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🎬10 Books From Gilmore Girls With Adaptations Worth Reading (And Watching) · Friday Night Readers: Gilmore Girls Inspired Book Club

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  SPEAKER_00: Welcome to Friday Night Readers.
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  SPEAKER_00: Fueled by coffee, we break down the books referenced on Gilmore Girls.
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  Our little literary corner of the world helps you understand
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  what the characters
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  SPEAKER_00: are talking so fast about and live in a world of books like worry.
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  SPEAKER_00: Like short, read fast.
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  SPEAKER_00: Before we dive in,
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  don't forget to subscribe to our Friday Night Readers
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  newsletter community on
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  SPEAKER_00: Substack.
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  You'll get instant access to a free printable list of 450 plus
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  books on Gilmore Girls.
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  SPEAKER_00: Plus,
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  SPEAKER_00: even more Gilmore-inspired content,
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  SPEAKER_00: like our Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge,
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  SPEAKER_00: which we've been doing together since 2020.
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  Paid members get exclusive extras,
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  like our Gilmore Girls-inspired reading journal.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: And our unofficial guide to the books on Gilmore Girls.
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  SPEAKER_00: Come hang out where the real Gilmore magic happens.
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  SPEAKER_00: FridayNightReaders.substack.com Hello, Friday Night Readers.
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  SPEAKER_00: Today,
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  we're talking about books with adaptations on Gilmore Girls
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  that you can read and
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  SPEAKER_00: watch,
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  SPEAKER_00: and I've got 260 of them for you.
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  February is arm up to read books adapted to film from Gilmore
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  Girls because we are
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  so often stuck indoors and we can both read and watch from
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  these hundreds of
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  SPEAKER_00: options.
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  I've used this prompt in our Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge
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  every single winter for
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  SPEAKER_00: this very reason.
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  And if you're new around here and need more information in the
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  show notes,
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  I am linking our Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge and the Rory
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  Gilmore Reading List
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  SPEAKER_00: for you.
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  Many of these film adaptations also correspond to children's
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  books from Gilmore
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  SPEAKER_00: Ross,
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  SPEAKER_00: which was January's prompt,
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  SPEAKER_00: so you can easily read two short books to start our reading challenge.
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  No worries if you found us a little bit late in the year or got
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  a little bit behind
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  SPEAKER_00: in the beginning.
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  SPEAKER_00: So I actually already listened to several of these poems,
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  SPEAKER_00: short stories,
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  SPEAKER_00: and children's books on YouTube during one short afternoon while working,
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  SPEAKER_00: and I've gotten several under my belts very easily this month.
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  SPEAKER_00: I also watched Gone with the Wind for the first time ever.
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  SPEAKER_00: It is four hours long,
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  SPEAKER_00: and while the book is also long and intimidating,
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  it's been referenced so many times on the show that I felt it
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  was time to at least
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  SPEAKER_00: watch it.
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  SPEAKER_00: I did really enjoy it and think it's a very good movie,
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  but I do want to note that it's also very controversial because
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  it portrays the
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  SPEAKER_00: Civil War South with rosy-colored lenses,
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  SPEAKER_00: which we all know isn't exactly true to the time.
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  SPEAKER_00: First, let's talk about our featured book of the month.
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  SPEAKER_00: It will be none other than Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte.
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  SPEAKER_00: It is arguably the hottest classic of the moment,
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  as the new adaptation starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi
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  as Heathcliff
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  SPEAKER_00: releases in the U.S.
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  SPEAKER_00: on February 13, 2026.
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  SPEAKER_00: I have linked the trailer in the show notes for you.
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  SPEAKER_00: And just as a reminder,
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  a featured book is just one book from the list that I choose to
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  feature in a
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  SPEAKER_00: full-length post that month.
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  SPEAKER_00: You don't have to choose it,
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  SPEAKER_00: but whether you read it or whether you decide to read it this month,
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  SPEAKER_00: I still try to make something fun for you to consume around it.
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  SPEAKER_00: I personally read this gothic novel in high school and I did like it,
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  SPEAKER_00: but know that it's dark and not your average love story.
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  The story centers on the volatile relationship between
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  Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
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  whose fierce bond shapes the fate of both Wutheran Heights and
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  its neighbor,
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  SPEAKER_00: Rough Cross Grange,
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  SPEAKER_00: on the bleak English moors.
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  Their actions leave lasting consequences as the narrative
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  explores obsessive love,
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  SPEAKER_00: revenge,
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  SPEAKER_00: class conflict,
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  SPEAKER_00: power,
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  SPEAKER_00: and generational trauma.
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  SPEAKER_00: I told you it was different.
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  SPEAKER_00: In the show notes, I also linked the movie tie-in edition of the book.
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  Now,
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  let's talk about 10 books with adaptations that are just as
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  good or fatter than the book.
