Billions of Besties: A Celebration of Fascinating and Simply Exceptional Friendships

by Peggy Panosh, Susie Arons

This beautifully illustrated and joyful tribute celebrates famous friendships (both real and fictional) and proves that there is no relationship more important than friendship.

Our best friends are our soulmates. They understand us when no one else does, lift us up, and bring out the best in us. It’s a relationship based on a bond that can’t always be described, but is always magical.

Billions of Besties shines a light on some of the most engaging, funny, inspiring, and sometimes unexpected sets of friends. In this gorgeous and playfully illustrated volume, creators and besties Peggy and Susie highlight more than 100 besties, both real and fictional, from all walks of life. From the comedic powerhouse of Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, to the unexpected camaraderie between RGB and Antonin Scalia, the glamourous friendship between Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, or the fictional ride-or-die bond between Thelma and Louise, this book is a timeless salute to friendship in all its forms.

Uplifting and charming, Billions of Besties celebrates the power and vitality of friendship—from bromances to work wives—reminding us that when we have each other’s backs, we have the power to change the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Humor

144 pages, Hardcover

Published October 13, 2020

Reviews

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

**I received and voluntarily read an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Lots of interesting people, some real, some fictional. A section on food combo "bestie".

Overall, it's not bad, it's just not great.
Mostly the style of writing in this book reads as if this is written by a couple of upper class sorority girls. Not that there's anything wrong with that- it just reads in a stereotyped valley girl/sorority style with liberal use of the words "bestie" (obvious from the title), "squad", and so on.

I'm not sure I agree with it's genre classification- while it's an interesting read, this book is supposedly targeted for the "Parenting & Families".

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received this book as a giveaway from Goodreads. I think I really enjoyed the concept of this kind of book but found the arrangement of some of the content kind of questionable. For example, I think the authors did a great job picking pairs to highlight, however when I think about pairs I expected to be in the book, many are missing. That being said, I did learn about some pairs I didn't expect to be best friends, is that's valuable to me. Another aspect of the book I wish was more balanced was the amount of content per pairing. Some pairs received almost a page worth of explanations, whereas others merely a quote. That felt unbalanced and almost unfair to me. Things I loved about this book: it's such good quality and lovely to hold, the art throughout the book is great, and I appreciated the authors spanning generations and concepts. The inclusion of squads in the book was also a creative part that I enjoyed. Overall a good read, easy to get through in an afternoon and a lovely gift to consider giving to your own bestie.

[Raegan · Rating 1 out of 5]

-Disclaimer: I won this book for free through Goodreads giveaways in exchange for an honest review.-

Not interesting or engaging.

This would make a cute collector gift if you have a best friend that knows a lot about celebrities or likes to read magazines. I didn't know most of the pairs. Therefore I did not find it intriguing. Once you have read about one friendship, you have pretty much read them all. To me, it makes a lot of assumptions about the lives and inner workings of public relationships.

The sketches are okay. At the end, the book randomly talks about good food pairs. That was the only part I found decent. It has a kooky way of describing things. The book just lacks some pizzazz and eye-catching details. Overall, it just covers the surface level which I found bland.

[Kathryn Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This feel-good read surprises you with its witty prose and incredible illustrations. The book chronicles unusual pairings of besties - RBG and Scalia - and old friendlies - peanut butter and jelly. Billions of Besties just puts a smile on your face.

It's on my Christmas list to give to all my besties and it should be on your holiday list, too.

[Jenn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this book.

There is a book plate in the front of the book so you can dedicate it to your bestie. Get this for your bestie's birthday...or Christmas...or just because. Send it to your bestie to let them know you were thinking of them because you can't visit because of Covid.

Solidly good book about best friends. Humans, groups, even foods. 140 pages of happiness.

[Michelle Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very cute book... As I thought it would be. It had all types of fun bestie categories like: Classics, Hollygood, Stylemakers, Playmates (Which my grandson LOVED!!!!) & Squads to name a few. I learned a lot of little tidbits about the besties that I did not know... It was very interesting. I think you will love it. 💗💗💗

[Caroline David · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am unsure of what age group this is geared towards as it has too many famous people that children wouldn't get but it is too juvenile for adults. I suppose it would make a good coffee table book?

[Robin Wong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming and clever! I love the adorable illustrations and witty text...so much that I bought 10 for all MY besties. The book plate "For my bestie" was a genius touch.

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is cute, but the illustrations are really the best part of it.

[Denise Sanchez · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were nice but the writing was mostly not informative or interesting.

[Sherry Royer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Made me smile!

Pure fluff, short on details, not enough real life info, but I found myself smiling a lot, there’s that. .

[Sally Zeinemann]

Just a bit of fun!

[Kelsey Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute - super light and fun! I read a couple friendships every day to make me smile.

[Kelsey Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was cute - super light and fun! I read a couple friendships everyday to make me smile!

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just for fun!

[Ally Puri · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was cute, and there were lots of illustrations. If you are not into pop culture, like me, you probably won't know who most of these people are. This would make the cutest coffee table book, though.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

We could all use some positivity these days and what better way to share it than by celebrating awesome friendships! The ones included range from the well known (Gayle and Oprah) to more ideological (Lizzo and The Truth). It's a great collection and will be an adorable gift book for your BFF this holiday season!