Fifteen writers explore what Gilmore Girls means to them in this celebratory collections of essays. The classic contemporary television show bonded real-life mothers and daughters since 2000, when the premiere introduced us to Lorelai, Rory and the town of Stars Hollow. Almost 25 years later and Gilmore Girls is one of the most streamed TV shows ever.

Each of the writers share their personal relationship to Gilmore Girls through a short essay. The writers are diverse (married, single, divorced, old, young, middle-aged, black, Asian, white, male and female) making their experiences quite different. Almost all compare their own lives to Lorelai and Rory's life choices, love matches and family dynamics. The short essays lovingly center around a theme of what makes a home in that fast-talking, warm-hearted, quick-witted way.

What a lovely collection of essays to read. I nodded my head in agreement. Smiled at the many episode references. Teared up at the shared details of lovely mother-daughter bonds. The show revealed so much about ourselves, our mothers and our daughters. Ann Hood's anthology revealed why it matters. Life's Short, Talk Fast has sparked an interest to rewatch all 153 episodes of Gilmore Girls with my Mom.

Bookhearts, I recommend Life's Short, Talk Fast for the fellow bookish girlies like Rory and the Lorelai fans. At just under 200 pages, this new book would be a great companion while you watch Gilmore Girls. While I didn't recognize any of the writers, I appreciated their stories enough to keep an eye out for their work.

Happy Early Pub Day, Ann Hood! Life's Short, Talk Fast will be available Tuesday, November 12.

Disclaimer: An advance copy was received directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are my own and would be the same if I spent my hard-earned coins. ~LiteraryMarie

Life’s Short, Talk Fast is a fun collection of essays exploring fifteen writers’ experience with watching Gilmore Girls. But don’t be fooled; much like the show itself, there is a lot of depth, emotion, and insight to be found here.

These essays are more than just love letters to a favorite television show. Take Nina de Gramont’s discussion of classism through the lens of private school education and Lorelei Gilmore’s coats. (Seriously, now all I can see when I watch the show are the coats.) Or Erin Almond’s description of her own Connecticut upbringing- vastly different from the Stars Hollow ideal that Rory Gilmore had.

Some of the essays are better than others, as so often happens in collections like these. But what I enjoyed about several of them was how often Gilmore Girls brought people together. Parents and children, families and friends, often in difficult times. I’ve experienced that myself and it was interesting to see how, and why, others have had the same thing happen.

Because of the hit-or-miss nature of the essays, I’m rating this collection 3 ½ stars. But I do recommend it to fans of the show. There is definitely something for everyone here.

"Life's Short, Talk Fast" edited by Ann Hood is a delightful anthology that explores the cultural impact of the beloved TV show "Gilmore Girls". The book features fifteen writers —including bestselling authors, BIPOC writers, and LGBTQ writers—each sharing their personal reflections on why the show is such a part of their lives and memories.

The essays delve into various themes such as growing up with a single mother, the fantasy of small-town America, and the comfort the show provided during the pandemic. The writers also examine their own connections to the characters and how "Gilmore Girls" has influenced their lives and relationships. I enjoyed many of the essays with Freya North's being most memorable. I appreciate how Ann Hood (who is one of my favorite authors) selected such talented and enjoyable writers. Each of their unique talents and voices shined through their essays.

This anthology is a heartfelt celebration of a contemporary TV classic, offering a mix of humor, nostalgia, and insight. It's perfect for fans of the show who want to understand its enduring appeal and for those who are curious about its impact on different people.

Hope you get the opportunity to enjoy this one this Fall.

Life's Short, Talk Fast offers an engaging and thoughtful exploration of Gilmore Girls through a diverse range of voices. Featuring bestselling, BIPOC, and LGBTQ writers, this collection dives deep into the beloved show's themes: the complexities of single motherhood, the allure of small-town life, and personal reflections on the show's characters. Essays touch on how Gilmore Girls shaped fans’ experiences, particularly during the pandemic, and delve into topics like non-white perspectives and queer parenting. For fans of the show, this anthology is a nostalgic and thought-provoking read that broadens the conversation beyond Stars Hollow.

Extremely mediocre. I was expecting -- hoping? -- more of an analysis of the cultural impact Gilmore Girls has had, rather than a series of memoir-ish essays. Even then, these essays were largely surface-level, with a few notable exceptions.

