Celebrate your friendship with a good book!
We’ve all read those cheesy books about love, but what about books that focus on the amazing bond of friendship? There are some great ones out there, and I’ve compiled a list of my favorites for you.
Reading is a great way to celebrate your friendship – it gives you something to talk about and helps you learn more about each other. So grab a friend and curl up with one of these amazing books.
Check out my list of the best friendship books and start reading today!
How I Choose
It's hard to find a good book about friendships. You read so many books, but none of them seem to fit what you're looking for.
Not only is it hard to find a good book about friendships, but it can be tough to determine which one is worth reading. With so many books out there, how do you know which one will be the best for you?
I've got you covered. I've combed through thousands of reviews from readers like you to determine which books are the best when it comes to friendships. I add only the top books mentioned at least twice or more times in my list, and then pick the top based on certain criteria that matter to readers like you. Here are the top 5 best books about friendships, chosen just for you!
Why I Love It!
I love this book because of the powerful, life-affirming message it conveys. This novel explores the dark psychology of childhood trauma. Even though it contains uncomfortable moments, this novel is ultimately life-affirming, especially if you're a lover of literature. You'll enjoy reading about Eleanor's unlikely friendship with Raymond, the book's narrator.
Despite her lack of social skills, Eleanor Oliphant is well-read and possesses a unique personality. Even at her age, she's computer illiterate but knows how to stalk a person on social media. Mental problems and chronic back pain also plague her, and she can transform herself into a fashionable person only when the occasion calls for it.
I love Eleanor Oliphant's quirky personality. The author shows us the backstory of her childhood in small snippets. Once she's met Raymond, she learns to trust him, and eventually reaches a life of her own. It was beautifully written, and the climax is unique. While Eleanor's story has similarities to The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion, I found Eleanor to be so much more compelling than that novel.
What You Should Know
The story of a young woman named Eleanor Oliphant is one of the most touching novels written by a Canadian author. The book follows her through a series of pivotal experiences. Though she suffers from a mental illness, her experiences allow her to view the world in a new way. In this book, she tries to make sense of her world by learning about the people around her and deciding to meet one of them.
Gail Honeyman's debut novel was a bestseller and has received many honors and awards. It has been shortlisted for the prestigious Costa First Novel Award and has won the British Book Awards and Specsavers National Book Awards for Popular Fiction. Translation rights to the book have been sold to over thirty countries. Reese Witherspoon has optioned the novel for a film, and it was named one of the Observer's Best Debuts of 2017.
The book is very much about the consequences of not healing from childhood trauma. Eleanor's story is sad and heartbreaking, and she suffers the consequences. In addition to this, she is tone-deaf to social conventions, judges other people harshly, and shuts herself off from the world. Eventually, she displays her desperation for love and attention.
Why I Love It!
"A Thousand Splendid Suns" is a novel that tells the story of two women in war-torn Afghanistan. Like life itself, the book is full of twists and turns. In the beginning, we learn about Mariam, an illegitimate child who longs for her biological father. She struggles with poverty and longs for happiness.
In this book, everything comes together to create an epic story. From war to romance, the book is gripping and heartbreaking. It explores a time that is harsh and unforgiving. It also shows how love can endure in the most unlikely of circumstances.
This friendship novels central theme revolve around the role of women in Afghan society. Hosseini provides dates for events, which are useful for an American audience. However, few Americans are familiar with the culture and politics of Afghanistan, where Hosseini was born. Although the setting is bleak and brutal, the stories are also tinged with love, friendship, and faith.
What You Should Know
This is a powerful, emotional novel set in war-torn Afghanistan. The vivid descriptions of war-torn Afghanistan evoke strong emotions from readers, and the book provides a clear understanding of the injustices faced by women in the Middle East. The book's protagonist, Mariam, is an illegitimate teenager from Herat who is forced to marry a shoemaker from Kabul. Mariam is forced to marry him to be his wife, and the two have no choice but to accept the marriage proposal.
