What do you think?
Rate this book
Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26Finally understand every single pop culture joke, obscure reference, and witty one-liner that makes Gilmore Girls one of the most reference-packed shows in television history.
Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide is an in-depth look at the thousands of topical references to people, places, movies, music, and events that make up many of the funniest lines on the ever-popular television series Gilmore Girls, bringing new and longtime fans alike in on the joke while educating readers about pop culture and world events from the turn of the twenty-first century. Despite the timelessness of its humor and heart, however, there is one aspect of Gilmore Girls that firmly anchors it in its era: the sizable cache of dated pop culture references that were topical for the time period but leave today’s viewers, especially those of younger generations, scratching their heads.
Over the course of seven seasons and 153 episodes from 2000 to 2007, followed by a four-part revival series in 2016, Gilmore Girls has become a cultural touchstone with an extraordinarily devoted fan base. In every episode, its fast-paced style of dialogue offered biting observations and timeless humor about issues such as dating, sex, marriage, divorce, race, gender equality, gay rights, and more, while its characters offered rapid-fire pop culture references with seemingly every breath. Every episode is laced with jokes about people, places, and events that have been blurred, or even forgotten, by time, from the Bangles to the Mothman Prophecies to the works of Shakespeare to the long-forgotten Glitter. Meticulously researched episode by episode, Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide is an eye-opening, illuminating encyclopedia of thousands of topical jokes that will help both new and longtime fans experience their favorite show in a whole new light.
Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide is an in-depth look at the thousands of topical references to people, places, movies, music, and events that make up many of the funniest lines on the ever-popular television series Gilmore Girls, bringing new and longtime fans alike in on the joke while educating readers about pop culture and world events from the turn of the twenty-first century. Despite the timelessness of its humor and heart, however, there is one aspect of Gilmore Girls that firmly anchors it in its era: the sizable cache of dated pop culture references that were topical for the time period but leave today’s viewers, especially those of younger generations, scratching their heads.
Over the course of seven seasons and 153 episodes from 2000 to 2007, followed by a four-part revival series in 2016, Gilmore Girls has become a cultural touchstone with an extraordinarily devoted fan base. In every episode, its fast-paced style of dialogue offered biting observations and timeless humor about issues such as dating, sex, marriage, divorce, race, gender equality, gay rights, and more, while its characters offered rapid-fire pop culture references with seemingly every breath. Every episode is laced with jokes about people, places, and events that have been blurred, or even forgotten, by time, from the Bangles to the Mothman Prophecies to the works of Shakespeare to the long-forgotten Glitter. Meticulously researched episode by episode, Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide is an eye-opening, illuminating encyclopedia of thousands of topical jokes that will help both new and longtime fans experience their favorite show in a whole new light.
- GenresTvNonfiction
368 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 3, 2026
11 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
October 1, 2025
Thanks so much to NetGalley for the free Kindle book. My review is voluntarily given, and my opinions are my own.
This is the perfect book for any Gilmore Girl fan, especially those who watch the show all the time. I really need someone to go through this book, comparing it to the show to see if even a single reference was missed. Everything is in here, with a sentence or two of explanation. Goes episode by episode, and I am guessing the references are also in order (haven't stopped to check yet). Things as simple as Charles Dickens and 'let them eat cake' to all the more obscure references like A.J. Benza and grups. While millions of people will know the term 'grups', if you have never seen that episode of Star Trek or even forgotten about it, you won't understand the reference.
Really love this and would definitely recommend this.
This is the perfect book for any Gilmore Girl fan, especially those who watch the show all the time. I really need someone to go through this book, comparing it to the show to see if even a single reference was missed. Everything is in here, with a sentence or two of explanation. Goes episode by episode, and I am guessing the references are also in order (haven't stopped to check yet). Things as simple as Charles Dickens and 'let them eat cake' to all the more obscure references like A.J. Benza and grups. While millions of people will know the term 'grups', if you have never seen that episode of Star Trek or even forgotten about it, you won't understand the reference.
Really love this and would definitely recommend this.
December 7, 2025
Globe Pequot/Lyons Press provided an early galley for review.
Huge fan of the show here (I own all seven seasons on DVD but was not a fan of A Year in the Life revival). So, I am very familiar with all things GG.
This book is exactly what you would expect - an episode by episode cataloging of a variety of references from the show, explaining each of them in turn for the uniformed viewers. Of course, anyone with a wide knowledge of books, TV, movies, celebrity and the like will have picked up on these right away. But, for those less savvy in all things trivial, this is a fun guide.
