Customer Reviews

Treasured Friends: Finding and Keeping True Friendships

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I know I'm not the only female to realize that friendships with other females are invaluable, but so hard to find. I'm one of those ladies who have found it much easier and less dissapointing to befriend guys over gals. I have other female friends, but very few go deep and intimate because of my lack of trust. I have wanted that one special best female friend all my life. One whom I can truly be myself and still be accepted. She is someone who is honest and can survive any conflict because we care about eachother and the friendship. She won't desert me or betray me.

True friends are very hard to find. The reason why? --It's not easy to be a true friend, and in order to find a true friend, you must be one first. I always thought I had all the qualities and met all the expectations of a true friend, but this book has really helped me see the light! I may have all the best intentions, but I can be very critical and judgmental of friends if I disagree with them, and that has been a huge barrier for me. This not only applies to friends, but also to sisters, mothers, daughters, and yes..even with our relationships to fathers, brothers, boyfriends, husbands.

When we have that one (or maybe more) true female friend(s) it permeates into all other relationships with relatives, other friends, boyfriends, husbands, co-workers..etc. This book has really helped me to learn how to be a better friend to the friends I have now. It's not always easy, but the easiest route for goals in life aren't so long lasting and deep (as far as relationships at least)

God truly created us to be in fellowship with Him and with one another. It's no wonder when we are punished we are sent to be alone in our rooms, grounded (away from friends), and the worst is solitary confinement. There are times to be alone, but this can only truly be enjoyed and full-filling when it's a CHOICE to be alone and we have that balance of relationships/friendships to make our alone times good.

You do not have to read the chapters in order. The first few are good to start with, but it's okay to skip around, depending where you are in your friendships arena. The book is written from a Christian, Bible abiding perspective with very practical examples that many (Christian or not) can relate to. This book really helped me see how to appreciate friendships when they aren't always going so smoothly by looking to how Jesus was a true and real friend to people who really needed it and desired it. It's so easy to get frusterated or to fear differences between others, especially when they get close to us. When I look to Jesus I'm reminded of this forgotten truth... -he loves us and accepts us unconditionally. He does not want us to live destructive lives which lack healthy TRUE friendships, therefore he gives us his example of how to live, (Thank You Jesus!)

Just buy this book and read it at your own pace. You will see a change for the better in your friendships (new and/or old) if you're pursuing change for the better. Remember, many of the best friendships/relationships in life require patience -and they are worth waiting for. True frienships take time! But it will pay off. I am sure of this, I'm still seeking that one but I'm confident it's coming, can see it already. For I trust the man who's the world's best friend ever...Jesus.

This book was very enjoyable to read. It shares great ideas for forming lasting friendships and enriching current friendships. The book also explains why it is very important to nurture our friendships and how we can do that. Real life examples are given. I just loved the book. I gave it to a good friend of mine when I finished reading it, because I enjoyed it so much and I think she will too.

Treasured Friends by Ann Hibbard is one of the best books I have ever read on friendship. It is a Christian based book, and is a book written for women, but I feel no matter what your spiritual beliefs are, you can gain something valuable from this book.
Not only are there lovely and personal stories about friendship, but there are insightful lessons on how to find friends, and how to keep them. The most helpful part of the book for me were the chapters on Dissapointments and Transformations. Having gone through a loss of a life long friend, and after reading many books on friendship, I never really found the right words about the loss and moving on. In reading this book and reading about other women's experience with such losses, I was finally able to put the pieces together and forgive myself and my friend.
So many books focus on romantic relationships and their losses, and so few capture the importance of friendship and the devestation and hurt their losses can bring. This book was a true comfort.
A Treasure that I will read again.

If you are looking to be a better friend to your closest friends, I highly recommend this book!

You know that saying, "That's what dreams are made of?" That's what this book does for friendships. If every teenager, woman, or child of God had this book, there wouldn't be any lonely girls, women, or mothers in the world. It's a wonderful tribute to growing lasting relationships that stand the test of time and even distance!

This book is absolutely amazing and wonderfully written. I wish I could place this book in the hands of every teenage girl and woman I know. As another reviewer, Alyice, so wonderfully described, this book could very well resolve the loneliness felt by so many mothers, teenage girls, and women in all walks of life. As young women preparing for all that life has to offer and all the challenges and "busy-ness" we'll endure, we can easily forget how invaluable our friendships are - with both men and women. Those experiences and bonds with our mothers, sisters, school-mates and female friends will shape our lives and have a forever impact on our future relationships. The ultimate sabotage to so many female relationships is the jealousy, bitterness, betrayal and lack of trust that we unknowingly bestow on each other. I wish I would have realized the importance of all this long ago.

As another reviewer, Kristen, so eloquently explains it, I too have always wished for that one special best-female-friend that I could trust, and time after time, my search has ended in disappointment. I, too have always found it easier to befriend men over women. This book gives me hope that one day I will find her and it has taught me that I must be prepared to "listen" and to give of myself wholeheartedly if I am ever to keep that friendship alive and well. It has also really made me want to be a better Christian.

I have read and re-read this book numerous times and will continue to refer back to it for the rest of my life. Thank you, Ms. Hibbard for your insight, your connection to Christ, and your ability to share your perception with your readers.

Finding books that talk about close friendships are hard to find. Unfortunately, this book has a strong religious stance that isn't appropriate/useful for those who aren't religious. Every other page has a biblical quote. Not very useful.