With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, there’s one thing on everyone’s mind: romantic love. And of course it is, especially with romance being the central focus of countless movies and pop songs.
But there’s another kind of love that is often overlooked, one that is just as powerful, fulfilling, and meaningful: platonic love. Indeed, the deep bonds we form with our friends add a tremendous amount of joy and comfort to our lives. So to celebrate platonic intimacy this Valentine’s Day, we recommend checking out the five lovely reads below.
Friendship in the Age of Loneliness: An Optimist’s Guide to Connection
By Adam Smiley Poswolsky
In this warm, inspiring guide, a millennial workplace expert proposes a new solution for the mounting pressures of modern life: focus on your friendships. He offers practical habits and playful reminders on how to create meaningful connections, make new friends, and deepen relationships. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Adam Smiley Poswolsky, in the Next Big Idea App
Listen Like You Mean It: Reclaiming the Lost Art of True Connection
By Ximena Vengoechea
An essential listening guide for our times, one that reveals tried-and-true strategies drawn from interviews with marriage counselors, podcast hosts, life coaches, journalists, filmmakers, and other listening experts. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Ximena Vengoechea, in the Next Big Idea App
Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World
By Vivek Murthy
The 19th Surgeon General of the United States makes a case for loneliness as a public health concern—a root cause and contributor to many of the epidemics sweeping the world today, from alcohol and drug addiction to violence to depression and anxiety. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Vivek Murthy, in the Next Big Idea App
Social Chemistry: Decoding the Patterns of Human Connection
By Marissa King
A renowned Yale professor shows how anyone can build more meaningful and productive relationships based on insights from neuroscience, psychology, and network analytics. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by author Marissa King, in the Next Big Idea App
Connect: Building Exceptional Relationships with Family, Friends, and Colleagues
By David Bradford and Carole Robin
The instructors of the renowned Interpersonal Dynamics course at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business have collected their most powerful insights into a single transformative read. Whether you’re negotiating with a potential business partner or trying to reconnect with an old friend, Connect is an ideal guide to building better, stronger relationships. Listen to our Book Bite summary, read by co-author Carole Robin, in the Next Big Idea App
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