Oftentimes, romance is the main plotline in books. While we do love a good romance, we want to see girlhood just as much. It’s a different kind of joy reading about girls supporting other girls and cheering them on. We’re giving you a few book recommendations focusing on strong friendships and why we think it’s so important to read about them.
Why is it so important to showcase female friendships in books?
Oftentimes, I’m reading about female friendships that emerge from living in the same town or doing the same activities. For example, Laurie Gilmore’s Pumpkin Spice Cafe series, while following love stories, also showcases genuine women supporting each other. The cafe owner gets love and encouragement from other business owners in the area and they all get together regularly for book club or a cup of coffee.
Female friendships in books forge a strong community where the female main character typically feels safe enough to divulge any secrets. Good friends will either tell her that they support her decisions or that she’s being an idiot and needs to step up. They tell it like it is with no sugar coating. We need more of that in real life, so it’s comforting to read about it if we don’t have that ourselves.
Are female friendships more important than romantic relationships?
Not necessarily! Female friendships are simply different from romantic relationships. It’s a hard-to-describe feeling when you have a girlfriend in your life that you can go to for quite literally anything. In our eyes, it really depends on your reading preference. If you prefer a cheesy love story, then by all means go read books that focus entirely on that. Although, most books that have love as the main plotline also have female friendships scattered throughout. There’s usually a best friend, sister, or friendly coworker to support the female main character. We do love books centered around empowering women, though, and we have some great recommendations for you.
What books do we think you should read?
The Friendship Club by Robyn Carr
Robyn Carr explores impactful friendships in this story about four friends coming together during a strange time in life. A celebrity cooking show host has been married twice, widowed, and divorced. The host’s pregnant daughter is currently struggling in her marriage. The host’s single best friend is trying to be confident in herself. The show’s young intern is involved in a toxic relationship. They all form a bond and lean on each other as they navigate their own dynamic lives. If you’re not convinced yet, Carr also wrote the hit Netflix TV show Virgin River, which also dives into a myriad of close relationships.
Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah
We got to watch this story about a beautiful friendship come alive on Netflix in 2021. Kate Mularkey, somewhat of a social pariah, befriends the coolest girl when she moves in next door. Tully Hart is the complete opposite of Kate on the outside — so full of life. However, Tully harbors deep secrets and trauma that will impact her as she grows up. For thirty years, Kate and Tully are there for each other, supporting each other in each stage of life. Their friendship seems able to withstand anything, but things aren’t always as they seem. Join the girls as they navigate the challenges of growing up, loss, and betrayal together in this impactful book.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Four sisters are all each other has when their father is in the war, and their mother is working all hours to support them. Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy must stand together and be there for each other during these trying times. They grow closer than ever as they put on performances, form secret societies, and celebrate Christmas together. Will they be able to handle the anxiety of not knowing whether their father will come home? Read this novel and find out how they cope together and build the special bond of friendship as sisters.
Female friendships are a force to be reckoned with, and there’s nothing more powerful in our eyes. We hope you take our book recommendations and opinions to heart as you continue to celebrate the friendships in your life. Who runs the world? Girls!
Check out more opinions on why we need more genuine friendships between women in books here.
Grab your girls and get in the spirit of friendship with these book recommendations featuring female friendships.
