My Obsession With the Topic of Friendship

Friendship is one of my favorite topics. I’ve discussed moving to Minneapolis and how hard it was to make new friends as an adult. I’ve written about the role of couple friends in a marriage, the power of giving friends the benefit of the doubt, the five factors of friendship chemistry, and the rarity of a friend who, instead of always agreeing with you, can tell you when you’re making the wrong call. I’ve even dedicated an entire post just to proclaiming my belief that Oprah and Gayle are really just friends.

The EXCITING news I have to share today is that one of the friendship essays I’m most proud of, “The Case For a Friendship Break,” about how one of my very best friends from college and I overcame a two year pause in our friendship, was chosen for a book of essays on friendship called The HerStories Project: Women Explore the Joy, Pain, and Power of Female Friendship. And the book’s big launch day is TODAY.

I’ve read the other 49 essays in this book, and if you also like all aspects of friendship (the good and the bad), then you will absolutely love this anthology. I’m honored to have my work alongside these other writers, including my friend and New York Times Bestselling author, Jill Smokler, who wrote the foreword.

Here’s a bit more about The Herstories Project, from the editors Jessica Smock and Stephanie Sprenger:

“In this book, 50 women writers paint real pictures of friendship; in addition to paying homage to the beauty and power of their relationships, they share the gritty details of bitter friendship breakups and uncomfortable life transitions. This anthology will enable readers to find their own stories in the words of others, cause them to reflect on their own unique friendship history, and perhaps even inspire them to rekindle connections with women who have shaped them. The authors of this book share their stories of friendship loss, enduring bonds from childhood, navigating the transition to motherhood, and renegotiating the role of friendship in their adult lives. The diverse essays in this collection will evoke tears, laughter, and a deep recognition and appreciation for the friends with whom women everywhere share their lives.”

You can learn more about the book and the fantastic contributors (can I call myself “fantastic?”) at The HerStories Project website. The book is now available on Amazon as a paperback copy or an ebook. Wouldn’t this make the perfect gift for a friend, mom, aunt, grandmother, or ANYONE who loves the topic of friendship? I think so!

Nina Badzin holding The Herstories Project Book while sitting in a chair


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Nina Badzin hosts the podcast Dear Nina: Conversations About Friendship. She's been writing about friendship since 2014, co-leads the writing groups at ModernWell in Minneapolis, and reviews 30+ books a year on her website.

60 Responses

  1. Big congratulations!! I have a few other favorite bloggers in this book and I really can’t wait to get my own copy.
    I’m fascinated by friendship. I feel like I have spent so much time studying love for boyfriends/husbands, children, parents, etc. that one day I realized that you fall in love with friends. It’s platonic but it happens. One day you realize you care very deeply about them and you miss them when they’re not around.
    Tamara recently posted..That Time I’m Certain My Life Was In Danger..My Profile

  2. We are so thrilled that you are part of this project! In addition to sharing your essay, we are so grateful for the support and encouragement you have given us in the past few months. I just read Julie’s post, in which she referred to you as a mentor, and I have to say- you make a great one. Thank you for the many roles you’ve played (in addition to the Masterpiece Theatre one…) in helping this book become a reality!
    Stephanie @ The HerStories Project recently posted..Launch Day Is Here!My Profile

  3. Woooot! I’m so proud of you, Nina! Can’t wait to read this one. I love the subject of female friendships…it’s such a loaded topic.

    And LOL @ Masterpiece Theater.

  4. I love the way you think and I’m going to have to read all of your other friendship essays because, yes, to benefit of doubt in friendship and just in general and hell YES to friends who tell you when you are wrong, only true friends will do that. I’m in complete agreement with you on what makes a friendship a friendship. Congratulations to you, my friend, and so happy to be a part of this!
    Katia recently posted..Life in the Atypical ZoneMy Profile

  5. Love being a part of this amazing project with you! Am so grateful for our friendship and for all that you have taught me about this crazy, fantastic, inspiring, complicated (well, to me, not to you 🙂 ) world of blogging. I love your essay in this book about knowing when it is time to take a friendship break, but also being open to and encouraging of second chances.
    Julie Burton recently posted..Today is Launch Day for The HerStories Project!My Profile

  6. I’ve already read half the book, though I didn’t read it in order. I started with the last section about friendships that have ended. I was drawn to it, I think, because subconsciously I’m still reeling from a few myself. It awakened some feelings (and a few tears) that have long been dormant. Your essay was particularly enlightening because I never had considered a post-breakup reconciliation before. You left me with something for me to ponder. Congratulations to you and the other authors (many of whom I follow on blogs already) on putting together this wonderful collection. Advice on best site to post a book review about it?
    Kristen recently posted..What I’ve Learned From a Year of My Little PonyMy Profile

  7. Congrats on the launch of this anthology. A wonderful topic and great title too! I look forward to reading all the essays, and especially yours, because I feel as if I know you somewhat! As you must know, I’ve admired your writing. In fact, I referred to a previous post of yours in my blog yesterday and linked back to it.

    Once again, enjoy the launch experience and Kol Hakavod for your participation in the book!
    Miriam recently posted..The Middle Holiday SyndromeMy Profile

  8. Congratulations! That’s a great topic for a book, especially because there can be so many different kinds of friendships or ways of looking at them while they change and grow through the years. The more I think about it, the more fascinating it sounds. I’ll have to get my copy now!

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Hi, I'm Nina

HI, I’M NINA BADZIN. I’m a writer fascinated by the dynamics of friendship, and I’ve been answering anonymous advice questions on the topic since 2014. I now also answer them on my podcast, Dear Nina! I’m a creative writing instructor at ModernWell in Minneapolis, a freelance writer and editor, and an avid reader who reviews 50 books a year. Welcome to my site! 

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Hi, I'm Nina

DEAR NINA: Conversations About Friendship is a podcast and newsletter about the ups and downs of adult friendship. I’m the host, Nina Badzin, a Minneapolis-based writer who accepted a position as a friendship advice columnist in 2014 and never stopped. DEAR NINA, the podcast, started in 2021, and has been referenced in The Wall Street JournalThe Washington PostTime Magazine, The GuardianThe Chicago TribuneThe Minneapolis Star Tribune, and elsewhere

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