Coffee, Books, and Gilmore Girls: Why Rory Gilmore Will Always Be My Favourite Bookworm

Some shows feel like home the minute you press play. For me, that show is Gilmore Girls. I started watching it years ago, curled up under a blanket with a cup of tea, not quite knowing that it would become the comfort show—the one I return to every year like a ritual. It’s more than just a TV show now. It’s warmth. It’s laughter. It’s nostalgia. It’s tradition.

And now, it’s something I share with my mum. She started watching it last year, and it quickly became our thing. We talk about the episodes like we live in Stars Hollow ourselves, and we even have matching keyrings that say: "You're the Rory to my Lorelai" and "You're the Lorelai to my Rory." It’s a quiet little reminder of how much this show means to both of us—and how special it is to share it with someone you love.

At the heart of Gilmore Girls is a deep love for stories, words, and wit. And no one embodies that better than Rory Gilmore. She’s not just a reader—she’s a reader, with a capital R. Bookish to her bones, Rory made loving literature feel like something magical, like it gave her superpowers. As a young woman who spent more time in fictional worlds than the real one, Rory felt like representation—someone who knew the comfort of a book pressed against your chest and the thrill of reading under the covers with a flashlight at 2AM.

From the very first episode, Rory’s love of books is everywhere. She’s reading Moby-Dick at the kitchen table before school (as one does), she’s juggling a mountain of required reading, and she’s constantly adding to a to-be-read pile that could crush a lesser mortal. Books aren’t just background props for Rory—they’re her compass, her comfort zone, and her way of making sense of the world.

One of the most endearing parts of Rory’s story is how her romantic life often mirrored her literary one. Each of her boyfriends brought something different to her reading world—and to her journey of growing up.

Dean was the sweet, earnest first love. He wasn’t much of a reader, but he respected that part of Rory. Remember the town book sale? Dean patiently stood by as Rory picked through endless paperbacks, letting her take her time. He may not have debated Hemingway with her, but he held her books like they mattered—and that counts for something.

Jess, on the other hand, was a whole different story. The bad boy with a book in his back pocket—the dream. He was sharp, brooding, and a total literary match. He introduced Rory to new writers, challenged her opinions, and made reading feel electric again. When he gave her a copy of Howl, it was more than a gift—it was a message. Their chemistry was undeniable, but so was their timing—always slightly off, like a novel you’re not quite ready to read yet, but never forget about.

And then there’s Logan. Logan wasn’t the bookish type, but he admired Rory’s mind and ambition. He pushed her out of her comfort zone, encouraged her career, and supported her dreams—even if his idea of literature was probably more Wall Street Journal than Wuthering Heights. He saw how brilliant she was and wanted her to go after what she deserved. That kind of belief in someone? It sticks with you.

What makes Rory such an unforgettable character is that her identity was never tied solely to the boys she dated. Her love of books stood on its own. It was her anchor in chaos, her way of understanding life, and her link to the people she cared about most—especially her mum.

Books connected Rory and Lorelai in such a unique, tender way. While Lorelai wasn’t the kind of person to sit down with a copy of Anna Karenina, she always supported Rory’s literary side—teasing her lovingly, making space for it, celebrating it. And that’s what made their relationship so special. It was built on mutual respect, endless conversation, and shared cups of coffee at the kitchen counter. Watching their dynamic unfold is like wrapping yourself in a big, cosy jumper: warm, familiar, and full of love.

Their mother-daughter bond has become one of the most meaningful parts of my own life too. Talking to my mum about episodes we’ve just watched, laughing over Lorelai’s one-liners, debating who was really the best boyfriend—it’s our thing now. We’ve turned our love for Gilmore Girls into something that lives outside the show, something tangible. (And yes, our matching keyrings make me tear up a little every time I look at mine.)

And let’s not forget the setting—Stars Hollow is basically a dream come true for any book lover. A town that throws book fairs, hosts 24-hour dance marathons, and somehow contains the most eclectic cast of characters imaginable? Sign me up. Whether it’s Miss Patty’s gossip, Kirk’s newest job, or Taylor’s latest crusade, everything in Stars Hollow feels alive. It’s the kind of town where it makes perfect sense to carry a book everywhere—because anything could happen, and you’ll want something to read while you wait.

Rory reads everywhere—in diners, on buses, at Friday night dinners (between courses, obviously). She makes it feel normal—no, cool—to always have a book within arm’s reach. And let’s be honest: if she had an Instagram, it would just be stacks of paperbacks and annotated classics in aesthetically lit corners.

Rory isn’t perfect. She makes mistakes, she flounders, she lets people down. But that’s what makes her so real. Her journey isn’t just about being the smartest girl in the room—it’s about learning who she is beyond the books. It’s about finding herself when the path gets messy and life doesn’t go according to plan. And isn’t that what growing up is, really?

For me, Gilmore Girls isn’t just a series I re-watch every autumn—it’s a reminder of who I was when I first watched it, who I am now, and who I want to become. It’s about ambition, vulnerability, love, identity, and yes—books. Always books.

So, here’s to Rory Gilmore: the girl who made reading look cool, who showed us that quiet ambition is powerful, and who made it okay to carry a novel to a party (and maybe read it in the corner with a cupcake).

And here’s to Gilmore Girls, the show I’ll never stop re-watching. The show that made me want to chase big dreams, read big books, and drink big cups of coffee with the people I love.