Looking through this book, I realized just how load with references the scripts had to be. Often there are twenty or more references dropped. Granted, the pace of the dialogue helps to spread them out a bit. Still, they were coming fast and furious.
Fans of the show will want to check this out.
Huge fan of the show here (I own all seven seasons on DVD but was not a fan of A Year in the Life revival). So, I am very familiar with all things GG.
This book is exactly what you would expect - an episode by episode cataloging of a variety of references from the show, explaining each of them in turn for the uniformed viewers. Of course, anyone with a wide knowledge of books, TV, movies, celebrity and the like will have picked up on these right away. But, for those less savvy in all things trivial, this is a fun guide.
Looking through this book, I realized just how load with references the scripts had to be. Often there are twenty or more references dropped. Granted, the pace of the dialogue helps to spread them out a bit. Still, they were coming fast and furious.
Fans of the show will want to check this out.
November 3, 2025
I love that the cover features Lorelai and Rory, it is probably from a scene within the series, and I like that.
The book is quite literally a listing of all the pop culture references made within the series, set out in list form, episode by episode. Which is interesting and it does make the book a handy companion to the series. I’m sure Gilmore Girls Fans will love to add it to their collection of memorabilia.
The book does fit the genres listed, its non-fiction, its entertainment, it has all those pop culture references from within the show and it’s a reference book, but it just feels like something is missing, that its not wholly finished off.
To be honest I was really disappointed, this book could have been so much more. A few photographs of cast members, cast anecdotes, photographs of scenes from the series would all have made great additions and broke up what is really just a list of text. I’m sorry to say it is set out like a rather monotonous reference book.
The Gilmore Girls series is funny, moving, light hearted, inspiring, fun and full of these amazing pop culture references that I enjoyed seeing/hearing and yes, I did enjoy reading them in the book and thinking of the scenes within the show that they were from, but the way they are presented in the book is just cold, flat and unexciting and uninspiring. It’s a shame really as I was really excited about the book when I saw it was available.
My initial thoughts were that the book was a little disappointing, I had expected pictures and more bot just the actual pop culture quotes and meanings. I suppose it does deliver what it says, in that it has the pop culture references listed episode by episode but I honestly think that this book really missed its full potential.
Summing up I was expecting most of what this book provided but much more too!
The book is quite literally a listing of all the pop culture references made within the series, set out in list form, episode by episode. Which is interesting and it does make the book a handy companion to the series. I’m sure Gilmore Girls Fans will love to add it to their collection of memorabilia.
The book does fit the genres listed, its non-fiction, its entertainment, it has all those pop culture references from within the show and it’s a reference book, but it just feels like something is missing, that its not wholly finished off.
To be honest I was really disappointed, this book could have been so much more. A few photographs of cast members, cast anecdotes, photographs of scenes from the series would all have made great additions and broke up what is really just a list of text. I’m sorry to say it is set out like a rather monotonous reference book.
The Gilmore Girls series is funny, moving, light hearted, inspiring, fun and full of these amazing pop culture references that I enjoyed seeing/hearing and yes, I did enjoy reading them in the book and thinking of the scenes within the show that they were from, but the way they are presented in the book is just cold, flat and unexciting and uninspiring. It’s a shame really as I was really excited about the book when I saw it was available.
My initial thoughts were that the book was a little disappointing, I had expected pictures and more bot just the actual pop culture quotes and meanings. I suppose it does deliver what it says, in that it has the pop culture references listed episode by episode but I honestly think that this book really missed its full potential.
Summing up I was expecting most of what this book provided but much more too!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to NetGalley and Lyons Press for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
When I first saw Gilmore Girls more than 20 years ago, I was an instant fan. The quick banter reminded me of the Cary Grant movie His Girl Friday. I also loved all the pop culture, literary, and historical references. But, let’s face it, more than 20 years later, new generations are discovering Gilmore Girls, and many of-the-moment references might not make sense. That’s where this book comes in.
I certainly didn’t binge watch all the episodes as I went through this book, but picked a few of my favorite and memorable episodes and dived in. The book literally lists the references in order so you can follow along. At times, it’s a little overwhelming because of the sheer volume of references! It’s like a little game when you watch Gilmore Girls: how many references do I understand? This book is a great tool to use when watching the show.
As amazing as all these little literary and pop culture references are to help new and old viewers get through all the episodes, that’s all this book has to offer. No photos, asides, or anything else. It’s a great guide to be sure, but I felt like something was missing with the cold and clinical lists. For a show that made a cultural impact itself, a little dressing up feels in order. Still a top-notch book, though!
