They’ll be surprised at how wonderful the books are. The films are so phenomenally good and well known that people have forgotten the books that are behind them. But the books are in their own way small masterpieces full of the most amazing scenes. They are brilliantly written, wonderful descriptions, great characters.

1 On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969) On Her Majesty’s Secret Service is not only one of the most underrated films of the franchise, but it also contains the most faithful adaptations from book to screen.

Harry Potter (8 films; 2001 – 2011) Of course the studio would love it if J.K. Rowling penned another seven books, but as it stands, the series remains one of the most consistent — and successful — in screen history.

The original James Bond books as written by his creator, Ian Fleming. The books should be read in publication order.

If you want to start at the very beginning, Casino Royale. If you want a good, tense thriller the plot of which has 100% not been spoilered for you by the film, Moonraker. If you want to be deeply uncomfortable with the racist assumptions and never want to read a Bond book again, Live And Let Die.

There are currently 40 officially licenced James Bond books authored by six writers since 1953. The first and most famous 14 were written by Ian Fleming, spawning a wide world of Bond media including films, comic strips, comic books, and video games.

We propose the following chronological order when reading Ian Fleming’s James Bond books:

1. Casino Royale (1953)
2. Live and Let Die (1954)
3. Moonraker (1955)
4. Diamonds Are Forever (1956)
5. From Russia with Love (1957)
6. Doctor No (1958)
7. Goldfinger (1959)
8. Risico (in For Your Eyes Only) (1960)

James Bond