The most recommended friendship books

I love books and movies that communicate the history and experience of humble people with empathy, respect, and interest, rather than preachiness.

This beautifully written novel reminded me of one of my favorite movies of all time, Stephen Frears’ Dirty Pretty Things. Forna brings to life a cast of characters that includes very sympathetic undocumented immigrants in present-day London, a taciturn US scientist trying to track and protect urban foxes, and the man she crosses on London’s Waterloo Bridge, a Ghanian psychiatrist named Attila—also featured in Forna’s other amazing novel The Memory of Love.

So glad the Georgetown Alumni book club got me reading again, starting with Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s incredible Half of a Yellow Sun and Americanah. Reading good fiction inspires me to try to write compelling history, and I love novels like these that casually weave in the histories of different parts of the world.

Did anyone ever call you names? Did you ever call yourself names? I loved this book by Abby Cooper because its clever concept examines the impact of peoples’ critical words and thoughts, including our own. We learn that when kids insult a middle school girl named Elyse, an unusual condition causes their words to literally appear on her arms and legs as temporary tattoos.

Like every book I hold dear, this touching story unfolds as we accompany our ever-so-relatable heroine on her journey of self-discovery and empowerment.

This book hurt my heart in the best of ways. It tackles very difficult issues that teenagers face every day—depression, broken families, social pressures, and even suicide.

Despite that, it was not bleak; it was hopeful. It lifted my heart and made me grateful I spent the day with these fictional characters so that maybe, just maybe, I can help real people in my life.

After all, “a single kindness can save a life.”

I loved the way when reading this book, I learned a lot about the Blitz and the problems faced by Londoners, their struggles, and their strengths.

The main character, Gertie, is relatable, and I was keen to find out how she overcomes the trials and tribulations she faces. It is a warm and touching story about Gertie’s love of people and books (she has a bookshop). I loved her positive attitude even when her husband died.

I found it one of those books I couldn’t put down but didn’t want it to end.

I have a chronic illness, so it was super easy to relate to what the characters were going through! I felt like this book was empathizing with me; I could tell the author truly understands what it’s like to have to readjust your whole life and start all over with "You Version 2.0" (a slow, crappy downgrade).

But I don’t want it to sound like this book is only a touchy-feely kind of story—it’s also hilarious! I especially loved the scenes with Spencer from Animal Control; he’s super funny! Priya and Brigid’s relationship is #goals, and their Discord group chats are amazing!

A story about evil puppets? Sign me up! Oddity is a town only the Addams Family could love, with weird, strange, unusual, and downright wrong things taking place at all hours of the day and night. What I love about this book is the way it manages to give us an entire town of spookiness, and yet still find a plot that is even more spooky. The characters are unforgettable, and the villains are a joyous wonder.

This book broke me open and sewed me back together. It’s a must-read if you’ve ever loved someone who was struggling with their mental health. Absolutely gut-wrenching, but still bursting with hope, this story stayed with me for weeks. One aspect I especially loved was seeing the friendship between the main character Caitlin and her deceased friend Ingrid through the lens of the past, while at the same time seeing her build new connections with the people around her in the present. The way her memories of Ingrid and the things she leaves behind informs some of her decisions in the present was expertly done.

As I read this riveting account, I felt like I was watching the events leading to the Munich Agreement of 1938. We all know the result of the agreement, but this book is much more than a historical account of what happened.

Harris tells the story through two friends who met at Oxford University in the 1920s. Now, one is an aide to British Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain, and the other a senior German Foreign Office official. They join forces to try to stop Chamberlain from signing the agreement.

I was impressed with the skillful way Harris revealed the story, which the exemplary writing is matched in detail and tension. 

Billie Upton Green (B.U.G.) has two mums, an obsession with biscuits (the best varieties and correct way to eat them), and a problem with spelling. Young or old, everyone surely has a favourite biscuit-like Billie, I’m a custard cream fan - and even the most reluctant reader, whatever their own family is like, can pick up this quirkily illustrated book and find something to make them laugh or that they can identify with. Author Jen Carney, like me, draws on her own experience as a lesbian parent, and ensures that Billie is able to educate her classmates in a no-nonsense way on what it means to be adopted and to have two mums. 

My long-time favorite writer, John Green, is another Swiftie! In 2014, after he posted on social media about her 1989 album, Taylor Swift took to Tumblr to proclaim that John Green was (also) her favorite author. While John is most well-known for The Fault in Our Stars (or more recently, his TikTok), Looking for Alaska, his debut, is always my recommendation. Looking For Alaska is packed with teenage nostalgia that hits you like a gut punch. "Sad, Beautiful, Tragic" for bookworms. I read it early on in high school and it sparked a literary awakening within me. I realized that books can hold deeper, philosophical meaning; that by diving deep and soaking it all in, I could learn more about myself and this crazy thing we call reality.