Friendship is an important part of life; studies show that having friends (true friends) helps us in many ways. Of course, what friendship means evolves as we grow. From our childhood friends, who were really our best playdates, to our high school friends, who helped us navigate dating and zits and homework, to, now, our mom friends, who commiserate with us, provide a shoulder to cry on about marriage and family, and give us advice on parenting (only when asked, though!).<\/p>\n
Below are a few books that celebrate the joy (and heartbreak) of friendship.<\/p>\n
no no 9780804170079 The Girls from Corona del Mar<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/234650\/the-girls-from-corona-del-mar-by-rufi-thorpe\/ by Rufi Thorpe <\/p>\n
This was one of my favorite books the year it came out. The story of two friends, Lorrie Ann and Mia, who grow up together and then grow apart, may not seem like a title that should be on a list about friendship. However, it is also important to remember that sometimes as we grow and change, our friendships do as well.<\/p>\n
9780345442826 Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/97545\/angry-housewives-eating-bon-bons-by-lorna-landvik\/ by Lorna Landvik <\/p>\n
The women of Freesia Court form an unofficial book club, which becomes their lifeline over forty years of marriage, children, grandchildren, staying home, starting careers, and everyday life. Landvik\u2019s book is filled with humor and heart.<\/p>\n
9780143129493 The Joy Luck Club<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/300526\/the-joy-luck-club-by-amy-tan\/ by Amy Tan <\/p>\n
Tan\u2019s brilliant novel explores the friendship forged by four Chinese immigrants when they move to San Francisco. Meeting to talk over mahjong, they choose to help lift each other up rather than sink into their individual tragedies. Tan also explores the intricate bonds of mother-daughter relationships.<\/p>\n
9780307950437 The Supremes at Earl\u2019s All-You-Can-Eat<\/i> http:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/219373\/the-supremes-at-earls-all-you-can-eat-by-edward-kelsey-moore\/ by Edward Kelsey Moore <\/p>\n
Friends since they weathered high school in the 1960s, Odette, Clarice, and Barbara Jean, the \u201cSupremes,\u201d have been through everything together \u2014 marriage and children, ups and downs. However, the present proves to be the most challenging. This novel is a true celebration of women\u2019s friendships.<\/p>\n
9781594488887 A Thousand Splendid Suns<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/391566\/a-thousand-splendid-suns-illustrated-edition-by-khaled-hosseini\/ by Khaled Hosseini <\/p>\n
Hosseini has penned three stunning novels, all beautifully written. This novel centers on Miriam and Laila, two Afghani women brought together in horrific circumstances. Despite being a generation apart, they form a friendship that is inspiring and life-saving.<\/p>\n
9780143111641 Swing Time <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/529304\/swing-time-by-zadie-smith\/ by Zadie Smith <\/p>\n
As children, both Tracey and Aimee dream of being dancers, but only one goes on to do so. Zadie Smith weaves a graceful saga of ambition and heritage, class and race, and reminds us that the most potent of friendships are never truly forgotten. <\/p>\n
9780525559245 Rules for Visiting <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/572570\/rules-for-visiting-by-jessica-francis-kane\/ by Jessica Francis Kane <\/p>\n
When Jane gets an unexpected leave from her job as a university gardener, she decides to spend a year on what she calls \u201ca female Odyssey\u201d to visit four old friends. A delightful story of self-discovery, it\u2019s also a gentle call to revitalize friendships outside technology. <\/p>\n
9780735222588 Before Everything <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/549594\/before-everything-by-victoria-redel\/ by Victoria Redel <\/p>\n
In Victoria Redel\u2019s bittersweet novel, four lifelong friends come together when one of their own \u2014 the trailblazer of the group \u2014 enters hospice. The women recall a lifetime of adventures, mistakes, and turning points as they contemplate a future without Anna. <\/p>\n
9780812989304 The Animators <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/533931\/the-animators-by-kayla-rae-whitaker\/ by Kayla Rae Whitaker <\/p>\n
Mel and Sharon have been best friends and creative partners since college. They\u2019re finally having their moment in the male-dominated field of animation after their first full-length feature makes a splash in the indie film world. But can their friendship handle the stress of success? <\/p>\n
9780451492159 The Last Year of the War <\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/572987\/the-last-year-of-the-war-by-susan-meissner\/ by Susan Meissner <\/p>\n
In 1943, teenagers Elise Sontag and Mariko Inoue are unlikely friends who meet in an unexpected place: a Texas-based internment camp. The girls come to rely on each other in this strange and lonely space \u2014 until a twist of fate pulls them apart again. <\/p>\n
9780399589331 Perennials<\/i> https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/545494\/perennials-by-mandy-berman\/9780399589331\/ by Mandy Berman <\/p>\n
A striking coming-of-age novel, Perennials<\/i> is steeped in longing, secrets, and nostalgia. Rachel and Fiona used to be campers at Camp Marigold; now, they\u2019re back as counselors. But their relationship has grown complicated as they\u2019ve entered womanhood, and this summer will be anything but simple. <\/p>\n
Editor\u2019s note: This post was originally published in 2015 and updated in 2019.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Studies show that having true friends helps us in many ways. Here are a few books that celebrate the joy (and heartbreak) of friendship.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":2927,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[46],"tags":[72,94,158,444,1168],"coauthors":[27],"class_list":["post-2925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-grown-up-reads","tag-friendship","tag-growing-up","tag-women-in-literature","tag-marriage","tag-family-and-friendship"],"yoast_head":"\n