I obviously loved Gilmore girls like most women but I’m on the younger side of Kelly Bishops fans and there fore had no idea where she got her start. After reading this book, it’s not hard to know why she was cast as Emily. She IS Emily! This book is full of quick whit and really makes you appreciate our national treasure that is Ms Bishop

I loved this book so much!! As an avid Gilmore Girls fan, I didn’t even have to think about whether I wanted to request the book on NetGalley and was so pleased to receive an arc.

Apparently I knew next to nothing about Kelly’s life and I found her so fascinating. From her theatre start, to her outlook on life, I highlighted so many passages and found her words endearing, relatable and wise.

Highly recommend! 💜

I loved reading this book! I had no idea that Kelly Bishop lived such an incredibly interesting life and this book really opened my eyes to see how hard she worked to get to where she is today.

I thought that the way the book flowed through the different stages of her life in a chronological order was so lovely (my brain appreciated the order so so much) and it was such a neat thing to be able to see her career grow and skyrocket throughout the years.

Kelly tells it like it is, so don't expect this book to be light and fluffy because it is a raw, emotional, hard truth kind of book and it made me like her all the more. She will always be Emily Gilmore to me, but knowing now how full her career was made me appreciate the hard work she put into the character and portrayal of Emily.

If you love Emily from Gilmore Girls, you will likely enjoy this book, however don't go into the book expecting it to primarily be about her filming the show, because that is not what this book was - it was so much more!

To say I binged The Third Gilmore Girl by Kelly Bishop is an understatement! This was an open the bottle, throw away the cap type situation. I started the audiobook, not once pausing or stopping until finishing it!

Reading this memoir was like talking to a friend and an idol all at the same time! I laughed, I cried a lot, and my heart soared with pride! Learning about my favourite film, Dirty Dancing, and Gilmore Girls was the aside for me. It was getting to know Bishop as an individual that I loved the most! She is exactly whom I thought she would be and is unapologetically herself (especially in a time that did not value many of her choices or her gender). Bishop was a feminist long before feminism was "cool;" strongly rooted in her values and who she is as a person. I absolutely adored learning about her!

Bonus: the name drops of Garth Brooks and Garry Marshall made my heart irrationally happy!

Yes, I read this as an audiobook. No, that was not the gifted version I received. Yes, I really think you should read this one via audio if you have the chance... but then buy the physical copy to have as a trophy on your shelf - because that's exactly what I'll be doing!

I finished the book, and immediately recommended it to someone in my life, and I'm now here to recommend it to you as well!

Thank you NetGalley, Simon & Schuster Canada and Gallery Books for the complimentary copy to read and review.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review. As a Gilmore Girls mini fan, I was quite interested to read “Emily’s” memoir. Kelly Bishop has lived a remarkable life and I so enjoyed learning more about her beyond her time on Gilmore Girls. This was an extraordinarily enjoyable read.

This book was very intriguing to me as someone who grew up watching Gilmore Girls, and still watches it on a yearly basis. However, with that being said I don't think that I ever really thought of who Kelly Bishop was outside of GG. Clearly, this made me an anomaly as she very obviously impacted so many people during her long and very decorated career. This was a lovely read for anyone who is looking to kick off their time in Stars Hollow with something new.

An enticing read for fans of Gilmore Girls. Could be less interesting for those who aren't a fan of the show.

I’ve never been so excited to look forward to what an eighty year old will be up to next! Kelly Bishop writes with an element of longevity, and I truly hope she continues acting.

With a clear and distinct voice, Kelly Bishop shares the highs and lows of her eighty years. A incredible life she’s had, sharing experiences from her time as a struggling dancer, to her success on A Chorus Line and Gilmore Girls, her beautiful life with her love, Lee and their many pets and navigating the tremendous losses in her life.

Thank you @netgalley and @simonandschusterca for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. The Third Gilmore Girl is set to be published Sept 17, 2024.

Everyone knows Kelly Bishop as the ice cold Emily Gilmore in the beloved show, Gilmore Girls, but did you know that before Gilmore Girls she was an acclaimed Tony Award winning dancer? Because I definitely didn’t.

