If you're planning a getaway this summer, or even if you just want to lay horizontal near some water, you'll need a good book. An essential summer holiday companion, the perfect beach read will differ from person to person; maybe you love nothing more than bawling your eyes out over a book like A Little Life, or perhaps you’re the friend who is always telling people they really need to give romantasy a go. Above all, they need to be totally engrossing and entertaining.  

Movies and books have always shared a deep affinity — both have the power to transport us to different worlds, evoke powerful emotions, and create lasting memories. Whether you’re drawn to thrilling mysteries, sweeping romances, or heartwarming comedies, your go-to film can serve as the ultimate inspiration for picking a book that you’ll lose hours to reading in summer. So here, we outline the perfect summer read for you based on your favourite movie. 

If you love When Harry Met Sally  

Beach Read by Emily Henry, $22.99 at Kinokuniya 

The enemies-to-lovers plot is a classic for a reason. If you can recite every line from Nora Ephron’s opus, you’ll be a big fan of Henry’s take on the genre.  

If you love Ratatouille 

Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain $24.99 at Kinokuniya  

The Disney Pixar film about Remy the rat who aspires to be a hatted chef has a wild and passionate cult following. If you’re one of those people, you’ll be sure to love Bourdain’s thrilling Kitchen Confidential.  

If you love Fight Club  

Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson, $24.43 at Kinokuniya 

You’re kinda edgy and probably have How Long Gone as you’re most-listened to podcast. You should definitely get a copy of Hunter S. Thompson’s gonzo masterpiece.  

If you love Twilight 

The Serpent and the Wings of Night by Clarissa Broadbent, $22.99 at Kinokuniya  

You grew up on a steady diet of vampires and lust, but maybe you’re yet to properly wade into the new wave of romantasy. You should absolutely be getting stuck into the  “Crowns of Nyaxia” series by Clarissa Broadbent; it’s got vampires, doomed love and plenty of smut.  

If you love How To Lose A Guy In 10 Days  

Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld, $22.99 at Kinokuniya 

Can you give a detailed ranking of all the greatest rom-coms from the past two decades and are always ready to go in to bat for the genre when someone slights it? You’ll devour Sittenfeld’s tale of the unlikely love between an SNL writer and superstar musicial.