Which gets at the other big limitation of the book for me, the outright dismissal of male-to-male friendships. My only real problem with this book (other than the fact that I didn’t think it was possible for a person to have THIS many friends), is the amount of tangents and metaphors packed into each chapter. I'd love to read a considered, thoughtful book on friendship by an author who really has something to say. I loved the exploration of not just what friendship is and means to people but that it's okay to end friendships, just as it is to end other relationships.

She describes a physical and emotional dependence so strong that it had her pursuing platonic relationships to the point of damaging her own physical and psychological health. The tendency to quote Day's conversations with friends verbatim adds more bloat to an already bloated book. It seems like a sad indictment of society that we even need to try and analyse friendships but the author sums it up herself…. Her latest book is How to Fail, a chronicle of the life-lessons of failure based on her hit podcast.A journalist, broadcaster and bestselling author, Elizabeth Day’s works include the novels Paper, Scissors, Home Fires, Paradise City and The Party. Amidst birthday joy, thesis submission anxiety, and bittersweet farewells, this book was placed in my hands by my beloved friends. From exploring her own personal friendships and the distinct importance of each of them in her life, to the unique and powerful insights of others across the globe, Elizabeth asks why there isn't a language that can express its crucial influence on our world.

And this is why, for me, the book has been so cathartic, and has delivered repeated punch-in-the-guts moments.This made me very reflective and there were some really strong chapters (the one on fertility/managing female friendships around parenthood in particular).