8 Books We Want to See Rory Reading in the New Gilmore Girls Episodes

My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante
Rory probably read the first in the internationally acclaimed Neopolitan saga the second it was translated. Perhaps she has already finished the series. But if not, can she please form a book club with Paris and Lane? Hearing their take on this masterful series about friendship and the meaning that can be found in the most ordinary of lives, now that they are older, wiser, and more world weary, would be a treat.

Modern Romance, by Aziz Ansari
As smart as she is, Rory isn’t really known for making great decisions when it comes to her love life. Previewing the new series, show creator Amy Sherman-Palladino says Rory “is single in the sense that she’s not married. But she’s dating like any young woman with that face would be.” Maybe she’s ready for love, maybe she’s not. But it couldn’t hurt for her to read Aziz Ansari’s sociological take on romance. First up, what does it mean when a guy sends a pizza emoji?

We Should All Be Feminists, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Rory has probably already memorized the text from this thoughtful TEDx speech, which makes the case for universal feminism, but it’s always nice to have a copy in your purse. There’s something so reassuring about this eloquent and personal book. You can leave it behind after a nasty encounter at the movie theater or give a copy to your intern. Rory has an intern, right? She has probably had hundreds of them by now!

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel
This was one of the best books of 2014, and in the years since Rory left Stars Hollow, it probably found its way onto her nightstand. It’s a literary love letter to Shakespeare, human kindness, intimacy, and the bonds that hold communities together, whether they’re scattered across the country or nestled in a tiny Connecticut town. As determined and tender as Rory can be, she also has a melancholy streak, and this book is perfect for long lonely train rides across Europe.

Hamilton, by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Rory probably can’t afford to see Hamilton any more than the rest of us, but if anyone can glean some wisdom from the annotated libretto and essays in this book, it’s Rory. Hearing the personal journey Lin-Manuel Miranda took to produce his masterpiece is sure to inspire her creativity and social activism. It also might inspire Lorelai to rap. Either way.

Swing Time, by Zadie Smith
After graduating from Yale, it’s safe to assume, Rory has some friends working in high places, or at least in publishing. Hopefully she’s getting an advance copy of Zadie Smith’s new novel, which comes out in November but is deeply pre-order worthy. The book is about the power of dance, the difference between being talented and being philosophical, and the people that influence us long after we know them, a bit like the way Rory has influenced our reading lists for years.

When Breath Becomes Air, by Paul Kalanithi
Anyone who reads the classics the way Rory does is thinking about more than literary devices and plot points. They’re really looking for the answer to one question: What makes a life worth living? Literature offers a wide variety of answers. This bestselling memoir takes another approach, as it navigates the last months of neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi’s life. This is a guide to finding meaning in the midst of tragedy and living virtuously even when we still have questions. Perfect Rory reading material.

The Signature of All Things, by Elizabeth Gilbert
A modern masterpiece, this book belongs alongside The Awakening, As I Lay Dying, and other classic titles on Rory’s original reading list. It’s an expansive novel about love and discovering who you are, but it’s also about the intricacies of lichen and the challenges of running a business. Alma, the heroine, is a serious scientist in 19th-century England, and she serves as a fierce role model sure to inspire any Gilmore girl.