Published Feb. 6, 2018
Kayleen Schaefer has experienced (and occasionally, narrowly survived) most every iteration of the modern female friendship. First there was the mean girl cliques of the ’90s; then the teenage friendships that revolved around constant discussion of romantic interests and which slowly morphed into Sex and the City spin-offs; the disheartening loneliness of “I’m not like other girls” friendships with only men; the discovery of a platonic soul mate; and finally, the overwhelming love of a supportive female squad (#squad).
And over the course of these friendships, Schaefer made a startling discovery: girls make the best friends. And she isn’t the only one to realize this. Through interviews with friends, mothers, authors, celebrities, businesswomen, doctors, screenwriters, and historians (a list that includes Judy Blume, Megan Abbott, The Fug Girls, and Kay Cannon), Schaefer shows a remarkable portrait of what female friendships can help modern women accomplish in their social, personal, and work lives.
A validation of female friendship unlike any that’s ever existed before, this book is a mix of historical research, the author’s own personal experience, and conversations about friendships across the country. Everything Schaefer uncovers leads to – and makes the case for – the eventual conclusion that these ties among women are making us (both as individuals and as society as a whole) stronger than ever before.- Goodreads
*short review*
I love the premise of this book and how it stresses the importance of having female friends and building those form of relationships. I strongly believe it is important to have that female friend and if possible uplift other women. But what drew me to this book was the title. This is something that I have been saying for years to all my friends and it put a smile on my face knowing that this simple expression of concern isn’t only done by me.
However, as much as I loved the premise of this book, it felt like I was reading a book about her life and how this has affected her. This was so prominent that I lost interest. What kept the book going was the interviews of everyone but those she knew personally. It added creditably to the point the author was trying to get across and it provided a fairly unbiased point of view.
Despite this book having so much of the author’s life in it, i enjoyed reading the different interviews and seeing the similarities and the big differences of these women experiences. I would use this book as part of a book club because it can create such a huge discussion not only between women but men as well. There are questions that form when reading this book but most importantly there is a desire to connect with your fellow woman.
This wasn’t a bad read but I wanted more interviews, more perspectives and more voices.
2.5 Pickles
Motif by Tanya 