11 books you need to read in 2017 before their TV adaptations air

There was much excitement when Neil Gaiman's American Gods FINALLY got the green light from the US home of Outlander, Starz.

For those of you who aren't familiar with the novel, here's RadioTimes.com's resident Gaiman expert's summary: It follows an ex-con called Shadow Moon who’s roped into a plot by down-on-his-luck Norse god Odin to band together other fading deities from a variety of cultures to take on the “new gods” of America.

These include gods of computers, media, conspiracy (as personified by some men in dark suits) and intangible gods of the stock market who would rather let market forces take out their enemies than deal with them directly. The old gods are generally no longer believed in by Americans, so their power has faded – but with Shadow’s help, they might have a chance to rake back some of their dignity and prestige.

Ricky Whittle - of Hollyoaks fame - leads an all-star cast, featuring Ian McShane, Emily Browning, Crispin Glover, Kristin Chenoweth and Gillian Anderson.

And with the series finally set to air in 2017 it's the perfect excuse to pick up a copy of the book and get to grips with another of Gaiman's glorious fantasy worlds.

4. Bobby Moore: By The Person Who Knew Him Best - Tina Moore

Michelle Keegan and Lorne MacFadyen play football's first golden couple in ITV's Tina and Bobby, a new drama based on Tina Moore's memoir about her time with her late ex-husband.

The drama will tell the tale of teenage secretary Tina Dean, who married her childhood sweetheart for love, only to be thrust into the limelight when the promising footballer lead England to victory in the 1966 World Cup.

From his battle with illness to the rise and fall of his football career, the drama follows Bobby and Tina through the highs and lows of their extraordinary life together.