Valentine’s Day is this Sunday, February 14, and whether you love or hate this holiday, it’s hard to deny that it does make for a great excuse to eat copious amounts of chocolate covered strawberries without shame (or is that just me?). I am personally a fan of the holiday, but one of my most favorite holidays is actually the day preceding Valentine’s Day- Galentine’s Day!
If you are unfamiliar with Galentine’s Day, it was born out of the amazing television show Parks and Recreation. The holiday was the creation of the beloved fictional deputy director of Parks and Recreation in Pawnee, Indiana, Leslie Knope (Amy Poehler). The show’s writers centered the 16th episode of the second season around Leslie’s favorite February tradition, Galentine’s Day. Over a brunch of waffles and excessive gift-giving, Leslie celebrates the joy of female friendship with close friends and co-workers. This has now become a legit holiday with companies creating cards for the occasion and businesses offering Galentine’s Day specials.
Leslie explains, “Every February 13, my ladyfriends and I leave our husbands and our boyfriends at home, and we just come and kick it, breakfast-style. Ladies celebrating ladies. It’s like Lilith Fair, minus the angst. Plus frittatas.” Unfortunately, this is not the time for brunch gatherings and long evenings at the wine bar, so how can you celebrate? Share some amazing books with your best gal pals or watch a film together online (ideas for how to watch together here)!
Below you’ll find some of my top picks for books (fiction and nonfiction) and films that are perfect for Galentine’s Day celebrating and sharing!
Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman
Bridesmaids directed by Paul Feig
Booksmart directed by Olivia Wilde
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Let’s Take the Long Way Home: A Memoir of Friendship by Gail Caldwell
Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella
Girls Trip directed by Malcom D. Lee
Mean Girls directed by Mark Waters
Girl Talk: What Science Can Tell Us About Female Friendship by Jacqueline Mroz
Text Me When You Get Home: The Evolution and Triumph of Modern Female Friendship by Kayleen Schaefer
The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells
Wishing you all a safe and happy Galentine’s Day! Happy reading!
Read it or Weep 
So many books to read, so many films to see :). I am curious about Booksmart now 🙂 And am so glad you included Twenties Girl! It’s just such a delightful romp! 🙂
Booksmart is such a fun celebration of youth and female friendship, I hope you check it out and enjoy it! Twenties Girl is quite delightful- it was hard to pick just one Kinsella title 😉