February, the month of love, shouldn’t be only about romantic connections. There are too many forms of love in one’s life to focus solemnly on romantic love.
Even though this is the focus of most romance books, there is a variety of literary works focusing on friendship, family and female bonds. That’s why, today’s post is about Galentine’s Day book recommendations.
But what is “Galentine’s Day”? It is an unofficial holiday on the 13th of February (one day before Valentine’s Day) dedicated to celebrating the women in your life.
So, for today’s post, I’ll share with you 19 suggestions of strong female friendships portrayed in books.
“A Thousand Splendid Suns”, by Khaled Hosseini
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Starting off strong with “A Thousand Splendid Suns”. A book that explores the female friendship between Mariam and Laila in war-torn Afghanistan. Forced into a marriage with a much older man, Mariam’s life intertwines with Laila’s amidst the turmoil of Taliban rule. Their bond deepens, resembling one of sisters and mothers. The narrative unfolds against a scenario of gunfire, bombs, and desperate struggles. The women’s endurance is put to a test, revealing unexpected heroism fuelled by love. Through adversity, their friendship triumphs over destruction. Portraying a wounded country, this novel captures the essence of family, friendship, and an unyielding love that prevails despite the harshest circumstances.
“Becoming”, by Michelle Obama
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Memoir
“Becoming”, the memoir of and by Michelle Obama, dives into her remarkable life, highlighting her role as a transformative First Lady and advocate for women worldwide. Following Michelle’s journey from the South Side of Chicago to managing motherhood and a high-profile career. Michelle reflects with honesty on her triumphs, disappointments and navigating public scrutiny. This memoir is a warm, wise, and revealing narrative that takes the reader through Michelle’s world, inspiring them to defy expectations, celebrating her accomplishments and highlighting the enduring strength of female relationships.
“Big Little Lies”, by Liane Moriarty
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Thriller
Liane Moriarty brings a thriller that explores the intricate dynamics of female friendship in a backdrop of lies and secrets. Even though they all have different backgrounds and personalities, they converge in a shocking situation. Navigating through the complexities of ex-husbands, second wives, mothers, daughters, and schoolyard scandals; “Big Little Lies” unravels the impact of seemingly harmless lies that end up taking a lethal turn. Even though it was already taken to the screen by HBO into a Drama Series (with an elite cast, do yourself a favour and check it!!), I recommend this reading as it is the perfect example of a book about female bonds.
“Code Name Verity”, by Elizabeth Wein
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Historic Fiction
In the backdrop of Nazi-occupied France in 1943, a British spy plane crashes carrying best friends. Captured by the Gestapo, secret agent “Verity” faces a terrible choice: to reveal her mission or to endure execution. Through her confession, Verity unveils her past, detailing her friendship with pilot Maddie and the heart-breaking decision to leave her in the wrecked plane. As she battles for survival, “Code Name Verity” explores courage, failure, and unwavering friendship.
“Conversations with Friends”, by Sally Rooney
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
You will be able to read about this one in January’s reading recap as I just finished it (spoiler alert: it won’t be in 2024’s best books’ post…). However, I do have to confirm it as a perfect Galentine’s Day book recommendation! Sally Rooney centres this novel around Frances’, a twenty-year-old college student, aspiring to become a writer. Frances is devoted to her best friend Bobbi and the two perform spoken-word poetry in Dublin. It is in one of these sessions that journalist Melissa enters their lives, taking the duo into her sophisticated world. As the novel unfolds, Sally explores Frances’ struggles with relationships and her vulnerabilities; navigating through the pleasures and dangers of youth with a tremendous highlight in the female bond between Frances and Bobbi. Their friendship might not always be or have been perfect, but it is a truly beautiful connection.
“Everything I Know About Love”, by Dolly Alderton
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Memoir
If this isn’t your first blog post from me, you are probably aware of how much I love this one and Dolly Alderton. I think of her as the older sister I never had; whose wisdom is transmitted in the form of pages, chapters, and books. You can read more about my obsession with Dolly and this memoir here or here. “Everything I Know About Love” is one of the most contemporary and beautiful odes to female friendship, female bonds, and female sorority. This memoir takes us through Dolly’s journey in the attempts of adulthood, from falling in love to finding a job to getting drunk, navigating friendships, and having your heart broken. It ends in the most climactic way with the ultimate realization that one is enough. In a similar style to Bridget Jones’ Diary, it captures the struggles of early adulthood with terror and hope.
