Friendfluence

The Surprising Ways Friends Make Us Who We Are

By: Carlin Flora

Narrated by: Karen Saltus

Length: 7 hrs and 27 mins

Publisher's summary

Discover the unexpected ways friends influence our personalities, choices, emotions, and even physical health in this fun and compelling examination of friendship, based on the latest scientific research and ever-relatable anecdotes.

Why is dinner with friends often more laughter-filled and less fraught than a meal with family? Although some say it's because we choose our friends, it's also because we expect less of them than we do of relatives. While we're busy scrutinizing our romantic relationships and family dramas, our friends are quietly but strongly influencing everything from the articles we read to our weight fluctuations, from our sex lives to our overall happiness levels.

Evolutionary psychologists have long theorized that friendship has roots in our early dependence on others for survival. These days, we still cherish friends but tend to undervalue their role in our lives. However, the skills one needs to make good friends are among the very skills that lead to success in life, and scientific research has recently exploded with insights about the meaningful and enduring ways friendships influence us. With people marrying later - and often not at all - and more families having just one child, these relationships may be gaining in importance. The evidence even suggests that at times friends have a greater hand in our development and well-being than do our romantic partners and relatives.

Friendfluence surveys online-only pals, friend breakups, the power of social networks, envy, peer pressure, the dark side of amicable ties, and many other varieties of friendship. Told with warmth, scientific rigor, and a dash of humor, Friendfluence not only illuminates and interprets the science but draws on clinical psychology and philosophy to help listeners evaluate and navigate their own important friendships.

©2013 Carlin Flora (P)2013 Gildan Media LLC

Critic reviews

"Intriguing... A convincing case for nurturing friendships in many of the same ways we nurture relationships with partners and other family - both online and off." ( Kirkus Reviews)

" Friendfluence offers a penetrating look at our most taken-for-granted relationship. Carlin Flora's observations, backed up by the latest research, will not only prompt you to dissect every key friendship you've had since kindergarten, but inspire you to become a better friend." (Sally Koslow, author of Slouching Toward Adulthood: Observations from the Not-So-Empty Nest and the novel, With Friends Like These)

Good Except for the Narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Friendfluence to be better than the print version?

Absolutely Not. I mean no disrespect to the narrator, but I found her narration to be awful. It felt like I was listening to someone read the entire time with a fake smile. It seemed completely phony. In addition, there were no pauses in what appeared to be section breaks within the chapters.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Friendfluence?

The book was very well written covering different aspects of the influence of friends in our lives. I found myself relating to certain sections.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

Her narration sounded fake. It was like listening to someone patronizing me. There were no pauses in between what sounded like a new section in the chapter.

Any additional comments?

Do yourself a favor and buy the hardback or ebook. Save your ears from listening to this.