Looking for a book to gift your best friend? 'Big Friendship,' like your BFF, has your back

This week in Dear Bookseller, the well-read wizards at The Novel Neighbor in St. Louis help a reader find just the right books to gift her best friend.

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Dear Bookseller,

This box is for my very best friend. We've known each other since 7th grade and have remained close over the years and many, many miles. She turned 30 last week and I couldn't be there, so I'd love to do something special. She loves Sally Rooney's “Normal People” and anything by Taylor Jenkins Reid (“Daisy Jones and the Six,” “Malibu Rising”). She's a Libra, so very justice-minded, and loves social activism. And any books about best friends are a plus – we read them together as often as we can. She's also a magnificent plant mom.

Best,

Rachel A.

Dear Rachel, 

We’re thrilled to be a part of your best friend’s day and we think she has some great taste in books, so of course, we hope she’ll love these too.

First up is “Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close,” by Aminatou Sow and Ann Friedman, which is part-memoir, part-manifesto on how they’ve managed to center their friendship through the years and remain close for the long haul. Friendships take work, just like romantic relationships, and we love how much care and focus this book gives to uplifting your friendships and strengthening your bond.

Sow and Friedman co-host the “Call Your Girlfriend” podcast, so if you love their friendship story in this book, there’s plenty more to hear from this dynamic duo.

"Big Friendship: How We Keep Each Other Close" at Bookshop.org for $24

If your friend loves Sally Rooney, we think she’ll be all about “The Rachel Incident,” by Caroline O'Donoghue, another Irish millennial author who puts big messy relationships into words.

This book chronicles a best friendship between Rachel and James, who meet as booksellers during their early 20s. What ensues is a decade of chaos and care, with many secrets along the way. This book feels like a late-night gossip session in the best way and would be an amazing buddy read.

"The Rachel Incident" at Bookshop.org for $26

“Black Girls Must Die Exhausted” by Jayne Allen is the first installment in a trilogy of books following Tabitha Walker and her two best friends, Laila and Alexis. Tabitha feels pressure to “have it all,” but when she gets an unexpected diagnosis that threatens what she has always wanted most, her friends step in to support her through rough times.

This book handles some heavy subject matters with levity and strength. We think it’s perfect for a best friend box! Plus, if she’s a plant lover, the cover will fit right in on her shelves!

"Black Girls Must Die Exhausted" at Bookshop.org for $16

In the mood for a good book but don't know what title to pick? The Novel Neighbor is here to help.

The independently owned and operated bookstore in St. Louis puts its well-read booksellers' expertise to the test with their popular Mystery Box program. Readers write in, sharing details about the kinds of books they're looking for, sharing biographical details and personal tastes to help find the right match.

To order your own Mystery Box, visit thenovelneighbor.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why 'Big Friendship' makes a great gift for your BFF