Galentine’s Day is the perfect occasion to celebrate the amazing women in your life, whether they’re friends, family, or just the women who inspire you. One of the best ways to appreciate those bonds is by reading and gifting powerful, heartfelt books about female friendship.
These books will take you on emotional, uplifting journeys of friendship, love, and support. Here are 14 books that explore the complexities and beauty of female friendships – for Galentine’s Day and beyond!
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I’ve included Amazon links to each book, but you can also read where to get e-books and audiobooks for free and how to listen to audiobooks on Spotify for alternatives. (Check out how to gift Kindle books and how to gift Audible for other digital versions.)
- 1. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
- 2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
- 3. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
- 4. Swing Time by Zadie Smith
- 5. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
- 6. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
- 7. The Girls in Love series by Jacqueline Wilson
- 8. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
- 9. The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
- 10. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
- 11. The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe
- 12. Sula by Toni Morrison
- 13. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
- 14. Rules for Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane
- More Books on Female Friendship
Disclaimer: this post contains affiliate links. This means I earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase using this link, but at no cost to you.
1. Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Big Little Lies explores the intertwined lives of three women – Madeline, Celeste, and Jane – whose seemingly perfect lives are disrupted by a mysterious death. The story delves into the complexities of friendship, motherhood, and the dark secrets that lie beneath the surface of their seemingly perfect suburban lives. The witty, relatable characters and twisty plot make this one a must-read.
“Friendship, like love, is hard to define, but its absence is a gaping hole.”
You can also watch the TV adaptation on Prime Video
2. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Set in 1960s Mississippi, The Help tells the story of three women: Aibileen and Minny, two African American maids, and Skeeter, a young white journalist who wants to tell their stories. The novel beautifully explores the power of female friendship, courage, and standing up for what’s right in the face of adversity.
“You is kind. You is smart. You is important.”
You can also watch the movie adaptation on Prime Video.
3. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
This beloved YA series follows four friends – Lena, Tibby, Carmen, and Bridget – as they navigate their teenage years and the challenges of growing up. The magic of the pants that fit them all symbolizes their unbreakable bond as they support one another through their ups and downs. A perfect read for anyone who cherishes friendship and nostalgia. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is the first in a series of five books.
“I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t even know what’s happening right now. But what I do know is that I’m not letting go of these pants.”
You can watch the movie adaptation and its sequel on Prime Video.
4. Swing Time by Zadie Smith
In Swing Time, two childhood friends, Tracey and the narrator, share a bond that’s defined by their love of dance and dreams of a different life. The story explores themes of race, class, ambition, and the complexities of female friendship. It examines how the paths of these friends diverge and the impact their friendship continues to have, despite everything.
“I had always been her accomplice, her shadow, her friend.”
Read Next: Books by Black British Authors to Read for Black History Month (& All Year Round)
5. The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
In The Joy Luck Club, eight Chinese-American women and their daughters navigate the complexities of life, identity, and generational divides. Through their stories, the novel delves into the depth of mother-daughter relationships and the unspoken bonds between women, offering a powerful exploration of friendship, family, and culture.
“A daughter is a woman who stands by her mother when the world is gone.”
You can watch the movie adaptation on Prime Video.
6. My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
My Brilliant Friend is the first book in Elena Ferrante’s “Neapolitan Novels” series, which follows the deep and sometimes complicated friendship between Lila and Elena. Set in post-war Naples, this novel examines the evolving, often competitive relationship between the two women as they navigate their childhood and early adulthood. I’ve talked a lot about how much I love this book, and I’ve included it on my list of the best books set in Italy as well as my favourite books of all time.
“She was my best friend, and the relationship we had was a labyrinth of love, hate, and jealousy.”
You can watch the TV adaptation on Prime Video.
7. The Girls in Love series by Jacqueline Wilson
The Girls in Love series follows the life of Ellie, a young girl navigating the challenges of growing up, friendship, and first love. With her best friends, Magda and Nadine, she faces the ups and downs of adolescence with humour, honesty, and the kind of friendship that only young girls can share. It’s a relatable series that celebrates the deep, supportive bonds of female friendship during a pivotal time in life.
