Friday Night Readers: Literary Rewatch of Gilmore Girls

Friday Night Readers
  • 4.9 (9)
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Friday Night Readers is an unofficial literary rewatch of Gilmore Girls hosted by Julianne Buonocore, who's run a Rory Gilmore reading challenge since 2020 and was featured in the book But I'm a Gilmore! Fueled by coffee, she breaks down the books referenced, so you actually understand what the characters are talking so fast about as you rewatch and read like Rory with us. Subscribe at FridayNightReaders.substack.com to get notified of new episodes and participate in our virtual book club community that feels like Stars Hollow.

  1. JAN 7

    Changes at Friday Night Readers for 2026

    Welcome to Changes at Friday Night Readers for 2026 ! In this podcast episode, I share what you can expect from Friday Night Readers in 2026. As we turn the page on a new year, some things will stay the same, and some will change, but one things certain--our Gilmore Girls inspired reading community is getting bigger and better! Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links that earn me commissions at no extra cost to you. Sponsors: Subscribe to the Friday Night Readers' free email newsletter on Substack. New subscribers receive a discount when you upgrade to a paid annual subscription to enjoy our full book club community benefits. Books, Pop Culture, and Other Mentions: Ann Patchett’s WhistlerRory Gilmore reading challengeThe GazetteBookmarksBook Teasesreading and business goalswhy you should take the Rory Gilmore reading challengeThe Wishlist Finder Full Show Notes For Changes at Friday Night Readers for 2026 Time Stamps: 03:55 Quick Recap of 202505:14 What to Expect Here in 202612:56 Closing Thoughts Follow: Subscribe to Friday Night Readers on Substack to read and live like the Gilmore Girls in our virtual book club community. You'll instantly get a free printable checklist of 500+ books from the show. Follow us on our most active social media channel, Instagram Listen on your favorite platform: Apple YouTube a...

    14 min
  2. Best Books of the Year 2025

    12/22/2025

    Best Books of the Year 2025

    Welcome to Best Books of the Year 2025 ! In this podcast episode, I share the best books I read in 2025: seven 2025 titles, three backlist titles from our Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge, and a list of 2025 book releases I wish I had the chance to read in 2025. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links that earn me commissions at no extra cost to you. Sponsors: Subscribe to the Friday Night Readers' free email newsletter on Substack. New subscribers receive a discount when you upgrade to a paid annual subscription to enjoy our full book club community benefits. Book Mentions: Heart the Lover by Lily KingThe Bright Years by Sarah DamoffBroken Country by Clare Leslie HallBuckeye by Patrick RyanFun For the Whole Family by Jennifer E. SmithRoad to Tender Hearts by Annie HartnettWhat Happened to the McCrays? by Tracey LangeBest Offer Wins by Marisa KashinoEnshittification by Cory DoctorowA Guardian and a Thief by Megha MajumdarThe Loneliness of Sonia and Sunny by Kiran DesaiKate & Frida by Kim FayA Long Winter by Colm ToibinThe Slip by Lucas SchaeferWorkhorse by Caroline PalmerFrankenstein by Mary Shelleya href="https://amzn.to/4aXaHOP"...

    28 min
  3. Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 14, "That Damn Donna Reed": Pop Culture Rewatch

    12/19/2025

    Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 14, "That Damn Donna Reed": Pop Culture Rewatch

    Welcome to Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 14, "That Damn Donna Reed": Pop Culture Rewatch ! In this podcast episode, I share the books and pop culture referenced when Lorelai convinces Luke to repaint the Diner with her help. Lorelai, Rory, and Dean watch The Donna Reed Show, which causes tension with Dean, who likes the traditional wife aesthetic that Lorelai and Rory mock. While watching Babette’s and Morey’s new kitten, Rory cosplays as Donna Reed and cooks for Dean, while they discuss the issue further. Meanwhile, Luke helps Lorelai find the escaped baby chick Rory is watching for school in their home. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links that earn me commissions at no extra cost to you. Sponsors: Subscribe to the Friday Night Readers' free email newsletter on Substack. New subscribers receive a discount when you upgrade to a paid annual subscription to enjoy our full book club community benefits. Books, Pop Culture, and Other Mentions: Lewis CarrollA Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee WilliamsMartha StewartMiguel de CervantesEveryone Is Lying to You by Jo PiazzaMy interview with Jo Piazza Books set in Martha's VineyardMarcel MarceauLinda McCartney and Paul McCartneyJoan Rivers and Melissa RiversMichael DouglasThe Donna Reed ShowI Love...

