Richard's gift to Rory: A Mencken Chrestomathy
Richard Gilmore (Edward Herrmann)
Rory spends the episode learning golf from Richard at his club, and the payoff is Mencken. He has found her a copy of the Chrestomathy and has a first edition of the memoirs for her too. Grandfather and granddaughter bond over the man who defined Puritanism as the haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy. Emily was not consulted.
Paused Tuesdays
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The book
A Mencken Chrestomathy
Mencken picked the pieces himself and published the collection in 1949, a year after a stroke ended his writing life. It's a greatest-hits album sequenced by the artist, which is why Richard trusts it.
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Sleuthed by @shelfsleuth · 2026-10-27
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Paused Tuesdays
One still, one stack, every Tuesday morning.
Also in Gilmore Girls
All 30 books
Rory's Stars Hollow High locker: The Second SexS1 E1
Rory on the walk to Doose's: Moby-DickS1 E1
Rory at the Chilton dance: The Portable Dorothy ParkerS1 E9
Rory's Christmas present for Dean: The MetamorphosisS1 E10
Rory outside Dean's school: The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia PlathS1 E12
Dean's homework from Rory: Anna KareninaS1 E16
Lorelai's party advice: The Bell JarS1 E17
A gift for Rachel: Out of AfricaS1 E20
Rory outside Doose's: UlyssesS1 E20
Rory on Emily's sofa: Mrs DallowayS2 E4
Jess in Rory's room: Howl and Other PoemsS2 E5
Rory's overstuffed backpack: Savage BeautyS2 E7