My Favorite Books from Rory Gilmore's Reading List

Rory Gilmore has been an OG when it comes to reading books. Many authors, from Austen to Plath, have been mentioned in the show as well as in the revival. Rory has a goal of reading 339 books, which was upgraded to 409 after the revival. Here are some of the books from her reading list that I personally enjoyed and would recommend it to anyone.

1. 1984 by George Orwell

Rating: 4.2 (Goodreads)

1984 is a dystopian novel that features the themes of totalitarianism and mass surveillance of people and behaviors within society. The story is set in the future 1984, where the hero, Winston Smith, is living in London is still shattered by war and controlled by a government that is parallel to Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia; 1984 changes your whole perspective to see how politics can be taken and manipulated to tell "one [censored] of a scary and convincing" story.

"This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully developed language whose purpose is to limit speech and understanding instead of to enhance and expand it."

For many, the book was a bit on the boring side; however, others found it perfect for a fun read with a bit of scare.

2. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath

Rating: 4.04 (Goodreads)

The Bell Jar is an autobiographical book that closely follows the real author's life events. Esther Greenwood, a college student with aspirations of becoming a poet, is chosen for a one-month summer job as a guest editor of the Ladies' Day magazine. However, her stay in New York City is unfulfilling as she battles with identity and societal standards. For most of the story, Esther conceals her depression behind an upbeat personality.

"If you feel you're suffering from depression, madness, confusion about topics pertaining to society and sex, or just looking for a good read, The Bell Jar is definitely the book for you."

The Bell Jar teaches us, among other things, that everyone has challenges in life, and that each person's battle is unique.

Note: There are racist descriptions of things included in the book which may not be suitable for every reader.

3. The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Rating: 3.81 (Goodreads)

The Catcher in the Rye is about a teenage boy who spends his weekend alone in New York City following his expulsion from prep school. The book illuminates the struggles that young adults face throughout their lives.

"Holden is a fifteen-year-old kid on the verge of an emotional breakdown. He's an [censored]. He's a liar. He's a hypocrite. And he's also... really relatable."

I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to read books covering mental health and growing up. The book is a short read, no more than 300 pages, which makes it an easy read for anyone with a low attention span.

Note: The book has controversial topics such as sexual harassment, prostitution, and premarital sex (which caused the book to be banned for a short time in the United States).

4. Emma by Jane Austen

Rating: 4.04 (Goodreads)

Set in the early 19th century, it features the character Emma Woodhouse, who acts as a matchmaker and sets up interesting relationships. The novel centers around class, with many of the characters coming from different backgrounds, both social and economic.

"Emma herself is a unique creation, a headstrong, misguided, self-confident girl who we can't help but love, because she is honest. The love complications are innumerable, the humor is excellent, and the writing is spectacular."

Emma is one of Jane Austen's most vivid characters, charming the audience with both her wit and charm. The brilliancy of language, complex narration, and vivid characterization make this book a true classic and a must-read.

5. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Rating: 4.28 (Goodreads)

And Then There Was None is considered to be one of the best mystery novels ever written; it features ten strangers who are lured onto an island by a strange host and accused of murder. All the guests work together to determine who the killer is. Over 1 million copies have been sold of this book, making it one of the most famous books in the world; it is a pretty easy read with no confusing dialogues or scenes.

"This one's a classic; nearly everyone—reader or watcher—will have seen a piece of media inspired by it (in fact, we only recently rewatched Clue here in Stiefvaterland). Supposedly it is the world's best-selling mystery.

This book is a must-read for every murder mystery fanatic; it has had a lasting impact on various shows and movies made, including the recently released Glass Onion. The plot is well written, with an unexpected ending with sprinkles of societal themes thrown around the book.

Fun fact (or not so fun): The title of the book has been changed three times, as the first two titles were racist/offensive.

6. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Rating: 3.93 (Goodreads)

This novel, centering on the Roaring Twenties, tells us the story of a group of friends living in New York with their own ambitions and dreams. It tells us the story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire, who pursues Daisy Buchanan, a married wealthy young woman who he was in love with during his youth. It explores themes such as the American dream, time, and fate. For many, this is a must-read, while for others, this is just a required AP Lang book to read.

"Jay Gatsby, you poor doomed [censored]. You were ahead of your time. If you would have pulled your scam after the invention of reality TV, you would have been a huge star on a show like The Bachelor and a dozen shameless Daisy-types would have thrown themselves at you."

If you are too busy to read the book, I recommend watching the movie, although I can't speak about how good the movie is. Either way, you should read the book before watching the movie, because the book version is always better than the movie.

7. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Rating: 4.14 (Goodreads)

Louisa May Alcott's "Little Women" is a masterpiece of American literature with endearing characters, insightful life lessons, and a pleasant plot. The coming-of-age stories of the four March sisters provide insights into friendship, family, and personal development; the March sisters are strong, independent, and relatable women. The Civil War-era novel also offers a view into the day-to-day experiences of women at that time and addresses issues of social class, poverty, and disease.

"Alcott is a master of character, pacing, and creating page-turning suspense within a context of moderately low stakes. I admire everything about her, from her writing talent to her personal life as an abolitionist and feminist"

Overall, "Little Women" is a timeless classic that has moved readers throughout the years and is highly recommended.

8. Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Rating: 3.9 (Goodreads)

William Shakespeare's "Macbeth" is a timeless masterpiece that examines themes of ambition, power, and the effects of unrestrained desire. You should read it. The plot of the play is about the terrible fall of the title character, a Scottish commander who, driven by his own ambition, commits a string of heinous atrocities in order to succeed the kingdom.

"this is probably my favorite shakespeare.witches. ladies doing murder. prophecies. what's not to love?"

Shakespeare's "Macbeth" is regarded as one of his best works and is famed for its intricate characters, rich language, and dramatic suspense. Reading "Macbeth" will give you insightful knowledge of human nature, the perils of unbridled ambition, and the results of our deeds.

9. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Rating: 4.28 (Goodreads)

Jane Austen comes back again with another masterpiece. Jane Austen's "Pride and Prejudice" provides a witty and perceptive commentary on social mores and gender roles in Regency-era England. The romance between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy, two characters who are initially at odds with one another because of their own prejudices and misunderstandings, is followed throughout the book.

"I was forced to read this by my future wife. I was not, however, forced to give it 5 stars."

The movie "Pride and Prejudice" is renowned for its sharp dialogue, endearing characters, and accurate depiction of the social pressures that women in that era experienced. Reading "Pride and Prejudice" will give you insights into the historical and cultural setting of the time period in addition to being a fun and interesting reading experience.

Rory Gilmore is a girl who reads 24/7, and through analyzing some of the books that she reads, I hope it inspires you to pick up a book and dive into a world of books! Have fun reading Rory's and my favorite books!

Read more about Rory Gilmore on The Teen Magazine here: What Went Wrong with Rory Gilmore.