Épisodes

  • 👯‍♀️6 Female Friendship Books for Galentine's Day
    Feb 13 2026
    Welcome to Friday Night Readers. Fueled by coffee, we break down the books referenced on Gilmore Girls. Our little literary corner of the world helps you understand what the characters are talking so fast about, and live in a world of books like Rory. Life’s short; read fast!Listen to the podcast on: Substack | Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTubeRead the full transcript and subscribe to our book club community: Female Friendship BooksValentine’s Day isn’t just about romantic love! That’s why this week’s podcast episode is focused on Galentine’s Day.It doesn’t matter if you’re Team Dean, Jess, or Logan today. Here, my new-ish book friend Laura Yamin (host of the What to Read Next podcast) and I share insights on what it really takes to make female friends as an adult, along with the three juicy books we each recommend on the topic.From true friends to frenemies, these books celebrate platonic female love and all its highs and lows. It’s an extra special episode for an extra special day, so I hope you feel all the feels of our off-the-cuff conversation.Timestamps for Our Favorite Female Friendship Books:I focused on recommending books that remind me of the female friendships on Gilmore Girls:08:21 My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante: one of the best novels of the 21st Century, about two smart young women in 1950s Italy, one of whom focuses on education and the other who focuses on family, for fans of Rory and Lane17:32 Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett: a memoir about a difficult, but loving, friendship with an academic contemporary, for fans of Rory and Paris23:36 Love and Saffron by Kim Fay: an epistolary novel about food, which feels like a balm for the soul, for fans of Lorelai and SookieLaura focused on new releases:12:49 Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik: a debut novel about coming of age as friends in a church community20:23 Rachel West and the Fallen Starlet by Emma Mills: a 2008 novel about uncovering the mysterious death of a celebrity friend26:53 Murdered by Cheesecake by Rachel Ekstrom Courage: a cozy mystery starring the ultimate gal pals, the Golden GirlsMore Books Mentioned:Anne of a Different Island by Virginia KantraLittle One by Olivia MuenterEveryone is Lying to You by Jo PiazzaAutobiography of a Face by Lucy GrealyOne & Only by Maurene GooThrowback by Maurene GooNancy by E. Lockhart and Sarah MlynowskiSamantha: The Next Chapter by Fiona DavisAdvertise: Do you have a book, product, or service you'd like to share with our engaged audience? Learn more and contact us.Follow: Instagram, Threads, Facebook, GoodReads, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, X, Reddit, LinkedInDisclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fridaynightreaders.substack.com/subscribe
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    36 min
  • 260+ Books With Adaptations on Gilmore Girls to Read and Watch
    Feb 6 2026
    Welcome to Friday Night Readers. Fueled by coffee, we break down the books referenced on Gilmore Girls. Our little literary corner of the world helps you understand what the characters are talking so fast about, and live in a world of books like Rory. Life’s short; read fast!Listen to the podcast on: Substack | Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTubeRead the full transcript and subscribe to our book club community: book adaptations on Gilmore GirlsTimestamps:02:14 Featured book of the month03:17 Books with great adaptations from the Rory Gilmore reading listLinks mentioned:Rory Gilmore reading challengeRory Gilmore reading listchildren’s books from Gilmore GirlsWuthering Heights by Emily BrontëCharlie & the Chocolate Factory by Roald DahlFrankenstein by Mary ShelleyHarry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. RowlingMary Poppins by P. L. TraversPride and Prejudice by Jane AustenPygmalion by George Bernard ShawRomeo and Juliet by William ShakespeareThe Shining by Stephen KingTo Kill a Mockingbird by Harper LeeThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baumpreviously featured booksUnofficial Guide to the Books on Gilmore GirlsAdvertise: Do you have a book, product, or service you'd like to share with our engaged audience? Learn more and contact us.Follow: Instagram, Threads, Facebook, GoodReads, YouTube, TikTok, Pinterest, X, Reddit, LinkedInDisclosure: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fridaynightreaders.substack.com/subscribe
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    10 min
  • ❄️It Won't Always Be Winter, According to The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
    Jan 30 2026
    Welcome to Friday Night Readers. Fueled by coffee, we break down the books referenced on Gilmore Girls. Our little literary corner of the world helps you understand what the characters are talking so fast about, and live in a world of books like Rory. Life’s short; read fast!This month, as we read kids’ books from the Gilmore Girls book list for our Rory Gilmore reading challenge, I’m reviewing my read: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis.Listen to the podcast on: Substack | Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTubeRead the full transcript and subscribe to our book club community: https://fridaynightreaders.substack.com/p/lion-witch-wardrobe-always-winterTimestamps:01:18 About the book02:13 Why winter symbolism resonates04:36 On finding hope during winter06:21 Reading tipsLinks Mentioned:The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the first of seven classic children’s books in the Chronicles of Narnia series.C.S. Lewis Wintering by Katherine MayDisney’s 2005 film adaptationmovie exhibitTurkish DelightFind interesting reading resources at both the C.S. Lewis Institute and C.S. Lewis’s website. I also enjoyed the photos and maps on Into the Wardrobe.Unofficial Guide to the Books on Gilmore GirlsAdvertise: Do you have a book, product, or service you'd like to share with our engaged audience? Learn more and contact us. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fridaynightreaders.substack.com/subscribe
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    8 min
  • 📖Rory Gilmore Reading List: Free Printable PDF Checklist of 450+ Verified Books
    Jan 28 2026

    Welcome to Friday Night Readers. Fueled by coffee, we break down the books referenced on Gilmore Girls. Our little literary corner of the world helps you understand what the characters are talking so fast about, and live in a world of books like Rory. Life’s short; read fast!

