In the wise words of Leslie Knope, Valentine’s Day is about celebrating romance—but Galentine’s Day is about celebrating lady friends.
Each passing year, I feel more and more grateful for my girlfriends. They play important roles in my life: the friend who texts encouragement at just the right time, the friend who stops by with a meal when life is especially hectic, or the friend who invites me over to her house for a cup of tea or glass of wine—not caring about her messy living room.
I love this reminder to say “thank you” to the important women in our lives—and perhaps to send a little treat to show how much we love them.
Today we’re celebrating lady friends bibliophile-style with ten recommendations for giftable books, tailored for the girlfriends who make our lives better with their nurturing, their enthusiasm, and their quick wit.
Whether you need a book to recommend at Galentine’s Day brunch or to give to a dear friend, I hope you find a book you love here—and I hope you’ll share your favorite giftable books to add to the list in comments.
10 books perfect for gifting to friends for Galentine’s
In the Company of Women: Inspiration and Advice from over 100 Makers, Artists, and Entrepreneurs
Dear Ijeawele, or A Feminist Manifesto in Fifteen Suggestions
Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship
Don’t Overthink It: Make Easier Decisions, Stop Second-Guessing, and Bring More Joy to Your Life
Such a Fun Age
Followers
Legendary Ladies: 50 Goddesses to Empower and Inspire You
How to Be Loved: a Memoir of Life-Saving Friendship
The Secret History of Wonder Woman
Why Not Me?
Have you ever given just the right book to a friend? Have you ever received a great book gift? What titles would you add to this list? Tell us all about it in the comments section.
P.S. 12 great books that celebrate the power of female friendship, and 13 books you’ll just HAVE to talk to someone about.
24 comments
These are all fantastic suggestions! I’ll have to pick one (or many!) to share with friends. Another great suggestion (11th book suggestion) would be the graphic novel: Brazen, Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World by Penelope Bagieu. Literally the whole book is stories of super awesome inspirational women in history. Plus, since it’s a graphic novel, it can be appropriate for younger audiences too!
I love giving my girlfriends Brené Browns book “The Gifts of Imperfection”. That book has helped me so much and I love talking about it with others.
Another wonderful book about women and friendship is by Amy Silverstein, My Glory was I Had Such Friends. Thank you for this and your other lists my TBR list requires it’s own notebook.
From one Leslie to another, thank you so much for reminding me about this book, it has been on and off my radar since it came out. This time I took action and ordered the book after reading your post, no more putting it off.
Loved this book so much!
How about You’re The Best by the Satellite Sisters? Just a sweet, fun celebration of friendship.
Tell Me More by Kelly Corrigan is a book I could read every year that celebrates the value of our interpersonal relationships!
P.S. Have tissues handy.
110% agree Ashley. I LOVE LOVE LOVE everything she writes. Have listened to her read the audio version of Tell Me More and sure I will listen to it many times over in the future.
My favorite book about female friendship is “Let’s Take the Long Way Home” by Gail Caldwell. Beautifully written. Sad at times but just lovely.
Truth and Beauty by Ann Patchett
“Of Mess and Moxie” by Jen Hatmaker, perfect for all the women in your life of any age. Hilarious and touching.
I just finished The Giver of Stars. What a great story of female friendship!
“Giddy Up, Eunice” by Sophie Hudson is a wonderful and hilarious book about female friendships. Highly recommend this one!
Yes! Giddy Up, Eunice was a delight.
The Wednesday Sisters is the book I think of with strong female friendships. One of my favorites that I keep coming back to read again and again.
I just finished listening to The Printed Letter Bookshop by Katherine Reay. So good.
I 2nd that! I love all Katherine’s books!
An older book, Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg, is another. I still think about it.
The Friendships of Women by Dee Brestin!
I added a couple of these to my TBR! One of my favorite books to gift my friends is Nobody’s Cuter Than You by Melanie Shankle. I gave all my bridesmaids a copy when I asked them to be in my wedding. A great memoir on lifelong friendship!
I love buying books for friends and family! I usually find one particular person will come to mind as I’m reading a great book (“Oooh, X would love this!” or “Y would think this is fascinating!”). The problem is I’m terrible at waiting until a holiday or equivalent gift-giving occasion to give it to them – I always want to thrust it into their hands straight away! 😅 I have one girlfriend in particular that I’m going to be buying Rabbits For Food by Binnie Kirshenbaum (and I guess I can say it’s for Galentine’s Day because it’s coincidentally well timed hahaha) – it’ll be perfect for her, I’m sure of it.
A friend of mine recently recommended Where the Crawdads Sing but Delia Owens, which took a bit to get from the library but I just finished it last night. It was a wonderful story of the resiliency of one child/woman living in the marshes of North Carolina in the 60’s. I think I’m going to put this on my list for my next female friend gift giving opportunity.
Jennifer, I read this book awhile back and really enjoyed the stamina of the protagonist Kya. I found it sad, but also couldn’t put it down.
GR8 list ! TYSM