Books Rory Gilmore Actually Read
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Looking for books Rory Gilmore Actually read?
If you’re a Gilmore Girls fan, you already know that Rory Gilmore’s love for books is as iconic as her witty banter and caffeine-fueled conversations with her mom, Lorelai.
From classics to contemporary must-reads, Rory’s reading list was never just a prop—it was a reflection of her character’s ambition, curiosity, and intellectual spirit.
Whether she was curled up in her room with Moby-Dick or toting The Bell Jar around Stars Hollow, Rory’s literary choices shaped many of the show’s most memorable moments. In this post, we’re diving into the ultimate list of books Rory Gilmore actually read during the series.
Get ready to discover (or rediscover) titles that might inspire you to channel your inner Rory and hit the books!
Books Rory Gilmore Actually Read – Classic Literature
Moby-Dick by Herman Melville
Rory is seen reading this book in the episode. It is a nod to her intellectual nature and sets the tone for her character as someone who enjoys complex, classic literature.
The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath
The Bell Jar is a semi-autobiographical novel by Sylvia Plath that follows the journey of Esther Greenwood, a young woman who seems to have it all: academic brilliance, beauty, and promising opportunities.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is a timeless Russian classic that delves deep into the complexities of love, society, and human nature. The novel centers on the tragic love affair between Anna Karenina, a beautiful and sophisticated woman trapped in an unhappy marriage, and the dashing Count Vronsky.
Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert
Rory mentions she is reading it for pleasure.
The Iliad by Homer
The Iliad by Homer is an epic poem set during the Trojan War, one of the most legendary conflicts in Greek mythology.
The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand
Swann’s Way by Marcel Proust
Swann’s Way is the first volume of Marcel Proust’s monumental work In Search of Lost Time (À la recherche du temps perdu), a deeply introspective and richly detailed exploration of memory, time, and human experience.
Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is an iconic American novel that tells the story of Huck Finn, a young boy who escapes his abusive father and embarks on a journey down the Mississippi River.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a quintessential novel of the Jazz Age that captures the glamour and disillusionment of 1920s America.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is a beloved classic that masterfully blends romance, wit, and social commentary.
1984 by George Orwell
1984 by George Orwell is a powerful dystopian novel that explores themes of totalitarianism, surveillance, and the loss of individual freedom.
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes is widely regarded as one of the greatest works of literature ever written and is considered the first modern novel.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is a profoundly impactful novel set in the racially segregated American South during the 1930s.
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky is a seminal psychological novel that delves into the moral and existential dilemmas of crime, guilt, and redemption.
Ulysses by James Joyce
Ulysses by James Joyce is a groundbreaking modernist novel that intricately parallels the structure of Homer’s Odyssey, set against the backdrop of a single day—June 16, 1904—in Dublin, Ireland.
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë is a timeless Gothic romance and coming-of-age novel that follows the life of its resilient and independent protagonist, Jane Eyre.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is a dark and passionate tale of love, revenge, and the haunting effects of obsession.
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens is a semi-autobiographical novel that traces the life of its titular character, David Copperfield, from his difficult childhood to adulthood.
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman
Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman is a groundbreaking and influential collection of poetry that celebrates the individual, nature, and the interconnectedness of all life.
Books Rory Gilmore Actually Read – Modern and Contemporary Literature
The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger
The Portable Nietzsche by Friedrich Nietzsche
Howl by Allen Ginsberg
The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath by Sylvia Plath
The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
Books Rory Gilmore Actually Read – Books Mentioned in Specific Contexts
The Holy Barbarians by Lawrence Lipton – Mentioned in preparation for a speech.
Wild by Cheryl Strayed – Mentioned in the revival series, A Year in the Life.
The Portable Dorothy Parker by Dorothy Parker – Seen being read in A Year in the Life.
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo – Referenced by Lorelai, indicating Rory’s possible interest.
Books Rory Gilmore Actually Read – Notable Mentions and Pop Culture
The New Yorker – Referenced several times as part of Rory’s love for journalism and literature.
Pulp Fiction (reference, not a book Rory read but a cultural nod related to her interests).
This list highlights the books that Rory is either seen reading, mentions as reading, or are referenced as being part of her vast literary interests throughout the show. You can find the complete list of all the books mentioned in the Gilmore Girls here.
You can also find everything on Jess’s reading list!
