Best 11 Books About Friendship: The Ultimate Guide
Books about friendship – they can inspire and uplift us to seek out deeper connections and community.
I’m being honest, I’ve struggled with deep meaningful friendships in recent years. It’s actually something I never really had to grapple with until my adult years. Friendships have always come easy to me. But moving to Kentucky from San Diego as an adult and as a mom, I’ve found it to be more challenging than in the past.
Friendship can be a source of hope and comfort especially during tough times. I think most of us have to work at it though. At least I do.
In this post we’re going to dive into some of the best books on friendship for adults and kids.
Female Friendship in Literature
Female friendship is a common theme in literature with many books exploring the complexities of women’s relationships.
Novels like “The Beauty That Remains” and “Wilder Girls” show the power and importance of female relationships..
Sarah Dessen especially in her book “Someone Like You” explores enduring comraderie faced with challenges like death and unexpected life changes. She shows how characters navigate love, responsibility and the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
Through these stories we can get some insight into how women support and uplift each other.
Making Friends as an Adult
Making friends as an adult can be tough but not impossible.
Books like “Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World” give us guidance and advice on building relationships as an adult.
By prioritizing comraderie and making an effort to connect with others adults can build a sense of community and belonging.
Making friends as an adult can be key to overall happiness and well-being.
Photo: Kimberly Farmer
Top 11 Books About Friendship- For Adults
Any of these would make excellent gift ideas for Mom.
“The Friendship List” by Susan Mallery
“The Friendship List” by Susan Mallery
A heartwarming story about two women who reconnect and go on a journey of self discovery and friendship.
“Fried Green Tomatoes at the Whistle Stop Cafe” by Fannie Flagg
A classic story about the powerful bond between two women and the friendships that shape their lives.### “The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” by Ann Brashares
A favorite series about four friends navigating life’s challenges while staying connected through a shared pair of jeans.
“Anne of Green Gables” by L.M. Montgomery
A classic about the deep and lasting friendship between Anne and her kindred spirit, Diana.
“The 5th Wave” by Rick Yancey
While set in a post-apocalyptic world, this book emphasizes the value of friendships formed in times of crisis.
“The Little Friend” by Donna Tartt
A dark and suspenseful book about friendship, loyalty and the complex relationships between people in a small town.
“The Nightingale” by Kristin Hannah
A powerful book about two sisters who develop a deep, complex friendship while facing the challenges of World War II.
“Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson
A story of female friendship during the Great Depression about a group of women who work as traveling librarians.
“A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman
While primarily about an unlikely friendship between a grumpy old man and his neighbors, it also explores community, loneliness and the power of connection.
Big Little Lies” by Liane Moriarty
A darkly funny book about three women whose friendships are tested by secrets, lies and the complexities of motherhood and life.
Photo: Tom Hermans
Photo: Tom Hermans
Books On How to Make/Grow Friendships
Here are some book recommendations on how to make and grow friendships with valuable insights on building meaningful connections:
“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie
A classic on social skills this book teaches practical techniques for making new friends and improving relationships with others.
“The Art of Friendship: 70 Simple Rules for Making Meaningful Connections” by Kim M. O’Neill
A guide that offers straightforward advice for creating lasting friendships and building authentic connections with others.
“Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life’s Fundamental Bond” by Lydia Denworth
This book looks at the science of friendship and how it affects our lives, health and happiness and provides a deeper understanding of human connections.
“The Friendship Formula: Add Heart, Multiply Relationships, Divide the Drama” by Caroline Millington
A practical guide with actionable tips on how to make new friends, nurture existing relationships and create meaningful connections with others.
We Should Hang Out Sometime: Embarrassingly, a Story of a Friendship” by Josh Sundquist
This funny and heartwarming memoir is about the author’s quest to understand the dynamics of friendship and why it’s so hard to keep them.
“The Social Skills Guidebook: Manage Shyness, Improve Your Conversations, and Make Friends” by Chris MacLeod
A great resource for anyone who struggles with social interactions, with tips on how to improve conversation skills and form lasting friendships.
“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman
While about romantic relationships, this book also offers valuable insights into how to communicate and connect with friends in a way that strengthens your bonds.
“The Friendship Crisis: Finding, Making, and Keeping Friends When You’re Not a Kid Anymore” by Marla Paul
This book looks at the challenges of making friends as an adult and offers practical advice for building meaningful friendships later in life.
