14 Books That Would Certainly Be on Rory Gilmore's Shelf in 2025

      September 10, 2025

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      When it comes to pop culture and fall, nothing is quite as iconic as Gilmore Girls. Although the series covers all four seasons, watching it outside of autumn just doesn't feel right. With steaming cups of coffee, vibrant fall leaves, cozy academic environments, and a small town filled with eccentric characters—if that isn’t the essence of fall, I don’t know what is. So, as soon as September arrives, I immerse myself in everything that’s Rory Gilmore-approved, especially books.

      Rory Gilmore is the quintessential book lover, and the show even sparked a reading challenge featuring over 500 titles referenced throughout. During my recent rewatch, I contemplated what Rory’s bookshelf might look like in 2025. If you’re eager to fully embrace the Gilmore Girls spirit, here are 14 books that Rory Gilmore would undoubtedly cherish.

      Joan Didion

      Rory would definitely read The Year of Magical Thinking, as the show references it. This publication consists of detailed accounts of Didion’s conversations with a psychiatrist, created for her husband, John Gregory Dunne. It delves into themes of alcoholism, adoption, depression, her career, childhood experiences, and the heartbreaking complexities of her relationship with her daughter.

      M. L. Rio

      Rory would be drawn to the dark academia ambiance of this novel. It follows Oliver Marks, who, a decade after his arrest, is finally prepared to reveal the truth to Detective Colborne. Years prior, he was among seven young Shakespearean actors at Dellecher Classical Conservatory, where a tragedy unfolded on opening night. The fourth-year students must face the biggest acting challenge yet: convincing the police, themselves, and each other of their innocence.

      Kaveh Akbar

      Hailed as a modern classic and shortlisted for the National Book Award, Martyr! perfectly aligns with Rory’s tastes. The story revolves around Cyrus Shams, whose mother’s plane was shot down over the Persian Gulf, while his father’s life in America was defined by working in a factory farm. Cyrus struggles with alcoholism, addiction, and poetry, as his obsession with martyrs prompts him to explore the mysteries of his past, including a painting that suggests his mother wasn’t who she appeared to be.

      Coco Mellors

      Though Rory doesn't have sisters, she can relate to the complex familial dynamics depicted in Blue Sisters. The three Blue sisters are remarkably different, and after losing their fourth sister, they return to New York to prevent the sale of their childhood apartment. As they confront their childhood disappointments and the loss that held them together, they realize that their most significant secrets may not have been kept from each other, but from themselves.

      Ali Hazelwood

      As a devoted student, there’s no doubt Rory would enjoy an academic-rivals-to-lovers storyline. Elsie Hannaway is an adjunct professor who doubles as a fake girlfriend. Her lives collide when Jack Smith, the irresistibly charming brother of her favorite client, turns out to be the physicist who derailed her mentor’s career, impacting theorists everywhere. He’s also the same Jack Smith who dominates the MIT physics department, placing himself directly between Elsie and her dream job.

      Kristin Hannah

      Rory gravitates toward books featuring strong female leads, and nobody writes them quite like Kristin Hannah. The story follows 20-year-old nursing student Frankie McGrath, raised in the picturesque Southern California by her conservative parents. However, in 1965, the world begins to shift, and she dares to envision a different future. When her brother goes to Vietnam, she joins the Army Nurse Corps, witnessing the chaos of war firsthand, yet the real struggle lies in returning to an altered and divided America.

      Madeline Miller

      Given that The Iliad appears in Gilmore Girls, it's likely that in 2025, Rory would have been moved to tears by reading Song of Achilles like many of us. This retelling of the Trojan War centers on the hero Achilles and his childhood companion Patroclus. As they mature and train side by side, their bond deepens. They are thrown into turmoil marked by battles and strife. With no peace in sight, they must confront what they are willing to sacrifice for each other amidst the war.

      Sally Rooney

      Without a doubt, Rory would resonate with Sally Rooney's work and appreciate the intricate depiction of friendship and love in Conversations with Friends. When students Frances and Bobbi meet a prominent photographer at a local poetry event, they gradually become entrapped in her world. Frances finds herself impressed by the older woman’s sophisticated home and attractive husband, Nick. Yet, what starts as a playful flirtation between Frances and Nick morphs into something both strange and painful.