Good books are our friends, but the best books are about friends. For Friendship Day, Ahlam Booloki, Festival Director of the Emirates Airlines Festival of Literature, put together a list of books that celebrate companionship. No matter how old (or young) you are, there’s sure to be a book on this list that will instantly give you the warm and fuzzy feelings reminiscent of times spent with your best friends. Read them on your own or send them to your bestie with a note that they will treasure forever.
Some Children’s Books that should be on your radar
Will You Be My Friend by Sam McBratney
A heartwarming picture book about a little hare who is growing up, becoming more independent and exploring on his own and finds a new friend. Children will be excited to flip the pages and find out what happens next. This book is a sequel to the classic Guess How Much I Love You but can be read on its own.
Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne
The adventures of Winnie the Pooh and his gang of friends Eeyore, Piglet, Owl, Rabbit, Kanga and Roo have withstood the test of time. The writing is advanced, but the concept is simple. A sweet and funny book that parents and children would love to read together.
A Dog Called Homeless by Sarah Lean
Cally Fisher knows she can see her dead mother but no one believes her so she gives up talking. Healing comes in the form of a homeless dog. A poignant tale about the death of a family member and the accompanying depression. The beacon of hope is the power of kindness and friendship in overcoming loss.
Real Friends by Shannon Hale
Shannon and Adrienne have been best friends forever. Until suddenly, Adrienne starts hanging out with the most popular girl in class. Sometimes it’s not as easy to keep friends as it is to make them but it’s a reminder that real friends are kind to each other. A portrait-like insight into the realities of childhood friendships and cliques.
Young Adult Fiction novels to harken you back to a better time
Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Harry Potter is a name that every wizard knows but he has no idea he’s famous. His aunt and uncle keep him far removed from the magical world that ended his parent’s life. But he cannot escape his destiny, it’s a good thing he has some new friends to help him. The entire Harry Potter series leans heavily on the theme of companionship, but the first book especially is a delight to read with the budding friendship between Harry, Hermione and Ron.
Darius The Great Is Not Okay by Adib Khorram
Darius doesn’t fit in at home or school. And he doesn’t think things will be any different on his visit to Iran. But the unexpected happens and Darius meets a friend who helps him realize his self-worth. Warning: you may shed more than a few tears reading this tale of diversity, identity, and depression.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky
Charlie is a wallflower who expresses himself through a series of intimate letters which take the reader on a journey of teenage struggles with school, friends, family, and romance. With the help of his peers and teachers, Charlie is able to navigate the potholes of adolescence and come to terms with his best friend’s suicide. There are many books in this genre now but this is probably one of the first that addresses the isolation of coming of age head-on.
Contemporary Fiction novels that truly strike a chord
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
A solitary old man meets boisterous new neighbours. Chaos ensues but cannot persist in the face of unexpected friendship. The protagonist of this novel, Ove, despite his extenuating circumstances, but it is the affection between the neighbours and the exploration of the rippling effect of friendship that emerges as the true hero.
Beach Read by Emily Henry
What happens when two authors that are polar opposites end up living next to each other? They find out that they have more in common than they would have thought. And the only way forward is to do what friends do and lean on each other’s strengths. Summer reads are usually more romance and less companionship but Beach Read finds a middle ground that is very wholesome.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Set against the backdrop of family drama, class and economic inequality and geopolitics, The Kite Runner is a story about loss, love, regret, repentance, pain, redemption and of course, friendship. Amir and Hassan come from two different worlds but share a deep connection.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
Four girls that have nothing in common physically or personality-wise share a pair of pants over the course of one summer. The magical traveling pants that fit each of them perfectly are synonymous with the love they share and the support they offer each other. This is a book that celebrates non-judgmental friendship – nay, sisterhood – that every woman craves and few are lucky to find.
Classics that remind us of the most iconic literary friendships
Three Musketeers by Alexandre Dumas
The hilarious French intrigue follows the adventures of Athos, Pothos, and Aramis, as they engage in bullets and swordplay with their adversaries. This is a no-brainer addition to this collection of books as devoted friendships are epitomized with the famous motto of the three musketeers ‘all for one, one for all.’
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
The March sisters, Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy couldn’t be more different from each other. Even as they battle their internal conflict between familial responsibility and personal ambition, they are united by their worry for their father who is away at war and their mother who is running herself ragged trying to ease their finances. Their friendship is evident not by their shared dreams and hopes but by the love and concern they express for each other.
The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
This novel is narrated from the perspective of a pilot who is trying to fix his wrecked plane and meets a little prince. The repair attempts are interspersed with absurd requests from the prince like drawing a sheep which the pilot is unable to disobey. Based on Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s own near-death experience, this classic has stood the test of time.