These are the 26 books I read from the Rory Gilmore reading list.
As a great Gilmore Girls fan, of course, I followed everything related to this beloved TV series.
When it comes to reading, I can totally relate to Rory. As an only child, I grew up with numerous books around me that kept me company on most evenings and weekends. I am very lucky that my parents and grandparents had an extensive library, so my love for reading started from a very young age.
It’s hard not to love books when you’re surrounded by them. Although I only started to keep tabs on my reading a few years ago, at last tally I read more than 600 books.
Rory Gilmore’s reading list includes more than 500 books, 518 to be exact.
You can glance at the PDF from Jules Buonos’ blog linked here:
https://www.julesbuono.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Rory-Gilmore-Book-List-PDF.pdf
Although I’ve been a consistent reader throughout the years with only short breaks every now and then, I still have almost 500 books from this list to get to. Wow, that seems like a lot, but considering I manage to read at least a book a week, that should take me a couple of years, tops!
A few of the books I read from this list were assigned school readings, but a lot of them I read by choice. To be honest, though, there are a few books mentioned I do not have any interest in reading, at least not at the moment. You never know, maybe in a few years, I will change my mind and manage to complete this voluminous list.
Just as a side note: through my links from Amazon (you can read my disclosure paragraph at the bottom of the page), some of these classics are actually free through the Kindle app.
These are the 26 books I read from Rory Gilmore’s reading list, stated in alphabetical order.
26. Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
The book the movie is based on is just as cute but with a lot more details. An easy read that will make you laugh out loud.
25. The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller
This book was also turned into a movie, starring Clint Eastwood and Marylin Streep. I think I enjoyed the movie more in this case.
24. The Bhagavad Gita by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
This was an assigned reading when I was in college. I can’t remember it much, just that I didn’t like it. Maybe if I reread it now I might understand it more, being in a different frame of mind.
23. The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas
One of my favorite classic books of all time, I just love Alexandre Dumas’s writing style. The movie is pretty good too. And The Three Musketeers is another one of his works worth noting.
22. The da Vinci Code by Dan Brown
The second in the Robert Langdon five-book series is a complex and interesting story. If you’re not familiar with those books, they are great mysteries with thriller elements.
21. Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert
When this book came out most of my friends loved it, so I had to read it as well. There were parts I absolutely loved, but I liked the movie better.
20. Emma by Jane Austen
Another great classic, Emma is a controversial character that was way ahead of her time. If you’re not into classic books, Jane Austen is a great author to start with. Her writing is fluent and not as stuffy as other authors from her time.
19. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
One of my favorite psychological thrillers of all time, this is a must-read if you haven’t yet. Much better than the movie in my opinion, it is worth the hype, even years later.
18. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Me and classics are not the best of friends. Although many people loved this book, I didn’t. Thank goodness it was short, which kept me going, mostly out of curiosity.
17. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
The first in the famous series, this genre is not for me. Yes, I know, an unpopular opinion, but fantasy and magic are just not subjects I am interested in reading. I wanted to give the series a chance because of all the hype, but I stopped after this one. Although I watched the first three movies when they came out because my daughter was at the perfect age to enjoy them, I fell asleep through all of them!
16.Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi
Based on the notorious case of the Manson Murders, I like this type of true-crime book. Although the subject is very disturbing, it was well executed.
15. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
This is one of the most popular classics of all time, with good reason. Charlotte Bronte is one of the best writers of all time. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed.
14. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
I loved this feel-good story about four Chinese women who are recent immigrants to the US. It is witty and great fun to read. The movie is actually really good too.
13. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
If you haven’t read anything by Khaled Hosseini yet you are truly missing out. His storytelling style is filled with emotions and raw honesty, and it will not leave you unmoved. Highly recommend any of his books. I’m hoping to read And Then the Mountains Echoed this year.
12. Lady Chatterley’s Lover by D.H. Lawrence
Some people love the old-fashioned writing style D.H. Lawrence employs, but it is not for everyone. Although the story is not hard to follow, the writing is typical of the early twentieth century. I really thought I would love this one, but I didn’t.
11. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
This story about the March sisters will draw you in and make you instantly fall in love with them. Although more detailed than the movie, the book is like a warm hug on a cold winter day. If you haven’t read it yet, you really should consider doing so.
10. Lord of the Flies by William Golding
Another assigned reading that I did not care for. Hopefully, you’ll like it more than I did.
9. Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Published in 1856, this is the first book by French author Gustave Flaubert. I felt lukewarm about this one, although not the worse classic I ever read. Because of the subject matter, the novel was controversial when it first came out.
8. Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus by John Gray
Men are From Mars, Women are From Venus
This type of self-help book was very popular in the 1990s. Now, it is considered sexist and in bad taste. Did I like it? I can’t say that I did. I was probably rolling my eyes a few times while reading it.
7. Me Talk Pretty One Day by David Sedaris
A cute collection of short stories that are written with a lot of witty remarks and humor. Something that will lighten your mood for sure.
6. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Loved this book when I read it, and loved the movie adaptation. Jodi Picoult has a way of drawing you in and making you feel all sorts of emotions.
5. The Nanny Diaries by Emma Laughlin
Another light read that will uplift your mood when you’re feeling down. The movie adaptation starring Scarlett Johanson is very well done as well and gives a good portrayal of the book.
4. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen
I think this is my favorite Jane Austen book. Very short, you can surely read it in one sitting if you have the time. This coming-of-age novel has a touch of Gothic vibes, which I thought was absolutely clever!
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
The author’s “own darling child”, Pride and Prejudice is one of the most popular classics of all time. Very well written, Austen has a special wit that can be noted in all of her novels.
2. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
The common theme in any Austen novel revolves around relationships between sisters and potential suitors. Status and money were important in society even in the 18th – 19th centuries when Austen was alive. An eye-opening novel about class divisions and unspoken rules that women had to abide by during those times.
1. Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell
And last but not least, this is the final book from the 26 books I read from the Rory Gilmore reading list.
The super popular HBO TV series starring Sarah Jessica Parker is based on this book. Loved it, and loved the series just as much. I definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a cute light read.
This sums up my list of the 26 books I read from the Rory Gilmore reading list.
Have you read any of the books from Rory Gilmore’s reading list?
Even if you never watched the show but love to read, I’m sure at least a few of these books are or were at some point on your to-be-read list.
