Something special happens when women share. There’s a level of intimacy and support, a sisterhood and shoulder to lean on, an honesty and trust that makes us vulnerable but trust. Together we learn lessons unable to notice without our girlfriends. So, in this spirit of sharing, here are a few great books on girlfriends that share advice, information and inspiration about and from girlfriends:

Gigi Garner grew up in Hollywood as the daughter of TV/movie star James Garner. Among celebrities all her life, she had to have heard amazing conversations and advice on survival in the wild entertainment industry. Somewhere along the way, she noticed the wisdom passed down from friend to friend, among schoolmates (like her fellow student and very good friend Jamie Lee Curtis) and just from woman to woman. So, she decided to ask her friends and other amazing women for their advice for their girlfriends.

What resulted was Girl Talk: Celebrities and Extraordinary Women Share Their Secrets – a book filled with advice from celebrities like Naomi Judd, Joan and Melissa Rivers, Shari Belafonte, Sally Struthers and a great recipe from Jamie Lee Curtis, as well as other women, from a prison warden to an elementary school teacher. Beauty and health tips to advice on careers and relationships, this book covers them all.

Listen in for our upcoming podcast with Gigi on her new book and the wisdom shared among girlfriends! (This book really is like visiting with a bunch of helpful, knowledgeable girlfriends – we highly recommend it!)

More books sharing girlfriend wisdom or insight into girlfriends:

The Tending Instinct, by Shelley E. Taylor. We quote this book all the time at Girlfriendology because it is a fascinating study of the biological need for female friendship. Amazing examples of how men and women respond to stress and why/how we have social needs – even with examples in the animal kingdom. (It really is biological – we NEED  girlfriends!) Read it then come back and share your thoughts!

Girlfriends: Invisible Bonds, Enduring Ties, by Carmen Renee Berry and Tamara Traeder. This book (which screams, “Buy me as a gift!”) is simply a collection of women speaking about aspects of their female friendships. Major topics of the book include girlhood adventures, friendships during transitions such as marriage and children, remembering friends, et cetera. Girlfriends also lists methods of female bonding such as theme parties, things with quilts and teacups, and other rituals. As Girlfriends never tires of pointing out, only another woman knows what it is like to be a woman. A powerful antidote to alienation, friendships are a prime ingredient in a woman’s life well-lived.

Just Girlfriends: More than Chit-Chat & Chocolate, by Bonnie Louise Kuchler. Some things only girlfriends understand. Girlfriends understand that a “balanced” meal can include a diet drink and a fudge brownie ala mode. Girlfriends understand not to trust dressing room mirrors or bathroom scales; and they understand we need each other as mirrors, cushions, cheering squads, and ever-ready chocolate co-conspirators. This book is for all those great, giving girlfriends–the ones whose ears, closets, refrigerators, and hearts are always open. A delightful gift book that pairs full-color animal photos perfectly with thoughtful and funny sentiments and quotes.

Chicken Soup for the Girlfriend’s Soul: Celebrating the Friends Who Cheer Us Up, Cheer Us On and Make Our Lives Complete by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Mark Donnelly and Chrissy Donnelly. An inspiring and humorous celebration of the special bond of friendship.You may have met her in kindergarten or at work, in a playgroup or on the Internet—but if she’s cheered you up, cheered you on or lifted your spirit, Chicken Soup for the Girlfriend’s Soul is the perfect tribute to that special friend. Whether she’s your lunch companion, your sounding board, your confidant, or all of the above, she anchors you during life’s storms and helps you revel in life’s joys.

With tales of finding friends in unexpected places, of strength during life’s toughest challenges, and of forging lifelong bonds and memories, this book will tug at your heart and hers as you celebrate the unique spirit of female friendship.

Girlfriends Are the Best Friends of All: A Tribute to Laughter, Secrets, Girl Talk, Chocolate, Shopping… and Everything Else Women Share, by Suzanne Moore. With the perfect combination of heartfelt words, warm laughter, and comforting truth, this book pays tribute to the special friendships that girlfriends share. The first section is filled with words of appreciation that will spark memories and love in any girlfriend’s heart, while the second section offers fun ideas for getting together that will inspire any friend to pick up the phone and make a date with the girls.

Whether you buy this book for yourself or for a cherished friend to let her know how much she’s loved, this collection is the perfect reminder of all the reasons why girlfriends are the best friends of all.

Girlfriends Guide To Football, by Teena Dickerson and Chuck Brown. Writing this on a Sunday and anticipating the sound of NFL cheers or cries in our home later today, we have to share this girlfriend guide! This book would be a nice gift for a girlfriend who’s dating a football fanatic. Providing the complete lowdown on the pro and college games, their rules and traditions, and the general mania of America’s favorite sport, this book is the ultimate guide for any newcomer to the game. The authors cover everything, from the various positions on a team to how scoring works. There are even tasty recipes for Superbowl Sunday.

(Some descriptions from Amazon)

What are your favorite girlfriend books? What books inspire you to be a better friend? Share and inspire others!

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Tags: Gigi Garner, Girl Talk, Girlfriend Guide, Girlfriends invisible bonds, Guide to Football, James Garner, Jamie Lee Curtis, just girlfriends, Melissa Rivers, Naomi Judd, Shari Belafonte, the tending instinct, Women

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 28th, 2008 at 9:19 am and is filed under Books, Girlfriend Gifts, Shopping. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.