5 Books To Pick Up If You Want Gilmore Girls Vibes

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Few things feel as cozy as turning on an old, familiar episode of "Gilmore Girls." For seven seasons, plucky single mom Lorelai and her bookish daughter Rory wandered through a New England fairy land, populated by odd but undeniably charming small-town characters. From the fast-paced, witty dialogue to the fabulous Y2K fashion to the deeply complex female relationships, this show was pure heart. With its golden color palette and wardrobe's selection of stylish scarves, it's a fall favorite.

"The sense of community, the decor, the fact that most episodes are what would be considered 'filler episodes' in other shows," wrote one Reddit commenter in an attempt to articulate what makes this classic so comforting. "It's mostly character/relationship dynamic driven, not plot driven at all. So you're just watching people interact with each other and zany townies knowing nothing genuinely bad will happen." If you do an annual rewatch every time the leaves start to change, then you probably appreciate cozy fiction books to get you in the mood for fall. But if you want something even more specifically "Gilmore Girls" coded, then there are several great novels that belong on your to-be-read pile, including books that get the complex relationship between mothers and daughters. We're confident that both Rory and Lorelai, with their vast repertoire of literary references, would approve of every single one.

In "The Readers of Broken Wheel Recommend" by Katrina Bivald, Sara travels from Sweden to the tiny town of Broken Wheel, Iowa, where she opens a bookstore to serve the odd but lovable community. "I am always a pushover for books about books, and this one certainly fit the bill!" wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "What was even better was that the books mentioned throughout the text were mostly all books we know and love. Harry Potter was in there and Mr Darcy and even Bridget Jones amongst many others." That means you should go into it expecting Gilmore-levels of literary references — and the occasional spoiler.

If you loved seeing Rory always toting some major literary tome around Stars Hollow or appreciated Lorelai's opening scene reference to Jack Kerouac, then you'll love getting lost in the literary community of Broken Wheel. "Bivald's charming debut novel is a tale about books and bookstores, but also about small towns and the special people that inhabit them," noted one Goodreads reviewer, which is an apt description of "Gilmore Girls," too.

"The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society" by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows is an epistolary historical novel that draws back the curtain on the quirky community of Guernsey, a small British island that was occupied by German forces during World War II. Following the war, Juliet is a British columnist hunting for her next topic when she begins exchanging letters with Dawsey, an island resident and member of the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society. He introduces Juliet to his small island world, and shared books were an important act of quiet resistance during the war.

Much like the town of Stars Hollow, Guernsey is a community populated by quirky, memorable characters. Despite the lingering shadow of the war, this book is full of warmth and levity. Readers praised the comforting plot, which is braided with riveting historical details. "Found family, love of literature, quiet small town life, a lovely romance but it's not the primary focus of the plot," wrote one Reddit commenter. "Told entirely in the form of letters! It always gives me such a sense of calm and joy!" If you can't bring yourself to face leaving the charming community of Guernsey by the novel's end, you can lose yourself in a 2018 adaptation starring Lily James and Matthew Goode.

When protagonist Finn travels to a small southern California town to visit her grandmother, she is swept into the personal lives of the women who comprise the local quilting group. This is the start of Whitney Otto's novel "How To Make An American Quilt," which follows the distinct lives of each woman Finn meets, whose stories overlap like the patches on the quilt they are making for Finn's upcoming wedding.

Like "Gilmore Girls," this is a story that plumbs the complex bonds between women and gives strong, complicated women their due. It explores the relationships that form across generations, and the private lives that exist beyond the gaze of men. "It's rare to find a novel that shamelessly reveals the unconventional lives of middle-aged women, whether it be through their non-traditional marriages or parenting methods," wrote one Goodreads reviewer. "But, even more beautiful is the focus on the quilt. It's history. It's art form. Quilting as an emotional response to existing in a feminine body."

At its heart, "Gilmore Girls" is a coming-of-age story, with mother-daughter duo Rory and Lorelai growing up together over the course of the series. This is why "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" by Libby Brashares makes for the perfect companion to read during a rewatch. The bildungsroman classic follows four childhood friends facing their first summer apart. As each girl embarks on her own personal growth journey, their close sister-like bonds help them navigate the wilder world.

Readers praise this book for its original plot and emotional depth. "This book brings me back to the days of high school, summer camp, and having little crushes," wrote one Reddit commenter. "Seriously, this embodies adolescence through the eyes of four teenage girls that are best friends." While this novel is not without its sad moments, it's a lovely testament to the emotional roller coaster of adolescence and the power of female relationships. If you can't get enough of Rory and Lorelai's tight bond, this story offers more of the same. After you've finished it, consider reaching for one of the best coming-of-age picks from the Read with Jenna Book Club.

While both Rory and Lorelai had their fair share of memorable love interests, it's the female friendships that make up the heart of "Gilmore Girls." Lorelai in particular is a tough, capable single mom and a strong female character. If you're looking for a story where interesting women are the true center of the narrative, you're likely to enjoy "Anne of Green Gables" by L.M. Montgomery.

This classic and comforting read centers female bonds, and the titular character, Anne has all the spunk and creativity of Lorelai. Plus, like our beloved but occasionally problematic Gilmore girls, Anne is fallible and complex. "Anne Shirley must be one of the most delightful characters ever written, largely because she is far from perfect," observed one Reddit reviewer. "She makes mistakes, as we all do, but her mistakes are much funnier than my own feel and she makes me see the value in learning from each of them, laughing at them and moving on."