Life's Short, Talk Fast is a collection of essays written by authors, about the impact that the series The Gilmore Girls had upon their lives. I was expecting the essays to be gushing tributes to the quaintness of the town Stars Hollow, and the humor and wit of its characters, particularly Lorelei and Rory, But it presents a more even-handed critique as well as an appreciation for the series. The authors speak about their lives looking nothing like those of the characters in the idyllic Stars Hollow community. And yet feeling soothed by seeing some similar issues arising for Lorelei and Rory. Gilmore Girls paints a very straight, white, middle to upper class picture of small town Connecticut that doesn't match real life for most viewers. I was surprised to read that many viewers were highly critical of the character Rory, for the choices she makes as she grows up, especially flip-flopping between boyfriends (including being a part of marital infidelity), leaving college, and not being strong enough to advocate for herself when the world of journalism world gets rough.Others loved Rory for her bookishness, her vulnerability and her ability to self-reflect, over time. There is an over-riding theme of enjoying Gilmore Girls for its clever banter, its underlying value of goodness, and the quirky but love-worthy characters. I enjoyed this quick and easy read and enjoyed dipping back into those fun, cozy feelings I had while watching the series. Highly recommended entertainment for anyone who loved (or hated) Gilmore Girls!

I am a Gilmore Girl OG, so I was excited about this book. It wasn't my favorite. However, I also don't love short stories, so the setup just wasn't my personal favorite. I will be keeping it for the future, though!

What do you have on your bookshelf that is related to pop culture?
Have you watched Gilmore Girls?
How many times have you watched Gilmore Girls?
Did you know there’s an unofficial Gilmore Girls Rewatch Season?
What is the appeal of Gilmore Girls? What is the appeal for you?
What part of Gilmore Girls is the most appealing to you?

Evidently, fall is Gilmore Girls rewatch season! If you’ve watched the Gilmore Girls (GG) TV series or binged it on Netflix, you might find this collection of essays interesting. If you’ve never watched GG, you might find this less interesting.

This essay collection shares fifteen different Gilmore Girls viewing experiences from various perspectives. What is your viewing experience with GG? Do you rewatch the series every fall? This is a thing! Do you occasionally watch an episode? Or have you never watched GG?

My favorite Essay is written by Freya North. Honestly, hers is what I expected from the entire collection. She shares what it was like to watch Gilmore Girls with her son and what he loved about it. Two of the essays I didn’t enjoy at all and didn’t seem to fit with the spirit of the collection. The other essays were OK…some more interesting than others. Because Ann Hood (editor) enlisted top-notch writers, the quality of writing is good throughout. The content varies in its enjoyability and connection to the source material.

A few of the most prevalent reasons which the essays mention include:

* Mother/Daughter Relationships: The heart of the series is multi-generational mother/daughter relationships (grandmother, mother, daughter) which highlight issues such as parenting styles, values, communication, trust, loyalty, belonging, reconciliation, forgiveness, understanding, generational differences, etc. Some of the writers shared positive reflections and others reflected on unhealthy relationships. For me, I loved the relationship dynamics. Truly entertaining and poignant.
* Identification With One Certain Character: Regular viewers often identify most closely with Emily (image-conscious, up-tight grandmother); Lorelai (single, free-spirited mother); or Rory (nerdy, book lover, teenage daughter). Do you have a favorite character?
* Witty Banter: A defining characteristic of the show is its witty banter. The actors comment on how long the scripts were compared with other shows. Not only is the banter witty, it also contains many references to pop culture and literature. This delights nerdy fans.
* Small, Caring, Supportive Community: Stars Hollow could be a set for a Hallmark Movie and is one of the most appealing aspects of the show. I love how the small town comes together to support a single mom and is invested in Rory’s day-to-day life, well-being, and achievements.
* Cast of Quirky Characters: The memorable supporting characters shine throughout the series! Who is your favorite supporting character?
* Books, Books, Books: You will often see Rory reading, talking about reading, or carrying books.
* Slow-burn Romance: Luke and Loralai…..will they finally get together?
* Team Dean, Team Jess, Team Logan: Fans have their boyfriend! I’m Team Jess (they share the book love), although the popular pick is likely Team Logan. Which are you?
* Coffee and Junk Food: IYKYK …. lots of coffee, pancakes, donuts, pizza, frozen food, and junk food consumed! Don’t forget about Sookie’s creations!
* Unpopular Reboot: Some writers mention the problematic and unpopular reboot, A Year in the Life. I did not enjoy it because it veered away from the series in some ways (namely Rory’s life choices).

