We can make new friends without diminishing older friendships.
350325
This book brings best friends, Snake and Brian Bat, into the mix.

Snake and Gerald begin to worry that Piggie and Brian are having WAY too much playing together and that they will become each other's best friends, supplanting Snake and Gerald.

Mo Willems' timeless lesson is that we can make new friends without diminishing the original friendships.

 I often demonstrate this to young readers by lighting  a candle from an existing lit candle -- and showing how they both burn equally.  For the classroom/library, I have made four large magnets -- two candles and two flames -- and demo the same example on a magnetic chalkboard.
713373
As one who values her female friends, this book really spoke to me.  This is the story of a group of women friends; some who have been friends for decades, others who have joined the group more recently.  They are a diverse group, coming from all walks of life.  Yet, they have the wisdom and the openness to accept and love each other unconditionally, no matter how different their life experiences have been and are.  Each character adds a unique quality, the result being a beautiful "patchwork quilt" of  feminine qualities.  I could see several of my friends in the characters, and I am anxious for them to read the book; so we can then discuss it together.

The book is well-written and a quick and easy read, and it leaves the reader with a warm and secure feeling.  I read it in one long afternoon while sitting on my patio.  I feel so close to these women that I am eagerly anticipating the next book. I recommend this book to any woman who understands and appreciates the value of female friendship.
2360746
What an awesome book of simple times and the development of a lifetime friendship.
More people should have friends in their 90's.
101583
A new way to look at strong relationships and for some a way to keep them alive.  I enjoy this series because old friends reappear.  I am ready to start book 8 and I definitely vote for the addition of book 10.
1501262
This was a good quick read.  It dealt with how to establish relationships.  It provides five major connectors that are in the majority of friendships.  Some of these are just natural, but having the knowledge of them is helpful.  In a people business, having these skills, or maybe the knowledge of these skills can be highly helpful.  You will learn how to connect at a deeper level with people through the level of communication.  You can create better "click" through how you talk to people.  You also will learn that adversity will build relationships, and of course similarity.  This was a excellent book on relationships.  It is not going to give you new earth shaking news if you have a background in communication, but will give a wonderful refresher on the basic components to connections with other people.  This is a perfect book for preachers.  Also, this is a good back for those trying to make friends in life.  I believe I will do a sermon on "why you have no friends at church."  This is a good read everyone.
1967904
Dell and Corey are adorable. In this story we learn that sometimes keeping secrets can end badly, even when it's more like finding the right time to broach a subject verses being secretive. We also learn running from your problems isn't really effective either as well as age is just a number however, when I say that I mean age is just a number when both parties are of a consensual age meaning all parties are of the age of 18 and older. We also learn that just because a group of people are different than another group of people doesn't mean that they can't find a common ground and learn to bridge a gap that extends back decades to find peace and a way to resolve conflict so that both groups can unite with one common goal, to bring peace, love, happiness and a safe place for both parties to live. Great book. I received an ARC and voluntarily left a review, enjoy.
2025804
Friendships can be so tricky, and yet they are something that we yearn for in our lives. Women can be "catty," but yet once you really connect with someone and have an incredible friendship with another woman you do not want to let that go. Lisa-Jo Baker has shared her thoughts and encouragement on this subject in her new book, "Never Unfriended: the secret to finding and keeping lasting friendships." This is such an incredible book and one that really made me think about what I want in friendships and what I have had and currently have in friendships. Lisa-Jo shares so many great lines in this book, and one that really stood out is: "Maybe the most intimate, radical thing we can do for our friends is to show up." This is the whole purpose of friendships - to be present, to be someone who can be counted on to share the good and the bad with, someone to be a sounding board, someone to laugh with, someone to cry with, someone to just be there when needed. This is only one of the many, many insights that Lisa-Jo shares with the reader. I highly recommend this for women whom are seeking to build their relationships and have friendships to last.

