the Slenderman
• American Nightmare

Question of the Episode:

• What true crime documentary do you recommend?

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podfriend, and Castbox!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(02:16) Recap of Episodes 3 & 4

(03:24) Book vs Series Breakdown - Episodes 5 & 6 (SPOILERS)

(53:12) Question of the Episode

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 with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson 
• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder TV Show

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podfriend, and Castbox!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(02:20) Recap of Episodes 1 & 2

(03:21) Book vs Series Breakdown - Episodes 3 & 4 (SPOILERS)

(49:05) Persons of Interest List

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 & Adaptations Mentioned:

• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson 
• A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder TV Show

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podfriend, and Castbox!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(02:16) Ratings

(06:35) Book vs Series Breakdown - Episodes 1 & 2 (SPOILERS)

(46:25) Persons of Interest List

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 & Adaptations Mentioned:

• One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
• One for the Money (2012 Film)
• Monk TV Series
• Psych TV Series
• Will Trent TV Series 
• Will Trent by Karin Slaughter
• High Potential TV Series
• Veronica Mars TV Series
• Matlock TV Series
• Murder, She Wrote TV Series 
• Only Murders in the Building TV Series

Question of the Episode:

• “What are your favorite mystery/crime solving/sleuthing television shows?”

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podfriend, and Castbox!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(2:12) Let’s talk book ratings

(6:16) One for the Money Book vs. Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS)

(1:24:23) Final Verdicts

(1:26:58) Question of the Episode

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 it still about love if it’s laced with lies, illusions, and missing persons reports? Let’s find out.

Hosted by Lindsey with co-hosts Crystal and Keri.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
• Gone Girl (2014 film)
• American Nightmare (2024 TV Mini Series)

Question of the Episode:

• “What’s something that comes across as attractive or romantic in books, but gives ick or major red flags in real life?”

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(1:08) Let’s talk book ratings

(5:50) Gone Girl Book vs. Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS)

(1:17:52) Final Verdicts – even though it's obvious

(1:19:56) Question of the Episode

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 Hunter
• True Beauty by Yaongyi
• Unbreak My Heart by Nicole Jacquelyn 
• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
• Sense and Sensibility Movie  
• Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe
• Rabid by Ivy Asher and Raven Kennedy 
• Stroke the Flame by Elizabeth Briggs 
• The Wolf King by Lauren Palphreyman
• Ghost Wife by Sejung
• Grip by Kennedy Ryan

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podfriend, and Castbox!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(01:37) Crystal starts off our recs with one of our unhinged buddy reads!

(04:28) Friends to Lovers vs. Enemies to Lovers

(07:26) Tension over spice

(10:50) Keri said what?!

(13:00) Crystal is knee-deep in what?!

(18:25) Forced Proximity & Enemies to Lovers

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 Stowell. Get ready for lots of giggling, blushing, melting, heart fluttering, and developing new, unrealistic expectations for romantic relationships!

Hosted by Keri with co-hosts Lindsey and Crystal.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The Hating Game by Sally Thorne
• The Hating Game (2021 Film)
• The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
• The Thorn Birds (1983 Mini Series)
• Midnight Poppy Land by Lilydusk
• One Percent of You by Michelle Gross

Discussion of the Episode:

• Recommend a romance book or movie, but describe it using only the tropes in the story.

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podfriend, and Castbox!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(2:09) Let’s talk book ratings

(8:06) The Hating Game Book vs. Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS)

(1:35:55) Final Verdicts

(1:36:40) Discussion of the Episode

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!

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The Princess Bride by William Goldman
• The Princess Bride (1987 Film)
• As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
• Home Movie: The Princess Bride (2020 Mini Series)

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podfriend, and Castbox!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(0:20) More About The Princess Bride

(9:50) Buttercup’s Baby

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 by Crystal with co-hosts Keri and Lindsey.

Books & Adaptations Mentioned:

• The Princess Bride by William Goldman
• The Princess Bride (1987 Film)
• As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride by Cary Elwes
• Home Movie: The Princess Bride (2020 Mini Series)

Question of the Episode:

• “If they remade The Princess Bride, who would be in your dream cast?”

Share your opinions with us on Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube or email us at [email protected].

Don't miss an episode! Subscribe to "Based on a Book" on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podfriend, and Castbox!

Send us a Book Adaptation Request!

Intro/Outro Music - Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!)

Thanks for listening to Based on a Book - see you in the next chapter!

Chapters:

(00:00) Introductions

(2:03) Let’s talk book ratings

(9:43) The Princess Bride Book vs. Movie Breakdown (SPOILERS)

(1:30:16) Final Verdicts

(1:30:59) Question of the Episode