Photo: Gulfer Ergin
Children’s books on Friendship
Here’s a list of wonderful children’s books about friendship. These make excellent baby shower gifts. IF you do give one of these as a gift- be sure to write a meaningful message in the beginning of the bookfor the new baby. These books are perfect for teaching young readers the value of kindness, empathy, and building meaningful connections:
“The Lion and the Mouse” by Jerry Pinkney
A beautifully illustrated retelling of Aesop’s fable about an unlikely friendship between a lion and a mouse, showing that even the smallest friend can make a big difference.
“Best Friends” by Rachel Bright
This sweet story follows two animals who learn about the ups and downs of friendship, perfect for teaching children about sharing and working through disagreements.
“The Giving Tree” by Shel Silverstein\
Classic story of a tree and a boy and the friendship that lasts a lifetime as they explore giving, love and unconditional friendship.
“It Will Be Okay, Trusting God Through Fear and Change by Thomas Nelson
Story of two unlikely friends – Fox and Little Seed who stay together through life’s tough and sometimes scary transitions. My parents gave this book to all their grandkids and I love the message.
“How Do Dinosaurs Play with Their Friends?” by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Sweet book about dinosaurs that teaches children how to play, share and be kind to their friends.
“George and Martha” by James Marshall
Beloved series about two best friends, a hippo and a hippopotamus, about friendship, humor and understanding.
“The Invisible String” by Patrice Karst
Story that helps children understand the connection of friendship even when friends are apart through the metaphor of an invisible string that ties us all together.
“Rainbow Fish” by Marcus Pfister
Story about sharing and friendship as Rainbow Fish learns that true happiness comes from sharing his beauty with others.
“I’m Sticking with You” by Smiley and Lacy
Fun and cheerful story about two unlikely friends who navigate the ups and downs of their relationship, teaching children about loyalty and relationships through thick and thin.
Photo: Ed Robinson
The Importance of Best Friends
Best friends are unique and important in our lives, offering a sense of security and support that only a true friend can give.
Books like “Someone Like You” and “Rayne & Deliah’s Midnite Matinee” celebrate best friends and the impact they have on our lives.
Photo: Katarzyna Grabowska
Overcoming Challenges in Friendship
Friendships are tough, especially when there are obstacles like distance, conflict or change. The relationship faces tests during pivotal moments in life, like unplanned pregnancies and transition to adulthood.
Books like “When You Were Everything” and “No One Here Is Lonely” explore the complexities of challenges in friendship.
Through these stories readers can see how friends support and uplift each other even in hard times.
Challenges in friendship can ultimately strengthen relationships and deepen connections.
Photo: Vornecia Carswell## Friendship and Mental Health
Friendship has a big impact on our mental health. It’s a buffer against life’s stresses and strains. Research shows that people with strong social connections have lower rates of depression and anxiety.
Books like “The Beauty That Remains” by Ashley Woodfolk get into relationships and friendships and how empathy and understanding keep us mentally well.
Female friendships in particular reduce stress and anxiety.
Photo: Vornecia Carswell
The Impact of Friendship on Mental Health
Friendship has a big impact on our mental health. It offers a buffer against life’s stresses and strains. Studies have shown that people with strong social connections usually have lower rates of depression and anxiety.
Books like “The Beauty That Remains” by Ashley Woodfolk delve into the intricacies of relationships and friendships, emphasizing the role of empathy and understanding in maintaining mental well-being.Female friendships in particular reduce stress and anxiety.
Women with close female friends have a special source of support and understanding. Making friends as an adult is hard but it’s important for mental health as social isolation can worsen symptoms of depression and anxiety.
Sarah Dessen’s “Someone Like You” goes into the complexities of relationships and friendships and how empathy is key for mental health.
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Conclusion
Friendship is a powerful and essential part of our lives, offering a sense of connection and community that is hard to find elsewhere.
Through books about friendship, readers can get a deeper understanding of the importance of relationships in their lives.
By celebrating the power of friendship, we can build stronger, more supportive communities that uplift and inspire each other.
Hi I’m Erica! TV news anchor and mom to 4 littles. I’m obsessed with creating those “wow” moments in life through crafting at home, cool travel adventures and special celebrations with loved ones. Thanks for joining me on this adventure!