“Firefly Lane”, by Kristin Hannah
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Another book that ended up becoming a Netflix series – and one of my favourites by the way. This piece of historical fiction takes us back to the summer of 1974 when eighth-grader Kate Mularkey finds an unexpected friendship with the glamorous and ambitious Tully Hart. “Firefly Lane” follows the two exploring the complexities of their bond against the changing backdrop of the Pacific Northwest. While Tully seeks validation through fame and success, Kate aspires to an ordinary life. In the 30 years in which the author follows the duo, it accompanies the storms and betrayals between the two, until their friendship faces the ultimate test. It is a beautiful narrative capturing a marvellous female bond and a generation of women through their choices and promises. Did I cry with this one…
“Hello Beautiful”, by Ann Napolitano
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Historical Fiction
Here’s another book that made it straight into my favourites of 2023 and almost won book of the year for me (thank you “A Little Life”!). In this novel, Ann Napolitano brings us William Waters, who escapes his past through basketball and finds peace in the loving Padavano family. With a background of Chicago in the 70s, “Hello Beautiful”, in a very “Little Women” way brings us four sisters: Julia, who ends up dating William and takes the role of the oldest sister aka the planner; Sylvie, the dreamer; Cecelia, the artist; and Emeline, the caretaker. The Padavano household reveals a safe place for William until his dark past surfaces, leading to a family split that would harm generations. Navigating through the strength of loyalty amidst turbulence and the power of choosing to love someone for who they are; “Hello Beautiful” is a moving portrait of family bonds, the enduring potential love and strong female characters and bonds.
“Little Women”, by Louisa May Alcott
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Classic
Of course, this classic couldn’t be forgotten from a Galentine’s Day book recommendations list! Louisa May Alcott introduces the March sisters: Jo, the talented tomboy; Beth, the tragically fragile; Meg, the beautiful one; and Amy, the spoiled romantic. With the Civil War as a background, “Little Women” focuses on the sisters’ devotion to each other and their struggles in New England; exploring topics such as love, death, personal ambition, family responsibilities and cultural clashes between Europe and America.
“My Brilliant Friend”, by Elena Ferrante
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Historical Fiction
If everything goes as planned, you’ll also be able to read more about this one in January’s reading recap. Elena Ferrante, the pseudonym of the author whose identity remains unknown, shares the intense story of two friends: Elena and Lila. Portraying these women meticulously, sharing with the reader, not only a profound exploration of their friendship but a narrative that reflects the evolution of a nation. The adventures of these two friends are a lens for exploring the story of a neighbourhood, a city, and a country undergoing profound transformations. “My Brilliant Friend” is a touching reflection on friendship, highlighting how personal relationships intertwine with societal changes.
“My Sister, the Serial Killer”, by Oyinkan Braithwaite
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Thriller
“My Sister, the Serial Killer” unfolds around Korede, a nurse, and her sister, Ayoola. Ayoola has the odd habit of dispatching boyfriends in self-defence and Korede is always there to clean the mess, prioritizing her loyalty to her sister over the criminality of the acts. It is when Ayola starts dating a doctor Korede secretly loves that this arrangement gets more complicated… “My Sister, the Serial Killer” explores family bonds, the challenges of choosing between loyalty and morality and the consequences of standing by your family.
“Rules for Visiting”, by Jessica Francis Kane
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
“Rules for Visiting” follows a 40-year-old university gardener, May Attaway, who is more at ease with plants than with people. After unexpectedly receiving leave from her job, she decides to reconnect with four old friends in a year. In the form of a female Odyssey, May explores what might have happened if Penelope had embarked on her adventure. Delving into friendship in the digital age, with May savouring simple pleasures and authentic messy connections over curated online life; “Rules for Visiting” is a humour-laced exploration of human and female bonds and the art of truly visiting others.