A Thousand Splendid Suns are divided into four parts, Part I is about Mariam, a young girl born in Afghanistan in the 1950s, and Part II describes the early life of Laila, a woman born in Kabul in the late 1970s. Parts 3 and 4 tell the stories of these women from different perspectives. Throughout the novel, global and regional power struggles affect both the women's lives and the country of Afghanistan.
The success of A Thousand Splendid Suns follows the success of The Kite Runner, another novel by the Afghan-American author. It explores the treatment of women in the country and introduces the reader to the women in power. In fact, Afghan women are treated as second-class citizens by contemporary society. Khaled Hosseini also discusses his personal experience, which inspired his book, and provides helpful writing advice.
Why I Love It!
A Little Life is a fable set in New York, and the resulting devastation of four childhood friends is so powerful that it has the power to change the lives of any reader. It is a study of heartache and a masterful depiction of love, loss, and the limits of human endurance. While the book is a fable, Yanagihara has a great ear for emotional nuance, and she can capture the brilliance of a moment of beauty or kindness in an otherwise mundane setting.
A Little Life is the kind of book that will drive you crazy. It can consume you and take over your life. It is a novel that will make you think, question, and wonder. Its beauty is undeniable, and the angst it brings is almost irreducible. It will be a dark and disturbing read, but it will also pique your interest and compel you to read on.
One of the most poignant scenes in A Little Life is when Jude cuts himself, as he is learning how to protect himself. While it makes sense that the child has to cut himself, it's also dangerous because it could lead to compulsive self-harm. Although Yanagihara's descriptions of the abuse are sterile, the moments of kindness are touching. In this case, Yanagihara has achieved her goal.
What You Should Know
While A Little Life has a reputation as a miserabilist epic, there is little gratuity in its telling. Instead, it's closer to a Greek tragedy than a contemporary novel. As such, the violence and horror in A Little Life have a purpose and elevate it into a masterpiece of endurance. While Yanagihara is not a sadist, she is interested in pushing readers' empathy and placing friendship under a vice-like weight.
This book begins as an atmospheric bildungsroman set in a mythically historic New York City. As its focus narrows, however, the book loses interest. Instead of resolving all the ills of intimacy, Yanagihara finds more material in the characters' mental contortions to avoid intimacy. However, this does not mean that the book doesn't offer pleasure-rather, it evokes a sense of the beauty and joy of friendship and love.
A Little Life begins as a light and charming account of four male friendships but quickly turns dark when Jude begins to experience childhood abuse. His painful childhood makes him a difficult character to read because of his mental health, and he tries to erase it as best he can.
Why I Love It!
Sula is a 1973 novel by Toni Morrison. It follows the childhood friendship of two women who grow up to be sisters and enemies in the town of Medallion, Ohio. In this novel, Morrison tackles many themes, including the inversion of world order and moral superiority. The novel centers around the friendship between childhood friends Sula Peace and Nel Wright. As a reader, you will have to be patient to get through this complex novel.
Set in the 1950s, Sula is about a community of African-Americans on the periphery of Medallion, Ohio. At the time of the novel, this area was called the Bottom. This is because a white farmer had once lied to free a slave by telling her that land in the hills was more valuable. She later discovers that this land was once the bottom of heaven.
In spite of the fact that Sula is a passive princess, she has dreams of riding on her favorite horse. As she ages, Sula pursues love through sex and travels the United States having affairs. In her final years, she even slept with Jude Greene, Nel's husband. Despite this, she still loves her childhood friend, Nel Wright. She cheers her up when she is sad and celebrates her wedding. However, she is also capable of hurting her friend Nel.
What You Should Know
If you are reading Sula by Toni Morrison, here are some key plot points to keep in mind. The title refers to the lifelong friendship of two young women who live on the mountain, Sula, and the setting takes place during the summer of 1950. It is set in a small town in Georgia and is considered a literary classic. It is written in the first person and narrates the story from Sula's perspective.
