World Book Day

April 23 is World Book Day, an opportunity to reflect on the transformative power of stories. We’ve shared book recommendations in past blog posts, and in honor of World Book Day, we’d like to share a few good reads about friendships that transcend geography, generations, and even species.

We invite you to join us this week to celebrate books in all their forms—especially ones that can transport us to different cultures and share universal truths of life.

Some books leave us free and some books make us free.

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Whenever you read a book, it’s an invitation to reflect on your own relationships and the people who fill your life with meaning. This World Book Day, we invite you to grab a book and lose yourself in stories of the beauty of human connections. Here are a few suggestions to get you started. 📚

“The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini (Afghanistan)
This story of childhood friendships amidst political turmoil, following Amir as he navigates challenges of growing up in Afghanistan during such a tumultuous time.

“A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman (Sweden)
I loved this book about unexpected friendships formed during a period of hopelessness in Ove’s life, and I enjoyed the movie just as much. It’s an uplifting story of how new friendships and renewed purpose can be found at any point in life.

“Paula” by Isabelle Allende (Chile)
This book is largely a memoir by the famous Chilean author, starting out as a letter the author is writing to her gravely ill daughter, Paula. Allende’s struggle to make peace with an imaginable loss is a testament to the enduring nature of the human spirit, and the power of connection.

“Charlotte’s Web” by E.B. White (USA)
An enduring story of friendship between a pig named Wilbur and a spider named Charlotte. It’s a book I loved re-reading with my kids, as this tale of connection and loyalty will never go out of style.