There are a couple of plot elements that a book can have that will make me say “Yes please” without needing to know anything more, and one of these is sister stories. I love books that explore the complex relationship between sisters and how those grow and change with age and situation.
March happens to be the month of my sister’s birthday, so in honor of that, I thought I’d share some of my favorite books that feature stories about sisters, or just have some of the best sister relationships.
Girl Waits With Gun by Amy Stewart
This novel, set in 1914, tells the story of the Kopp sisters as they go through life together after their parents’ deaths. Based on actual events, the story follows Constance Kopp as she navigates an unlikely series of events to ultimately become the first female deputy sheriff. This book, and the rest in the series, is such a fun read, with a plot that keeps you guessing. The sisters all have such different personalities and interests (one is raising homing pigeons?!), but they come together to support each other and figure out life together.
Magic For Liars by Sara Gailey
This book is such a blast. Ivy Gamble was born without magic and works as a private investigator, happy to stay away from her magical sister’s world of witchcraft. But when there’s a murder at the Hogwarts-like school where her sister teaches, Ivy is called upon to investigate. Not only is this a murder mystery that will keep you guessing, it also explores the complicated relationship between the two sisters as they unpack years’ worth of unsaid words and hidden feelings after their mother died when they were teenagers.
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
The Covey sisters are perhaps some of the most beloved sisters in the modern YA world. The main plot is focused on Lara Jean as she pretends to date one boy to try and hide her true feelings about her sister’s boyfriend. But in the background is Lara Jean’s relationships with her sisters Margo and Kitty. Margo is leaving for college in Scotland, and Kitty is the mischievous and sassy younger sister. I adore their friendships and how real their sisterhood feels: they tease and annoy each other, but at the end of the day, they’ve got each other’s back.
The Light Between Worlds by Laura E. Weymouth
If you’ve ever read The Chronicles of Narnia and wondered how the kids deal with the real world in between Narnia visits, this one is for you. And even if you haven’t, this one is still for you! It’s such a beautiful and thoughtful story, with a gorgeous writing style. It’s told in two parts: In the first, Evelyn struggles after she and her siblings return to World War II England after living a lifetime in the Woodlands, a Narnia-esque world. In part two, Evelyn has disappeared, and her older sister Philippa has to reconcile with their relationship and the choices she made after their return from the Woodlands. Although the two are apart for most of the book, it is still a lovely exploration of a complex sister relationship.
Ayesha At Last by Uzma Jalaluddin
Okay, this one technically isn’t about sisters, but the main character Ayesha is so close with her cousin Hafsa that they’re practically sisters, so I’m counting it. This modern-day Muslim Pride and Prejudice is a funny and heartwarming take on a beloved story. I loved how it showed the close but fraught relationship between the two almost-sisters and how even though Ayesha struggles with the differences in their personalities, she always cares for Hafsa.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Is it really a list of best sister books if Little Women isn’t on it? This novel, of course, is having a moment right now with the recent movie adaptation by Greta Gerwig, but it’s long been a wonderful tale of how amazing and horrible sisters can be, all at the same time. Each of the four sisters has such different priorities and personalities, and the book is full of clashes between them. But it’s also full of tender moments as they care for each other and learn to accept each other for who they are.
Sadie by Courtney Summers
This book takes advantage of the popularity of podcasts, with much of it written in a script style for a true-crime podcast. Sadie is determined to solve the murder of her sister, and podcast host West McCray is determined to find Sadie when she disappears during her investigation. Although Sadie’s sister has died, the story does a beautiful job of exploring the grief Sadie experiences and what lengths sisters will go through to protect and find justice for each other.
Miss Match by Erynn Mangum
Okay, confession: this is one of my favorite books. It’s a modern twist on Emma and follows Laurie Holbrook as she plays matchmaker among her friends. It’s such a cute and fun romance, and features one of my favorite tropes, fake dating! While the romance is at the forefront, Laurie has two older sisters who dote on her and obsess over her love life. It’s so fun to see them all together as adults, and also get glimpses of what their crazy childhood was like as they were growing up.
The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins
Another classic story about sisters, there’s a reason The Hunger Games is so loved. Katniss is willing to literally die for her sister Primrose, but even before she volunteers to take her place in the Hunger Games, Katniss is doing all she can to protect Prim. Although Katniss spends much of the book away from her sister, it’s still a thrilling story that shows the strength of sisterly love.
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren
This book is laugh-out-loud funny. Olive loves her sister Ami, but has always felt inferior. Amy is perpetually lucky, while Olive is exactly the opposite. Until a disaster at Ami’s wedding means Olive gets to go on her honeymoon trip for free…with Ami’s future brother in law Ethan, whom she despises. Although the romance (and fake dating trope again!) is the focus of the plot, the story also unfolds as Olive grows and learns to love her sister and herself and stop comparing herself.
What are your favorite books about sisters? Have you read any of these? Let me know in the comments!
Featured image by Shari Sirotnak