The Opposite of Loneliness: Essays and Stories by Anne Fadiman

This book found me when I was in my junior year of high school. I believe books come to you at just the right time and this one did. From the minute I picked it up I knew I would be emotional. This is a collection of fiction and non fiction pieces that was published after the author died in a car accident just after graduating from college. Her essays will inspire and her stories will make you empathize.

This is one of those books that immediately makes you feel like you could be the author's best friend. Marina Keegan tragically died just after college, but packed so much thoughtful writing into her life. It is about hopefulness and all of the joy that can be found in life. She talks candidly about life, and death, and fills the pages with uplifting words of comfort without feeling trite or overdone.

I read this book in grad school when I felt incredibly lonely and afraid I was doing life “wrong.” Marina is a beautiful writer and I wish she lived to keep crafting her gift and giving us more books. There’s a real depth to her writing despite her young age.