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O's Little Book of Love & Friendship
An evocative and heartwarming collection of essays and anecdotes from great writers and celebrated thinkers, O's Little Book of Love & Friendship will captivate anyone whose life has ever been touched by a lasting friendship or an unforgettable romance.
With essays and anecdotes from some of the best contributors to O, The Oprah Magazine, this charming collection warms the heart and stirs the soul. Among the highlights: a frank, funny, and freewheeling conversation between two of the world's great BFFs, Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King; Abigail Thomas on the ecstasy and agony of a first date; Elizabeth Strout on sharing the words that made her heart crack; Susanna Sonnenberg on reconnecting with her adored sister; Walter Kirn on love lessons learned the hard way; and more. A perfect gift for anyone's nearest and dearest, O's Little Book of Love & Friendship is a treasure box that readers will turn to again and again.
With essays and anecdotes from some of the best contributors to O, The Oprah Magazine, this charming collection warms the heart and stirs the soul. Among the highlights: a frank, funny, and freewheeling conversation between two of the world's great BFFs, Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King; Abigail Thomas on the ecstasy and agony of a first date; Elizabeth Strout on sharing the words that made her heart crack; Susanna Sonnenberg on reconnecting with her adored sister; Walter Kirn on love lessons learned the hard way; and more. A perfect gift for anyone's nearest and dearest, O's Little Book of Love & Friendship is a treasure box that readers will turn to again and again.
183 pages, Hardcover
First published March 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
February 9, 2017
Each short story will make your heart enlarge a little bit. Very cute and touching stories. Great writing and also I liked that there were different voices on the audio version.
August 25, 2017
At first I didn't get what was going on then everything just clicked.
July 24, 2018
Loved this book
Collection of small stories from various authors
Reminiscent of a chicken soup book
But Oprah closes it
It’s amazing
Nice and quick read that will leave you with a smile
Collection of small stories from various authors
Reminiscent of a chicken soup book
But Oprah closes it
It’s amazing
Nice and quick read that will leave you with a smile
April 2, 2026
This collection of essays from O magazine consists of personal experience reports on life situations - the need for space within a marriage, falling in love with a trans man, being a step-mom living in the home of the deceased first wife, having a superstar for a wife and feeling the pinch of a slighted male ego, being a parent or sister of a mentally challenged person, dating at 70. The quality of the work is variable and I think some of it will likely trigger strong reactions. Andrew Corsello, who felt threatened by his successful wife earned my initial scorn, but I did try to talk myself into a less judgmental perspective given the honesty that he showed, and the changes in expectation he would be experiencing. I think a good reading approach might be to think: Give them a break, life is hard and from that open perspective, one might gain more from the essays.
I was very moved by the courage shown by some of the writers - Ellen Tiens suffered paralysis and she and her husband became daily heroes just to get through their days. Cristina Nehring's life was upturned by the birth of her Down Syndrome baby. Pam Houston's essay on how instinct and trust led her to significant changes in her life was my personal favourite work, since I think learning to trust yourself and act according to your gut is one of life's most important lessons.
Overall, I enjoyed the book - some of the writers annoyed me, but a good half was inspiring, which is not a bad ratio for such a collection.
I was very moved by the courage shown by some of the writers - Ellen Tiens suffered paralysis and she and her husband became daily heroes just to get through their days. Cristina Nehring's life was upturned by the birth of her Down Syndrome baby. Pam Houston's essay on how instinct and trust led her to significant changes in her life was my personal favourite work, since I think learning to trust yourself and act according to your gut is one of life's most important lessons.
Overall, I enjoyed the book - some of the writers annoyed me, but a good half was inspiring, which is not a bad ratio for such a collection.
January 26, 2020
Compilation of short stories about love and friendship.
Some quotes are worth to live by.
Many faces of people and situations, from diverse perspectives, telling their experiences about love.
Their feelings. True feelings.
Bold, ugly, cold, calming. It's all here.
Some quotes are worth to live by.
Many faces of people and situations, from diverse perspectives, telling their experiences about love.
