Look Out for the Little Guy!

And other fictional books that became real

In the movie Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, Scott Lang, aka Ant-Man, publishes his memoir. And now it's a real book that we can all enjoy! In the book trailer for Look Out for the Little Guy!, actor Paul Rudd says, "This once movie prop is now an actual real-life book you can purchase wherever books are sold. How's that for meta?" Quite meta indeed!

Sometimes a book introduced as part of a fictional world takes on a life of its own and comes into fruition. These books may deepen our experience of these made-up worlds and give us the chance to spend more time with our favorite characters. Here are ten more fictional books (or series) that became real.

Hogwarts Library Series by J. K. Rowling

We can never get too much of the wonderful world of Harry Potter and Hogwarts! This collection of fun books includes Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch Through the Ages, and The Tales of Beadle the Bard. To benefit from the full wizarding curriculum, pick up this lovely box set.   

Simon Snow Trilogy by Rainbow Rowell

In Rowell's Fangirl, Cath is a teen who writes fanfiction about the intriguing, fantasy world of the Harry Potter-esque Simon Snow. Rowell says she didn't initially intend to give her teen magician his own series, but after finishing Fangirl, she said she "could practically feel Simon trying to climb out of its pages."  

The Bro Code by Matt Kuhn

Fans of the TV show How I Met Your Mother may have wished they could soak up more of the wit, wisdom, and awesomeness imparted by breakout character Barney Stinson—played to perfection by Neil Patrick Harris. This cheeky guide (one of several penned by the character) captures the essence of "Bro-dom." 

Ghosts From Our Pasts: Both Literally and Figuratively by Andrew Shaffer

Abby L. Yates (Melissa McCarthy) and Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig), two of the central characters from 2016's Ghostbusters are the fictional authors of this helpful—and hilarious—guide to identifying, understanding, and engaging with any paranormal activity that plagues you.

Let Me Off at the Top! My Classy Life and Other Musings by Ron Burgundy

From his humble beginnings in a desolate Iowa coal mining town to his odds-defying climb to the dizzying heights of his career in television journalism, America's most trusted and beloved television Anchorman bares all in this autobiography. Cowritten by Will Ferrell himself.

Sterling's Gold: Wit and Wisdom of an Ad Man by Roger Sterling

Dashing advertising mogul Roger Sterling (John Slattery) is beloved by Mad Men fans for his pithy comments and sharp observations. Presented as Roger's memoir and published as a lost classic, this book is the entertaining collection of our favorite ad man's best quips, barbs, and witticisms.

Charlie the Choo-Choo by Beryl Evans (aka Stephen King)

Engineer Bob has a secret: His train engine is alive . . . and also his best friend. Fans of King's The Dark Tower series will recall the creepy, nightmare-inducing effects of this picture book penned by the fictional author Beryl Evans and introduced in The Waste Lands.

Pawnee: The Greatest Town in America by Leslie Knope

Welcome to Pawnee: More Exciting than New York, More Glamorous than Hollywood, Roughly the Same Size as Bismarck, North Dakota. Channeling Amy Poehler's earnest character from Parks and Recreation, this book chronicles the outlandish characters and colorful history of Leslie Knope's hometown.

Snow Falling by Jane Gloriana Villanueva (aka Caridad Piñero)

The show Jane the Virgin follows Jane’s telenovela-esque life, from her accidental artificial insemination to an enthralling who-will-she-choose love triangle. But Jane is also an aspiring author and her breathtaking first novel adapts her story for a truly epic romance, perfect for a cold winter's night between episodes.

A Woman First: First Woman by Selina Meyer

Born and raised deep in the American heartland of God-fearing suburban Maryland, young Selina Eaton learned to love her country and her fellow man. This parody memoir riffs on the hilarious character portrayed by the Emmy-winning Julia Louis-Dreyfus in Veep.

Dive deeper into your favorite fictional world with one of these fun titles. Also, let us know if you have any to add to the list.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon