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bookishkellyn's review
hopeful
informative
reflective
4.5
Making real-life friends is much harder than previous generations, and relies heavily on vulnerability and utilizing “friend orbits” with varying degrees of closeness. All levels of friendship (best friends, close friends, friends, and acquaintances) are necessary for a healthy social life, because people can move in between orbits and/or introduce you to new social circles. My only complaint was that quite a few of the exercises leaned more towards maintaining a friend group than establishing one from the ground up. Assuming that the audience who sought out a book about making friends has any friends is awkward.
lsparrow's review against another edition
3.0
A basic review - but with some helpful exercises and theory to support it and with an understanding of how social media currently plays into this.
jcstokes95's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
3.0
Not quite what I expected but I found this to be a good reflection on the friendships I have and how to strengthen or build out networks from them. I think this is most enjoyable if you think of it as a workbook or a jumping off point for your own reflections. It’s not really “deep” enough to be a step by step guide for anything, but I found the activities useful for thinking about all the connections I actually have and could nurture more. I understand the frustration by some readers because the title feels a little…not necessarily misleading but doesn’t hint at the nuance here. There isn’t a ton for people who are starting totally from scratch in a new place without connections. But, a lot of us aren’t in that position and could do well to reflect on the author’s recommendations.
I would say the writing style isn’t super engaging; there isn’t a ton to keep your attention in her writing style or antidote. Your enjoyment of this book will probably ride on how much it makes you think about your own life. But, it does what it sets out to do.
lllkilli's review against another edition
2.0
It's a book about how to make friends and the first hundred or so pages focus on analyzing the friends you (are supposed to) already have. Not the most useful, even if I didn't read this during a lockdown.
People who just want to expand/improve upon their social circle can weigh in but for those like me starting from the ground up, give this book a pass.
People who just want to expand/improve upon their social circle can weigh in but for those like me starting from the ground up, give this book a pass.
bookedbymadeline's review against another edition
informative
slow-paced
2.0
Veered into toxic positivity- it’s okay to have negative thoughts or feelings! Identify them and work through them, allow yourself to feel them (just don’t let them consume you).
Wasn’t super helpful if you’re mentally ill or neurodivergent or live abroad. It’s not at all what’s advertised?! 90% of the book is about maintaining friendships. Yeah that’s great but almost all my friends live far away-HOW DO I MAKE NEW FRIENDS WHERE I AM?!
chexala's review against another edition
informative
fast-paced
2.0
The book was okay, it just wasn’t for me.
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