Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, featuring a different top 10 theme each week. This week’s topic is Top Ten Books About Friendship… and it was a surprisingly difficult list to put together! Every time I had an idea about a book to include, I’d realize that it ended up as a love story or a family story. In fact, it was hard to come up with a selection of books that didn’t focus on romance or wasn’t about siblings — but that really just place the emphasis on friendship. But after much torment and scouring of my real and virtual bookshelves, here’s what made my list this week:
1) Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White: I don’t think there’s a better friend in fiction than Charlotte the spider. And I’m sure Wilbur would agree.
2) The Fellowship of the Ring by J. R. R. Tolkien: A motley band, to be sure, but from a group of strange companions, the fellowship develops into a deeply devoted band of friends.
3) Code Name Verity: Sigh. Julia and Maddie. Tears. Oh my.
4) The Harry Potter series: This probably belongs up at #1. Why was Harry able to survive and triumph? Because he didn’t have to do it alone. Ron and Hermione are the best friends a young wizard could have, not to mention all the various and sundry other members of the Hogwarts gang and their extended families. (Dobby! Neville! Weasley twins!)
5) Lamb by Christopher Moore: I hope it’s not disrespectful to say that this novel about Jesus and his childhood pal Biff is one of the best buddy books I’ve ever read! Hilariously funny, and surprisingly touching as well.
6) Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See: Just a beautiful, beautiful book about two friends in 19th century China.
7) Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando: This is probably the newest book on my list. I really loved the focus on two strangers getting to know one another via email before becoming college roommates — with all the revelations, secret sharing, and misunderstandings that you’d find in real life. True friendship may not be easy, but it’s worth the work!
8) Doc by Mary Doria Russell: This may seem like an odd choice, but one of my favorites things about this historical novel about Doc Holliday is the portrayal of his friendship with Wyatt Earp.
9) Buffy the Vampire Slayer (season 8 and beyond): Okay, maybe it’s a bit of a cheat, but I love the comic series that picks ups where the TV series left off — and as with Harry Potter, the secret of Buffy’s success is her gang of friends. Where would Buffy be without the Scoobies?
10) And finally, for a unique look at friendship gone wrong, check out the darkly comic The Basic Eight by Daniel Handler.
I’m sure I missed some books that will pop into my head in the middle of the night…
What’s on your list this week? Share your links, and I’ll come check out your top 10!
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Bookshelf Fantasies 
Great choices, especially Charlotte’s Web!
Thanks! That one still makes me tear up. 🙂
Aw I wish I’d thought of (sort of-)cheating and including Buffy and the Scoobies too. Great picks!
Any excuse to include Buffy in a post works for me! And hey, they’re in books now! 🙂
I immediately thought of HP and code name verity too! The friendships in those are golden
Absolutely! Really different, but both so special!
How did I not put BUFFY on my list! *facepalm*
LOL. Buffy will forgive you… 🙂
I still want to read Snow Flower! Great list
I really recommend it — very moving, and I felt like I learned so much too!
I really want to read Lamb-I read Moore’s other book, The Stupidest Angel, and it was one of the funniest books I’ve ever read 😀
Finley Jayne
http://finleyjayne.com/
Oh, if you liked The Stupidest Angel, you’ll love Lamb! No matter what I read by Christopher Moore, I end up laughing until I cry. (Not pretty, but so much fun!)
I haven’t read Code Name Verity but now I’ve seen it on enough lists that I’m definitely getting curious about it. Here’s my list
I can’t recommend it highly enough! Powerful and moving and surprising — just phenomenal!
Charlotte’s Web was such a wonderful book that was one of my favorites from childhood. Love seeing that on this list. 😀
Absolutely, Charlotte’s Web is one that has stuck with me all these years!
These are awesome picks! Great post 🙂
My Top Ten this week!
Thanks! It ended up being a really fun topic to think about. 🙂
Code Name Verity was such a great book. I can’t believe I forgot about it.
It really was incredible, wasn’t it? Have you read Rose Under Fire? Because that one was terrific as well. Thanks for stopping by!
Charlotte’s Web is a great one! I’ve seen Code Name Verity on several lists today, though I haven’t read it yet. And of course this kind of list wouldn’t be complete without our favorite boy wizard and his pals. Great list! 😀
My TTT
Gotta love the boy wizard! I really recommend Code Name Verity when you get a chance. It’s such a special book. Thanks for stopping by!
You pretty much said it best in your description for Harry Potter! Oh my Dobby feels :((
Cheers,
joey via. thoughts and afterthoughts
Oh, I know — I still get choked up and teary whenever I think about Dobby. A free elf.
Great list! I love seeing HP on so many lists this week. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
I have yet to read LotR but if I already have, I’d put it on my list, too. I know the basics as I saw the movies at least.
I also want to read Roomies, I hear amazing things.
Happy reading!