Their feelings. True feelings.
Bold, ugly, cold, calming. It's all here.
August 10, 2020
This was a very easy anthology to read, nice to pick up and let go whenever I felt so. It really reminds me of Modern Love of the NYT.
August 16, 2017
This little book of short stories and antidotes filled my heart with warmth and joy.
There were 5 sections:
Just You and Me (love)
The Tricky Bits (challenges)
The Family You Choose (bffs)
It's All Relative (family)
A Bigger Love (kids)
Some of my favourites were:
The Love List - tells the story of a newly formed relationship, the woman was told by a clairvoyant to write a list of 100 things. "I missed two, he said, holding up the list. Then, smiling, he added, There are many things in this list that are true about me that you could not possibly have known."
There Were No Words - Friends who'd cry for each other.
"Kathy finished reading my words, and wordlessly tears fell from her eyes. That is the gift my friend handed me that day. Wordless tears of empathy, a friend so generous that she wept for me."
What Betty Knows - A sister and a friendship living life with Down syndrome.
"She won't shrink from the changes strange fact of you, from the rasp of your vanishing voice, from your ashy skin, your cracked fingernails, morphine-addled visions. She will see only you, the you beneath. She will place her sweet bird face into the filmy path of your breath and call you honey."
The interview with Oprah and Gayle summarized their special bond, similarities, and decades of friendship.
The last was Heart-Prints written by Oprah.
"Whenever you've been touched by love, a heart-print lingers, so that you're always reminded of the feeling of being cared for, knowing that, to someone, you mattered."
I enjoyed this quick read while away at a cottage for a week. It was perfect for a short trip, would recommend it and read it again.
There were 5 sections:
Just You and Me (love)
The Tricky Bits (challenges)
The Family You Choose (bffs)
It's All Relative (family)
A Bigger Love (kids)
Some of my favourites were:
The Love List - tells the story of a newly formed relationship, the woman was told by a clairvoyant to write a list of 100 things. "I missed two, he said, holding up the list. Then, smiling, he added, There are many things in this list that are true about me that you could not possibly have known."
There Were No Words - Friends who'd cry for each other.
"Kathy finished reading my words, and wordlessly tears fell from her eyes. That is the gift my friend handed me that day. Wordless tears of empathy, a friend so generous that she wept for me."
What Betty Knows - A sister and a friendship living life with Down syndrome.
"She won't shrink from the changes strange fact of you, from the rasp of your vanishing voice, from your ashy skin, your cracked fingernails, morphine-addled visions. She will see only you, the you beneath. She will place her sweet bird face into the filmy path of your breath and call you honey."
The interview with Oprah and Gayle summarized their special bond, similarities, and decades of friendship.
The last was Heart-Prints written by Oprah.
"Whenever you've been touched by love, a heart-print lingers, so that you're always reminded of the feeling of being cared for, knowing that, to someone, you mattered."
I enjoyed this quick read while away at a cottage for a week. It was perfect for a short trip, would recommend it and read it again.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 18, 2024
O’s Little Book of Love and Friendship offers a light and easy read, featuring personal stories that touch on the complexities of relationships and friendships. While some of the stories were enjoyable, only a few stood out for me.
One of my favourite pieces was I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Scram by Cathleen Medwick. This article really resonated with me as it spoke deeply about trust in relationships, whether between husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, or simply two people committed to one another. Medwick captured the essence of what it takes to maintain a relationship and the importance of mutual understanding and honesty.
Amy Dickinson’s story was also delightful. She shares a touching anecdote about how she had become the “absent friend” after moving away but rekindled that friendship when her friend got in touch. The beauty of it was that her friends welcomed her back with laughter rather than resentment. It’s a wonderful reminder that real friendships endure, even through periods of silence.
A memorable quote from the book by Marlene Dietrich, “It’s the ones you can call up at four a.m. that matter,” underscores the theme of lasting, dependable connections. It’s moments like these that add warmth to the book.