As the daughter of a prostitute, Helene Wright desperately tries to conform to what is considered normal women's behavior. She grooms Nel for domesticity and romance, as she needs her daughter's life to vindicate her mother's occupation. Unfortunately, this results in a dismal marriage, and Nel spends her adult life mourning her loss. This novel traces the path to a woman's identity.
The central conceit of Sula is the tension between order and disorder. Nel's mother's home is neat and orderly, and she senses that neatness is pointing at her back. By contrast, Sula's household is chaotic and throbbing with disorder. The novel also features the story of Shadrack, a former slave who was freed by a white farmer and abandoned her children for money.
Why I Love It!
The novel is a touching story about motherhood and loyalty, as well as the power of money and privilege. The story follows the lives of four Southern belles through childhood, middle age, and their early 30s. While each one has her own unique set of talents, the sisters' relationships are complex. Although the story is not without its share of heartache, it is a surprisingly moving and powerful read.
What You Should Know
The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Yas by Rebecca Wells is a novel published in 1996. It is a sequel to the bestselling Little Altars Everywhere and is a must-read for fans of Ya-Yas. You'll enjoy this story of faith, magic, and sisterhood. It is a wonderful and thought-provoking read for both men and women.
In The Divine Secrets of the Ya-Yas, we follow the relationship between Sidda and her mother, Vivi. Sidda is a successful playwright who is working through childhood trauma. She is a talented writer and loves her sweetheart, Jack. In a central instance, she is stripped naked and beaten to the point of wetting herself. Although the novel implies that Vivi's mother was trying to improve things, the reader soon realizes that Vivi was a victim of her own abuse.
Although there are many cultural differences between black women and white women in the South, the stories are often set in contemporary Louisiana. The white Southerners who are portrayed as Ya-Yas are often considered rich, privileged, and full of friends and fun. In contrast, black women are portrayed as second-class citizens, with white interests always coming first. Sidda, for example, prepares picnic baskets for white children and claims that she loves both black and white mothers.
Throughout the book, readers will learn about the different aspects of Ya-Yas. The sisters are playful and loyal to each other. They also teach Sidda the meaning of loyalty, friendship, and undying love. It is an excellent story for both adults and children alike. If you want a YA novel that has an inspiring story and powerful spiritual messages, read Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood by Rebecca Wells.
Honorable Mentions
So, there are even more books about friendships in the world! I bet you're excited to check them all off your list. Here are a few that just missed making my top 5 but deserve mention for those who want something different or might be new on their reading journey.
Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close
In Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other, two leading feminists make the case that friendships are the most important relationships we have. They explain how close relationships help us develop as individuals and improve our relationships with others. Ultimately, they believe that we can make our closest relationships better by being close to them. And, as a result, they believe that close friendships are essential for the development of our society.
The book is a mix of memoirs, cultural criticism, and advice. It describes common friendship experiences, sprinkled with novel concepts and terms about friendship. Perhaps most impressively, the book provides a guide to investing in friendships. Although Big Friendship is a memoir, it is also an advice book that aims to inspire others to make their friendships more rewarding. The authors explore how friendship can improve one's relationships with others.
Swing Time: A Novel
Swing Time: A Novel by Zadie Smith focuses on the lives of two young girls in a working-class neighborhood in 1982. The story is about the disparity of paths in life, which manifests itself in a penitential air. At the same time, the book is filled with exuberant pleasures. It is a timely read, tackling important social issues. This book is sure to delight readers of all ages.
A novel with a multicultural setting, Swing Time focuses on the friendship between a privileged middle class and an impoverished, developing country. It raises important issues of cultural appropriation and the relationship between privileged Westerners and the less fortunate. The novel showcases Smith's skills, but the novel also bogs down at times with formulaic storytelling. The narrator's character, Tracey, has an interesting point of view and a unique perspective on her privileged upbringing.
