4 Heart-Warming Novels About Friendship

4 Heart-Warming Novels About Friendship

The Beatles were right when they sang, "With a little help from my friends." Friendship is, after all, an eternal bond we all crave and need to manage through the trials and tribulations of our lives. However, friendship isn't without its fair share of complexities, for it encapsulates multiple distinct emotions in itself, be it fear, joy, anxiety, or pure unadulterated bliss. The following four books about friendship are real gems, as they so astutely echo the very same sentiments we all feel while spending time and memorable moments with our favourite friends.

1. Real Friends by Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham

Real Friends

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A graphic novel that should be made compulsory reading for pre-teens, Real Friends is a coming-of-age autobiographical tale about friendship, school dynamics, love, anxiety, and the notion that whether we want to or not, people change over time. What Shannon Hale does brilliantly in the book is cover issues of loneliness, bullying, school group culture, and the feeling of being left out, often including bits of humour to make a much more powerful impact in a subtle manner. Adult readers will find many instances from their childhood years they can easily relate to. Whereas Real Friends almost acts like a guide for young readers, preparing them for the unpredictable nature of people, even the ones that are part of their close circle. Adding to the charm of the book is LeUyen Pham's bright cartoon-like illustrations, which further lighten the mood, making the story seem friendlier, light-hearted, and enjoyable. Real Friends is part of a two-book series, and if you like it, pick up Best Friends by Shannon Hale for some more teachings on how to tackle the "wonder years."

2. Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

Tuesdays wth Morrie

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Tuesdays with Morrie is a beautiful read about an unconventional friendship between a professor and his student. The story of Tuesdays with Morrie chronicles Mitch Albom's visits to his sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz, who is suffering from ALS and only has a few months left to live. It is during these last meetings with the professor that Mitch gains unimaginable knowledge about happiness and sorrow, more than anything he learned while attending the professor's classes. Tuesdays with Morrie might sound morbid, but it is, in reality, an inspirational and uplifting read about life, the lessons we learn from each other, and that as we move towards the end, having a friend nearby can make all the difference.

3. Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

Winnie-the-Pooh

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One of the most beloved books about friendship, Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne has entertained plenty of generations over the decades. Almost a century old, the adventures of Pooh bear, Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Eeyore, and the other animals of Hundred Acre Wood have allowed the imaginations of kids to run wild. At the same time, these charming stories have led adult readers to introspect about the meaning of life, and that of unconditional love and everlasting friendship. Packed with endearing moments of playfulness, characters who display human-like emotions, hummable rhymes, and loads of feel-good factor, Winnie-the-Pooh is one of the greatest books ever written about friendship.

4. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life

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Contrary to the title of the book, A Little Life is a tome, one that profoundly contemplates individual ambitions, attachments, trauma, relationships, and how life is a series of endless challenges made easy when we have friends by our side. Hanya Yanagihara places her story in New York, where four friends, Jude, Malcolm, JB, and Willem, from diverse backgrounds, finish college and venture out to conquer their respective fields of interest. Over time, we follow each of the friends as they go through with life and its unpredictable drama. However, the focus remains on Jude and the unveiling of his abusive past. A Little Life is not an easy read as the author is often graphic about the details of life-changing instances that form the core of the plot. Still, at heart, the book is a celebration of brotherhood, as the four friends share a secure connection that goes through, and passes many tests during the following decades. Yet, at the same time, Hanya Yanagihara's novel is also realistic in the way it mirrors life where for some joy and support is constant, while for others, it is a luxury they just can't afford.

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