
It Was A Book First is a weekly podcast about new book-to-screen adaptations. Hosted by culture reporters and former colleagues Sophie Vershbow and Rudi Greenberg, IWABF dissects the TV and film adaptations everyone is talking about, what you'll be reading and watching next, and the business behind what actually makes it off the page.
| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 8 | Founded | 2 months ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | BooksArtsTV & Film | |||

This week, It Was an Epic Poem First! Sophie and Rudi discuss one of the most anticipated adaptations of the year: “The Odyssey,” director Christopher Nolan’s take on Homer’s epic poem. The blockbuster adaptation of the ancient Greek work follows Ody... more
This week, Sophie and Rudi look at the streaming adaptation landscape through the lens of this year’s Emmy nominations, BookTok's role in the rise of streaming adaptations, and the process behind adapting a book with author, screenwriter, and LA Time... more
This week, Sophie and Rudi discuss one of 2026’s most surprising hits: “The Sheep Detectives,” Amazon MGM’s adaptation of Leonie Swann’s German murder mystery novel “Three Bags Full.” The family-friendly comedy, about a flock of sheep investigating t... more
On the fourth episode of It Was A Book First, the podcast about new book-to-screen adaptations, hosts Sophie Vershbow and Rudi Greenberg discuss “Off Campus,” Amazon Prime Video’s series adaptation of Elle Kennedy’s “The Deal,” the first book in her ... more
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It was fun to revisit one of my favorite movies of the year through a new lense. Will definitely keep listening!
Incredibly well researched, fun rapport
Sophie knows books and the publishing industry. Getting to know Rudy. The banter sounds great together. Hooked right away.
Brilliant! I love books and I love movies, and I love when someone makes a book into a movie - and I love discussing it! This podcast does all the things and is very chill to listen to
I’ve been following Sophie’s book recommendations for years and have yet to be steered in the wrong direction. Excited to hear more of her thoughts!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #179 |
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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This show centers on book-to-screen adaptations, with a focus on how novels morph into TV series and films, including casting decisions, tonal shifts, production context, and the business side of bringing pages to screens. Episodes typically dissect notable adaptations, compare source material to on-screen versions, and explore audience reception, industry incentives, and upcoming projects. The hosts' chemistry and industry savvy help listeners understand why certain adaptations land with readers, what changes are made for the screen, and what this means for future IP-driven storytelling. The format often blends close-reading of source material with behind-the-scenes anecdotes, making it engaging for readers, viewers, and decision-makers in... more
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It Was A Book First launched 2 months ago and published 8 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.
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Recent guests on It Was A Book First include:
1. Gary Goldstein
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