Friendship

The solace and comfort of true friendship — and the pain of its loss — can rival any romantic or familial relationship. In this collection, we present texts that examine the unique qualities and costs of deep friendships.

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry

by Fredrik Backman

Publication year 2013

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Coming of Age, Family

Tags Modern Classic Fiction, Fantasy, Humor

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry is a 2013 coming-of-age novel by Fredrik Bachman. The story follows Elsa, a seven-year-old girl with a penchant for grammar and deep affection for her grandmother, Granny, who dies from cancer. As Elsa discovers Granny’s past and the many lives she affected, she also learns more about Life and Death, Celebrating Differences, and the Complexity of Human Nature.Originally written in Swedish, My Grandmother Asked Me has... Read My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry Summary

My Life as a Book

by Janet Tashjian

Publication year 2010

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Childhood & Youth, Friendship, Fathers, Mothers

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Education, Grief & Death, Parenting, Relationships, Children`s Literature, Mystery & Crime Fiction

... Read My Life as a Book Summary

Network Effect

by Martha Wells

Publication year 2020

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Space, Grief, Hate & Anger, Memory, Future, Friendship, Teamwork, Self Discovery, Colonialism, Politics & Government, Equality, Justice, Science & Technology

Tags Science Fiction, Action & Adventure, Humor

... Read Network Effect Summary

New from Here

by Kelly Yang

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Family, Conflict, Emotions/Behavior: Courage, Perseverance, Fear, Forgiveness, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Hope, Love, Shame & Pride, Appearance & Reality, Environment, Place, Equality, Justice, Order & Chaos, Power & Greed, Trust & Doubt, Truth & Lies, Science & Technology, Safety & Danger, Race, Mothers, Siblings, Daughters & Sons, Fathers, Friendship, Marriage, Childhood & Youth, Coming of Age, Social Class, Community, Nation, Regret

Tags Race & Racism, Historical Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read New from Here Summary

Next of Kin

by Hannah Bonam-Young

Publication year 2022

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Perseverance, Love, Disability, The Past, Nature Versus Nurture, Family, Fathers, Friendship, Mothers, Siblings, Teamwork

Tags Romance, Modern Classic Fiction

... Read Next of Kin Summary

Nicomachean Ethics

by Aristotle

Genre Book, Nonfiction

Themes Good & Evil, Justice, Friendship, Community

Tags Philosophy, Ancient Greece, Philosophy

Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle consists of 10 books that explore the best way to live. The work was compiled from a collection of notes based on Aristotle’s lectures at his school, the Lyceum. The philosopher was a student of Plato and an observational scientist. Nicomachean Ethics provides a roadmap for achieving happiness, which is not wealth or gratification, but the “good soul” that is a product of virtue. In this work, Aristotle defines virtues and... Read Nicomachean Ethics Summary

Ninth House

by Leigh Bardugo

Publication year 2019

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship

Tags Fantasy, Horror & Suspense, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Modern Classic Fiction, Religion & Spirituality

Ninth House is a 2019 contemporary occult fantasy novel by American writer Leigh Bardugo. Inspired by the author’s undergraduate experiences at Yale University, Ninth House is part of the Alex Stern series with the next book planned for release in 2021. The novel is also popular on BookTok, a community of readers and book content creators on TikTok. The story is set in a macabre version of the real world and focuses on the occult... Read Ninth House Summary

No More Dead Dogs

by Gordon Korman

Publication year 2000

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Literature, Friendship, Coming of Age

Tags Realistic Fiction, Humor, Education, Children`s Literature, Education, Mystery & Crime Fiction, Animals

No More Dead Dogs by Gordon Korman (Hyperion Books, 2002) is a humorous middle-grade fiction book about how one boy’s unwillingness to lie changes his life and the lives of everyone at his school. No More Dead Dogs won the 2002 Young Reader’s Choice Award (intermediate), one of many award-winners penned by Korman. Gordon Korman published his first book (This Can’t be Happening at Macdonald Hall, first in the Macdonald Hall series) when he was... Read No More Dead Dogs Summary

No Promises In The Wind

by Irene Hunt

Publication year 1970

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Coming of Age, Forgiveness, Death, Friendship, Community, Economics, Social Class, Safety & Danger, Childhood & Youth, Shame & Pride, Hope, Guilt, Hate & Anger, Love, Grief, Perseverance, Conflict, Gratitude, Family, Masculinity, Self Discovery

Tags Historical Fiction, Great Depression, Coming of Age, Food, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Realistic Fiction, World History, Action & Adventure, Classic Fiction

No Promises in the Wind is a young-adult historical novel that takes place at the height of the Great Depression. The first-person narrative tells the coming-of-age story of a 15-year-old boy who leaves home with his younger brother because their family doesn’t have enough to eat. Josh and Joey Grondowski use their musical talents to survive on their own as they travel through a country of angry and impoverished people. First published in 1970, the... Read No Promises In The Wind Summary

No Talking

by Andrew Clements

Publication year 2007

Genre Novel, Fiction

Themes Friendship, Teamwork, Equality

Tags Realistic Fiction, Children`s Literature, Education, Education, Modern Classic Fiction, Humor

No Talking (2007) is a children’s novel by Andrew Clements, and the 2010 recipient of the California Young Reader Medal. In the novel, fifth-grade boys and girls compete to see who can talk the least at school. The competition causes an uproar among teachers and staff, exploring questions of authority in the school setting and building friendships across differences. Andrew Clements was a teacher, author, editor, and book publisher, best known for his debut novel, Frindle... Read No Talking Summary