𝐴𝑛𝑛 𝐹𝑟𝑖𝑒𝑑𝑚𝑎𝑛 & 𝐴𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑢 𝑆𝑜𝑤

This is the book I didn’t know I needed. In this sweet nonfiction book by authors Ann and Aminatou, they describe their friendship and how they navigate it through good times and not so good times.

They call what they have a “Big Friendship”. It is more than what we might call a best friend, but more like chosen family. In describing how they met, they talk about “the spark”, and it reminded me of the first meetings of some of my own big friendships. I am someone who likes to hold on to people. I have friends that I have known since elementary school who I still call my BFF, and friends I met in the last couple years who I can’t picture life without.

Reading about Ann and Aminatou’s friendship was a beautiful reminder of how lucky I am to have the people in my life like that. The friends who don’t have to knock when they come over, can help themselves to food, you don’t have to wear a bra with, can sit on the couch and watch tv in your pajamas with, spend holidays at their parents house, can call or text any time and you know they’ll be there. I consider myself incredibly lucky to have friends like this, and throughout this shitshow of a year it is a good reminder that there are people in my life who love and miss me.

It was also a good reminder that holding on to these big friendships isn’t something that just happens, but takes effort and intention.
This book was well researched, and included a lot of information to back up their ideas and theories. I learned a lot, and I love getting a little bit of education in addition to the good vibes this book brought me. I absolutely recommend this book, as I think everyone will get something out of it.

What was a book that surprised you this year?