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  SPEAKER_00: From the Gilmore Girls Reading List.
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  SPEAKER_00: I do these top 10s to help you choose a book.
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  And while they're usually focused on the quality of the books,
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  here it's a mix.
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  SPEAKER_00: I picked 10 movies that are particularly iconic.
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  SPEAKER_00: In some cases, the book wasn't as good.
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  I think that this month,
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  doing it this way makes for a more interactive reading
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  experience.
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  Of course,
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  you can always read and or watch whatever you want in our
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  reading challenge.
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  SPEAKER_00: First, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.
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  A poor but kind young boy wins a golden ticket that leads him
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  through a magical
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  SPEAKER_00: chocolate factory and offers him a life-changing opportunity.
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  I give both the book and the original Gene Wilder movie
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  adaptation five out of five stars.
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  They exemplify the whimsy that we all need right now while
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  recording a lesson.
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  SPEAKER_00: And you may recall that just a few weeks ago,
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  SPEAKER_00: I featured this book,
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  SPEAKER_00: so I will leave that in the show notes for you as well.
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  SPEAKER_00: Second is Frankenstein by Mary Shelley.
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  A young scientist creates light through unnatural means and he
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  must face the tragic
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  SPEAKER_00: consequences of his own ambition.
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  This book is now an all-time favorite classic of mine with
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  exquisite writing and
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  SPEAKER_00: thoughtful themes that remain so relevant today in an age of artificial
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  SPEAKER_00: intelligence.
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  I did enjoy the recent Netflix adaptation as well,
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  but I do think the book is a lot better.
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  SPEAKER_00: Third, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K.
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  SPEAKER_00: Rowling.
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  SPEAKER_00: You know the story.
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  An orphan boy discovers he's a wizard and enters a magical
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  academic world where he
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  SPEAKER_00: must battle evil and darkness.
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  SPEAKER_00: It's arguably the most popular book of all time,
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  SPEAKER_00: as well as one of the most popular movies of all time.
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  SPEAKER_00: So I'll just leave it at that.
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  SPEAKER_00: Next, let's talk about Mary Poppins by P.L.
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  SPEAKER_00: Travers.
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  A magical nanny transforms an ordinary family's life through
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  extraordinary
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  SPEAKER_00: adventures and lessons.
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  This is one story where the book is fine,
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  but the movie musical is pure magic.
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  SPEAKER_00: This was one of my most rewatched movies as a child.
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  SPEAKER_00: At Book and Lady, Julie Anders and Dick Van Dyke are icons.
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  SPEAKER_00: Let's also talk about Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.
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  SPEAKER_00: A shark-witted young woman navigates love,
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  SPEAKER_00: class,
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  SPEAKER_00: and misunderstandings while learning to challenge her own judgments.
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  SPEAKER_00: Arguably the greatest love story of all time,
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  SPEAKER_00: as well as Jane Austen's most famous work,
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  both the BBC adaptation and the Cara Knightley adaptation are
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  also beloved.
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  SPEAKER_00: This is easily one of my favorite books, movies, and adaptations.
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  SPEAKER_00: Next, Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw.
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  A professor attempts to transform a poor flower seller into a
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  refined lady,
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  SPEAKER_00: exposing the rigid boundaries of social class.
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  The adaptation is called My Fair Lady,
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  and it stars my favorite actress,
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  Audrey Hepburn.
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  SPEAKER_00: This film is eye candy from start to finish,
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  and it's one of my favorites to rewatch every spring because it
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  just has that vibe.
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  SPEAKER_00: Next,
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  SPEAKER_00: Romeo and Juliet held William Shakespeare,
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  SPEAKER_00: two young lovers from rival families pursue forbidden love that leads to
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  SPEAKER_00: devastating consequences.
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  SPEAKER_00: This is another one of the most popular love stories of all time,
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  SPEAKER_00: making it perfect for Valentine's Day.
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  It's also a really good gateway into Shakespeare because many
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  people already know
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  SPEAKER_00: the storyline and it's not that hard to read.
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  The 1990s Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes adaptation is a
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  visual masterpiece.
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  SPEAKER_00: The Shining by Stephen King.
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  A family's winter isolation and a remote hotel awakens dark
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  supernatural forces and
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  SPEAKER_00: a father's growing instability.
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  Now,
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  I am too scared to watch the full movie,
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  but I did watch the trailer.
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  SPEAKER_00: I've seen scenes from it in various places over the years.
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  We also hear Lorelai Gilmore say Here's Johnny a few times in
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  Gilmore Girls.
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  SPEAKER_00: The book was just good for me.
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  SPEAKER_00: It is not my favorite Stephen King book.
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  SPEAKER_00: Technically, though, one could argue that it's his most popular book.
