As Friendship Day 2024 approaches, it’s the perfect moment to celebrate the bonds that shape our lives through the power of literature. In honor of this special day, we’ve curated a list of ten must-read books that delve into the heart of friendship, showcasing stories of camaraderie, trust, and unwavering support. From the vibrant, diverse friendships in “How to Win an Election” and “Uncontrollable,” to the enduring connections found in “Under The Bakul Tree” and “Girls Burn Brighter,” each book on this list highlights the unique and transformative nature of true friends. Whether you’re seeking tales of epic journeys, heartwarming realizations, or the subtle nuances of everyday companionship, these books promise to touch your heart and remind you of the incredible value of friendship. Dive in and let these stories inspire you to cherish the friends who make life’s journey a little brighter.
1. ‘How to Win an Election’ by Menaka Raman
As the middle school elections approach, the campus buzzes with a whirlwind of poster-making, bold promises, and wild predictions. When Sachin is unexpectedly disqualified, he dives headfirst into a mission to help his best friend, Mini, clinch victory. However, their campaign trail is anything but smooth, fraught with rogue lizards, scandalous bathroom graffiti, hacked videos, and perilous baked treats. Can Sachin and Mini navigate these quirky obstacles and secure the win?
Quote by the Author –
Sachin and Mini in How to Win an Election are two very, very different people who have somehow become the best of friends. While they always have each other’s back, they also hurt each other’s feelings at times and aren’t very quick to forgive. They use their very different skills and personalities to solve problems for each other and pull through for each other when it matters the most.
-Menaka Raman
2. ‘Uncontrollable’ by Versha Seshan
Children torn from their homes, humans reduced to empty husks, and a machine that drains every last bit of their power. Secrets pile upon secrets, each darker than the last. Amidst this chaos, I, twelve-year-old Rohini, find myself thrust into a battle against an evil government. My mission? To shatter the machine, uncover the truth, and save my mother. Sounds like a joke, right?
Quote by the Author –
Friends who know your deepest, darkest secrets are the most precious friends of all, as Rohini, the protagonist of Uncontrollable, a unique middle-grade fantasy in verse, discovers. Rohini’s strength lies in her newfound friends, who accept her without judgment. Aveek, Hussain, Shaheen and Prateek help her navigate a world about which she knows nothing. Even as she uncovers terrible secrets about her past, they stand by her, showing her that together, they can do what no one can do alone.
-Varsha Seshan
3. ‘Maithili and the Minotaur: Dolls of Despair’ by CG Salamander and Rajiv Eipe
Equipped with her mother’s enigmatic map, Maithili sets out to unravel the mystery of her disappearance. Yet, as ominous visions of a strange boy haunt her, Maithili risks leading her friends into a sinister trap. Will Maithili, Minotaur, and their companions uncover the truth, or will they be forever ensnared in the cave of a thousand eyes?
Quote by the Authors –
The Maithili and the Minotaur books celebrate unlikely friendships. It was fun to put a handful of different personalities together and see how their friendships develop over the course of the books. And am constantly surprised by the lengths they would go for each other as the books develop.
-C G Salamander
At the heart of the Maithili and the Minotaur story, I think, is a bunch of misfits finding solace and friendship in each others’ company. Having now drawn three books in the series, it feels like I’ve come to know the characters well. I sometimes find myself wondering what weird thing Nagesh would imagine to make some mundane real-life experience merrier, what Maithili would do, what Minotaur would say, etc.
-Rajiv Eipe
4. ‘Under The Bakul Tree’ by Mrinal Kalit
When Ashim, the radiant class topper and cherished pupil of Mahendra master, suddenly drops out of school, his unexpected departure leaves everyone in shock. Troubled by Ashim’s abrupt exit, his classmate and rival, Nirmal, embarks on a quest to uncover the truth. As Nirmal unravels the complexities of Ashim’s situation, a pure and enduring friendship blossoms, mirroring the resilience of the bakul flower amidst the tough realities of rural Assam. “Under the Bakul Tree” is a heartwarming coming-of-age tale that celebrates the power of friendship, hope, and determination while highlighting the harsh effects of poverty and a failing education system. Translated from Assamese for the first time, this novel stands as a significant addition to India’s rich literary tradition.
