Here’s a question: should you read the book before you watch the new HBO adaptation the internet has been raving about? Book and television fans everywhere have been engaging in this debate since the dawn of time. Purists will tell you it’s a sin not to read the book first, while television fans will ask why you bother to imagine something when you can watch it in 4K. While the answer to this question may never be fully agreed upon, why not settle somewhere in the middle and, dare I say it, just do both! As something of a combination book and TV snob myself, I thought I would recommend some of the best book-to-show adaptations I’ve watched in the past year.

Defending Jacob by William Landay – Defending Jacob (Apple TV+) directed by Morten Tyldum.

I was twenty pages into Defending Jacob when I realized there was no way I was going to be able to put it down until I reached the end—and I was right. I promise that you will need to finish this book in two days, as you will not be able to rest until you have discovered the outcome of the court case. The adaptation, starring Chris Evans (the one and only Captain America), Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey’s leading lady), and Jaden Martell (our favorite of the IT kids), captures the vibe perfectly—the cold, solitary gloom of Boston in the winter mirroring the dark and nasty secrets of the Barber family. I cannot recommend both the book and the series enough. But be warned—if there’s any pair on this list that you ​actually ​should read the book and watch the show, it’s this one, as the show changes the ending slightly. And the ending is the best part!

The Man in the High Castle by Philip K. Dick – The Man in the High Castle (Amazon Prime Video) created by Frank Spotnitz.

If you haven’t read any of Philip K. Dick’s novels by now, what are you doing?? The Man in the High Castle appeals to history and science-fiction lovers alike, raising the fascinating question of what the United States (and the world) would look like if Nazi Germany had won World War II. A concept both horrifying and fascinating, the adaptation spans four seasons and boasts some outstanding performances by some lesser-known actors, and it’ll leave you wondering who’s really good who’s really evil. The series is more loosely based on Dick’s book than directly pulled from it, but regardless, it remains one of my favorite shows of all time. It’s an easy read and a show that sucks you into the world it’s created and does so with superb acting, directing, and set design.

Angels in America by Tony Kushner – Angels in America (HBO Max) directed by Mike Nichols.

This isn’t exactly a book, instead it’s a play, but it’s on this list as it is one of my favorite plays I have ever read, and one of the coolest series I’ve ever watched. A commentary on the AIDS crisis and set in 1980’s New York City, the imagery, themes, and ability to convey the complexity of relationships is something Tony Kushner excels at, and something director Mike Nichols captures perfectly in his made-for-cable movie. The play has collected the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play, among others, and the miniseries won seven Emmy awards and five Golden Globe awards. If those awards aren’t incentive enough to start watching, Meryl Streep and Al Pacino’s performances should be.

Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn – Sharp Objects (HBO Max) directed by Jean-Marc Vallee.

Full disclosure—this pair is dark, twisted, and often uncomfortable, but it’s worth it for the glorious realization when you finally figure out the sinister truth of a dysfunctional family. Probably the most debated book to TV adaptation on this list, most critics argue that the show doesn’t do the book justice, lacks directing strength, and is generally confusing. However, I personally believe that these matters aren’t ​all ​that true, and can be overlooked if one appreciates the specifics of the show: sound design (the best of any show I’ve ever watched) and the acting (Amy Adams and Eliza Scanlen are ​phenomenal)​. I, and apparently many others, have wondered if the Emmy nominations for this show got lost in the mail, and all in all, I think book and show are enjoyed best in distance from each other and for different reasons—the book in its twisted but cohesive storyline and sinister yet familiar characters, and the show for its production value and editing prowess.