    Get my updated Rory Gilmore Reading List of books on Gilmore Girls after 2+ years of work, with 100+ new discoveries nowhere else, and a printable PDF checklist.

    Follow the show on your favorite podcast app: https://fridaynightreaders.com/podcast/

    Timestamps:

    01:50 Why you should trust my Rory Gilmore reading list

    04:09 Most iconic books on Gilmore Girls

    06:39 Nuances in the list of books on Gilmore Girls

    07:43 How to read like a Gilmore

    Links mentioned:

    Rory Gilmore Reading List (free online for everyone; free printable PDF checklist for email subscribers)

    168-page Unofficial Guide to the Books on Gilmore Girls (by episode) (for paid subscribers)

    Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge

    The most iconic books on Gilmore Girls

    But I’m a Gilmore! book

    Advertise:

    Do you have a book, product, or service you'd like to share with our engaged audience? Learn more and contact us: https://fridaynightreaders.com/contact/



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fridaynightreaders.substack.com/subscribe
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    10 min
  • 🍫Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the Exact Whimsy We Need in Our Reading Lives
    Jan 23 2026

    Welcome to Friday Night Readers. Fueled by coffee, we break down the books referenced on Gilmore Girls. Our little literary corner of the world helps you understand what the characters are talking so fast about, and live in a world of books like Rory. Life’s short; read fast!

    This month, as we read kids’ books from the Gilmore Girls book list for our Rory Gilmore reading challenge, I’m featuring one top pick: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

    Listen to the podcast on: Substack | Apple | Spotify | Amazon | YouTube

    Read the full post and subscribe to our book club community on Substack.

    Timestamps:

    01:17 Plot description

    02:03 Why Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is relevant today

    05:05 On whimsy in our reading lives

    06:29 Tips for reading this book

    07:47 Poll: book or movie?

    Links Mentioned:

    Podcast host Laura Yamin (What to Read Next)

    Gilmore Girls 1.7 “Kiss and Tell” podcast episode

    Full review of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl

    1971 film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

    Wonka candy

    2003 film Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

    2023 film Wonka

    Controversy about this book

    BBC's deep dive into Roald Dahl’s dark side

    Advertise: Do you have a book, product, or service you'd like to share with our engaged audience? Learn more and contact us: https://fridaynightreaders.com/contact/



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fridaynightreaders.substack.com/subscribe
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    9 min
  • 🎙️Friday Night Readers Podcast Trailer: A Book Club Inspired by Gilmore Girls
    Jan 16 2026

    Welcome to Friday Night Readers. Fueled by coffee, we break down the books referenced on Gilmore Girls. Our little literary corner of the world helps you understand what the characters are talking so fast about and live in a world of books like Rory. Life’s short; read fast!

    Subscribe at https://fridaynightreaders.substack.com/ to get notified of new episodes and participate in our virtual book club community that feels like Stars Hollow.

    Or, follow the show on your favorite podcast app: https://fridaynightreaders.com/podcast/

    Advertise: Do you have a book, product, or service you'd like to share with our engaged audience? Learn more and contact us: https://fridaynightreaders.com/contact/



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fridaynightreaders.substack.com/subscribe
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    1 min
  • Kids' Book Recommendations from Gilmore Girls
    Jan 9 2026

    Today at Friday Night Readers, we’ll be breaking down January’s reading prompt to read a children’s book from Gilmore Girls: all the options, how I rate them, and reading tips.

    Subscribe:

    Subscribe to the Friday Night Readers' free virtual book club community on Substack. New email subscribers get a printable PDF of the 500+ books on Gilmore Girls. You'll also receive a discount when you upgrade to a paid annual subscription to enjoy our full book club community benefits.

    Links Mentioned:

    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.

    Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge

    Kids' Books on Gilmore Girls

    Instagram

    Little Women Christmas Guide

    Gilmore Girls onesies

    MinaLima editions of classics

    SSR Podcast episode about Encyclopedia Brown

    I'm reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

    Our featured book will be Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl.

    Time Stamps:

    00:09 Changes to the podcast

    01:42 About the Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge

    08:24 Kids' books from Gilmore Girls

    09:39 Kids' books I loved

    15:23 Kids' books I liked

    18:00 Kids' books I didn't like

    19:00 Kids' books I didn't read yet

    23:06 What I'm reading

    24:04 Featured book of the month

    Listen on:

    Substack

    Apple

    Spotify

    Amazon

    YouTube

    About the Show:

    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 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.



    This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fridaynightreaders.substack.com/subscribe
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    25 min
  • Gilmore Girls Season 1, Episode 14, "That Damn Donna Reed": Pop Culture Rewatch
    Dec 19 2025

    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:

    1. Lewis Carroll
    2. A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams
    3. Martha Stewart
    4. Miguel de Cervantes
    5. Everyone Is Lying to You by Jo Piazza
    6. My interview with Jo Piazza
    7. Books set in Martha's Vineyard
    8. Marcel Marceau
    9. Linda McCartney and Paul McCartney
    10. Joan Rivers and Melissa Rivers
    11. Michael Douglas
    12. The Donna Reed Show
    13. I Love...

      This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit fridaynightreaders.substack.com/subscribe
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    34 min