Life’s Short, Talk Fast: Fifteen Writers on Why We Can’t Stop Watching Gilmore Girls by Ann Hood (editor)

Life’s Short, Talk Fast prompts me to ask:
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?

Genre/Categories: Nonfiction, Essays, Reflection, Pop Culture, Gilmore Girls (TV series)

*This post contains Amazon affiliate links.

My Summary:

Pop Culture meets the reading life.

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

Evidently, this 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 will likely find little to relate to here.

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 Thoughts:

Favorite Essay

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.

Reasons Why Viewers Watch Gilmore Girls (GG)

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

1. 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.
2. 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?
3. 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.
4. 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.
5. Cast of Quirky Characters: The memorable supporting characters shine throughout the series! Who is your favorite supporting character?
6. Books, Books, Books: You will often see Rory reading, talking about reading, or carrying books.
7. Slow-burn Romance: Luke and Loralai…..will they finally get together?
8. 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?
9. Coffee and Junk Food: IYKYK …. lots of coffee, pancakes, donuts, pizza, frozen food, and junk food consumed! Don’t forget about Sookie’s creations!
10. 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.

Recommending Life’s Short, Talk Fast

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.

My Star Rating: 4 Stars

Meet the Editor of Life’s Short, Talk Fast, Ann Hood

Ann Hood is the author of over a dozen novels, including the bestsellers The Knitting Circle, The Obituary Writer, The Book That Matters Most, and Somewhere Off the Coast of Maine; and several memoirs, including the bestsellers Kitchen Yarns: Notes on Life, Love and Food and Comfort: A Journey Through Grief, which was named one of the top ten books of 2008 by Entertainment Weekly. Her most recent book, Fly Girl, a memoir about her years as a TWA flight attendant, will be published in May 2022 by WW Norton.

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QOTD:

Is this essay collection on your NF TBR?
Are you a GG fan?
If you were to write an essay for this collection, what would be your topic? I.e. how do you connect with GG?

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 I’m linking up with Deb @ Deb’s World, Sue @ Women Living Well After 50, Donna @ Retirement Reflections, and Jo @ And Anyways… for the October installment of #WhatsOnYourBookShelfChallenge.

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Happy Reading Book Buddies!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.” ~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.” ~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection! Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.” ~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

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