In recent weeks I’ve had occasion to think deeply about people who make a difference in my life, and those who say I make a difference in theirs. In this digital era when we as a society are increasingly understanding the costs of less personal connection, less real world interactions, and a rise in loneliness, the concept of friendship is not something I take for granted in the ways I did as a younger adult.
One of the things I realized about so many of my past and current friendships is how many lasting connections I have with people I’ve met through books. Not just as a librarian mind you, but I’ve made lasting friends by joining bookclubs, or cultivated friends by creating bookclubs from like minded people. I’ve connected with booksellers and colleagues who still say things like “I saw this book and thought of you.” One of my treasured friendships grew out creating a podcast that came to life because we wanted a way to share our love of reading with others.
The connection between friends and books makes a lot of sense when you think about it. In studies over the years, readers consistently rate recommendations by trusted friends as the most important way to discover a new book. These recommendations reflect important aspects of friendship like shared values, curiosity, the desire to entertain, or to simply help each other through challenging life experiences. And like good friendships, books are an investment of time and focus.
We have many popular books on friendship for all ages in Santa Cruz Public Libraries’ collections, as well as numerous book clubs and programs which can help you find and cultivate new friends. I encourage you to check them out!
Christopher Platt