The Third Gilmore Girl reads like a tribute to the authors love of theatre. She talks about the rough start to her career and her eventual breakthrough with her part in the original cast of A Chorus Line. From there she made her way to television and the big screen but found herself always coming back to the stage.

Not only would I recommend this book to fans of Gilmore Girls, but to anyone interested in theatre. This gave a really interesting look at the behind the scenes of New York theatre in the 60’s - 70’s.

I’m sure a lot of people are going to complain that there wasn’t enough about Gilmore Girls in this book, but after reading about her life it’s understandable. Gilmore Girls was a surprisingly small part of her incredible career!

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon and Schuster Canada for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When I saw Kelly Bishop was putting out a memoir, I immediately rushed to NetGalley to see if it was available. Thankfully, my request was accepted and I got a chance to read her story without having to wait.

Bishop’s life is remarkable and fascinating to read about. The memoir is on the short side and I finished it almost in one sitting. Learning about how she started out as a ballet dancer and her lifelong dedication to dance was so interesting. I’d only ever known her as an actor.

She writes about her opportunities as if she wished them into being and they all came around right when she needed them. That optimism is extraordinary, especially in a career entertaining. Not everything in her life and career came up roses though. Bishop also writes about her early relationships; her first marriage in particular was very difficult and left an impact on her life as a whole.

We get an inside look into how A
Chorus Line came to be and Bishop’s Tony award winning performance in that musical. She discusses Gilmore Girls and her friendship with Amy Sherman-Palladino, who also wrote the foreword. Her relationships with people and family feature heavily in the book and it gives the impression of someone grateful and grounded. Bishop talks about her second husband with so much love and affection that when she talks about his eventual death it’s heartbreaking.

I love reading memoirs and autobiographies and this was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed walking through Kelly Bishop’s memories with her and I hope this will be released as an audiobook with her narrating. I’ll probably listen to it again.

This had such a fun narration and was very enjoyable to read. I loved how her wit and voice came through so well in her writing, and this was such a fun memoir to read. Obviously I'm not rating Kelly's life, so my rating is based alone on quality of book and enjoyment. I really enjoyed this! It was so fun to get a glimpse into Kelly's life, especially before Gilmore Girls (which is where I know her from). Reading about her life lessons and amazing stories was such a fun experience. I would absolutely recommend this book. (4.25/5)

The Third Gilmore Girl is an interesting memoir that is perfect for Gilmore Girl fans who want to learn more about the actress who played Emily Gilmore.


I grew up watching Gilmore Girls. I was the same age as Rory, and it felt like we were growing up together. My relationship with my mother when I was a child and teenager was similar to Rory’s relationship with Lorelai. And Emily Gilmore reminded me of one of my grandmas. As a teenager, I was overly fond of Emily’s character; she was a bit scary and controlling. But now, when I re-watch this show as an adult, I absolutely love Emily’s character. She is a force to be reckoned with, and God help anyone who makes her mad. I was incredibly excited to learn that Kelly, the actress who plays Emily, was writing a memoir because I knew little of the person who played a character who I knew so well.

This book was great and was so interesting. Amy Sherman-Palladino writes the introductory chapter in this book, and she wrote that the moment she laid her eyes on Kelly, she knew she was the perfect person to play Emily Gilmore, and I can definitely see why from reading this memoir. As Kelly takes readers on this journey of her life, she does so with an elegant, no-nonsense attitude. She is never afraid to stand up for her beliefs and calls people on their bs. Kelly did a wonderful job writing this memoir. Her voice and personality just leapt from the pages. It felt like I could hear her voice speaking to me as I was reading this book. I’m going to have to get the audiobook when it comes out. I loved getting to see the beginning of Kelly’s journey into dancing and, eventually, acting. She talks honestly about her triumphs and the low moments in her life. I was amazed at how much she had accomplished and loved spending a few hours learning more about this woman.

The Third Gilmore Girl is an amazing memoir, and anyone who is a fan of the Gilmore Girls series should definitely read it.

What a lovely memoir to read. As a long-time fan of Gilmore Girls, it was so exciting to dive into this book by Kelly Bishop, who brilliantly portrayed Emily Gilmore. It was fascinating to learn about her early career and life beyond the screen. She truly comes across as an incredible, strong, and badass woman. This memoir was a joy from start to finish, and I loved every moment of getting to know the real person behind such an iconic character.