All of the above is addressed in the reflective essays. Usually, the author of the essay identifies one element of the show to focus on and makes a connection with his/her personal life.

A couple of the essays are written by men who watch the series in an attempt to understand the appeal for their wives, girlfriends, and/or daughters.

Book Nerds Unite! Rory is a book nerd extraordinaire! Do you know that there is a Rory Gilmore Reading List?! (every book mentioned in the series)


What Would Your Essay Reflect? If your essay were included in this collection, what would you write about? What aspect of the series is the most appealing or meaningful to you? I think I would write about the complicated and multi-layered mother/daughter/grandmother relationships.

I’m recommending Life’s Short, Talk Fast for die-hard fans of the Gilmore Girls series. With any essay collection, some will be memorable, and some will be forgettable (two in my opinion). Overall, it’s an enjoyable collection. The writing is good, but the content varies depending on your reading tastes. As I’ve mentioned the Freya North essay was my favorite.

Thanks #NetGAlley @wwnorton for a complimentary e ARC of #LifesShortTalkFast upon my request. All opinions are my own.

Life's Short, Talk Fast is an unauthorized collection of essays that explores the enduring charm and resonance Gilmore Girls has had on the essayists (and fans in general) over the years. When I saw this pop up on NetGalley, I simply could not resist. I routinely rewatch Gilmore Girls, so I knew this was for me.

While there is some analysis of the show’s depiction of class, culture, and its characters, this collection as a whole is more focused on the ways in which the show either does or does not mirror the lived experiences and relationships of the featured authors (and viewers in general), and how the show brings meaning to our lives in these ways.

There’s a lot of variety in topics and tone, so there’s something for everyone (even the show haters). While I don’t think there was a bad essay in the bunch, I think my favorites were “Daughter is a Permanent State” by Yassmin Abdel-Magied and “In Defense of Rory Gilmore” by Annabelle Mei (I have been ranting about that subject for years…). In general, I loved the essays that focused on the mother-daughter relationships at the core of the show, but there are many topics explored here.

I would recommend Life's Short, Talk Fast for any Gilmore fan. It’s a quick read that you can finish in a couple of sittings. You’ll get plenty of the nostalgia and insider references you crave, but you’ll also get to reflect on what it is about the show that captures your imagination and heart and what it is about the show that resonates with you so much. It even inspired me to watch a couple of episodes of the show with my mom after I first picked it up.

*Thank you to NetGalley and W.W. Norton & Company for the complimentary eARC for the purpose of an honest review!*

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of this deeply personal collection of essays. It is a beautiful thing how so many people are able to relate to the show Gilmore Girls in so many different ways. This book was just okay for me, but it would make a cute holiday gift paired with a coffee mug.

I admit I am only vaguely familiar with “Gilmore Girls,” though I have many friends who adore the show. Still, I was curious enough to read the anthology “Life's Short, Talk Fast” that is edited by Ann Hood. Since writers are impacted as much by what they watch as they are by what they read, I was very curious to read these essays, which are more memoir and personalized in scope. Hence, if you’re looking for a more academic perspective of the show, this is not it. Overall, the anthology did a great job offering a variety of perspectives. I felt I learned a lot about these authors. The essays themselves are quick reads. You do not need to be a devoted fan of the show to enjoy this book.

Four and a half out of five stars.

My thanks to the author, the publisher, and NetGalley for this great read.

Fans of the Gilmore Girls will truly enjoy this book. The 15 different writers with their personal reflections on the show was fun to read. A quick easy read.
Thank you #NetGalley, #W. W. Norton & Company, # Life's Short, Talk Fast for the advance copy for my honest review.

4.5 stars

If you love the TV show Gilmore Girls, then I think you’ll enjoy the essay collection LIFE’S SHORT, TALK FAST edited by Ann Hood (publishing November 12, 2024).