When I first saw Gilmore Girls more than 20 years ago, I was an instant fan. The quick banter reminded me of the Cary Grant movie His Girl Friday. I also loved all the pop culture, literary, and historical references. But, let’s face it, more than 20 years later, new generations are discovering Gilmore Girls, and many of-the-moment references might not make sense. That’s where this book comes in.
I certainly didn’t binge watch all the episodes as I went through this book, but picked a few of my favorite and memorable episodes and dived in. The book literally lists the references in order so you can follow along. At times, it’s a little overwhelming because of the sheer volume of references! It’s like a little game when you watch Gilmore Girls: how many references do I understand? This book is a great tool to use when watching the show.
As amazing as all these little literary and pop culture references are to help new and old viewers get through all the episodes, that’s all this book has to offer. No photos, asides, or anything else. It’s a great guide to be sure, but I felt like something was missing with the cold and clinical lists. For a show that made a cultural impact itself, a little dressing up feels in order. Still a top-notch book, though!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
PUBLISH DATE: Pub Date Mar 03 2026
Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide by Matt Browning isn’t a book you sit down and read straight through. It’s meant to be enjoyed alongside the show, episode by episode, and it absolutely shines that way.
As a Gilmore Girls fan, I love how this guide breaks down the constant pop culture references. Sometimes I catch the jokes right away, and other times I realize I completely missed what the reference was pointing to. This book fills in those gaps in a fun, accessible way without feeling overwhelming or academic.
It’s entertaining, informative, and genuinely enhances the viewing experience. A must-have companion for anyone rewatching Gilmore Girls and wanting to fully appreciate all the rapid-fire references.
BOOK TITLE: Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide
AUTHOR: Matt Browning
PUBLISHER: Globe Pequot | Lyons Press
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 316
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide by Matt Browning isn’t a book you sit down and read straight through. It’s meant to be enjoyed alongside the show, episode by episode, and it absolutely shines that way.
As a Gilmore Girls fan, I love how this guide breaks down the constant pop culture references. Sometimes I catch the jokes right away, and other times I realize I completely missed what the reference was pointing to. This book fills in those gaps in a fun, accessible way without feeling overwhelming or academic.
It’s entertaining, informative, and genuinely enhances the viewing experience. A must-have companion for anyone rewatching Gilmore Girls and wanting to fully appreciate all the rapid-fire references.
BOOK TITLE: Gilmore Girls Pop Culture Reference Guide
AUTHOR: Matt Browning
PUBLISHER: Globe Pequot | Lyons Press
FORMAT: ebook
PAGES: 316
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Reader copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
September 19, 2025
As a life long Gilmore Girl fan a yearly rewatched and someone who prides themselves on having random pop culture information on deck at all times (but still nowhere close to Lorelei and Rory). I love this! Every rewatch in different seasons or my life things hit differently. It’s also the source of many an inside joke or reference between myself and my two now life long besties. ( I GET TWO LANES?? ❤️)
This is super interesting and the set up is clear and easy to follow. I wasn’t expecting it’s to be almost a dictionary type set up by episode which is interesting. I do wish they went into a bit of the context of how the reference fits in the scene… but I do get how that would make this impossibly long (not that I’d complain!). Thank you Globe Pequot via NetGalley for the eARC I can’t wait to add some more obscure references to my repertoire and share this with my best friends just in time for rewatch season!
This is super interesting and the set up is clear and easy to follow. I wasn’t expecting it’s to be almost a dictionary type set up by episode which is interesting. I do wish they went into a bit of the context of how the reference fits in the scene… but I do get how that would make this impossibly long (not that I’d complain!). Thank you Globe Pequot via NetGalley for the eARC I can’t wait to add some more obscure references to my repertoire and share this with my best friends just in time for rewatch season!
September 26, 2025
OMG, loving this so much. Highly recommend you grab a blanket, get some coffee, tons of snack, and have this book open as you enter this Fall Season!
I love that it is broken down by season and by episode, and all are chronological order as it occurs in the episode. What makes this stand out than previous guides is that they are pretty meticulous in picking up ALL the reference. In the other pop culture reference books, either they missed it, or didn't think it's interesting or important enough. As someone who've watched this show on repeat for almost 20yrs, I'm sure more than 85 times as a series. This book actually does a great job picking up on all the references big and small. Some small ones are one-liner in passing but they managed to put it in here and gave it a quick 2 line background. This is so fun to watch this show and keep up with the book. Great job.