I have always adored Kelly Bishop from one of my all-time favourite shows, Gilmore Girls. She had wit, charisma, grace, and humour all packed into a sometimes haughty and snooty, but ever-loving woman in Emily Gilmore. I didn't realize how different Kelly is from Emily, but also how similar, until I read her wonderful memoir.

Firstly, reading about her life was incredible. Seeing her hustle, her drive, the sacrifices she made to make her dreams come true was just awe-inspiring. I knew Kelly was a dancer before acting and Broadway, but to see her talk about her love for the art of dancing was just beautiful. Her love for all her works, really, shines through, as she really embodies every character she plays, really puts everything into the role.

I especially loved hearing Kelly's sheer sass and bluntness throughout her memoir. It was a voice I didn't expect to hear, but I adored it, and my love for her grew even more. From her love for animals, her passion for women's reproductive rights, to her continuously advocating and loving herself and her work, Kelly's voice was so vivid in my mind in the best way. I was mesmerized from the start, shed many tears during the poignant moments, and laughed at her wit and sass too. This is a must-read for any Gilmore Girls fan, Broadway fan, or anyone in general who wants to read about this woman's extraordinary life.

Endless thank you to NetGalley and Gallery books for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

Gilmore Girls is one of my favourite shows, so I knew I had to read this upcoming memoir. It’s short, but don’t be fooled, Ms. Bishop covers a lot of ground and it is as fast paced as the show.

One thing about actors is that you are never et sure if they are authentic or not. Not the case here. Bishop is unapologetically honest about her life and those in it and her experiences. I appreciate that. She recounts events and life lessons with humour and effervescence. Who knew she studied ballet? Who knew her relationship with her mother mirrored that of Lorelei and Rory?

Overall, this is an excellent memoir and I really enjoyed reading it. Thank you to Simon and Schuster Canada and NetGalley for the ARC.

Gilmore Girls has been my favorite show since it aired in 2000. I too, was a 16 year old girl just like Rory. I was (am) bookish and dreamed of Ivy League schools like Harvard and Yale. I loved vicariously through her for 7 years and along the way, met the many characters I came to love and who became a part of me, even to this day. Emily Gilmore (Kelly Bishop) was one of these. 

When I saw that Kelly had a memoir coming out, I just about jumped out of my seat. I was thrilled. I was even more elated when I got approved for the eARC. I think this is my favorite memoir this year!

Kelly's had such a wonderful life but not without trials and tribulations. I loved learning where she came from, what history helped form who she is and how she came to be a Gilmore Girl. I was happy to read that Gilmore Girls became more than a show for her. It was a family of sorts and, to this day, still is. 

Thank you for sharing your story with us Kelly. You're a favorite and an inspiration.

I've often overlooked Kelly Bishop as the third Gilmore girl. This memoir only made me appreciate her performance even more. I especially loved the sections on Gilmore Girls. More than that it was a joy to hear about her early career, the mistakes she made and the opportunities she was given.
Her humble and unpretentious approach to life was refreshing.
The book was an easy, quick and fun read all the way through. I could really feel her voice coming through in each chapter.
I highly recommend this book to any Gilmore Girls fan, aspiring performer or anyone needing an uplifting and interesting read.

I really enjoyed learning about Kelly Bishop! She’s led an interesting life and been through quite a bit to get where she is! No one could’ve played Emily better! But I’ll forever hear “She gets that from me”. In my head when I think of her! It was nice little trip back to my favourite show, Gilmore Girls! Read it!

I was so excited when I got approved for an arc to read this book. Gilmore girls is part of my everyday life, it is the show I watch when I’m sad, happy, depressed or any of the other emotions. So getting to read about the first Gilmore girls real life, I was ecstatic.
Kelly’s character Emily is not a character you are to love. But after reading Kelly’s memoir, she is nothing like Emily. She is down to earth and loves what she does. I enjoyed so much, getting to know her and how she became Emily. It was a fantastic read and I loved every minute of it.

Kelly really bared her heart and soul in this one, the memoir was more focused on her career with life sprinkled throughout and I loved every bit of it.