“It’s great to have a best friend, someone who really understands you.”
As a girl who grew up with two best friends (and we’re still friends to this day), these books really resonated with me during my tween and teen years. One of those friends gifted me the 2024 sequel, Think Again, which follows up with the trio in adulthood. Needless to say, reading this book was incredibly relatable and nostalgic!
8. An American Marriage by Tayari Jones
An American Marriage is a poignant novel tells the story of Celestial and Roy, a married couple whose lives are upended when Roy is wrongfully imprisoned. Through their evolving relationship, we also get a deep look at Celestial’s friendships with other women, offering a perspective on loyalty, resilience, and the support women provide one another.
“I know you, Celestial. I know your heart, and your heart is pure.”
9. The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi
Set in 1950s India, The Henna Artist follows Lakshmi, a woman who escapes an abusive marriage and builds a life for herself as a henna artist. The novel explores her relationship with her sister, her friendships with the women she serves, and her journey of self-empowerment. This book beautifully portrays the power of female solidarity in a world where women are often marginalized. This book is the first in The Jaipur Trilogy.
“The love of a woman is a force to be reckoned with.”
10. Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
Firefly Lane follows the friendship between Tully and Kate over several decades, from their teenage years in the 1970s to their adult lives. Through ups and downs, heartbreak and triumph, the two women maintain a deep and loving bond. This novel is a beautiful tribute to the power of lifelong friendship. There is also a sequel titled, Fly Away.
“You are the one person who knows me better than I know myself.”
You can watch the TV adaptation on Netflix.
11. The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe
The Girls from Corona del Mar is a beautifully written novel that follows the lives of two childhood friends, Mia and Lorrie Ann, who navigate life’s complexities—from love and loss to betrayal and joy. As they grow older, their friendship is tested, but their connection proves enduring, illustrating the strength and difficulty of deep friendships between women.
“When you are a woman, there are always moments when the world seems too heavy to carry, but it is friends who help you lift the load.”
12. Sula by Toni Morrison
Sula tells the story of the intense and sometimes tumultuous friendship between two women, Sula Peace and Nel Wright. Set in a small town in Ohio, the novel explores themes of betrayal, loyalty, and the struggles women face in creating their own identities in a complex world. Morrison’s writing is rich with emotional depth and examines the intersection of race, gender, and friendship.
“I think that we have to have people who understand us, or else we will just explode.”
13. Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe by Fannie Flagg
Set in the small town of Whistle Stop, Alabama, Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe tells the story of Ruth and Idgie, two women who form a close, unbreakable bond that lasts through the years. Their friendship transcends time, and the novel explores themes of love, loss, and the power of female support in the face of adversity. It’s a heartwarming and unforgettable story of sisterhood, loyalty, and survival.
“I don’t think you can ever call yourself a true Southerner until you’ve had fried green tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Café.”
You can watch the movie adaptation on Prime Video
14. Rules for Visiting by Jessica Francis Kane
In Rules for Visiting, middle-aged May Attaway decides to reconnect with old friends and embarks on a road trip to visit four women from her past. The novel explores the intricacies of friendship, the awkwardness of reconnecting, and the beauty of rediscovering bonds that time and distance have altered. This is a tender, introspective look at how friendships evolve and how one can navigate the delicate art of revisiting relationships.
“The thing about being a gardener, about being the one who plants things, is that you never know how they will grow.”
More Books on Female Friendship
Whether you’re celebrating Galentine’s Day or just looking to honour your loved ones all year round, these 14 books about female friendships offer unique, powerful, and sometimes bittersweet takes on what it means to be there for each other.
Read next: 14 Famous & Romantic Love Letters for Valentine’s Day, 14 Short Love Poems for Valentine’s Day & Beyond, Valentine’s Day Books: 14 Great Love Stories for Romantics and 9 Books About Self-Love for Insight & Empowerment.
More Fantastic Books & Where to Find Them
For more of what to read where, check out my full Travel Books Guide, filled with book recommendations for different destinations, the most beautiful bookstores around the world, tips on how to get the best deals on audiobooks and e-books, as well as more literary travel.
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