My Brilliant Friend: A Novel
The novel is set during a turbulent time in Italy, and the history is evident throughout. The book is set during a time of multiple political regimes, world war I, world war II, and the characters wear the weight of this history on their sleeves. However, the younger generation in the book wants to break free of the ways of the older generation. In a very personal way, this novel is a great read for those who enjoy coming-of-age stories.
Lila and Elena share an early friendship. Both women go to university and marry professors, and Elena succeeds. Lila, on the other hand, veers off into a twisted life. She leaves her abusive husband and starts working at a sausage factory. Then she begins to lose control of her mind and falls victim to her undisciplined and labile intelligence. Despite her lack of musical training, Elena is able to become an extraordinary writer and perform at prestigious literary events.
Cat’s Eye
In Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood, we see the aging artist Elaine Risley as she reviews her life. The book is set in the years after she returns to Toronto as an artist. She recalls her life with her family and childhood friendships. As she grows up, she is given the honor of an art retrospective. We also learn about her early years as a young woman when she is traveling with her family and friends. As we progress through the novel, we see how Elaine's life becomes a bit of a mess.
It is a coming-of-age story that explores the way one defines themselves and their relationships in this case her once best friend. This novel explores themes of selfhood and esteem, abuse and bullying, as well as the nature of friendship. Elaine is forced to face these themes head-on, but she must also decide if the change is for the better. Cats' Eye is a great choice for readers who are interested in self-development.
Text Me When You Get Home
For those who are seeking a good read and want to learn about the female friendship culture, Text Me When You Get Home by Kaylee Schaefer is the perfect book for you. It's a beautifully written book with the thrills of a romantic comedy while also proving that friendships are not only possible but necessary. In fact, it is encouraged. It's a book you'll want to read again.
In addition to autobiographical details, Schaefer has interviewed a number of influential women and crafted an analysis of women's friendships. In her youth, Schaefer tended to view other girls as competitors rather than potential buddies. She also had a male job at a men's magazine, so she saw them as potential partners as well as competitors.
Best Book Friendship FAQs
Doubtless, when it comes to books about friendship, many of your questions abound. "What are the essential reads?" you might ask yourself. And rightly so! After all, who doesn't love a great book about friends? Friends even an old friend, are the family we choose for ourselves, and there's nothing quite like curling up with a title that explores the ups and downs of those deep relationships. In order to help you out, I've gathered together some of the most frequently asked questions about books about friendship – let's take a look!
What are some good books about friendship for kids?
Some great books about friendship for kids include "The Best Friend Battle" by Beth Feiffer, "Lola Levine is Not Mean" by Monica Brown, and "The Odd Egg" by Emily Gravett.
What are some good books about friendship for adults?
Some great books about friendship for adults include "The Sun and Her Flowers" by Rupi Kaur, "The Friend Zone" by Abby Jimenez, and "I'm Judging You" by Luvvie Ajayi.
What are some good books about friendship for teens?
Some great books about friendship for teens include "The Fault in Our Stars" by John Green, "Perks of Being a Wallflower" by Stephen Chbosky, and "Eleanor & Park" by Rainbow Rowell.
What are some good books about friendship for all ages?
Some great books about friendship for all ages include "The Lion and the Mouse" by Jerry Pinkney, "Make Way for Ducklings" by Robert McCloskey, and "The Cat in the Hat" by Dr. Seuss.
What are some good books about friendship for girls?
Some great books about friendship for girls include "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" by Ann Brashares, "Best Friends Forever" by Stacie Hotchkiss, and "Pinky and Rex and the Bully" by James Howe.
What are some good books about friendship for boys?
Some great books about friendship for boys include "The Adventures of Captain Underpants" by Dav Pilkey, "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" by Jeff Kinney, and "Big Nate" by Lincoln Peirce.
The right book for you!
So there you have it! My list of best book friendship! Go out and read some of these amazing books! A good friend is one of the most important relationships in our lives, so it’s important to invest in them. Happy reading—and even happier befriending. Check out my recommendations for the best books about friendship above!