Fifteen Books That Celebrate the Power of Female Friendships

By Chris Olsen

Female friendships provide a foundation of understanding, encouragement and shared experiences that support our overall happiness and well-being. They are also a source of inspiration for literature. In books, friendships are depicted in a myriad of ways, from heartwarming and uplifting to complex and challenging, and reflect the diverse and multifaceted nature of close connections.

This selection of books captures the essence of female friendships. The stories span different eras and genres, and each offers a unique perspective on the power and importance of the bonds between women. When you purchase these titles from Publish Her’s shop on Bookshop.org, we receive a small commission and you help fund publishing and program grants for underrepresented authors.

“Anne of Green Gables” by Lucy Maud Montgomery

“Another Brooklyn” by Jacqueline Woodson

“Best of Friends” by Kamila Shamsie

“Big Friendship” by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman

“Bird Summons” by Leila Aboulela

“Conversations With Friends” by Sally Rooney

“Girl, Woman, Other” by Bernardine Evaristo

“The Giver of Stars” by Jojo Moyes

 “Group” by Christie Tate

“The Joy Luck Club” by Amy Tan

“Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott

“My Brilliant Friend” by Elena Ferrante

“Sula” by Toni Morrison

“Swing Time” by Zadie Smith

“Wahala” by Nikki May

About the Author

Chris Olsen is a book designer, publisher, educator and the author of “Whyography: Building a Brand Fueled by Purpose.” The founder of Publish Her and Publish Her Story, Chris has helped thousands of women tell their stories and publish their books.

About Publish Her

Publish Her is a female-founded publisher dedicated to educating authors and elevating the words, writing and stories of women. We are passionate about amplifying the voices of women of color, women with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ+ community. We aim to make publishing an attainable, exciting and collaborative process for all.