by Julie Klam
First published 2012
Julie Klam tackles the puzzle of modern friendship in an era when social media promises connection but often delivers isolation. She examines why we might have hundreds of online contacts yet struggle to name more than two real friends. Klam draws from her own experiences with her four closest companions to explore what makes friendships work. She covers everything from keeping secrets to finding reliable confidants, from exciting digital connections to friends who actually appear at your birthday party or accompany you to dreaded medical appointments. The author shares practical advice on nurturing lasting bonds and recognizing when to step away from toxic relationships. Klam writes with humor and candor about the challenges of maintaining authentic connections in our fragmented world. Her exploration reveals both the difficulty and necessity of true friendship today.
Genres: friendship, relationships, non-fiction, 21st-century
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, real-life
240 pages · Hardcover · Riverhead Books