Teddy bears might be the standard, but I know something better: books. When you’re getting your girls gifts for Galentine’s Day, it’s a guarantee you’re looking for something less cliché, something that says “I appreciate you” in a way that’s both straightforward and personal. These books pair wonderfully with a yummy-smelling candle and some fuzzy socks, and they’re perfect for a Galentine’s book exchange (which I highly recommend one!).
- CIRCE
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I absolutely will not stop recommending this one. Like Circe, the witchy wayward protagonist, I’m sure you and your girls can agree on some men you’d like to turn into swine. The novel, written by Madeline Miller (also the author of the infamous Song of Achilles), deconstructs Greek mythology as we know it, reforming it through the lens of the unlikely yet surprisingly empathetic Circe.
- CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS
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So, I love Normal People by Sally Rooney, but I wouldn’t bring it to a book exchange with my besties. That said, for all my fellow Normal People lovers, this debut by Rooney is a great go-to. It expands beyond the dynamics of a single relationship, delving into the complexities of friendship and personal growth. Plus, its adaptation for a television series is currently underway!
- A ROOM OF ONE’S OWN
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For the classics-loving feminist, this Virginia Woolf staple is a no-brainer. An extended essay delivered through a fictional narrator, A Room of One’s Own is simultaneously entertaining and highly relevant. In a male-dominated literary tradition, Woolf calls for the creation of space for female writers.
- THE RULES OF MAGIC
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In this family, love is a curse. So naturally, this makes for a very intriguing story. Franny, Jet, and Vincent (three young witches) grow up in a household in which their mother bans all forms of magic. However, after spending the summer at the house of their feisty aunt, they begin to embrace their heritage and its associated abilities. Note: this is the prequel to the well-loved Practical Magic, adapted into the 1998 classic also by Alice Hoffman.
- THE GOLDEN NOTEBOOK
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Another feminist classic, The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing features a fascinating structure. It contains a traditional novel interspersed with the protagonist’s four notebooks, each exploring one of her interests. With countless moments of beautiful meditation on womanhood and the human condition, this novel is insightful and thought-provoking.
- BLACK SWANS
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For the fan of short stories, Black Swans by Eve Babitz is one of my personal favorite collections to recommend. A retrospection on California (specifically Los Angeles) in the 1980s and 1990s, the collection encompasses some of the major issues of those times (AIDS, gender, sex). If that was too broad a description, I apologize (but recommend you read it yourself!).
- FIREFLY LANE
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You won’t just cry reading Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah (also the author of The Nightingale)—you’ll smile, you’ll laugh, and you’ll exhale gently out your nose. The novel embodies the full range of emotions. A story of friendship spanning decades, it is a specimen of character development. And, the television adaptation is available on Netflix!
So, gather your girls this Galentine’s and gift them one of these wonderful reads. Whether they’re into classics, coming-of-age, or short story collections—there’s something here for everyone!