We Need to Hang Out: A Memoir of Making Friends

What a fantastic book! Billy Baker speaks from the heart about what it’s like to be a middle aged guy who realizes he has so far had no time for making or keeping friends, and what he did to change that. The book is chock full of helpful insights based on his experience complemented by scientific findings. Baker is addressing a serious problem of loneliness in our society, especially among older men. And the best part is he serves as a realistic example of how men can do something about it. Highly recommended!

This book was quite the letdown. I thought with a title that included the words “Making Friends”, there would be some insight into “Making Friends”. The author has quite a wide circle of friends, and seemingly very little trouble making new ones. He makes good points about the dangers of loneliness in today’s society. However there is very little here regarding the making of new friends. It is more about being a better friend to the existing ones or reconnecting with old ones. I find myself underwhelmed with the insights delivered here.

We Need To Hang Out by Billy Baker is a great and thoughtful read. It is perhaps the timeliest book Ive ever read. Based on my middle aged dad status, it is actually the only book Ive taken the time to read in forever. Prior to our Covid shutdown, I realized I was losing touch with some great friends. As Baker points out, dads can easily lose their identities to all the commitments that sprout up around family activities. Ive met some great guys through youth sports, but it often becomes a gauntlet of jumping from one event to the next. Flashforward to our recent pandemic world, the crisis of loneliness that Baker originally wrote about in his Boston Globe article, seems incredibly prophetic. Baker is brave enough to share his own insecurities along, with those of his friends, while he attempts to reconnect. Bakers writing style made me feel like I was part of his journey, and not just reading about it. After I finished the book, it motivated me to reach out to some friends, I havent caught up with in a while, in an attempt to reconnect, and hopefully be more consistent with Hanging Out. Congrats to Billy Baker for taking on an underreported issue. I cant think of a better gift for Fathers Day.

Ive been searching for 10 years for a realistic, simple, book on the importance and impact of male friendships and believe me, this is it!

Billys story validates, explains, and amplifies the need for all men to build and maintain male friendships to maintain a happy, healthy, non-lonely life.

Highly recommend.

Billy Baker is a captivating writer telling a story the majority of men in America need to hear. Modern life does not guarantee regular meaningful connection. This makes many feel lonely. It takes intentional effort to improve this. There is no magic formula. Get some good people together, give them an activity, follow up with them, and make your and their life better.

Galaxyaudiobook Member Benefit

- Able to comment

- List watched audiobooks

- List favorite audiobooks

- Bookmark will only available for Galaxyaudiobook member