If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you are probably aware of my Friday Night Lights
(the TV show, not the movie) obsession by now. My husband makes fun of me because I talk about the characters as if they are real people…and also because I’m still obsessed with them years after the show ended. I 100% own all of the above and this post is a prime example. And, don’t think I’m stopping with Tami; I feel Coach and Riggins (yes, unlikely, but I think I can make it happen) installments brewing down the line.
(the TV show, not the movie) obsession by now. My husband makes fun of me because I talk about the characters as if they are real people…and also because I’m still obsessed with them years after the show ended. I 100% own all of the above and this post is a prime example. And, don’t think I’m stopping with Tami; I feel Coach and Riggins (yes, unlikely, but I think I can make it happen) installments brewing down the line.Eight Books Friday Night Lights’ Tami Taylor Would Love
Because she focused on her career within the context of her marriage…
by Meg Wolitzer (Because she was the Dillon High School students’ main source of adult, yet non-judgmental advice…
Tiny Beautiful Things
by Cheryl Strayed (mini review)
by Cheryl Strayed (mini review)So she could stay informed about the high school sex scene (and counsel Julie appropriately)…
Girls & Sex
by Peggy Orenstein
by Peggy OrensteinBecause she counseled Becky on a major life choice…
The Mothers
by Brit Bennett (mini review)
by Brit Bennett (mini review)Because she takes kids from terrible home situations under her wing and pushes them to want more…
Hillbilly Elegy
by J.D. Vance (mini review)
by J.D. Vance (mini review)Where All Light Tends to Go
by David Joy (mini review)
by David Joy (mini review)Because she’s a champion for bad@ss ladies and, you know, Texas high school sports…
The Unraveling of Mercy Louis
by Keija Parssinen (review)
by Keija Parssinen (review)Because underneath all her Southern charm, Tami is a feminist at heart…
We Should All Be Feminists
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Fellow Friday Night Lights fans, what other books do you think Tami Taylor would love?
I’ve never watched FNL, but I like the idea of matching books to a TV character! What do you think Clare from Modern Family would like to read? Or the mom from the Middle? Fiona from Shameless?
I’d need to think on these for a while. Heading out for a run. Maybe I’ll get some ideas…
I don’t watch Modern Family or Shameless (I know…what am I doing?), but yes…love this idea for any number of characters!
Let me know what you come up with! Running is when I do my best thinking too 🙂
Would Frankie read anything but things like The Enquirer or People (Not that there’s anything wrong with that)? I’d love to see your reading list for her, Wendy. Brick’s would be a good one as well.
I have to admit that I’ve never once seen an episode of Friday Night Lights. Maybe I need to add it to my list of shows to binge watch! Just from your list, I’m already getting an idea of what Tami is like.
YES! It’s on Netflix…don’t be scared away by the football angle. It’s not really about football at all. Best show about marriage and high school I’ve ever seen.
I’ve never seen FNL’s so I don’t know who Tami is but I really want to read Tiny Beautiful Things – everyone seems to love it.
She’s the Coach’s wife and guidance counselor at the high school…and pretty much the all around female character that I’d want to be in real life. I know, I’m a little overly obsessed.
Wow, I have read (and loved!) most of these books. Now if only I had Tami’s hair, I would be a dead ringer for her! 🙂
Yup – me too! I dressed up as Tami for Halloween a few years back (my husband was Coach) and definitely had to wear a wig! She has like 8x the amount of hair I do!
OUTSTANDING list. I recommend everyone read Hillbilly Elegy this year. I loved the book, Friday Night Lights but haven’t seen the show.
Thank you 🙂 You MUST watch the show – I thought it was far better than the book! And Hillbilly was one of my favorite books of 2016.
I’ll look online. I don’t have t.v. 🙂
LOL! omg i love this Sarah! You know i share your obsession with FNL. especially since we named our dog Lyla. I watch a show call Notorious and the girl who played Julie is on it. whenever she comes into a scene me and my husband always say “julie! does coach taylor know you’re out past curfew!” we find it really funny.
Haha – I totally forgot your dog was named Lyla….but now that you mention it it rings a bell! And Julie Taylor…hmm…possibly one of my least favorite characters. That is funny!
This is so much fun! Speaking of fun, I feel like there should also be a frivolous selection on here, too, like just for Tami’s entertainment, but I’m stuck trying to find a good match; I’ll keep thinking on it. Of course The Unraveling of Mercy Louis HAD to be here; I still think about that one all the time!
OMG – you’re so right! How could I have missed that?! I don’t feel like Swans of Fifth Avenue is quite the right fit for Tami…maybe You Will Know Me? You have any ideas?!
YES! That’s perfect! I was just thinking something with a YA twist, as I read your message, and then Megan Abbott! Great idea!
I loved Friday Night Lights so much!! I cried when the series finale aired…one of the best shows ever! When I saw your post I had to know what books Tami Taylor would’ve liked:) I miss those characters, I wasn’t able to get into Bloodline on Netflix because I I couldn’t stop thinking of Kyle Chandler as coach Taylor!
I feel your pain all around! And I watched Bloodline for awhile, but gave up halfway through Season 2. I do love Nashville, though, probably b/c Rayna reminds me of Tami.
The best thing about this post is that now so many more people are going to tune in to see Coach and Mrs. Coach. Such great stuff. Love this post, I’m not sure I’ve ever thought about what certain characters would read, but I’m going to now!
I hope so!!
FNL is such an amazing show and I did not think I would like it but I loved it so much. Especially Mrs. Coach. I could totally see her enjoying Austen’s lively heroines 🙂
What a great idea! She would love Austen!
Ahhhhh, I love this list! Tami Taylor is one of my favorite characters ever to be on TV, and it doesn’t hurt that Connie Britton also seems like a super lovely person.
Mine too! And she has fantastic hair…