“Swing Time”, by Zadie Smith
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
“Swing Time” explores the dreams of two girls aspiring to be dancers, with only one possessing the talent to do so – Tracey. The other girl, our unnamed narrator, has notions about rhythm, time, bodies, and music. Their close but complicated childhood friendship evolves until it abruptly ends in their early twenties, leaving a permanent mark. Zadie Smith brings a dazzling and human narrative that explores themes such as friendship, music, cultural identity, and the enduring influence of one’s roots; illustrating how we are shaped by our own experiences and how we navigate and survive them.
“Text Me When You Get Home”, by Kayleen Schaefer
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Non-fiction
This piece of non-fiction by Kayleen Schaefer is a celebration and exploration of the evolution of modern female friendship, as represented in pop culture, from “Girls” to “Bridesmaids”. Moving from personal experiences to interviews with different individuals, from authors to celebrities and businesswomen; “Text Me When You Get Home” captures the various phases of female camaraderie, from mean girl cliques to the discovery of platonic soul mates. With a constant emphasis on the empowering impact of these connections on women’s social, personal, and work lives; this book makes a compelling case that female friendships are making individuals and society stronger than ever.
“The Family”, by Naomi Krupitsky
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Historical Fiction
In Naomi Krupitsky’s debut novel, the fates of two best friends, Sofia and Antonia, daughters of the Italian mafia in twentieth-century Brooklyn, unfold against the unspoken community of their fathers. The bond between the two is tested when Antonia’s father disappears. Navigating adulthood, marriage and motherhood, their friendship is both a lifeline and a challenge. The two confront societal expectations, pushing boundaries to preserve their complex bond. A night of testing loyalty to each other and the Family determines which friend must make a fateful choice.
“The Last Year of the War”, by Susan Meissner
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Historical Fiction
In the middle of World War II, Elise’s life takes a drastic turn when her father, a long-time US resident, is arrested as a suspected Nazi sympathizer. The family is sent to a Texas internment camp, where Elise, at fourteen, feels stripped of her identity and familiar life. Among the armed guards and barbed wire, Elise finds solace in the friendship of Mariko, a Japanese American teen. The two go through the hard reality of the internment camp, holding onto the dreams of reclaiming their lives as young American women. This moving novel focuses on the enduring strength of their friendship among the challenges of wartime discrimination and confinement; making “The Last Year of the War” a perfect Galentine’s Day book recommendations.
“The Weekend”, by Charlotte Wood
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
“The Weekend” unfolds around the reunion of three septuagenarian friends: Jude, a former restaurateur; Wendy, a renowned intellectual; and Adele, a once-famous actress. The trio is at the beach house of their late friend Sylvie, whose death disrupts the balance of their lifelong friendship. As they gather to clean the beach house, old tensions and buried hurts arise. Their friendship is tested when challenged by their frustrations, unwelcome guests, and the absence of Sylvie. Exploring the challenges of growing old and up and confronting the lies we tell ourselves; “The Weekend” celebrates tenderness, female friendship and the complexities of ageing.
“We All Want Impossible Things”, by Catherine Newman
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Edi and Ash, best friends for over four decades, go through life’s milestones together. From stealing vodka as children, to facing the challenges of adulthood: they’ve been each other’s confidantes. However, Edi’s diagnosis of terminal cancer reshapes Ash’s world, centring it around Edi’s care. “We All Want Impossible Things” explores the beauty of squeezing joy from every moment; in a genuine journey of building a powerhouse of memories, learning when to hold on and when to let go, showcasing the depth of true friendship making.
“Yours Cheerfully”, by AJ Pearce
(Goodreads | Storygraph)
Genre: Historical Fiction
In a background of wartime in London, in 1941, Emmeline is the aspiring advice columnist for Woman’s Friend magazine, facing new challenges. With the departure of Henrietta Bird, Emmeline takes on the role, while her relationship with her boyfriend flourishes. However, it is when the Ministry of Information tasks women’s magazines with recruiting female workers for the war effort, that Emmeline is presented an opportunity to contribute. When she realizes the harsh realities faced by women war workers, she faces a life-altering dilemma between duty and loyalty to her friends. It is a book about strong female characters and their bonds.
With the approach of February, I can’t help but see my TBR grow and grow with these suggestions.
Have you thought about the book for your Galentine’s Day?
Let me know in the comment section the selected one!