Friendship is one of the keys to life. Whether they’ve been around since childhood or came around later in life, for women, having female friends who understand, support, and uplift them is a rite of passage. However, friendship undoubtedly comes with its fair share of ups and downs. This week’s Three to Read features books with fascinating female friends and the experiences, good and bad, that shape them. Let’s get into our picks!
HOT PICK
The Bookshop Sisterhood by Michelle Lindo-Rice
SYNOPSIS:
For years, best friends Celeste, Yasmeen, Toni, and Leslie have worked toward owning and operating a bookstore. When the doors to their dream are so close to opening, all four women are presented with personal obstacles that could hinder their plans. Between a potentially derailed wedding, a struggling marriage, family secrets, and a life-changing lottery ticket, it’s unclear how they’ll get through it all. With the bookstore’s grand opening around the corner, the four friends must be the support and community they all need to navigate life’s inevitable twists and turns.
WHY:
Black female friendship typically doesn’t get the representation it deserves, and although not all of the characters are Black, the diversity of the women and their long-term sisterhood is a breath of fresh air. With dozens of titles to her name, award-winning author Michelle Lindo-Rice brings her expertise across genres to incorporate drama and conflict. The Bookshop Sisterhood is a valiant attempt to speak to the depths and complexities of friendship.
BEACH READ
Tired Ladies Take a Stand by Gretchen Anthony
SYNOPSIS:
Embracing all that life has in store sounds exciting and beneficial on the surface, but what happens when saying yes becomes too much? For one year in their 20s, best friends Emma, Fern, Carolina, and Andi vow to take advantage of the opportunities and obstacles they face. However, 20 years later, they’re all trying to stay afloat amidst mounting commitments. In an effort to reconnect and reclaim their happiness, they begin the Year of No, pledging to finally stop saying yes to everything.
WHY:
In a world that historically and continually expects women to “do it all,” Tired Ladies Take a Stand is an important reminder that they shouldn’t continue to sacrifice their needs. These characters are taking back their power and retiring their people-pleasing tendencies. Readers have marveled at Gretchen Anthony’s balance of humor and heartfelt friendships, noting the relatable stories, different perspectives, and witty banter.
DARK HORSE
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
SYNOPSIS:
Set in 1950s Tehran, young Ellie’s life changes after her father’s sudden death, prompting an uncomfortable shift in status. Battling loneliness and a disconnected relationship with her mother, Ellie relishes in the friendship of Homa, whom she meets on the first day of school. Their tight bond falters when Ellie and her mother return to their wealthy lifestyle, and it’s not until years later that Homa reappears and changes both of their lives. Pursuing their own personal goals during the political unrest in Iran, Ellie and Homa’s friendship is tested again, and this time the effects are much more consequential.
WHY:
Although a nationally best-selling author, Marjan Kamali’s work is highly underrated. The Lion Women of Tehran is evocative, emotional, and relevant. Themes of social class, feminism, women’s rights, political activism, and the immigrant experience are thoroughly explored, consistently engaging readers. The historical context acts as a backdrop for Ellie and Homa’s complex relationship, showcasing how they grow as women, developing both because of and in spite of the challenges they face.
That’s it for this week’s Three to Read. Thanks for tuning in to read about these vulnerable and relatable books on female friendship! Don’t forget to join us next week for more curated recommendations.
To read more about female friendship in books, click here!
Browse these books and more reads handpicked by the Bookstr team on our Three to Read bookshelf on Bookshop!
