The Joy of Friendship: A Thoughtful and Inspiring Collection of 200 Quotations

Oh, so you’re reviewing a quote book? That’s cool. What separates it from the billions of other quote books already out there?

Well, a worthwhile quote book strikes a balance. It measures how to mix insight and heart, humor and schmaltz. You can’t tip too much one way or another. It properly anchors itself with classical takes on the subject, but peppers the text with newer and more modern views as well. For instance, seeing Jenny Lawson pop up in this one was a treat!

And, of course, even if the subject leads to happy thoughts and warm fuzzies, a proper quote book cuts the sugar with a little snark (like the one about friends being God’s way of apologizing for our families).

So, is this a proper quote book about friendship? You better believe it. With only a few quotations per page, Corley somehow manages to span the incredible complexity and variety of friendships and bring them home packaged neatly as wise words, covering everything from the bond and the responsibility to the honesty and the selflessness. My only complaint is that it goes far too quickly. It would’ve been nice to wrap myself up in gentle musings on friendship for a while longer.