17 May / I Think I Am in Friend-Love with You by Yumi Sakugawa
“I have a confession to make.” Uh-oh. But no worries, the news is actually good. Wonderfully touching even: “I think I am in friend-love with you.” No weirdness or discomfort, please. “I just so desperately want for you to think that I am this super-awesome person because I think you are a super-awesome person and I want to spend a lot of time hanging out with you.”
From after-midnight Facebook chats to @replies to each other’s tweets to Tumblr reblogs, comic book artist Yumi Sakugawa has figured out the modern logistics of 21st platonic romance. So as not to alienate Luddites in friend-love, she also includes throwback exchanges that feature favorite books (Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink and Haruki Murakami’s 1Q84 are such excellent choices) and enjoying “hello/good-bye hugs [that are] a few beats longer than a casual friend hug.” In addition to her many wise words, Sakugawa’s irresistible, imaginative, charming illustrations add layered examples of how to be a giving, deserving friend: making purrrfectly silly birthday cards, writing revealing letters in longhand, and risking rejection in the name of open honesty.
From food trucks to jokes – “even the unfunny ones” – from neverending conversations to “bad Photoshop drawings commemorating our hang-outs,” friend-love isn’t about swapping spit, but they are about lasting, meaningful bonds we need to cultivate and nurture. All those instant social media connections aside, nothing replaces face-to-face, livetime, friend-love-ly sessions of sharing and caring.
Have you made your confessions lately? If not, let Sakugawa show you how. In addition to guiding you through the universe, she’s indubitably got some sage lessons on true friendship to offer, as well.
Readers: Young Adult, Adult
Published: 2014