We read books about anything and everything, but books about friendships always give us a warm and fuzzy feeling inside. There are hundreds of books that touch upon this theme, so I narrowed down the list to 12 books about friendships. It was quite a task, because there are so many good books that feature this topic to choose from.
Some of them I’ve read, some I still plan to. They’re all special in their own way, that’s for sure.
Let’s see which 12 books about friendships I think are as good a place as any to start with.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
If you’ve only heard about the movie, you should know that it was based on the book written by Ann Brashares. It is a cute Young Adult novel that centers around four friends and a pair of jeans. The sisterhood these four friends form gets them through some less than perfect situations. But summer is about to start, and they are about to experience one of their best ones yet.
The Gunners by Rebecca Kauffman
An important book about friendship, The Gunners contains a few trigger warnings, so beware. Suicide is one of the most important ones, so this one may not be for you. The Gunners is nevertheless a beautifully written novel that centers around friendships and the importance of human connection. The unforgettable characters you will encounter in this book will hold a special place in your heart.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
This was my first book by the author, and I had high expectations at the time. I’m happy to say that they were more than fulfilled. Although at first the main character, Ove, was a tad insufferable, the more the book progressed, the more I came to understand him. I couldn’t help but feel compassion for the way he acted. The book shows that when people put all judgment aside, great friendships can develop. I loved this story so much, it felt like a warm hug.
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman
Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine
Eleanor is a socially inept young woman who’s lack of filter is hilarious. In order to avoid social interactions, she set up a system which keeps her busy enough. But then she meets Raymond and they save an elderly gentleman who fell on the sidewalk. After that incident, the trio forms a strong bond. Their newfound friendship brings each of them exactly what they needed to get out of their self-imposed isolation. A cute novel that will have you in stitches at times.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
This was a surprisingly pleasant novel! I mean, who would have thought that I would enjoy reading a book that has an octopus as one of its narrators! It was such a refreshing book, it was super easy to get past my initial skepticism. The character development is strong and the flow of the story is just right. Unexpected bonds and newfound family are at the center of this must-read. If you’re looking for a feel-good book to get immersed into, this one is it!
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Husseini
Everyone needs to read this book in my opinion! It is a beautifully written novel that will capture your heart and get you emotionally involved, guaranteed! You might also shed a few tears, but it is so worth it. The bond between the two main female characters, Laila and Mariam, is so strong, it gives us hope about humanity. In a world where war and destruction is as common as breathing, their friendship shows us the magnificent side of being a human. The character development is above par and the emotions the author evokes are authentic. A splendid must-read!
The Interestings by Meg Wolitzer
From the setting to the sublime character development, there isn’t much I didn’t love about this novel. I devoured it in just a few days, despite it being close to 500 pages. You can read my previous review here.
The friendship between six teenagers who met at summer camp progresses into adulthood. Wolitzer is a master at character development. She has the ability to give them equally flattering and flawed characteristics. They are all less than perfect, but it is interesting to see how their bonds remain strong over a few decades, despite their limitations.
Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney
Out of the three novels written by the author so far, Conversations with Friends is by far my favorite one. The dialogue is witty and easy-flowing, which is Rooney’s signature style. The author touched upon the exploration of friendship in this book in a unique way. The conversations between the two main characters Frances and Bobbi are intellectual and clever, yet sometimes quite aggravating. Just like friends in real life, they argue and make up, discuss and share their inner thoughts. An interesting, astounding book that I highly recommend.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zenin
Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow
This was one of my favorite books I read in 2022. While the novel centers around gaming and game creators, it is so much more than that. At the core of the story is the friendship between Sam Masur and Sadie Green. They meet as preteens in the hospital and they instantly click. But they become close only a few years later, once they meet again by chance. Their mutual love for video games and their strong bond is what gets them through a few ups and downs. Like in real life, where relationships are messy and complex, the story transports you through the intricacies decades of friendship entails.
The People We Keep by Allison Larkin
I loved this understated yet important novel about friendship. This book shows the resilience one young lady develops when she is left on her own at the ripe age of 15.
Without much choice, she then goes on to form her own family. Her newfound tribe is there for her more than her real one ever was. The People We Keep is sad yet beautifully written. At its core it is about friendship, newfound family, and resilience. Through her words, the author has an unassuming way of gripping your attention until the very last page. If you haven’t heard much about this book, this is your sign to go and start reading it.
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
I seem to include this book in many of my posts, but A Little Life is a modern classic as far as I’m concerned. It also fits perfectly into many categories, therefore it’s a book I refer to often on this blog. Probably one of the books you see featured the most. Yes, it is one of the saddest books I’ve ever read, but the writing is exquisite and the flow flawless.
The friendships of the main characters spread over a few decades and like most relationships, they have their many ups and downs. Their lives are intertwined and messy, but that is what makes the story so relatable. Hands down, one of the best books about friendships you can read.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano
While this is more of a family drama, the friendship theme is very strong in Hello, Beautiful. The story is centered around four Padavano sisters and William Waters, a talented basketball player on scholarship at the college the oldest sister attends. Although he’s aloof, William manages to befriend a fellow teammate, a relationship that withstands the test of time.
The bond between the Padavano sisters is strong, but the friendship between the sisters and William is one of the most complex ones I’ve read about yet. It is interesting to see how their friendships evolve over time, and how some decisions taken in haste map the rest of their lives. The multigenerational family drama is another favorite of mine, so go grab a copy if you haven’t done so yet.
You can also read my full review here:
Concluding Words
This brings me to the end of 12 books about friendships. There are so many more amazing books that featured all types of friendships, but these were some of my favorite ones. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did while creating it.
If you like this type of content, let me know in the comment box below. As per usual, I encourage an open, respectful dialogue about the topic at hand.
Until next time, keep reading fellow bookworms.
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