Top
Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. This week we're discussing our
top ten books on friendship.
The Sisterhood series by Ann Brashares —
I've
only read the first two books, but I had to include this series
on my list. The story revolves around four teenage girls from very
different backgrounds and with very different personalities who
nonetheless remain the best of friends. Good girl empowerment right
here.
Gemma Doyle series by Libba Bray — It's been a while since I've read this one, and I know that there have been some criticisms against this series, but honestly? I didn't notice anything problematic as a teen reader myself. I love how through Gemma's connection with the enchanted world of the realms brings her and three other girls out of their shells and gives them reasons to live again in their overbearing Victorian society.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky — This is more Charlie's story about finding himself than anything else, but the friendships he forms with Sam and Patrick, Alice and Mary Elizabeth, and even his English professor Mr. Anderson, are all integral to Charlie's growth. And I love a good story about misfits finding friendship and support in one another. [My review]
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton — I am in desperate need of a re-read. But I remember loving how tightly knit this group of Greaser guys were as they dealt with some pretty formidable challenges in their daily lives. I'll never forget my favorite line from this book: "Stay gold, Ponyboy." (Nor will I forget their somewhat ridiculous names, but that's neither here nor there.)
Golden by Jessi Kirby — Golden is primarily about how in solving her town's tragic mystery, Parker hopes to figure out what she wants to do with her own life. But who encourages Parker to go on a road trip in search of the truth (and accompanies her, of course)? Her best friend Kat. Parker and Kat are very different people, but they manage to use their differences to form a friendship where they both bring out the best in one another. [My review]
Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty — The focal point of the majority of Jessica's books is Hope, her best friend who moved away after sophomore year. The description of their relationship is one-sided, as it's told almost entirely through Jessica's diary entries, and yet it still sounds like an enviable friendship between two girls who really respect and care about one another. [My review]
The Help by Kathryn Stockett — Another potentially controversial pick. And yet - even if you think the relationship developed between Skeeter and Aibileen and Minny is more of a "friendship" of convenience made so that white readers feel good about themselves rather than a true friendship - these women all support one another during a challenging time.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein — Despite working for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during World War II, Maddie does all right when it comes to friendships. She and Verity have one of the most enviable friendships ever in Code Name Verity. I loved learning about how they met and exactly the extent to which the two of them are willing to protect one another. [My review]
Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein — Maddie and Rose also have a pretty solid friendship in Rose Under Fire. More than Maddie and Rose's friendship, however, I really enjoyed the friendships that Rose makes with the other prisoners of Ravensbruck women's concentration camp. There's no way anyone could go through an experience like that and emerge unscathed, and the friendships they form are what keeps them whole. [My review]
How to Save a Life by Sarah Zarr — This book explores a lot of heavy topics (teenage pregnancy, death, adoption, abuse), all to great effect. Protagonists Jill and Mandy must grapple with overcoming these challenges, and then some. These characters are at the lowest of lows when the novel starts, and they're still far from being completely okay when the novel concludes. And yet, it is the friendship that they develop that allows readers to think they'll both be okay again one day. [My review]
Gemma Doyle series by Libba Bray — It's been a while since I've read this one, and I know that there have been some criticisms against this series, but honestly? I didn't notice anything problematic as a teen reader myself. I love how through Gemma's connection with the enchanted world of the realms brings her and three other girls out of their shells and gives them reasons to live again in their overbearing Victorian society.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chobsky — This is more Charlie's story about finding himself than anything else, but the friendships he forms with Sam and Patrick, Alice and Mary Elizabeth, and even his English professor Mr. Anderson, are all integral to Charlie's growth. And I love a good story about misfits finding friendship and support in one another. [My review]
The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton — I am in desperate need of a re-read. But I remember loving how tightly knit this group of Greaser guys were as they dealt with some pretty formidable challenges in their daily lives. I'll never forget my favorite line from this book: "Stay gold, Ponyboy." (Nor will I forget their somewhat ridiculous names, but that's neither here nor there.)
Golden by Jessi Kirby — Golden is primarily about how in solving her town's tragic mystery, Parker hopes to figure out what she wants to do with her own life. But who encourages Parker to go on a road trip in search of the truth (and accompanies her, of course)? Her best friend Kat. Parker and Kat are very different people, but they manage to use their differences to form a friendship where they both bring out the best in one another. [My review]
Jessica Darling series by Megan McCafferty — The focal point of the majority of Jessica's books is Hope, her best friend who moved away after sophomore year. The description of their relationship is one-sided, as it's told almost entirely through Jessica's diary entries, and yet it still sounds like an enviable friendship between two girls who really respect and care about one another. [My review]
The Help by Kathryn Stockett — Another potentially controversial pick. And yet - even if you think the relationship developed between Skeeter and Aibileen and Minny is more of a "friendship" of convenience made so that white readers feel good about themselves rather than a true friendship - these women all support one another during a challenging time.
Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein — Despite working for the Women's Auxiliary Air Force during World War II, Maddie does all right when it comes to friendships. She and Verity have one of the most enviable friendships ever in Code Name Verity. I loved learning about how they met and exactly the extent to which the two of them are willing to protect one another. [My review]
Rose Under Fire by Elizabeth Wein — Maddie and Rose also have a pretty solid friendship in Rose Under Fire. More than Maddie and Rose's friendship, however, I really enjoyed the friendships that Rose makes with the other prisoners of Ravensbruck women's concentration camp. There's no way anyone could go through an experience like that and emerge unscathed, and the friendships they form are what keeps them whole. [My review]
How to Save a Life by Sarah Zarr — This book explores a lot of heavy topics (teenage pregnancy, death, adoption, abuse), all to great effect. Protagonists Jill and Mandy must grapple with overcoming these challenges, and then some. These characters are at the lowest of lows when the novel starts, and they're still far from being completely okay when the novel concludes. And yet, it is the friendship that they develop that allows readers to think they'll both be okay again one day. [My review]
I do agree upon all the friendships you mentioned. Favorite of mine would have to be, Sisterhood of the travelling Pants, Golden, and Jessica Darling series. I definitely need to read Code Name Verity, The Help and Rose Under fire. Fabulous list, Amanda!! (:
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ini! You really do need to read Code Name Verity and Rose Under Fire! They're fantastic books in so many ways - for strong female friendships and for more! :)
DeleteIf I had participated in today's TTT, the Gemma Doyle series would have totally been on there. I tried browsing my read list to come up with 10 and noticed I don't read a lot of friendship type books either! Will have to check out some of these on your list. :)
ReplyDeleteYay another Gemma Doyle trilogy fan. :)
DeleteI know, I really need to fix that problem! Maybe not a lot of books are written about friendships? I hope that's not the case and I just haven't read too many of them, though!
Dagnabit! I knew I forgot one! Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants is perfect for this post, and I enjoyed those books. I also love The Help, Jessica Darling, Golden, Perks and A Great and Terrible Beauty! I still need to read Rose Under Fire, and, hopefully, I'll enjoy that one more than Code Name Verity (I know, I know, you love that book. Don't hate me). Great picks, Manda! :D
ReplyDeletehaha I actually Googled books about friendship to help me get started thinking on this topic and The Sisterhood came up so that's how I ended up with it.
DeleteAnd I could see Rose Under Fire working out better for you than Code Name Verity did. Now I'm going to badger you until you read it, so be prepared. ;P
I devoured the Jessica Darling series when I was in college. My friends and I loved it because we felt that she was growing up at the same time we were. That's a good choice of a friendship story - I remember the scene where Hope and Marcus get re-introduced to each other because of Jessica.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had read Jessica Darling when I was her age. I definitely would have formed a closer connection with her story, I'm sure. Kind of like how it was beyond perfect that I grew up at the same time as Harry Potter and his friends. One of the problems with reading YA books as an adult!
DeleteThis is a brilliant list Amanda, I've seen Code Name Verity in so many lists, but I have to agree, it had such a beautiful friendship. I have been meaning to read the Jessica Darling series for the longest time, so can't wait to read the friendship in that one too!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jasprit! I hope you do give Jessica Darling a try soon - it's the sort of series I can really see you enjoying. :)
DeleteI included Code Name Verity as well, and would have chosen Rose Under Fire too if I'd had more space! Both such beautiful, sad, wonderful books. I love that you listed How To Save a Life. I just read that one recently and loved it, and I like how unusual the friendship in that book was. Great list!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Lisa! And isn't it, though? How to Save a Life had such a profound effect on me - I think a re-read is in order for the near future! :)
DeleteI had thought about doing this Top Ten Tuesday but like you I had a hard time drafting up a list of friendships. That's crazy to me because I love friendships in books over relationships. You managed to come up with a good list though!
ReplyDeleteI considered participating this week until I realized the same thing: as much as I like to proclaim that a good friendship trumps a good romance any day, I would have trouble thinking up ten picks for this list! Goes to show how few books there are out there that feature truly genuine friendship instead of focusing entirely on romance. The HP Trio, Perks of Being a Wallflower, and Code Name Verity all would have made my list, but I haven't read any of the other books you mention here - I really should though!
ReplyDelete