Thank you NetGalley & Globe Pequot for the ARC.
I love that it is broken down by season and by episode, and all are chronological order as it occurs in the episode. What makes this stand out than previous guides is that they are pretty meticulous in picking up ALL the reference. In the other pop culture reference books, either they missed it, or didn't think it's interesting or important enough. As someone who've watched this show on repeat for almost 20yrs, I'm sure more than 85 times as a series. This book actually does a great job picking up on all the references big and small. Some small ones are one-liner in passing but they managed to put it in here and gave it a quick 2 line background. This is so fun to watch this show and keep up with the book. Great job.
Thank you NetGalley & Globe Pequot for the ARC.
October 1, 2025
This was interesting to flip through as a longtime Gilmore Girls fan, but it wasn’t quite what I expected. It’s very much a straight reference guide, episode number plus a definition of the pop culture mention, with no extra context or commentary about how the references fit into the story or characters. Since I already knew most of them, it felt a little flat and repetitive, almost like reading a dictionary.
That said, it’s still a neat resource to have on hand if you’re rewatching the show and get stumped by an obscure joke. Not something I’d read cover to cover, but fun to dip into when needed.
That said, it’s still a neat resource to have on hand if you’re rewatching the show and get stumped by an obscure joke. Not something I’d read cover to cover, but fun to dip into when needed.
November 10, 2025
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
If you watch the show when the first leafs start to fall and the air has a pumpkin smell then ladies this book is for you.
As a longtime Gilmore Girls fan, this book was such a treat! Matt Browning has put together an incredible deep dive into every pop culture reference from the show and wow, it’s a lot. It’s smart, funny, and full of those little details that make you want to rewatch the series all over again (coffee in hand, of course).
It’s the perfect companion for anyone who loves Stars Hollow and wants to appreciate just how clever the writing really was.
If you watch the show when the first leafs start to fall and the air has a pumpkin smell then ladies this book is for you.
As a longtime Gilmore Girls fan, this book was such a treat! Matt Browning has put together an incredible deep dive into every pop culture reference from the show and wow, it’s a lot. It’s smart, funny, and full of those little details that make you want to rewatch the series all over again (coffee in hand, of course).
It’s the perfect companion for anyone who loves Stars Hollow and wants to appreciate just how clever the writing really was.
November 12, 2025
"Excuse me, Edgar Bergan, I think I'd like Charlie McCarthy to answer."
Thank you NetGalley and Globe Pequot for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The perfect companion for a Gilmore Girls rewatch. The real ones will remember the DVD box-sets came with little pamphlets of 'Gilmore-isms' which, like this guide, explained some of the pop culture references in the show. They were frustratingly thin and incomplete. This is better! A comprehensive episode-by-episode glossary of terms that fans of the show will devour with glee. (or coffee).
Thank you NetGalley and Globe Pequot for providing this eARC in exchange for my honest review.
The perfect companion for a Gilmore Girls rewatch. The real ones will remember the DVD box-sets came with little pamphlets of 'Gilmore-isms' which, like this guide, explained some of the pop culture references in the show. They were frustratingly thin and incomplete. This is better! A comprehensive episode-by-episode glossary of terms that fans of the show will devour with glee. (or coffee).
September 29, 2025
I loved this book so so much. I've watched Gilmore Girls since it was on WB and thought I knew every single reference in this show. I was wrong! There were some that just flew over my head and this book was the perfect guide for me.
Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. This is a wonderful book to read during fall with some "coffee, coffee, coffee"!
Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for this arc. This is a wonderful book to read during fall with some "coffee, coffee, coffee"!
September 29, 2025
"I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."
I am a huge Gilmore Girls fan so I was excited to see what this book was about. The title literally lays out the contents of the book, If you get lost by the pop culture references this is perfect for you. It is very extensive.
I am a huge Gilmore Girls fan so I was excited to see what this book was about. The title literally lays out the contents of the book, If you get lost by the pop culture references this is perfect for you. It is very extensive.
November 10, 2025
Read a free ARC on NetGalley.
This is a fun reference book for fans of the Gilmore Girls. I didn’t realize how many of the references were repeated during the course of the show and how they covered several common categories: music, movies and politics. I do wish that there were longer episode summaries or more context to how the references were used in the episodes.
This is a fun reference book for fans of the Gilmore Girls. I didn’t realize how many of the references were repeated during the course of the show and how they covered several common categories: music, movies and politics. I do wish that there were longer episode summaries or more context to how the references were used in the episodes.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews