Books Young Elle Woods Would Definitely Have On Her Reading List

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"Legally Blonde" fans were met with exciting news back in May 2024, with former star of the franchise Reese Witherspoon announcing that a prequel series titled "Elle" was officially in the works. "Before she became the most famous Gemini vegetarian to graduate from Harvard Law, she was just a regular '90s high school girl," the Hollywood figure wrote on Instagram. "And all of you are going to get to know her, next year on @primevideo." Lexi Minetree has been cast as the titular Elle Woods, with the series set to explore some of the ultra-feminine icon's most formative years. 

And what's more formative than the beloved books you discovered in high school? As we prepare for the return of the girly, flirty, and pink-filled aesthetic of "Legally Blonde," aka Barbiecore, we're also compiling a list of what we imagine young Elle would be reading in the '90s. We didn't use a strict methodology for this list, instead flexing our creative muscles to speculate about what young Elle Woods would be like and what she'd buy for her personal bookshelf.

Reese Witherspoon has become a literary icon in her own right, making some amazing selections for Reese's Book Club. Elle, likewise, has hidden depths, and we expect that after finishing the latest edition of Teen Vogue, she'd invest her time in beloved teen literature exploring girlhood, romance, and lots of drama. 

Just like any teen-centered show, relationships and romance are set to be a notable element of the "Legally Blonde" prequel series, with fans getting the chance to watch the relationship-minded Elle Woods as she ventures into uncharted territory. "Coming of age in the '90s, Elle will encounter her first love and her first heartbreak, and she will find her moral convictions," a press release for the show stated (per Teen Vogue). So we expect romance-centered titles would be a natural addition to Elle's reading list, with Judy Blume's "Forever..." providing a timeless exploration of teenage relationships and sex. 

The 1975 title, which has been consistently banned for its discussions and depiction of sex, centers around the relationship between Katherine and Michael, two teens who enter into a heated romance after meeting at a New Year's Eve party. While the two eventually decide to have sex, believing they are meant to be together, their relationship is tested when they're forced to go long distance for the summer. 

The YA novel is praised for its realistic exploration of the pressures and decisions surrounding sex that teens often face, featuring frank conversations about birth control, abortion, and sexual repression. Reese Witherspoon herself has recommended some romantic reads, including stories about complicated relationships and challenging romances. Overall, we imagine that a young Elle Woods would eat up the romance and drama of "Forever..." by Judy Blume.

In "Legally Blonde," we see Elle Woods rediscover her priorities and come into her own while defying the expectations of those around her. We wouldn't be surprised if the fashionista was inspired by stories of self-discovery and female empowerment from her past, which is why we imagine that a young Elle would have the novel "Finding My Voice" by Marie Myung-Ok Lee on her TBR. The 1992 publication is largely believed to be the first young adult novel written by and centering around an Asian-American.

The coming-of-age story follows Korean-American teen Ellen Sung through her senior year of high school. She struggles to manage a budding crush on football heartthrob Tomper Sandel, the strict academic expectations of her parents, and the racist bullying of her peers. The young Ellen even has aspirations of attending Harvard, a goal that a young Elle Woods will one day find herself relating to.

Reviewers of "Finding My Voice" highlight its honest and realistic portrayal of life as an Asian American teen in the '90s, with many comparing the YA title to a diary or memoir. We see this novel being right at home on an Elle Woods reading list.

An important element of "Legally Blonde" is the female friendships that Elle Woods forms over the course of the movie, with the budding lawyer making some unexpected alliances at Harvard Law. As the press release for "Elle" states, the younger version of our heroine is "a driven, natural born leader who will always stop to straighten another woman's crown." Because she recognizes the importance of female friendship and camaraderie, which requires intentional communication to maintain in adulthood, we imagine that young Elle would have a friendship-centered title like "Someone Like You," by Sarah Dessen, on her reading list.

Published in 1998, this Dessen novel follows 16-year-old Halley as her best friend Scarlett finds out she's pregnant in the aftermath of her boyfriend's death. Typically the more reserved of the duo, Halley must manage being present for her friend in an unprecedented time, while also experiencing a growing attachment to bad-boy rebel Macon. 

In addition to the realities of teen pregnancy and the complexities of friendship, romance, sex, and familial relationships are major themes of this young adult novel. While reviewers remain critical of some of the dated language and ideas surrounding sex, we definitely think "Someone Like You" would've been on young Elle's radar back in the '90s.