*Thanks to the B&H/Lifeway Blogger Program for the complimentary copy of this book.*
1210114
It opens up our natural curiosities. It tunes you into getting beyond a superficial knowing of others to the meat of things we all share in common.
3285692
I love the sentiment of this book that you don't have to give material things to be appreciated--you can give of yourself, your friendship.
667330
A new school year is about to begin and this is a great book to read with your kids before sending them off to school. It will provide many teachable moments about kindness, compassion, and friendship in a very accessible way. Children don't always have the experience to know how to get friends or how to be friends, especially in new situations. This engaging story with charming illustrations can be a springboard to those discussions.
1081527
Read and discussed this book with my bible book club ladies.  We ranged in ages 38 - 70.  We learned so much about the importance of friendships.  It is when we are open to friends of all ages that we can truly grown and learn as women. The author gave examples of several friendships that took place among the women in biblical times.  It is a fast and easy read and worth purchasing.
1471563
Reels us in to a group of people dealing with issues many of us have had makes them so like able they become friends.. I never want the stories to end.
1259961
Enjoyed experiencing the growth of the characters in this book. In society today, where everyone feels free to anonymously bite off everyone's head via Facebook, it was uplifting to feel the thoughtfulness of Faith and Holly come through the pages as I read. And the author is correct, you really don't need all that toothpaste and detergent .
1110932
I liked this book because it explained in easy to understand terms what it takes to be a good friend, make friends and invest in yourself as well.
3800668
This is a good cozy book.  You don't necessarily have to like all the people you meet, but it is interesting to see that they are learning and growing and becoming able to make compromises.
4800236
It is pure joy to slip into a story that is located in a familiar town filled with memories, where you get to pickup on the life of an old friend and meet some new friends.  In the latest Susan Mallery novel, The Friends We Keep, we get to do just that!

Nicole and her young son Tyler, who we met in The Girls of Mischief Bay, are back and we are treated with their progression of life after divorce.  New friends, Hayley and Gabby, are strong females who each have challenging issues to confront and resolve.  Hayley yearns for a baby of her own.  Gabby has a full life with husband, a teen step-daughter and almost 5 year old twins.

It is the friendship of these three women, each with their own style, approaches, and diverse families that offers us the most strength, insight, and thought provoking realities of todays adult life.  This town might be Mischief Bay or it could be any of our towns, and these women could be any of our friends. Modern, strong, and romantic, a great read!
3238607
In recent years a new genre has emerged which I refer to as friendship or bonding books. These are those books which chronicle the lives of four or five characters who may meet through various venues. They may meet as college roommates or in book groups or cooking classes, writing classes, or even as tourists on a holiday or the newest place, Internet discussion groups. Titles like Talk Before Sleep by Elizabeth Berg, Angry Housewives Eating Bon Bons by Lorna Landvik, Outer Banks by Anne Rivers Siddons and Evening Class by Maeve Binchy are fine examples of these kinds of books. And to this list I now add what I think is one of the best among them, Thursdays at Eight by Debbie Macomber.

Four different women at four different points in their lives and four different ages meet during a journal writing class.  While the class proves to be less than worthwhile, these four women bond together and decide to meet weekly.  Thus begins these weekly meetings Thursday mornings at 8 am at Mocha Moment a popular coffee shop to continue their friendships.  And it is through these weekly meetings the four women learn more about each other, support each other through good times and bad times and ultimately learn more about themselves as well.

Karen is a 28 year old women struggling with her desire to become an actresses and a disapproving mother.  Working as a substitute teacher seems to suit her for now as she continues to audition, but is this going to be the sum of her future?  Julia at 39 has just opened a knitting shop and with two teenagers in the house can look forward to spending more time with her husband and on herself.  But then a big surpass may change all of these plans.  Clare is in her 40's and has just been divorced from her husband who fell in love with a 20 year old.  Clare is angry and filled with hate for her former husband and can't wait till she can get some revenge.  But then she learns that life can turn on a dime and feelings can and do change.  And finally there is Liz, both the voice of reason and maturity among the four. At 57 and a widow for 6 years, Liz wonders if time is rushing by her and if she can ever find more meaning to her life now that her husband is gone.

Through the year this book takes place, these four women

lean on one another as they experience joy, pain, grief and profound changes in their lives.  The book is told from each woman's point of view at the beginning of each chapter as each character write their journal entry.  And then the focus shifts to the group at large as they connect with the event in each other's lives.  And perhaps one of my favorite parts of this book is the way the author chose significant quotes as chapter headings.  Some of these quotes were funny, some were poignant but all reflected events that were going to happen in this chapter.

Thursdays at 8 is a well written book from the heart that one hates to see end.  Now, I would love to know how these four women, I think of as friends, are doing.  I think this book will appeal to any reader who treasures her friends and finds they are a wonderful antidote to what life throws our way. Most of all the women Ms. Macomber describes could be any one of us.  And in the end I couldn't help but think of the value of friendships in our lives.  I highly recommend this book and I think you will find as I did that Debbie Macomber is a writer to cherish.