It’s less than 90 degrees here in Tucson (most days) which means it’s time for cozy sweaters, yummy fall drinks, and my annual Gilmore Girls rewatch. And with this show in mind, when I want to push my fall mood into reading, I take inspiration from none other than one of pop culture’s most iconic “readers”: Rory Gilmore. Below is a list of (unofficial) Rory Gilmore approved YA books to read this time of year!
This poignant coming-of-age novel follows Charlie, an introverted teenager, as he navigates a new high school and new friendships. Encouraged by his English teacher and his new friends, Charlie begins to come out of his shell and “participate” in his life, rather than taking a backseat. Told from Charlie’s perspective, his unique voice drives this emotional novel, which is in turns both heartbreaking and heartwarming.
The lyrical nature of Chbosky’s prose makes Charlie’s story of growing up all the more beautiful. The introspective and stirring novel speaks to the pains and joys of getting older, something reflected in Gilmore Girls. While Gilmore Girls may not always dive as deep into the mental health struggles and trauma associated with coming-of-age stories as The Perks of Being a Wallflower, both works explore universal themes that teens (and people of all ages) can connect with.
Cassandra McCurtney is the daughter of two of the best adoptive parents ever, both of whom she loves dearly. However, she longs to know the secrets surrounding her birth and adoption—secrets that may just be revealed by a series of letters someone wrote to Cass when she was born. This compelling narrative is told both through Cass’ quest to find the truth about her upbringing and the letters that may hold the answers.
Both Hand’s novel and Gilmore Girls center around a strong female protagonist and her relationship with her mother. While this relationship may look different for Cass and Rory, both of their stories speak to the power of familial love and the bonds that we create with the family we make for ourselves. Cass’ story contains more depth and complexity than Rory’s at many moments, but the two young women share a similar drive and passion for the things and people that they love.
When Cath and her twin sister Wren start college, Wren wants to explore all that their campus has to offer, while Cath prefers dwelling in the comfort of her old life and habits. As the two sisters drift apart, Cath grows closer to her roommate, Reagan, and Reagan’s (kinda) boyfriend Levi. The two push Cath to come out of her shell by exposing her to new perspectives.
Rory Gilmore (and I am sure many readers like her) know a thing or two about wanting to live in a world of literature rather than reality. However, as Cath and Rory prove, real life can be just as vivid and beautiful as the lives we imagine in books. A perfect read for the fall time, with football, cold weather, and a heartwarming love story, Fangirl is a great autumnal read for fans of Gilmore Girls and literature in general.
Alice has always felt invisible at her elite Beijing boarding school but is shocked when her physical appearance starts reflecting this feeling. After learning that her parents can no longer afford to send her to this school, Alice makes plans to utilize her newfound power of invisibility to learn her classmates’ sordid secrets and use this information to secure herself a place at the institution.
An outsider at a fancy private boarding school who must adapt to belong? If Rory Gilmore could relate to any fantasy female protagonist, it would likely be this one. Both Alice and Rory possess such an intense desire to “rise above their station” and pursue their dreams, no matter what they have to do to get there. An insightful narrative about ambition and privilege, If You Could See the Sun will connect readers with similar themes as Gilmore Girls.
Because I Was a Girl is a collection of powerful, real-life stories from women and girls who have made an impact on the world in their own unique way. Some of the contributors to this inspiring work include Victoria Aveyard, Dolores Huerta, and Holly Knight.
Rory Gilmore is frequently cited as a strong female protagonist in media, and while there are nuanced conversations to be had about her privilege and reliance on social capital, a novel celebrating girlhood seems to be right up her alley. As a staunch supporter of powerful female figures like famed journalist Christiane Amanpour, Rory Gilmore would certainly endorse this read.
In a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice, Zuri Benitez’s Brooklyn neighborhood is under increased threat of gentrification, and she is not keen on getting to know the wealthy Darcy family that moves in across the street. But as Zuri’s older sister falls in love with one of the Darcy brothers, Zuri must try to make peace with the family, including the standoffish Darius. However, as Zuri and Darius grow closer, the chaos of their life circumstances threatens to pull them apart.
Rory Gilmore is canonically a fan of Jane Austen’s work, even giving her first boyfriend a copy of Pride and Prejudice to “expand his literary horizons.” This modern retelling of Pride and Prejudice, that explores ideas of privilege, class, love and family, perfectly coincides with themes analyzed (either explicitly or inadvertently) in Gilmore Girls.
Lara Jean knows a thing or two about having a crush—but instead of admitting her feelings to the boys she falls for, she writes them all letters instead. These letters have been Lara Jean’s secret for years, so when someone finds them and sends them, she is both shocked and terrified of dealing with the consequences. As boys from her past come forward to confront her about the letters, Lara Jean must face her feelings head-on, and in the process learns that doing so may pave the way for the beautiful romance she has always dreamed of.
Lara Jean and Rory Gilmore seem to share similar experiences in their love lives, like unrequited crushes, love triangles, and interfering family members. Additionally, the cozy themes and writing style of Jenny Han’s novel is similar in many respects to the vibes produced throughout the Gilmore Girls series.
Sam Parker, PRR Writer and Social Media Lead