Fall is officially here, and for me that means it’s time to binge watch reruns of the Gilmore Girls. The show is perfect for this time of year. From the small-town cozy vibes to Luke’s diner, Gilmore Girls is my comfort fall show. And let us not forget the constant fast dialogue between Lorelai and Rory. Fans of Gilmore Girls, you must read these 12 novels.
They will recreate all those feel-good vibes you get from watching the show on paper. And if you’re a big fan of the show like I am, what better time to start reading any of those books than now?
Gilmore Girls is even more popular today, it would seem, than when it first came out. Maybe because there hasn’t been a show made in the last couple of years that can compare. Hence, the die-hard fans keep rewatching this comfort series as soon as the temperature dips and the leaves change colors. For me, fall signifies binge-watching the mother-daughter duo with a cup of something hot (most likely coffee!) and a blankie.
I must warn you, if you’ve never watched the show, this post contains a few spoilers, so beware.
Fans of Gilmore Girls, I urge you to read these 12 books! They will make you reminisce of the show in one way or another, guaranteed.
Every Summer After by Carley Fortune
While this is a romance novel, unlike the show, the small town setting gives the reader vibes similar to that of Stars Hollows. The main characters share a deep bond that can be compared to that between Lorelai and Rory. Although nothing can compare to the closeness a mother-daughter share, first loves often can feel as if they’re meant to be together for life. It’s a cute book that will make you think of the Gilmore Girls.
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Searle
One Italian Summer: The Hypewit Experience
Although the setting is completely different from Stars Hollow, the relationship between mother and daughter is similar to the relationship between Lorelai and Rory. Reading One Italian Summer will satisfy your need for a book about close bonds, amazing settings, and what ifs. Very in tune with the themes of the show, this is a lovely book that will remind you of the mother-daughter duo.
Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny
This book is similar to Gilmore Girls in the sense of the small-town, quirky characters both the book and the show have in common.The whole time I was reading the book, I kept thinking just how strange some of these people are. But so is Gilmore Girls with the likes of the Taylors, Kirks, and Babettes that are relatable to many of us. We all know at least one strange person that somehow gives our town some character, and this book is a great depiction of that.
The Lonely Hearts Book Club by Lucy Gilmore
The similarities between this book and the show lie in the sense of community you can only find in a small town. In the book, librarian Sloane starts to worry when a grumpy regular doesn’t show up for a few days in a row. She goes out of her way to trace him down to find out he was bedridden. With the intention of bringing joy to his life, Sloane creates a small book club. She succeeds in bringing a couple of lonely misfits together, which helps them create unexpected bonds.
In the Unlikely Event by Judy Bloom
This book is a multigenerational recounting of a few families and strangers whose lives were affected by unexpected events. Just like in Starts Hollows, these characters come together when they need one another. There are themes of explosive friendships and young love that are told with the expert storytelling style Blume is known for. While the events are not similar to those in the show, the sense of closeness is omnipresent throughout the novel, much like the sense of community the show portrays.
Gilmore Girls at Home in Stars Hollows by Micol Ostow
Through this collection of illustrations, the reader can walk down memory lane in Stars Hollow. It emphasizes the mother-daughter duo’s pivotal moments in their lives. Appropriate for all ages, the full-color illustrations are charming just like the fictional town is. You can open this book at any moment and feel transported to the small-town close-knit community the show depicted. It will make a perfect gift for any Gilmore Girls fans, no matter their age.
The Gilmore Girls Companion by A.S. Berman
This book takes the reader behind the scenes of this idyllic show. It is based on interviews with cast and crew, and all that creating the show implies. From the first idea to the actual series, the reader can indulge in never-before known details about the making of the show. Many of the people responsible for making Gilmore Girls possible reminisce and share anecdotes from their own experiences. A must-read for fans of the show.
Talking As Fast As I Can by Lauren Graham
This is a memoir from Lorelai herself, or Lauren Graham in real life. The collection of personal essays makes lots of references to Gilmore Girls. Narrated with the same kind of quirkiness of Lorelai, Lauren Graham tells us anecdotes from behind the scenes. She relates her experiences throughout the filming of the show with the same kind of humor we expect from her on-screen character. If you’re a big fan of the televised series, you need to read this book if you haven’t done so already.
The Other Side of Summer by Amy Sherman-Palladino
This book resembles the script of the show, so a true Gilmore Girls fan will devour it. Written by the show’s creator and producer Amy Sherman-Palladino, this book is a great depiction the show is based on.
In this installment, Rory and Paris are thrown to work together at Chilton despite their differences. Also, Lorelai is asked by the headmaster to get more involved in her daughter’s student life. And Jess, Luke’s nephew, arrives in Stars Hollow.
I Do, Don’t I? by Catherine Clark
This is the third installment of the series in written format. In this book, Rory deals with the upcoming wedding of Lorelai and her English teacher Max Medina. Not only is she busy with wedding plans, but she’s desperately trying to catch up on extracurricular activities she needs to catch up on if she wants to stand a chance to get accepted into Harvard.
Fans of the show know the wedding gets called off, despite Lorelai being a deep-rooted romantic at heart. Her fear of commitment and attitude about love is present in this book.
I Love You, You Idiot by Cathy East Dubowski
Told uniquely from Rory’s point of view, the book is mostly about her breakup with Dean. She doesn’t understand why he is so nice one minute, but gets very angry when things don’t go his way. She also talks about her feelings about Lorelai’s developing relationship with her English teacher, Max Medina. Rory also meets her paternal grandparents for the first time, which does not go very well. It is a great second installment that true Gilmore Girls fans will enjoy.
Like Mother, Like Daughter by Catherine Clark
This is the first installment into this YA book series that is based on the show Gimore Girls. The book introduces the reader into Gilmores’ lives and the special bond the mother-daughter duo share. Rory gets accepted into Chilton, a prestigious prep school Lorelai can’t afford. Hence, she puts her pride aside and asks her wealthy parents for a loan. But this arrangement comes with strings attached. Lorelai and Rory have to attend weekly Friday night dinners at the Gilmore mansion. This book also contains the back and forth banter that makes the show great.
A must-read introductory book into the lives of the Gilmore Girls.
Concluding Words
And there you have it, these are the 12 books a bona fide Gimore Girls fan must read.
Have you read any of these? I have read a few but not the complete list, so I fully intend to. When I’m in the mood for a cozy fall afternoon, any of these sound absolutely perfect!
Until next time, keep reading fellow bookworms. And don’t be shy to share your opinions or some recommendations in the comment box below.