Fourteen essayists discuss what resonates to each of them about Gilmore Girls, and surprisingly one additional essayist isn’t a fan of Gilmore Girls. I’d have to say that essay is one of my favorites of this collection. One self-aware point that the author brought up is that they like elements of Gilmore Girls, just in other shows. For example, the banter works for the essayist in SEINFELD but not when Lorelai is bantering on her walk and talks through Stars Hollow and admits the bias that represents.

One humorous essay points out the cost budget for Lorelai’s coats. Other essays are more serious, such as which Gilmore Girl you identify with during each watch (Rory in the first watch, Lorelai in the second watch, and now Emily in the most recent watch), Lorelai’s parenting, and which of Rory’s boy “team” you’re on.

I thought each of the essayists brought something interesting to say, especially those essayists that spoke about Lane Kim and her mother.

While I’m a fan of the show, these essays brought out some concepts that I’ve never heard before, and of course I appreciate all the different lenses throughout this collection.

"Life’s Short, Talk Fast reveals what Gilmore Girls tells us about ourselves— and why it matters."

Fans of Gilmore Girls will enjoy this collection of 15 essays which reflect on the show and its staying power more than twenty years since it first aired on TV.

Each contributor brings a unique perspective based on their lived experience. Themes include love (find your Jess), motherhood, music, fashion, reading, and more.

This is a quick read. Spend a few pleasant hours considering your favorite residents of Stars Hollow from a new perspective - or reminding yourself just why you fell in love with them in the first place.

"In Stars Hollow, ultimately, the right thing will happen. It’s not the real world— but true dilemmas and sincere emotions live there."

I have been a fan of Gilmore Girls for what seems like forever. Tge first time I watched was during its run on television. The second time was a binge on Netflix a couple years ago. What changed was my perspective. By my second watch, I had a daughter who is very much a Rory. My watch was so much richer with that experience. I loved how this collection of essays demonstrates what Gilmore Girls means to a wide variety of people. Stars Hollow forever.

W.W. Norton and Company provided an early galley for review.

I have always been a fan of this show. I watched it first run on TV, I own the six of seven seasons of the series on DVD, and if fictional characters qualify for a "hall pass", Lorelai would certainly have fallen on my list at one point. Therefore, the description of this one very much got my attention.

The book features essays from fifteen different writers, both women and men, as they reflect upon the show and its impact in their lives. It is a very easy read, comfortable and honest - much like the show that inspired the collection here.

I could not help but chuckle at one of the male writers who found the fast-talking banter of the characters to be a huge turn-off or at one of the female writers who made a point to count how many coats Lorelai went through in just the first two seasons alone. While the former was very much a necessary feature of the show, the latter serves as a reminder of how shows like this one reflect and promote styles.

Fans of Gilmore Girls will enjoy this one.

Gilmore Girls has been my comfort show for the past two decades. It’s an imperfect show, but returning to Stars Hollow and the characters and plot lines that I know so well always feels like home when my brain is too full and my life is too busy.

This is a book of essays written by people who feel like me about the show. You won’t find criticism or deep analysis, but you’ll find diverse people from diverse places who connect with the show in a deep way. It’s a book by fans and for fans. The essays are short and interesting, and I appreciated the varied perspectives.

I'm on a Gilmore Girls streak lately. This was such a cool read, an anthology about what draws us to Gilmore Girls, what the appeal is to stay a fan and why the show and characters stick with us for so long. Each writer nailed it from a completely different perspective. 

I loved reading about all the angles of how the Gilmore Girls came into someone's life, how it affected them or didn't, and why it's beloved by so many, years and years after it aired. 

If you love Gilmore Girls, you should definitely pick up this one.

What a collection! Unlike so many deep dives into the Gilmore Girls, this book looks at both the light and the deep. While on the surface, the show seems innocent enough but there is so much more that highlights the human condition and this collection delves into that through brilliant essays by some of our most talented writers. A must read for true Gilmore Girls fans!

I was notified by email this morning that I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley, so I downloaded it immediately and spent the day reading it. I can’t tell you how much I loved this book! As a huge Gilmore Girls fan since Day 1, I loved reading everyone’s stories on how they relate to the show. Some of the stories were sad, there were a couple I found less interesting than others, but overall I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to purchase it when it comes out in November!

I received an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

P.S. Speaking of opinions, I really love the cover Goodreads currently has compared to the cover that NetGalley shows. The gazebo, the leaves, the green…it’s perfection!