Zak Parker
What’s better than achieving something hard on your own? Achieving something harder easily with the help of your friends.
We are a social species and we need each other to make it through life, that we know, but few people would ever risk their comfort to go out of their way to help you when you need it.
The few people that do that are your true friends and it is invaluable that you learn how to make real friends out of the people you know, here’s a couple of books to show you how
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#1 Avenging the Owl by Melissa Hart
Book recommendation by Melissa Hart
This award-winning middle-grade novel follows the growing friendship between Solo Hahn–a traumatized 14-year old surfer forced to leave everything he loves because of his father’s depression–and his teen neighbor–an amateur entomologist with Down syndrome. The neighbor, Eric, is based on author Melissa Hart’s brother. The novel won a 2018 Oregon Spirit Award and was a middle-grade selection in the 2018-2019 Oregon Battle of the Books, chosen by the Oregon Library Association.
Read more reviews and buy the book here.
#2 Red, Flags, Run by Ashley Gillett
Book recommendation by Serene Management from Serene Management
Gillett once said, “The biggest mistake we can make in any relationship is to ignore the warning signs that danger is approaching.” These heartfelt stories told in her book, are truly a one-of-a-kind guide for genuine serenity towards every woman, or man, that wants to find their true love in the sense of wisdom!
Read more reviews and buy the book here.
#3 “How Can I Help?-Your Go-to Guide for Helping Loved One’s through LIfe’s Difficulties by Sherrie Dunlevy
Book recommendation by Sherrie Dunlevy from Sherrie Dunlevy
It’s easy to be a friend when you are having fun and life is good, but what happens when your friend tells you they have cancer? Or what happens when your favorite couple is getting divorced? Or What if the husband of your best friend is killed in a car accident? How do you show up at a time when they need your support the most? Or do you show up at all. In her book, Sherrie Dunlevy describes how this happened to her and her husband following the death of their son, when some of their closest friends disappeared from their lives. In this book, Dunlevy discovers why this can happen and offers the reader specific tips for how to best support a friend at their lowest point in life. Suggestions have been gathered, not from experts, but rather from people who have suffered great tragedies in life. They share their stories and share exactly what their friends did to lift them up and love them through this difficult time.
Read more reviews and buy the book here.
#4 The Art of Happy Moving: How to Declutter, Pack, and Start Over While Maintaining Your Sanity and Finding Happiness by Ali Wenzke
Book recommendation by Ali Wenzke from The Art of Happy Moving
If you’ve ever moved to another city, you might have had trouble making friends like Ali did when she moved from Chicago to Knoxville. Since Ali and her husband moved ten times in eleven years, she learned what it’s like to be the new grown-up on the block. Ali’s book gives tips on where to find friends after you move and how to transition from making small talk to creating lasting friendships.
Read more reviews and buy the book here.
#5 My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante
Book recommendation by Rhian Williams from Rhian’s Recipes
This series of books by Elena Ferrante (the first is My Brilliant Friend) focuses on the friendship between two female characters. Female friendships are underrepresented in media and the novel explores a complex lifelong friendship between two women with unprecedented clarity. Although the book is set in an impoverished suburb of post-War Naples, the ideas and emotions expressed transcend geographical, linguistic and temporal boundaries: anyone will be able to relate to them.
Read more reviews and buy the book here.
#6 Faking Friends by Jane Fallon
Book recommendation by Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics
Friendship is supposed to be beautiful and supportive, but unfortunately that’s not always the case. This novel by Jane Fallon tells the tragic story of Amy, a woman who thought she had it all- her best friend Melissa, her fiancé Jack, and a beautiful wedding in the works. However, it soon becomes clear that Amy is not the only woman in Jack’s life. Melissa’s betrayal would be enough to break anyone, but Amy resolves to get her life back and becomes empowered.
Read more reviews and buy the book here.
#7 Secret Mothers’ Business: One Night, Eight Women, No Kids, No Holding Back by Joanne Fedler
Book recommendation by Caleb Backe from Maple Holistics
Being a parent doesn’t have to mean that your social life is over. This book by Joanne Fedler tells the tale of eight women who have a hangout night featuring wine, an aromatherapy kit, and other girl’s night essentials. A chance for the mothers to relax, they discuss relatable topics such as their weight, mother’s guilt, chores and dreams. If you’re a mother, you’ll easily see yourself in their stories and conversations.
Read more reviews and buy the book here.
#8 The Body by Stephen King
Book recommendation by Sam Morrison from Glacier Wellness
Stephen King’s The Body is the epitome of friendship storytelling that inspired the widely-acclaimed movie, Stand By Me. The Body chronicles the story of how a young group of friends hear about a corpse in the woods and their journey to see if for themselves. King artfully captures the essence of boyish curiosity, exploration, and unconditional love between pals.
Read more reviews and buy the book here.
