6 Must-Read Books If You Love Gilmore Girls
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If you’ve ever wished you could step inside Stars Hollow, this list is for you. Whether you’re craving small-town charm, witty mother-daughter banter, or a literary escape that feels like a warm cup of coffee at Luke’s, these books capture the same energy that made Gilmore Girls iconic.
In this post, I’m sharing 6 book recommendations from my recent conversation with Jules Buono of Friday Night Readers, a Gilmore Girls–inspired Substack community and book club. These novels blend cozy towns, complicated relationships, literary flair, and the kind of heartwarming storytelling that keeps us coming back to Rory and Lorelai year after year.
So grab your favorite mug, a blanket, and maybe a slice of apple pie—let’s dive into the books.
Books Like Gilmore Girls
The City Baker’s Guide to Country Living by Louise Miller
A Boston pastry chef makes a fiery exit from her job and escapes to a small Vermont town, where she lands at a charming country inn and discovers new love, community, and plenty of apple pie.
Why You’ll Love It: This is the book most often compared to Gilmore Girls. It’s cozy, romantic, and full of fall vibes. Think Dragonfly Inn energy meets a Stars Hollow harvest dinner. Bonus: There’s a sequel if you want to stay in this world a little longer.
Empire Falls by Richard Russo
Set in a once-thriving Maine town, this Pulitzer Prize–winning novel centers on a diner owner and single father raising a teenage daughter, navigating the changing tides of small-town life.
Why You’ll Love It: This literary gem is full of Luke Danes vibes—gruff, loyal, and quietly soulful. It’s a slower-paced, beautifully written read that reflects the complexities of community, class, and father-daughter bonds. There’s also an excellent HBO miniseries adaptation starring Paul Newman.
One Italian Summer by Rebecca Serle
After the death of her mother, Katie travels alone to Positano, Italy—their planned trip—only to find a mysterious woman who looks and acts exactly like her mom at age 30.
Why You’ll Love It: This is a deeply emotional story of grief, connection, and rediscovery. The mother-daughter relationship is at the heart of the novel, and as a bonus, Lauren Graham narrates the audiobook. Yes—Lorelai herself reads the story.
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez
A successful ER doctor’s car breaks down in a tiny town where she meets a charming carpenter who runs a cozy bed and breakfast—and flips her well-planned world upside down.
Why You’ll Love It: Small-town romance, big-city complications, and themes of family expectations versus true happiness. This one’s spicy, sweet, and very Lorelai-meets-Luke. Abby Jimenez blends humor and heartache with perfection here.
Where’d You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
When Bernadette—a brilliant and eccentric mom—goes missing, her precocious daughter Bee pieces together emails, letters, and clues to uncover the truth.
Why You’ll Love It: Bernadette is basically Lorelai if she were an architect with social anxiety. It’s laugh-out-loud funny, sharp, and heartwarming. The mother-daughter dynamic is pitch-perfect, and the movie adaptation starring Cate Blanchett is worth watching too.
Bonus Pick for Superfans
The Gilmore Girls Companion by A.S. Berman
An unofficial but deeply researched oral history of the show, with behind-the-scenes details, interviews, and fan-favorite moments.
Why You’ll Love It: This is for the true Stars Hollow scholars. If you’ve always wanted to know more about what happened behind the scenes, this is your must-read.
Meet Friday Night Readers: A Cozy Community for Gilmore Girls Fans
Jules Buono started her Friday Night Readers community during the pandemic after rediscovering Gilmore Girls and launching the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge. What began as a book club has now evolved into a Substack newsletter and online space dedicated to all things cozy, literary, and Gilmore-adjacent.
If you’re looking for thoughtful book recs, seasonal reads, and a warm community of readers who also believe in “reading like Rory,” be sure to check it out:
👉 Subscribe to Friday Night Readers on Substack
Tell Me: Which Gilmore-Inspired Book Are You Reading First?
Leave a comment below or tag me on Instagram (@whattoreadnextblog) and let me know which of these you’re adding to your TBR. And if you loved this list, be sure to listen to the full podcast episode for more cozy book talk with Jules.
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P.S. Looking for more literary comfort reads? Sign up for my weekly Substack where I share book recs, reading life tips, and hidden gem finds from the library and Kindle Unlimited.
Thank you so much for your kind words about The Gilmore Girls Companion! ❤️
My pleasure. It was the book I was looking for as a long time Gilmore Girl fan!