Friendship Development

Discover the unexpected ways friends influence our personalities, choices, emotions, and even physical health in this fun and compelling examination of friendship, based on the latest scientific research and ever-relatable anecdotes. Why is dinner with friends often more laughter-filled and less fraught than a meal with family? Although some say it's because we choose our friends, it's also because we expect less of them than we do of relatives.

In The Colors of Culture, MelindaJoy Mingo models reaching across cultures. Through vivid stories spanning several countries, Mingo shows the beauty of diverse friendships in her life. She takes risks and learns from her mistakes, recognizing that relationships are worth the cost.

In this “entertaining mix of social science, memoir, and humor, as if a Daniel Goleman book were filtered through the lens of Will Ferrell” (The New York Times Book Review) a middle-aged man embarks on an entertaining and relatable quest to reprioritize his ties with his buddies and forge new friendships, all while balancing work, marriage, and kids.

Judy Gaman was so busy making a name for herself that she barely took the time to meet a stranger, enjoy life, or simply stop to breathe. Immersed in her job as the director of business development for a high-profile medical practice - a job that required her to write health and wellness books and host a nationally syndicated radio show - she spent every day going full speed ahead with no looking back. That is, until the day she met Lucille Fleming. What began as a quick meeting became a lasting friendship that transformed into an inseparable bond.

We all know that gratitude is good for us - but the real magic comes when we express it. Writer Gina Hamadey learned this life-changing lesson firsthand when a case of burnout and too many hours on social media left her feeling depleted and disconnected. In this engaging book, she chronicles how 12 months spent writing 365 thank-you notes to strangers, neighbors, family members, and friends shifted her perspective.

“That’s when I had to admit the truth: I wasn’t fine.” We live in a world that masks all pain with “I’m fine,” but the truth? The truth is that we’ve said “I’m fine” so often, we’ve begun to believe it even when we’re in a space where it’s okay to not be fine. Social media has led us to believe that to be anything other than happy is to be less than standard. We portray the truth of our life as constant happiness; refusing to accept that life comes with pain. Truth Be Told is designed to be a companion guide through the times when life isn’t “fine.” ...

The Circling and Authentic Relating Practice Guide is the most comprehensive digital resource available on the Authentic Relating movement. In addition to a practice guide with many examples of what to do and say in groups, it also contains a history of the movement, a section on precursors (which include Integral Theory, Non-Violent Communication, and "we-space"), an extensive resources section, sample leader formats, and instructions for starting your own groups, either in person or online.

When Mindy and her best friend, B.J. Novak, are approached on a dark street by a Charles Manson-esque character, naturally they’re unnerved. Turns out he’s a huge fan of The Office! Now Mindy’s feeling a little judgy. But the night is young, unseasonably hot, and getting weirder. Mindy and B.J.’s brief encounter with the drifter is about to take an unexpected turn in Sunset Junction.

The perfect practical pick-me-up for life's tough days, this book is the perfect guide to help you feel happier, healthier and calmer. We all have days where we feel like the world is getting us down. But here's the thing - you're not alone. From helping us see what strong really looks like, to what to do when you have no energy for self-care; Jayne Hardy shows us that even on our most difficult days, a little kindness can go a very long way.

When the state of Colorado ordered its residents to shelter in place in response to the spread of coronavirus, writers Pam Houston and Amy Irvine — who had never met — began a correspondence based on their shared devotion to the rugged, windswept mountains that surround their homes, one on each side of the Continental Divide. As the numbers of infected and dead rose and the nation split dangerously over the crisis, Houston and Irvine found their letters to one another as necessary as breath.

Small changes for big results in your social life, presence, and relationships. Learn how to be captivating, memorable, and magnetic. Likability is one of the most important traits you’ll ever learn. It’s more important than your intelligence, looks, status, wealth, prestige, or education. Likability is the true currency of life. Do you seem to fade from people’s memory as soon as the conversation ends? Banish those feelings of rejection and dejection.

The beloved creator of Blues Clues and Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood and protégé of Fred Rogers explores the importance of kindness and how it can change your life in this essential guide and tie-in to the PBS special The Power of Radical Kindness.

What if I don't want intimacy at all? It is selfish to pursue a relationship if I don't want romance? These questions are not only a source of deep anxiety and frustration for ace and aro people - but limit the heights that ace and aro folks believe they can reach for in their lives. These questions make us believe that we should settle for less, when in fact we all deserve more.

Living in an ever-more-fragmented society, it might seem daunting to make and maintain friendships. But what if we could overcome our isolation epidemic by harnessing the power of platonic relationships? In this rigorously researched and compelling book, friendship expert and psychologist Dr. Marisa G. Franco shares why making friends and forging platonic connections doesn't just help to combat loneliness and better our society, but will also help us to lead happier and more fulfilled lives.

Do you find it hard to connect with other people? Do your relationships feel stale and lack real, meaningful connections? Do you wish you were more confident, charismatic, and likable? How to Make People Like You is a book with detailed insights on everything you need to know when it comes to going from a shy, anxious, and awkward individual and transforming yourself into someone who can unapologetically be your real, genuine, and authentic self.

Since early 2020, Dolly Alderton has been sharing her wisdom, warmth and wit with the countless people who have written in to her Dear Dolly agony aunt column in The Sunday Times Style. Their questions range from the painfully—and sometimes hilariously—relatable to the occasionally bizarre. They include breakups and body issues, families, friendships, dating, divorce, the pleasures and pitfalls of social media, sex, loneliness, longing, love and everything in between.

Sometimes our soul mates live down the street. Melissa finds hers when she opens the door for her new neighbor, Elizabeth. Over many years, their lives become intertwined as they support each other through pregnancy and motherhood, divorce, bereavement, and starting over. This is the story of finding a life partner under a different roof.

Dear White Woman, Please Come Home is Kimberlee Yolanda Williams's invitation to white women longing for authentic friendship with Black and brown women, the kind of friendship with no place for secrets, the kind of relationship where truth-telling is welcome, even when it hurts. The idea for the book was born after attending a workshop that left her shaken and angry. In it, Kimberlee listened as white woman after white woman didn't understand how this or that comment, custom, behavior, or norm so negatively impacted women of color.

Unlock the secrets to lasting connections with "How to Make Friends: A Practical Guide to Building Meaningful Relationships, Overcoming Social Anxiety, and Expanding Your Social Circle." This engaging, fun, and insightful book dives into the art of forming friendships that endure. Whether you're wondering how to make friends that last, seeking tips for kids on making friends in preschool, or even looking for advice on how to make friends without trying, this guide covers it all with flair and wit.

We often conflate happiness with success, but over the course of his career, GP and best-selling author, Dr Rangan Chatterjee has seen first-hand how this misunderstanding of happiness is actually damaging our health. Research has shown that poor mental health has a direct impact on our overall health and, in fact, 90 per cent of GP visits are due to stress. In his latest book, Happy Mind, Happy Life, he shows how making small changes to our mindset is the secret to feeling both happier and healthier.