    34 min
  4. Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 13, "Concert Interruptus": Pop Culture Rewatch

    12/12/2025

    Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 13, "Concert Interruptus": Pop Culture Rewatch

    Welcome to Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 13, "Concert Interruptus": Pop Culture Rewatch ! In this podcast episode, I share the books and pop culture referenced when Stars Hollow has a Rummage Sale, and Lorelai, Rory, Sookie, Paris, Madeline, and Louise go to The Bangles concert. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links that earn me commissions at no extra cost to you. Sponsors: Subscribe to the Friday Night Readers' free email newsletter on Substack. New subscribers receive a discount when you upgrade to a paid annual subscription to enjoy our full book club community benefits. Books, Pop Culture, and Other Mentions: How the Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. SeussLittle Red Riding Hood by the Brothers GrimmMacbeth by William ShakespeareSomething Wicked This Way Comes by Ray BradburyCarrie by Stephen KingThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank BaumWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by GregoryMaguireHarvey FiersteinPaul BunyanAnnie OakleyCatherine Zeta-JonesMichelle PfeifferElle MacphersonStar TrekHouse of Horrorsa href="https://amzn.to/4pzvzQW" rel="noopener noreferrer"...

    24 min
  5. Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 12, "Double Date": Pop Culture Rewatch

    12/05/2025

    Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 12, "Double Date": Pop Culture Rewatch

    Welcome to Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 12, "Double Date": Pop Culture Rewatch ! In this podcast episode, I share the books and pop culture referenced when Lorelai and Rory go on separate double dates, Rory with Dean, Lane, and Todd; and Lorelai with Rune, Sookie, and Jackson. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links that earn me commissions at no extra cost to you. Sponsors: Subscribe to the Friday Night Readers' free email newsletter on Substack. New subscribers receive a discount when you upgrade to a paid annual subscription to enjoy our full book club community benefits. Books, Pop Culture, and Other Mentions: Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola EstésThe Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath Measure for Measure by William ShakespeareRapunzel by the Brothers Grimm Romeo and Juliet by William ShakespeareClaudine LongetRichard SimmonsAttack of the Fifty Foot WomanBeethovenMaskThe Great Santini “Earn Enough For Us” by XTC"God Only Knows" by Claudine LongetThe BeatlesBeckFoo FightersThe Velvet UndergroundNicoFugazi Full Show Notes For Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 12, "Double Date": Pop Culture Rewatch Time Stamps: 00:31 What Happened in Stars Hollow07:28 The Gilmores' World of Books11:23 Oy With the Pop Culture Already18:27 Book Tease Follow: Subscribe to Friday Night Readers on Substack to read and...

    21 min
  6. Announcing the 2026 (6th Annual) Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge!

    12/03/2025 · BONUS

    Announcing the 2026 (6th Annual) Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge!

    Welcome to Announcing the 2026 (6th Annual) Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge! ! In this podcast episode, I share how our Gilmore Girls inspired book club works, and how you can read with us in 2026. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links that earn me commissions at no extra cost to you. Sponsors: Subscribe to the Friday Night Readers' free email newsletter on Substack. New subscribers receive a discount when you upgrade to a paid annual subscription to enjoy our full book club community benefits. Links Mentioned: SubstackInstagram Full Show Notes For Announcing the 2026 (6th Annual) Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge! (including book recommendations) Time Stamps: 02:43 How to Join04:23 Reading prompts for the 2026 Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge05:49 January - a kid's book07:39 February - a book adaptation11:33 March - book published in 2000 or later14:52 April - a classic book17:24 May - a book associated with Rory Gilmore20:21 June - a female author22:41 July - a short book25:17 August - a book set in Europe27:20 September - a book associated with Lorelai Gilmore29:10 October - a book from season 2 of Gilmore Girls30:44 November - nonfiction32:38 December - a random book34:09 Frequently asked questions Follow: Subscribe to Friday Night Readers on Substack to read and live like the Gilmore Girls in our virtual book club community. You'll instantly get a free printable checklist of 500+ books from the show. Follow us on our most active social media channel, Instagram Listen on your favorite platform: Apple YouTube Spotify Amazon About Friday Night Readers: Literary Rewatch of Gilmore Girls : Friday Night Readers is a virtual book club inspired by Gilmore Girls and hosted by Julianne Buonocore, who has run a Rory Gilmore reading challenge since 2020 and wrote an essay in the book But I'm a Gilmore! Fueled by coffee, she breaks down the books on the show, so you actually understand what the characters are talking so fast about as you read and live like Rory with us. Subscribe at FridayNightReaders.substack.com to get notified of new episodes and participate in a community that feels like Stars Hollow. Advertise: Do you have a book, product, or service you'd like to share with our engaged audience? Learn more and contact us.

