A lot of my favorite movies and TV shows include characters that love to read. We know and love characters like Rory Gilmore (Gilmore Girls) and Hermione Granger (Harry Potter), but there are probably more bookworm characters in plenty of movies and TV shows. Why do we love bookworms as characters? Does it have to do with the romanticization of reading? Curling up with a cozy blanket and a good book on a comfy chair?

Whatever the reason may be, I think it’s safe to say that we love a bookworm character. Here are 10 famous bookworms in movies and TV shows.

Hermione Granger, Harry Potter

A classic bookworm that we all know and love — I don’t think there’s a scene with Hermoine not carrying a book or referencing one. She was the smart one of the wizard trio, always in the library, and sometimes, in the restricted section. One of my favorite quotes of Hermoinie is, “I had you looking in the wrong section. How could I be so stupid?” I’m almost curious to what books she actually read, like books on trolls and wands and magic and stuff.

I think Hermoine, in this modern day, would read books like really smart books but would secretly be a romance reader. Perhaps she’d be a secret Bridgerton fan?

Elizabeth Bennett, Pride and Prejudice

The feminist icon we all love — even those who haven’t read the literary classic. Now, I know that this list is for only TV + movie bookworm characters, so we’re going to be talking about the MOVIE version of Elizabeth Bennett. Elizabeth Bennett is an early feminist and who Queen Elsa got the quote, “you can’t marry a man you just met” from. She wasn’t an outright bookworm like Hermione or Rory Gilmore was, but I think she’d prefer to be into books rather than spending time with people.

I think Elizabeth Bennett would read books by female authors, specifically Taylor Jenkins Reid or Colleen Hoover. I think Elizabeth Bennett would devour The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and immediately be hooked.

Rory Gilmore, Gilmore Girls

The bookworm of all TV bookworms. This is easily, by far, the most popular TV bookworm. There are even several Rory Gilmore reading guides, so that’s when you know people love TV bookworms. Whenever I watch Gilmore Girls, I crave a cup of Luke’s coffee and a good book. No questions asked.

I think Rory would read, nowadays, literary fiction books. She would probably read books like Pachinko, The Goldfinch, The Vanishing Half, and Normal People. But she’d also read books by Emily Henry and Emma Schwab.

Rory Gilmore Reading List, In Order, By Episode | What’s Hot Blog

Tyrion Lannister, Game of Thrones

An underrated TV bookworm! Tyrion Lannister, in one of the very first episodes he appeared in (in season one), gives this iconic book quote, “A mind needs books as a sword needs a whetstone, if it is to keep its edge.” Honestly, I love Tyrion.

It’s hard to say, but I think Tyrion would love books that make him think but also would dive into the fantasy books a little and then get completely hooked. I think he would read the fantasy books for the action and battle strategy, but would secretly love it for the romance.

Jess Mariano, Gilmore Girls

Just like Rory, we know and fell in love with Jess Mariano, the hot bad boy who reads (and annotates in books). Say what you want about Jess, and why you aren’t Team Jess, but he is one quick reader. He must have gone through several books during the show and he always had a book in his back pocket.

I think Jess, like during the show, would stick to the classics, but would probably read the same books as Rory would to simply impress her and to have something to talk about with her.

Kathleen Kelly, You’ve Got Mail

I just had to include my FAVORITE movie on this list — Kathleen Kelly is the bookstore owner that we all wanted to be (and dress like). She doesn’t read a lot in the movie, but she does reference Pride and Prejudice a lot, so like the iconic Elizabeth Bennett character, she would stick to the classics. Maybe Emily Henry to go with the Nora Ephron-type books (rom-coms, literary fiction, etc.)

Belle, Beauty and the Beast

Belle was my favorite Disney princess for a long time. Between her and Ariel, I loved Belle because she loved being in the library. It’s hard to pinpoint what books exactly Belle would read, considering she’s a Disney princess, but I think she’d be a sucker for a good romance — it’s like that lyric, “Here’s where she meets Prince Charming, but she won’t discover that until chapter three.” I think Belle would go quickly through Kindle Unlimited romances, Regency romance books like Bridgerton, and the contemporary rom-com books.

Rapunzel, Tangled

To be honest — is Rapunzel a bookworm or did she just read when she was bored? Honestly, relatable because I think a lot of people started reading more during quarantine as a hobby. But anyway, I think Rapunzel would be reading books like The Hunger Games and Divergent with a strong female lead, obviously, but she would stick to the romances. I think she’d also love the ACOTAR series and totally love Feyre’s character.

Lucas Scott, One Tree Hill

I’ve only watched about 4-5 seasons of One Tree Hill, but I know enough to say that Lucas Scott was a bookworm. He always had a nose in his book and I think that’s what made him so attractive. (Again, I haven’t watched the entire thing but I know enough to say that Nathan Scott is the superior Scott brother.) He did write a book and is a published author by the middle of the series, so he’s got that going for him. I think, like Jess, Lucas would stick to the classics.

Kat Stratford, 10 Things I Hate About You

Yes, she is a bookworm. I wouldn’t classify her as a “bookworm,” though, like most of the characters on this list. I’d rather call her a … book intellectual. In one of the first scenes, Kat is seen reading The Bell Jar, and followed up with one of her more iconic quotes to the question, “Make anyone cry today” with her response, “Sadly, no. But it’s only 4:30.” She also talks a lot about feminist fiction, probably referencing Elizabeth Bennett, another great bookworm, and others like Sylvia Plath. Kat would probably stick to the classics, like Jess and Rory.