by Victoria Bromley
Come on Barbie, let’s go book shopping!
Bookworm Barbie has the best taste in books and she’s always ready to give her gal pals a dazzling recommendation. From feminism, friendship to fashion, here are all the books we think Barbie would pick up in a bookshop with a pink tote bag and caramel iced latte.
Emma by Jane Austen
Even though Barbie is a lover of all things contemporary, she would definitely have read the classics. She is always in search of a romance and Emma is the original friends to lovers novel. Picking strawberries and gossiping around the village, Emma is the perfect summer read.
Girl Friends by Holly Bourne
Barbie would most likely have read all of Holly Bourne’s books as they all revolve around feminism and friendship. Girl Friends in particular has a lens for dissecting how abusive behaviour can be romanticized and the harmful effects of that. Told in a dual timeline, the book narrates Fern and Jessica’s friendship as teenagers then their adult life when reconnecting years later and the hostility Fern has for Jessica as she believes she’ll steal her husband.
My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
The epitome of books about female friendship, My Brilliant Friend is an Italian translated novel about how two young girls influence each other’s childhood and how they grow through adolescence seeking love and wanting to strive for excellence. Set in the city of Naples, this is the first book in the Neapolitan quartet, and Barbie would collect them all.
The City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert
Fame, glamour and theatre, if there’s only one book Barbie would buy, it would be City of Girls. Moving to New York to stay with her aunt at her theatre company, Vivian meets a flourish of girls who show her the big city and all it has to offer. Navigating a world of lavish parties and the difficulties of finding yourself, this book would have the Barbie seal of approval.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
Branded as a modern day Little Women, this book follows the lives of the four Padavano sisters who have aspirations to make something for themselves while seeking the type of love that’s only found in literature. Julia and William fall in love and build the perfect life together, but when it starts to crumble, it’s Julia’s sister, Sylvie, he confines in, and not his wife. The perfect mirage of their sisterly friendship is then tainted.
Funny you Should Ask by Elissa Sussman
As well as the gorgeous pink cover, Barbie would adore the showbiz and celebrity culture in this book. Chani is commissioned to recreate her infamous interview with actor Gabe Parker years after their first encounter where they spent a whirlwind weekend together. The world is desperate to know the off stage chemistry between the couple.
You and me on vacation by Emily Henry
Barbie is a romance lover at heart and it just makes sense that Emily Henry would be on her radar. Travel writer Poppy drags old friend Adam on the holiday of a lifetime to see if they can fix what went wrong between them. With a whole cast of characters, there were many people they met on vacation, and they would remind Barbie of all her friends in Barbie Land.
Crushing by Genevieve Novak
Full of wit and charm, Barbie would be sure to pick up Crushing as it’s the perfect read for girls in their twenties trying to figure it all out. The book centres around the forbidden relationship of Marnie and Isaac because he has a girlfriend. Messy relationships and renouncing men: Barbie would eat this up.
Everything I Know About Love by Dolly Alderton
A memoir about Dolly’s twenties as she navigates romantic and female relationships is Barbie in a book. From living in London to moving to New York, Dolly’s life would provide much entertainment and comfort for Barbie as she figures out her own relationships and place in the world.
Dear Dolly by Dolly Alderton
Barbie would love Everything I Know About Love so much she would be quick to pick up Dear Dolly, an agony aunt collection of self-help and worldly wisdom on friendship, breakups, family and more.
The Second Sex by Simone De Beauvoir
Discussing how young women are treated in a patriarchal society, The Second Sex would be what Barbie turns to to reflect on a world which tries to limit women and refers to them as “other”. As a groundbreaking work of feminist philosophy, Barbie would be rereading, dissecting and unpacking this book for years to come.
Girlhood by Melissa Febos
A transformative book about young girls in modern society and what it means to be a woman. Full of grief, passion and empowerment, this memoir on feminism and selfhood is a must read for Barbie and all of womankind.
swim press 