    40 min
  7. All 8 Gilmore Girls Christmas Episodes Ranked

    11/24/2025 · BONUS

    All 8 Gilmore Girls Christmas Episodes Ranked

    Welcome to All 8 Gilmore Girls Christmas Episodes Ranked ! The best way to spread holiday cheer is… rewatching the Christmas episodes of Gilmore Girls! Some ooze Christmas spirit, and some are just Christmas-ish, but they are all festive in ways as quirky and charming as the show we so love. Of all the 157 episodes, these are the ones I rewatch most, so I’m both listing and ranking them for you. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links that earn me commissions at no extra cost to you. Sponsors: Subscribe to the Friday Night Readers' free email newsletter on Substack. New subscribers receive a discount when you upgrade to a paid annual subscription to enjoy our full book club community benefits. Full Show Notes For All 8 Gilmore Girls Christmas Episodes Ranked Time Stamps: 01:42 List of Gilmore Girls Christmas episodes02:40 #8: S6, Ep12 "Just Like Gwen and Gavin"03:33 #7: A Year in the Life: "Winter"04:36 #6: S3, Ep 10 "That'll Do, Pig"05:08 #5: S4, Ep11 "In the Clamor and the Clangor"05:59 #4: S5, Ep11 "Women of Questionable Morals"07:10 #3: S7, Ep11 "Santa's Secret Stuff"08:06 #2: S1, Ep10 "Forgiveness and Stuff"08:58 #1: S2, Ep10 "The Bracebridge Dinner Follow: Subscribe to Friday Night Readers on Substack to read and live like the Gilmore Girls in our virtual book club community. You'll instantly get a free printable checklist of 500+ books from the show. Follow us on our most active social media channel, Instagram Listen on your favorite platform: Apple YouTube Spotify Amazon About Friday Night Readers: Literary Rewatch of Gilmore Girls : Friday Night Readers is a virtual book club inspired by Gilmore Girls and hosted by Julianne Buonocore, who has run a Rory Gilmore reading challenge since 2020 and wrote an essay in the book But I'm a Gilmore! Fueled by coffee, she breaks down the books on the show, so you actually understand what the characters are talking so fast about as you read and live like Rory with us. Subscribe at FridayNightReaders.substack.com to get notified of new episodes and participate in a community that feels like Stars Hollow. Advertise: Do you have a book, product, or service you'd like to share with our engaged audience? Learn more and contact us.

    13 min
  8. Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 11, "Paris is Burning": Pop Culture Rewatch

    11/21/2025

    Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 11, "Paris is Burning": Pop Culture Rewatch

    Welcome to Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 11, "Paris is Burning": Pop Culture Rewatch ! In this podcast episode, I share the books and pop culture referenced when Parents’ Day approaches at Chilton. Lorelai is anxious about it because she’s getting cold feet with Max, while Rory begins to fit in at Chilton. That is, until Lorelai and Max kiss in his classroom, and Paris sees it. Rory confronts Paris, and Lorelai and Max decide to take a break. Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links that earn me commissions at no extra cost to you. Sponsors: Subscribe to the Friday Night Readers' free email newsletter on Substack. New subscribers receive a discount when you upgrade to a paid annual subscription to enjoy our full book club community benefits. Books, Pop Culture, and Other Mentions: Swann’s Way by Marcel ProustMichael CrichtonThe Complete Poems of Emily DickinsonRebecca by Daphne du MaurierThe Shining by Stephen KingDante AlighieriWilliam ShakespeareHomerWalt WhitmanEdna O’BrienParis Is BurningThis Old HousePsychoHeathers Full Show Notes For Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 11, "Paris is Burning": Pop Culture Rewatch Time Stamps: 00:34 What Happened in Stars Hollow06:56 The Gilmores' World of Books15:26 Oy With the Pop Culture Already23:01 Book Tease Follow: Subscribe to Friday Night Readers on Substack to read and live like the Gilmore Girls in our virtual book club community. You'll instantly get a free printable checklist of 500+ books from the show. Follow us on our most active social media channel, Instagram Listen on your favorite platform: Apple YouTube a...

    26 min
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4.9
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Friday Night Readers is an unofficial literary rewatch of Gilmore Girls hosted by Julianne Buonocore, who's run a Rory Gilmore reading challenge since 2020 and was featured in the book But I'm a Gilmore! Fueled by coffee, she breaks down the books referenced, so you actually understand what the characters are talking so fast about as you rewatch and read like Rory with us. Subscribe at FridayNightReaders.substack.com to get notified of new episodes and participate in our virtual book club community that feels like Stars Hollow.

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