The holidays are here! It’s the time of year that we all set aside our differences and get together with our loved ones whether that be our significant others, our families, or our great friends. I’m sure we can all think of plenty of novels with swoon-worthy and amazing romances, I think it is just as important to highlight those books with some of the best families and friendships. So, here are some of the books I’ve read this year that have memorable friendships and families!
To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before
This story wasn’t one of my favorites, but I have to admit, the family is pretty darn cute. They have their ups and downs and you got to see how they all progressed throughout the story. It’s admirable how connected and loving they all are towards each other. It’s something that is rarely seen in novels, especially many young adult novels. Also, Kitty was just adorable.
Finding Audrey
I loved this book so much because of Audrey and her family. Her family is what really makes it so relatable, it’s like reading about your own family. Reading this reminded me so much of a sitcom on local television. It was quirky and fun but was also meaningful in that the family had to learn to navigate each other’s unique personalities. Not only is this book about a young girl with extreme social anxiety, it has one of the best fictional families I’ve read.
Trouble Is A Friend Of Mine
This one doesn’t have the healthiest of friendships, but it’s one of those opposites attract relationships. It’s like Sherlock and Watson – they love each other but also can’t stand each other, yet they continue to solve cases together regardless. That’s Digby and Zoe, and they even solve cases together!
Harry Potter
I really don’t think you could have a list about fictional friendships without having Harry Potter on the list. Harry, Ron, and Hermione have really captivated the entire world and almost every generation with their strong friendship. You couldn’t imagine a more perfect group of friends that I even doubt if it exists in real life.
Shadowhunter Novels
Basically, every Clare novel is based on what the protagonist (and all other characters) are willing to do for each other. I used the Lady Midnight cover just because that is the one I most recently read. It has a huge family of shadowhunters that are willing to die to protect each other, and are also willing to do so for people they love that aren’t in their family. However, The Mortal Instruments and The Infernal Devices share that same theme. I mean, she even invented Parabatai to establish even stronger friendships between characters. You want a book with I’ll-die-for-you friendships, here you go!
A Court of Mist and Fury
Helllooooooo the Inner Circle?! They’re the reason why the old saying “blood is thicker than water” isn’t always true. I loved how Maas built the mystery behind their relationships as well. She slowly revealed each of their backstories and how they have all protected each other throughout their lives.
I know there are so many more books with great friendships and families, so…
What are some of your recommendations?
Which type of relationships do you want to read more of?
22 Comments
I agree with Lara Jean’s family! Her family shows a really important aspect: they’re very connected and care for each other, and no quarrel is more important than family. Also Harry Potter! The friendship doesn’t only go for the golden trio, let’s not forget the marauders (-peter) , neville luna and ginny, and the original order of the phoenix! No matter how many of their old members have been dead or tortured, when push come to shove, they come together again to help Harry <3
Tasya // The Literary Huntress
Agreed! There are plenty of friendships throughout the HP series! I have to admit that I haven’t read all the books (have seen the movies), so for me, the three stand out the most ;P ssshhh hahah
I love the family in Finding Audrey – especially Felix. Lara Jean and her sisters were great. It is always nice when there is great non romantic relationships in a book. Love this post 🙂
Aren’t they the cutest! They were what really made the story for me! I loved them. (In Finding Audrey)
I agree with your thoughts on To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before. It wasn’t my favorite contemporary YA but I really like the Lara Jean’s family and how real they are. They fought, they didn’t like each other but they were family and they stuck together and always made up after fights. Great list, Molly!
Exactly. Han wrote a pretty good family circle with them. & Thank you!
Just yesterday I went through and made sure all the reviews on my blog and all my books on GR that have sweet friendships and family relationships were tagged and shelved properly! We must’ve been thinking similarly lately lol. Friendships and family in books really is so great though, yet for some reason you don’t see it nearly as often as romance.
I REALLY need to edit my tagging situation on here. It’s all over the place because I never knew how to use it properly and then I got lazy >.< hahah
Love this! Non-Romantic relationships in books are sooo important to me. Quiet a few of these are on my TBR so this definitely makes me want to bump them up! Great post, Molly.
Thank you! I’m glad to hear that. do you have any recs yourself?! I’d love to add to my list 🙂
The main one for me would be The Raven Cycle even though there is romance it’s done in such a subtle and genuine way that I can deal with it haha and the main focus is definitely friendship!!
Everyone says how great the friendships are in that series! I read the first book and didn’t enjoy it but I’m thinking about continuing it just for that reason. We’ll see xD
YASSS THE INNER CIRCLE!!!
I love when a book pops up with a good family or friend relationship in addition to the romantic ones. One of the best I’ve discovered recently was in Truthwitch by Susan Dennard. And I cannot forget the thirteen in the throne of glass series!
I haven’t read Truthwitch OR the entire Throne of Glass series (only book 1) so it sounds like I’ve got some catching up to do to add to my friendship recs! 😀 Thank you!
Great books on this list! 😀 I agree that the sisterhood in TATBILB is so awesome! Like, even when they hate each other, they love each other so much <3 I also love the fact that the kids are so mature and don't want to trouble their dad, so sweet! And I agree with the parabatai, the first time I read about it in TID I was so marveled by how genuine the friendship between Will and Jem is! I recently read The Serpent King and I really enjoyed the friendship between the characters. It's not an easy one because each character has their own issues but they manage to make it work 😀
Puput @ Sparkling Letters
Exactly! (With TATBILB) They aren’t just mortal enemies the entire time, or hold grudges till the end. I enjoyed that they would fight and make up, like real sisters. I’ve heard amazing things about The Serpent King, I really need to read that one!
I really want to see more nonromantic relationships between boys and girls. I think we need more of those as well as strong friendships and relationships of all types. One example that spring to mind of strong friendships are Karou and Zuzana in Daughter of Smoke and Bone. Best friendship ever!
I agree. Trouble is a Friend of Mine has a good boy-girl friendship! I mean, it’s not the healthiest, but that’s just because it’s like Sherlock and Watson, but its still loads of fun. But yes, I can’t think of many boy-girl friendships at all!
I’ve only read Harry Potter and ACOMAF from this list and I totally agree! I love that Harry, Ron, and Hermione maintain their amazing friendship even after Ron and Hermione become romantically involved. Awesome post!
Tracy @ Cornerfolds
I haven’t read all of Harry Potter — not even far enough for the romance, but it always seemed like they were such great friends regardless!
& Thank you 😀
Ahh I have a couple of those on my list. Good to know. One of my favorites for friendships is JD Robb’s In Death series. It’s such a great community of friends surrounding the two main characters.
I’ve never heard of that series! I’ll have to look into it thank you 🙂