10 Compelling Books Featuring Unbreakable, Wildly Unhinged Friendships

In Quan Barry's "We Ride Upon Sticks," the 1989 Danvers Falcons field hockey team will stop at nothing to reach the state finals, even if it means harnessing dark powers reminiscent of their town's witch trial history. This novel is a vivid portrayal of 80s iconography and female empowerment, as the girls subvert societal norms to find their true selves. Led by Abby Putnam and her observant co-captain Jen Fiorenza, this is a tale of resilience and the mystic bonds of friendship. Read More

Fannie Flagg's beloved classic unfolds through the recollections of Mrs. Threadgoode, sharing the spirited tale of Idgie and Ruth, owners of a small cafe in 1930s Alabama. These women dare to love, laugh, and fight for justice, all while cooking up delicious southern dishes. With themes spanning laughter, love, and the occasional murder, it’s a poignant exploration of defiance and deep-rooted bonds. Read More

Mona Awad's "Bunny" takes readers on an eerie journey through a college clique that blends the real with the fantastical. Samantha Heather Mackey, an outsider in her MFA program, becomes entangled with a group of rich girls who call each other “Bunny.” What starts as an infiltration evolves into a spellbinding exploration of friendship, creativity, and identity, with dark consequences lurking in the shadows. Read More

Set against the backdrop of 19th-century Montreal, "When We Lost Our Heads" by Heather O’Neill details an intense friendship between Marie Antoine and Sadie Arnett. Their dynamic is fraught with both attraction and destruction, escalating from childhood games to revolutionary upheavals. The narrative is a nuanced study of gender, power, and desire, as the two women navigate their intertwined fates amid societal unrest. Read More

In "Ugly Girls" by Lindsay Hunter, best friends Perry and Baby Girl exude tough exteriors, concealing a bond as volatile as it is steadfast. Their nights are filled with reckless escapades until virtual interactions with a stranger reveal a lurking real-world danger. This gripping tale is an incisive debut novel highlighting the nuances and depths of friendship amidst life’s raw challenges. Read More

Martha O'Connor's "The Bitch Posse" follows the turbulent lives of three women, bound by their daring pact in high school and haunted by its repercussions into adulthood. As they navigate the complex aftermath of betrayal and loyalty, O'Connor delves into the intensity of female friendship, the burden of secrets, and the quest for redemption. Read More

Laurie Elizabeth Flynn crafts a taut psychological thriller in "The Girls Are All So Nice Here." Ambrosia Wellington is forced to confront long-buried secrets during her college reunion, as chilling messages hint at someone seeking revenge for past transgressions. This novel is an exploration of the treacherous games of youth and their lasting, lethal impact on adult life. Read More

Jen Beagin’s "Big Swiss" is a refreshingly original tale of obsession and identity, set in the eccentric world of a sex therapist's transcriptionist. Greta becomes infatuated with a client she dubs "Big Swiss," leading to an unpredictable affair that challenges both women’s perceptions of themselves and each other. With humor and depth, it probes the complexities of desire and self-discovery. Read More

Eleanor Catton’s "Birnam Wood" is a modern thriller entwining eco-politics with sharply drawn character studies. A guerrilla gardening group finds itself allied with an enigmatic billionaire, setting the stage for a suspenseful narrative of trust, survival, and ideals. Traversing a landscape of moral and environmental ambiguity, it's a captivating inquiry into what and who ultimately defines us. Read More

Tana French’s "The Secret Place" is a masterfully written mystery that delves into the dangerous complexities of teenage friendship. When a boy is murdered at a girls' boarding school, secrets unravel, revealing a web of trust, rivalry, and hidden agendas. The narrative follows detectives as they navigate the enigmatic world of close-knit friendships that defy easy comprehension. Read More