However, despite these highlights, many of the stories didn’t leave a lasting impression. The collection feels scattered at times, and the emotional impact varies. It’s a decent book for light reading, but only a couple of stories truly moved me.
One of my favourite pieces was I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Scram by Cathleen Medwick. This article really resonated with me as it spoke deeply about trust in relationships, whether between husband and wife, boyfriend and girlfriend, or simply two people committed to one another. Medwick captured the essence of what it takes to maintain a relationship and the importance of mutual understanding and honesty.
Amy Dickinson’s story was also delightful. She shares a touching anecdote about how she had become the “absent friend” after moving away but rekindled that friendship when her friend got in touch. The beauty of it was that her friends welcomed her back with laughter rather than resentment. It’s a wonderful reminder that real friendships endure, even through periods of silence.
A memorable quote from the book by Marlene Dietrich, “It’s the ones you can call up at four a.m. that matter,” underscores the theme of lasting, dependable connections. It’s moments like these that add warmth to the book.
However, despite these highlights, many of the stories didn’t leave a lasting impression. The collection feels scattered at times, and the emotional impact varies. It’s a decent book for light reading, but only a couple of stories truly moved me.
April 23, 2026
This was a birthday present. I have concluded that I don’t like books with collection of stories.
Likes:
“If you’ve buried your heart to keep it from hurting, you’re hurting”
Reinforce the importance of allow your feelings, articulate your emotions, write a journal and tell it to a friend/therapist
Likes:
“If you’ve buried your heart to keep it from hurting, you’re hurting”
Reinforce the importance of allow your feelings, articulate your emotions, write a journal and tell it to a friend/therapist
January 15, 2020
This charming collection essays warms the heart and stirs the soul. My favorite essays is a conversation between two of the world's great BFFs, Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. Thanks to my beloved friend Aiza fot gifting me this book. I'm really appreciate and loves it.
February 27, 2026
Such a good feel good read- little stories that are each like 4-7 pages each so nice to read before bed, etc. All stories revolve around the idea that: It's better to have loved and lost than have never loved
February 6, 2017
A diverse collection of short essays on the friendships and love that touches multiple people's lives. A quick, warming and inspiring read.
February 6, 2018
Nice little collection.
November 4, 2018
Loved it, so light yet very moving.
November 19, 2018
Enjoyed reading all of the stories. Loved that they really warm the heart.
March 14, 2019
Great short stories on love, friendship, and the divine.
June 22, 2020
great book on friendships
March 9, 2021
Meh, nothing special and nothing memorable
January 4, 2022
Just read chicken soup for the soul instead.
April 18, 2022
Look around, feel the love.
April 17, 2023
It’s chicken soup for the soul kind of book
January 13, 2025
A book with the cutest love stories 🫶
Short and fun read!
Short and fun read!
April 16, 2025
a sweet collection of personal stories on love — it was lovely :)
October 10, 2025
good time
September 5, 2022
This book is just amazing !.
I adored every little story in it , it was truly a pleasure reading it .
I adored every little story in it , it was truly a pleasure reading it .
December 1, 2019
Here's a little reading habit of mine: I always have a book available to me for those times when I wake up in the middle of the night and can't go back to sleep. Usually it's essays or short stories, and I don't tend to pick up this book at any other time. It has to be something easy to read, and that if I fall asleep while reading I can pick up quickly again. It's usually on my Kindle so I don't have to use a booklight. This was one of those Insomnia Books. Some good little essays here, and some of them really moved me ("What Betty Knows" and "The Other Woman" spring to mind). All of them were well written and thoughtful. It was a good Insomnia Book.
June 13, 2016
These were not the uplifting stories I had hoped for. Disappointed. The stories were good but felt filled with doom and gloom instead of happy stories of love and friendship.
June 7, 2016
Entertaining little book of heartfelt short stories. Made me smile.
July 31, 2016
A lovely collection of powerful essays that look at the many ways in which we experience love and friendship.
August 29, 2016
Oprah's version of Chicken Soup for the Soul; some feel good love and friendship stories that make you smile and some gloomy ones to make you appreciate what you have.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews