I thought this was really well written and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future. I think it will find readers at our library, so we will definitely be purchasing for the collection.

The title and the blurb of this book make me want to read more. I think, this book would give me the answer of this weird feeling of adult friendship.

It did give me the understanding I need.

I don't know where to start, but this book is really amazing. Anna Goldfarb described what have happened within our modern society--with moving a lot and hustling culture--it all makes sense why I often feel like I don't have close friend. From Part 1 to Part 2 of Modern Friendship, I got new insights why friendship break up is possible to happen to me with easy-to-chew explanation. Finally in Part 3, Anna asked us, the Initiator to cultivate genuine friendship, start from genuine invitation to connect to each other.

I really recommend the book for everyone in their 30s or higher, who get confuse on why the circle (of friendship) is getting smaller and sometimes we feel lonely.

I can not wait this book to published. I would like to buy for myself so I can re-read it over time whenever I need guidance.
Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity!

I am not sure the last time I read something I have wanted to put into more hands when I finished. This is an excellent book on friendship. It explains the current setting and the difficulties people face creating meaningful connections. There is research and theory, all carefully documented for those wanting to dig further. Which is great. Super helpful. Even more helpful though, are the practical suggestions for next steps. It is all well and good to understand the challenges to modern friendship, but most of us already have a general idea of the problems. We experience them every day. Anna Goldfarb tells us what to do about them. This book is part investigative journalism and part workbook. There are probing questions to ask yourself. And concrete lists of things to do: scripts to practice and use, goal setting exercises, even a 14-day friendship cleanse! Thank you to the author, Sounds True, and NetGalley for the eARC.

If you find yourself struggling to create and maintain the friendships you crave, Modern Friendship is a life-giving guide to help you understand the challenges and craft solutions that are practical, doable, and actually work.

This book has some really valuable and informative things to say. It's easy to read and includes stories from people and exercises for the reader to think and work through. I would recommend.

Where do I begin with this book? I love a good book about some of the most important and interesting relationships in our lives. I’ve read a lot on romantic and familial relationships, but friendship, that's the foundation of it all, that’s what life’s made of. Friendship teaches us so much and makes our lives so vibrant.

I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by friends that supported my reflective and activity journey through this book. In fact, very early on in the book, I sent a quote to some friends that I miss and it immediately resulted in such lovely conversation and emotion but also actual plans to catch up instead of just saying we should.

I appreciated the activities throughout this book, especially after having recently read and worked through Ury’s How to Not Die Alone and the Gottman Institute's The Love Prescription.

I'm looking forward to continuing to be more intentional with the relationships in my life. If you’ve been looking for a sign to reach out to someone, here’s your sign to do it, make it intentional, and don’t be offended if the answer is no. Try again later or try with someone else. We’re all human seeking our own kinds of connection.

Modern Friendship is one of the first places I've encountered such practical advice and tips for creating and maintaining friendships. The practical exercises, prompts, and challenges make this book an excellent choice and a must-read for anyone looking to improve their friendships.

Another significant benefit of this book, which also serves as a drawback for me personally, is its basic nature. It's a great introduction to interpersonal communication topics and best practices. You'll gain a foundational understanding of why friendships are important, how to form them, and how to be a better friend.

However, it didn't seem to offer much nuance, which can be challenging when providing practical tips and advice. Modern friendships are full of nuances due to our identities, origins, cultural expectations, and ability levels. The book attempts to address these aspects but falls short. It largely reflects the perspective of a childless, middle-class, able-bodied, white woman. As it's so practically focused, it sometimes comes across as somewhat selfish.

Overall, it's an easy read, but a few of the stories used as examples felt long, and it took a while to see how they connected to the point. The activities and instructions are well-crafted and guide you through each point. The book was good, but I think my expectations were too high.

📖 31 / 100 in 2024
✍️ Non-Fiction (Relationships)
⭐️ 4 stars

Modern Friendship by Anna Goldfarb

for readers who enjoy ....

real-life stories, life-affirming friendships, giving themselves compassion over unanswered text messages, self-reflection, the important roles we play in each others’ lives, conscious communication, and fabulous friend dates

In a world where we aren’t taught relationship maintenance, books like this come in and fill the gaps. As I read Modern Friendship, I was invited to think deeply about my existing relationships and what opportunities I have to act as a friendship mentor for the young people in my life. The examples within the book complemented the information well and were paired with insightful and practical advice.

As someone who fits into the category of chapter 3 (having 100 friends but feeling like you have 0 friends) this book felt supportive and reassuring. I found it interesting to explore the societal reasons for the shifts in our friendships through this book as well as think about new ways forward. Funny and relatable without being preachy, I recommend this book to everyone who’s made a friend, kept a friend, or had a friend, sooo… all of us.

I found this a very interesting and thought-provoking book to read. I think that as an adult in today's society, it can be difficult to manage and maintain friendships. For me personally, it can be difficult to discern the difference between friends and acquaintances. I'm also often torn between wanting to reach out to others, and waiting for them to reach out to me. Life gets in the way, sometimes people drift apart, and it's not always easy to determine which connections are worth fighting for.

This book highlights why friendship is important, why we feel the need to form and maintain friendships, as well as offering lots of advice, and some interesting exercises to try. It's quite in-depth, and n some ways, it felt quite intense to read, because much of its content resonated quite deeply with me. At the same time though, it felt like a comfort, a reassurance, and I'd say it's definitely worth a read.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a free copy to review.

Modern Friendship by Anna Goldfarb is a great book on the power of friendships. It not only takes a view at friendships as a whole but also gives practical advice on how to keep those friendships thriving.

This book was a breath of fresh air for myself. I don’t have many significant friendships but the ones I have a cherish. This book taught me ways to keep those friendships alive with just a little effort.

I would recommend this book to anyone who cares about their friendships with others.

"Modern Friendship" by Anna Goldfarb is a surprisingly informative book that is equal parts insightful and conversational. In a busy and mobile society it is easy to become disoriented by the changing nature of relationships. The insight and advice are spot on and practical. There are many suggestions to create opportunities to build friendships and develop more "friendquaintances." It’s a solid book that offers more than the title suggests.

"Modern Friendship" by Anna Goldfarb stands out as an invaluable resource in the realm of self-help literature. Goldfarb delves into the complexities of sustaining friendships in today's digital era, shedding light on the challenges posed by the internet in nurturing relationships. Rather than leaving readers feeling hopeless about forming deep bonds, Goldfarb provides actionable advice on preserving intimate friendships as well as those with acquaintances. Moreover, she imparts essential skills on becoming an effective communicator and a supportive friend, ensuring readers are equipped to be there for their friends in the most meaningful ways. Thank
you NetGalley and Sounds True for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.