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  SPEAKER_00: I picked it because its setting is perfect for winter.
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  SPEAKER_00: We're almost there.
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  SPEAKER_00: To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee.
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  A child observes racial injustice and moral curve in her
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  southern town as her
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  SPEAKER_00: father defends an innocent man.
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  Not only is this book one of the great American novels and a
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  reader favorite,
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  but the classic movie features memorable scenes starring
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  Gregory Peck that still
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  SPEAKER_00: stand the test of time and are beloved by viewers alike.
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  SPEAKER_00: Both were favorites of mine in high school.
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  SPEAKER_00: Last but not least, The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Fong.
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  A young girl is swept into a fantastical land and journeys with
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  unlikely companions
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  SPEAKER_00: to find her way home.
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  SPEAKER_00: It doesn't happen often,
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  SPEAKER_00: but in this case,
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  SPEAKER_00: the movie is so iconic that it really is better than the book.
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  That said,
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  it's referenced so often on Gilmore Girls that it's worth the
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  reading too.
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  You may also want to dive into one of our previously featured
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  books or some of our
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  SPEAKER_00: community's favorite book adaptations.
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  I'm linking our previously featured books that have movie
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  adaptations in the show notes for you.
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  Here are some that came up that were also on the Gilmore Girls
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  reading list.
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  SPEAKER_00: Outlander,
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  SPEAKER_00: A Streetcarning Desire,
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  SPEAKER_00: Lord of the Rings,
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  SPEAKER_00: that was actually the winner and got the most votes,
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  SPEAKER_00: Harry Potter,
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  SPEAKER_00: and The Great Gatsby.
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  SPEAKER_00: A few others that came up are Little Women,
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  SPEAKER_00: A Little Princess,
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  SPEAKER_00: Scent and Sensibility,
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  SPEAKER_00: The Talies of Mr.
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  SPEAKER_00: Ripley,
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  SPEAKER_00: Anne of Green Bables,
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  SPEAKER_00: The Green Mile,
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  SPEAKER_00: and The Summer I Turned Grey.
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  SPEAKER_00: All great options.
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  SPEAKER_00: If you want to know what some of my favorite book adaptations are,
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  SPEAKER_00: they include The Devil Wears Prada,
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  SPEAKER_00: Pride and Prejudice,
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  SPEAKER_00: Clueless,
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  SPEAKER_00: which is an adaptation of Jane Austen's Emma,
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  SPEAKER_00: and Little Women.
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  SPEAKER_00: Oh,
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  SPEAKER_00: I'll add one more,
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  SPEAKER_00: Mean Girls,
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  which you may or may not know is actually a book adaptation of
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  a nonfiction book.
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  SPEAKER_00: I think it was called something like Queen Bees and Wanadies.
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  SPEAKER_00: Okay,
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  SPEAKER_00: so as I mentioned,
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  there are actually 260 books that have adaptations from the
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  Gilmore Girls reading
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  SPEAKER_00: list.
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  I'm not going to list them all here for you,
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  but they are in the show notes.
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  SPEAKER_00: And not only did I list them out,
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  but I went through all the ones that I have read and gave it
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  either a thumbs up,
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  SPEAKER_00: a heart,
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  SPEAKER_00: or a thumbs down.
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  This is all to help you decide what to read and make your
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  experience in our Rory
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  SPEAKER_00: Gilmore Reading Challenge both easier and more fun.
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  SPEAKER_00: When you head to the post,
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  let us know what book from Gilmore Girls you're reading in or
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  watching this month.
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  SPEAKER_00: See you next time.
• 8:45
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks so much for listening to Friday Night Readers.
• 8:48
  SPEAKER_00: I love having you here in our little corner of the Gilmore Bros world.
• 8:52
  SPEAKER_00: If you'd like even more feel-good fun,
• 8:54
  SPEAKER_00: then upgrade to a free or paid email subscription membership at
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: fridaynightreaders.substack.com.
• 9:01
  Paid members get exclusive extras like our Gilmore
• 9:04
  Girls-inspired reading journal
• 9:05
  SPEAKER_00: and our unofficial guide to the books on Gilmore Girls,
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_00: broken down by episode.
• 9:10
  You'll also unlock members-only posts like weekly gazettes and
• 9:13
  monthly bookmarks,
• 9:14
  SPEAKER_00: as well as full community access to our chats.
• 9:18
  SPEAKER_00: It's the coziest virtual place like Stars Hollow,
• 9:21
  SPEAKER_00: and your support helps keep this podcast going strong.
• 9:24
  Lastly,
• 9:25
  if you enjoyed today's episode,
• 9:27
  please take a minute to rate and review the show.
• 9:29
  It helps other Gilmore fans find us,
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  which helps me provide you with more content like this.
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  SPEAKER_00: Until next time, life's short, read fast.