Books
She’s just a girl in love — she can’t be held responsible for her actions, right? The minute I started watching Rachel Bloom’s Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, I was hooked. Everything from the wide variety of characters (and the love triangles) to the amazing costumes to the hilarious songs made me fall in love with the show.
The only part I don’t like? Waiting for new episodes.
However, waiting for new episodes is part of watching a TV series. In the interim, you can always re-watch old episodes — or listen to the soundtrack, of course — but sometimes you just really need new material. Luckily, there are books that can fill that void.
TV shows can only produce new episodes so quickly, and there are only so many episodes in a season. But you can read an unlimited number of books, and there are lots of books out there similar to the themes in this hilarious show. There may not be musical numbers on the pages, but you can put on the show’s soundtrack while you read. It actually pairs quite well (as does dessert wine,or perhaps some Boba tea). So here are some novels perfect for fans of Rebecca and company on Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
1
'Trainwreck' by Sady Doyle
Rebecca Bunch doesn't exactly have her life together, and the show examines how a man can't really solve her problems. If you're interested in a "trainwreck" character like Rebecca — and interested in why you're interested — this nonfiction book is perfect for you. It presents a feminist perspective on the trainwreck trope — why we love to hate her, and where we go from there.
2
'Bridget Jones's Diary' by Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones has a lot in common with Rebecca Bunch: she's always trying to get the guy, but awkward situations keep her from a fairy tale ending. Like Rebecca, Bridget sometimes makes less-than-brilliant decisions, but she's relatable and funny — as is this book.
3
'Attachments' by Rainbow Rowell
If your favorite character in Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is Trent, this is the book for you. Protagonist Lincoln is kind of like Trent: he just really wants the girl. In Attachments, Lincoln's job is to surveil company e-mail, but he doesn't expect to fall for Beth Fremont while reading her words.
4
'I've Got Your Number' by Sophie Kinsella
You'll love this book if you love the triangles and rom-com tone of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. In I've Got Your Number, Poppy Wyatt is about to marry her dream man, Magnus Tavish. Then she loses her engagement ring and her phone and meets Sam Roxton. Suddenly, her life is spinning in a new direction.
5
'Bad Feminist' by Roxane Gay
Rebecca's got a lot to learn about herself, about society, and about her place in the world. She could probably use a little help from Bad Feminist, a collection of essays by writer Roxane Gay.
6
'My Brilliant Friend' by Elena Ferrante
If your favorite part of Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is the focus on female friendship, My Brilliant Friend is for you. The story follows friends Elena and Lila, beginning in 1950s Naples, and it's perfect for those who love the Paula/Rebecca dynamic.