Quote by the Author –
“Friendship is one of the central themes of my novel “under the bakul tree”. Ashim found solace in the company of his friend Nirmal when he had been struggling in the hostile environment at his home. When Ashim was on the verge of losing himself in the darkness descended on his life, he felt as if his heart had lit up like an earthen lamp in the company of Nirmal. On the other hand, Nirmal himself had been fighting a congenital disease. Instead of suffering alone the two boys chose the path of fighting together. Together they fought against the misfortunes of their lives and came out victorious.
-Mrinal Kalita
5. ‘Girls Burn Brighter’ by Shobha Rao
In “Girls Burn Brighter”, Poornima and Savitha, two girls born into hardship, discover a rare bond that offers them hope. When a cruel act drives Savitha away, Poornima sets out on an epic journey to find her friend, traversing India’s dark underbelly and crossing continents. Their alternating narratives reveal their incredible resilience and enduring hope as they navigate seemingly insurmountable obstacles in their quest to reunite.
Quote from the Book –
That’s the way it is: If two people want to be together, they’ll find a way. They’ll forge a way.”
― Shobha Rao
6. ‘Life Isn’t All Ha Ha Hee Hee’ by Meera Syal
Dive into Meera Syal’s new novel, The House of Hidden Mothers, where the concept of a “happy ending” is put to the test. Follow the intertwined lives of three women: Sunita, the seemingly perfect housewife whose marriage to Akash may conceal hidden truths; Chila, the warm and celebrated wife of entrepreneur Deepak, whose love may not be all it seems; and Tania, the beautiful rebel who has traded tradition for a high-flying TV career, but who may not be as tough as she appears. As Tania uncovers a shocking revelation, the three friends are about to confront a life-altering lesson. With her sharp, provocative storytelling, Meera Syal, renowned for her roles in The Kumars at No. 42 and The Boy in the Dress, as well as her acclaimed novels Anita and Me and Life Isn’t All Ha Ha Hee Hee, delivers another compelling read in The House of Hidden Mothers.
Quote from the Book –
Only tiny kindnesses, but the ones that counted, the million little mercies we take for granted, the mundane gestures that keep us, tentatively, together.”
― Meera Syal
Also Read: 10 Books to Read in August 2024
7. ‘Thick as Thieves: Tales of Friendship’ by Ruskin Bond
In life’s journey, there’s always someone meant to hold your hand through those scorching days. Some stories will bring a smile to your face, others might make you shed a tear, and some could even make your heart race. Yet, each one will rekindle your belief in the profound magic of true friendship.
8. ‘The 3 Mistakes of My Life’ by Chetan Bhagat
In the late 2000s Ahmedabad, a young boy dreams of owning a business and, to indulge his friends’ cricket obsession, opens a shop. But in a city rife with religious tensions, natural disasters, and forbidden love, success is far from guaranteed. As they confront their own mistakes and the harsh realities of life, they must ask: can dreams triumph over turmoil? From best-selling author Chetan Bhagat comes a darkly witty exploration of modern India, capturing the essence and isolation of a generation striving to overcome their own obstacles.
9. ‘Just Friends’ by Sumrit Shahi
Dive into the delightful journey of Aaryan and Tanie, two inseparable best friends who find themselves on the edge of something more as they navigate the rollercoaster of teenage life. Their connection is a unique blend of deep friendship and tentative romance—a relationship where he knows her favorite books and even the intimate details of her life, while she’s got the scoop on his beloved soccer club and his not-so-secret online interests. Packed with witty moments and thought-provoking exchanges, this book is the perfect easygoing read for your next airport adventure.
Quote from the Book –
“DTH, as in direct to home?” she asked the question I had prepared my answer for.
“No DTH here is direct to heart,” I said, hoping she would laugh this time.
-Sumrit Shahi
10. ‘All the Right People’ by Priyanka Khanna
In the heart of Mumbai, three friends—Tara, Shaan, and Aria—embark on a journey of shared dreams and trials from school days to adulthood. But when Tara’s father, Mohan Mehta, a prominent businessman, faces scandal, their unbreakable bond is tested. Tara, a social media star thriving in London’s high society, finds herself alone to pick up the pieces of her perfect life. Aria, the daughter of a billionaire, faces a dilemma between her head and heart when Bollywood star Rohan Rawal challenges her lifelong adherence to perfection. Meanwhile, Shaan, a fierce Delhi party girl and political aspirant, must choose between her freedom and an arranged marriage her parents impose. “All The Right People” reveals the dazzling, secretive worlds of Bombay, Delhi, and London’s elite, offering a universal story of love, loss, family, friendship, and difficult choices.
Which of the above books you are planning to read?
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