Books to read as the weather cools for a ‘Gilmore Girls’ autumn
In partnership with Bloomsbury
Words by Maryel Sousa
Cosy up.
Back at my home in the Northern Hemisphere, the arrival of autumn meant Halloween hay rides, Thanksgiving feasts and thousands of autumn-themed snacks and decorations for sale in every shop. My rational brain knows this seasonal obsession was purposefully marketed to me, so I’d splurge on limited-edition candles and lattes, but my heart just can’t seem to let it go.
As autumn rolls around down here in Australia, I still find myself becoming a Gilmore Girls-watching, pumpkin spice-craving, basic white girl. And I’m determined to get you all on board.
Interested to hear how others navigate the world? Head to our Life section.
Let’s start with the vibes. For a truly impeccable autumn, we must channel the spirit of the aforementioned Rory Gilmore. While you might not have the charm of Stars Hollow outside your window, you can embrace drinking hot coffees from big mugs, wearing mid-2000s knitted jumpers and, of course, curling up with a good book.
Whether you’re looking for a quirky tear-jerker or to step into the pages of a new sci-fi world, here are five books to settle you into your very own Rory Gilmore autumn.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
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Yes, it’s that octopus book you’ve been hearing about. This feel-good novel follows the story of a widow’s unlikely connection with the Sowell Bay Aquarium’s resident octopus, blending mysterious intrigue with a heartwarming tenderness. For the readers looking for an emotional release this autumn, you’re guaranteed a cathartic cry-ending – but that’s all I’ll tell you. Remarkably Bright Creatures is best read with a full box of tissues and a comforting hot chocolate from Luke’s Diner (or your local equivalent).
Get it here.
The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
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The Dream Hotel (from Pulitzer Prize and Booker Prize nominee Laila Lalami) has been longlisted for the Women’s Prize for fiction, so you know it would be at the top of Rory’s TBR list.
Set in a not-so-different future, this speculative mystery explores the terrifying possibility that the technology we trust to improve our lives could be used against us. Sara, the novel’s main character, is detained for a crime she hasn’t committed. The evidence against her? Data collected from her dreams. As she fights for her release, Sara’s story begs the question: how much of ourselves must be hidden away if we are to remain free?
Get it here.
Luminous by Silvia Park
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Two humans, one robot, one poignant family drama. Luminous tells the story of three estranged siblings in a re-unified Korea in an era where bots aren’t our pocket-bound assistants anymore – they’re family, friends and lovers. In this 400-page read, you’ll find questions about identity, consumerism and an exploration of what it means to be human. It’s the perfect book to bring to Friday night dinners this autumn when you want to shake things up.
Get it here.
Summer in the City by Alex Aster
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Even if you’re not currently experiencing your own ‘will they, won’t they’ tension with a wealthy blonde guy from Yale (hey, Logan fans!), you can live that life vicariously through our protagonist, Elle – an aspiring writer with a billionaire love interest. Sound familiar? This steamy lovers-to-enemies-to-lovers romance is like watching an early 2000s rom-com. Summer in the City is an easy, escapist read for those wanting to dip their toe into the bookish, Rory Gilmore lifestyle.
Get it here.
The Three Lives of Cate Kay by Kate Fagan
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Cate Kay is only Cate Kay when she publishes a book. After years of trying to outrun her past, this elusive bestselling author is finally ready to confess to the world who she really is. The Three Lives of Cate Kay is a WLW story that is perfect for fans of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and equally as perfect for readers looking to devour a character-driven thriller on a chilly autumn afternoon – under a favourite tree, of course.
Get it here.
Browse more from Bloomsbury and find your next read here.
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