What is it about reality TV that just reels you in? Next thing you know, you’ve binge-watched The Bachelor or screaming to see who gets voted off Big Brother.
And what happens when you’ve caught up on all your shows and need your drama fix? The answer is simpler than you think: books.
Books For Reality TV Fans
Here is a list of books that give off the same messy, dramatic vibes you get from reality TV.
The Book of Essie by Meghan MacLean Weir
Essie Hicks has grown up in the spotlight. As the youngest on a hit TV show, every part of her has been carefully staged for public viewing. But when Essie turns up pregnant at seventeen, her producers and parents scramble to control the narrative. Essie, however, has her own plan.
If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio
A group of drama students perform Shakespeare, but their real lives get more dramatic than the plays. Jealousy, love, and ambition start to take over. The line between acting and real life begins to fade.
One ends up dead, and the rest must show their greatest performance yet: pretending they’re innocent, even to themselves.
One to Watch by Kate Stayman-London
Bea Schumacher, a plus-size fashion blogger, loves watching the dating chaos on The Main Squeeze. Just as she gives up on love, she’s asked to be the show’s next lead. She agrees, not to find romance, but to shake things up. But emotions get real, and it is messy.
The Selection by Kiera Cass
In the kingdom of Illéa, society is divided into eight castes, with Ones at the top and Eights at the bottom. America Singer, a Five, is a talented musician who’s content with her life.
And then the royal family announces the Selection, a televised competition where girls vie for Prince Maxon’s heart. America wants no part of it, but must enter out of familial pressure and a broken heart.
One Perfect Couple by Ruth Ware
Lyla is stuck in a rut, both career and romance-wise. So when her boyfriend, Nico, gets a chance to join a new reality TV show for couples, she agrees to do it with him.
Whisked to an island with four other couples, they find themselves cut off from the world after a violent storm. Survival instincts kick in, and someone’s willing to kill to win.
Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Daisy Jones is a wild, talented singer with a magnetic personality. At the same time, The Six, a tight-knit band, struggles with fame, creative clashes, and their personal demons. Told in an interview style, an unnamed narrator shares their journey from rising stars to legends.
The Circle by Dave Eggers
Mae joins the Circle, the most powerful tech company in the world. At first, it feels like a dream job. But soon she’s pulled into a world of total surveillance and no privacy.
The Chicken Sisters by KJ Dell’Antonia
In a small town, two family-run chicken joints have competed for the state’s best fried chicken. The feud has lasted decades, splitting families and communities alike. So when a reality TV show comes to town, both restaurants see it as a chance to prove who’s really the best.
The Favorite Sister by Jessica Knoll
Goal Diggers is a show about ambitious, self-made women. But behind the scenes, it’s all secrets and lies. And when one cast member ends up dead, its glamorous facade begins to crack.
Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford
Jenny Quinn is a septuagenarian who lives a quiet, simple life as a housewife. But now she wants something for herself, so she secretly joins a popular British baking competition. And as she bakes her way into viewers’ hearts, old memories resurface, and long-hidden truths come to light.
The Villain Edit by Laurie Devore
When Jacqueline’s writing career fizzles out, she plans a comeback. This time, she’ll be on the 1, a reality dating show where she hopes to build a platform.
Things get derailed pretty quickly. Not only is her one-night stand a producer of the show, but she’s also getting the villain edit. But hey, bad publicity is still publicity, right?
The Charm Offensive by Alison Cochrun
Dev’s the most successful producer of the widely popular dating show, Ever After. Charlie’s the awkward, anxious, new lead. What happens when they fall for each other behind the scenes?
Why Reality TV Gets Us Hooked
Reality TV works because it taps into something basic about human nature. You get to watch real people make questionable decisions and navigate complex social situations. And it’s a front row seat, too!
You see people at their rawest moments, which creates a weird kind of closeness with total strangers. At the same time, you get to ask yourself, What would I do in that situation?
It’s a free pass to judge. You can root for your favorites, roll your eyes at the villains, and feel a little better about your own decisions. It’s pure escapism, but still grounded, because the people on screen are real.
What’s your favorite book for reality TV fans? Share your thoughts below!
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Cole is a blog writer and aspiring novelist. He has a degree in Communications and is an advocate of media and information literacy and responsible media practices. Aside from his interest in technology, crafts, and food, he’s also your typical science fiction and fantasy junkie, spending most of his free time reading through an ever-growing to-be-read list. It’s either that or procrastinating over actually writing his book. Wish him luck!
