The Recommended Reading Path for Billy Taylor
Since Billy Taylor's bibliography consists of two standalone novels in completely different genres—one an adult Hollywood satire and the other a young adult heist thriller—there is no overarching story arc or shared universe to worry about. You can read them in any order you choose. However, to get the best experience, we recommend choosing your starting point based on the type of story you enjoy most:
Start with Based on the Movie if:
You want a sharp, hilarious, and chaotic look behind the scenes of the film industry. Written for adults, this novel draws directly on Taylor's real-life experiences working on movie sets. It is perfect for fans of workplace satires, screwball comedies, and stories about the unsung, hardworking crew members of Hollywood.
Start with Thieving Weasels if:
You prefer a fast-paced, high-stakes young adult thriller packed with con artists, family drama, and witty banter. If you enjoy stories about clever teenagers trying to outsmart their criminal relatives, this Edgar Award-nominated caper is the perfect place to start.
Billy Taylor Books in Order of Publication
If you want to read his novels in the exact order they were released to the public, follow this publication order. Watching his transition from adult comedy to YA thriller writing is a fun way to experience his evolution as a storyteller:
- Based on the Movie (2008) – Adult Satire / Comedy
- Thieving Weasels (2016) – Young Adult Thriller / Mystery
What to Know Before You Start
Before you dive into Billy Taylor's books, there are a few practical details and background points that will help you appreciate his unique style:
The Film Set Authenticity
Before he began writing novels full-time, Billy Taylor spent years working in the film industry as a dolly grip—the crew member responsible for operating the camera dolly. He worked on major productions like My Cousin Vinny, Pee-wee's Playhouse, and Longtime Companion. A career-ending back injury eventually forced him to swap film sets for writing. This insider knowledge is what makes the film set in Based on the Movie feel so authentic, chaotic, and funny.
The Author Name Confusion
When searching for Billy Taylor's books online, it is very easy to run into database errors. There are three prominent figures with this name, and online retailers and cataloging sites often mix them up:
- Billy Taylor (the novelist): The author of Based on the Movie and Thieving Weasels. He lives in San Antonio, Texas.
- Dr. Billy Taylor (1921–2010): The legendary jazz pianist, composer, and educator who wrote several non-fiction books on jazz history and piano techniques.
- Billy Taylor (romance author): A writer responsible for general fiction and romance novels like Just Friends and Mutual Feelings, which are frequently misattributed to the film-grip-turned-novelist.
Make sure you verify the book covers and summaries to ensure you are getting the correct author's work when shopping or browsing library catalogs.
A Closer Look at the Books
Based on the Movie (2008)
Taylor's debut novel introduces readers to Bobby Conlon, a depressed dolly grip whose life has hit rock bottom after his wife, Natalie, leaves him for a rising young director. Desperate for a fresh start and a paycheck, Bobby accepts a job on a film production in Texas. However, the shoot is a total disaster: the director is incompetent, the star of the movie is a pig named Ralph who refuses to swim, and to make things worse, Bobby's ex-wife and her new boyfriend are brought in to rescue the project. It is a warm, witty, and cynical tribute to the crew members who actually make movies happen.
Thieving Weasels (2016)
For his second novel, Taylor shifted focus to the young adult market with a highly acclaimed heist thriller. The book stars Cameron "Skip" Smith, a student at an elite prep school who is on track to graduate and attend Princeton University. But Cameron has a secret: his real name is Skip O'Rourke, and he belongs to a notorious family of grifters. Having run away from them at age thirteen with a stash of their cash, his new life is shattered when his Uncle Wonderful tracks him down. Skip is forced to participate in one last high-stakes con, requiring him to use all his skills to outsmart the very family members who taught him how to lie and steal.
Final Reader Advice
Both of Billy Taylor's novels can easily be read as standalones. There are no companion short stories, novellas, or spin-offs to track down. Because the tone of Based on the Movie is geared toward adult satire while Thieving Weasels is a YA thriller, readers should choose their starting point based on their preferred age category and genre rather than publication chronology.