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Billions of Besties

A Celebration of Fascinating and Simply Exceptional Friendships

By Peggy Panosh and Susie Arons
Illustrated by Peggy Panosh

This beautifully illustrated and joyful tribute celebrates famous friendships (both real and fictional) and proves that there is no relationship more important than friendship.

Our best friends are our soulmates. They understand us when no one else does, lift us up, and bring out the best in us. It’s a relationship based on a bond that can’t always be described, but is always magical.

Billions of Besties shines a light on some of the most engaging, funny, inspiring, and sometimes unexpected sets of friends. In this gorgeous and playfully illustrated volume, creators and besties Peggy and Susie highlight more than 100 besties, both real and fictional, from all walks of life. From the comedic powerhouse of Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, to the unexpected camaraderie between RGB and Antonin Scalia, the glamourous friendship between Anna Wintour and Roger Federer, or the fictional ride-or-die bond between Thelma and Louise, this book is a timeless salute to friendship in all its forms.

Uplifting and charming, Billions of Besties celebrates the power and vitality of friendship—from bromances to work wives—reminding us that when we have each other’s backs, we have the power to change the world.
Peggy Panosh

Peggy Panosh has carved a unique dual career path as both a highly respected Marketing Expert + Illustrator. With more than thirty years in media and entertainment, Peggy has worked with some of the prolific celebrities, from Howard Stern to Oprah, and world-renowned events from the Grammys to the Super Bowl, creating memorable moments for audiences all along the way. As a passionate traveler, having explored over seventy countries, Peggy’s love for creating art was ignited during one of her many global adventures. Her illustrations capture the heart and spirit of the people, places, and moments that touch her soul. In fact, if you look very closely at her drawings, you will find a teeny little heart in each one. Peggy’s illustrations have been seen on CBS Sunday Morning and she was a featured artist at Soho House’s Ludlow House in New York City. She splits her time between Brooklyn, New York and Madison, Wisconsin.

Susie Arons

Susie Arons is a strategic communications advisor, working with some of the most recognized names in entertainment, lifestyle, and media. She has honed her writing skills penning billions of messages throughout her thirty-year career, some people might say she has also been a professional bestie to some of the besties in the business, including Netflix, HBO, Color Force, Marlo Thomas, The Defiant Ones, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, A24, Refinery29, Child Mind Institute, The Hunger Games, Amazon Studios, BMW, Focus Features, Starz, AMC Networks, West of Memphis, Apple Music, Jimmy Iovine, Sundance TV, Jonah Hill, The Orchard, the Radio City Christmas Spectacular, and the Tribeca Film Festival. Inspired every day by her colleagues or poolside with her treasured circle of friends and family, Susie learned early to lead with heart, be smart, and always keep the joy.
Peggy Panosh

Peggy Panosh has carved a unique dual career path as both a highly respected Marketing Expert + Illustrator. With more than thirty years in media and entertainment, Peggy has worked with some of the prolific celebrities, from Howard Stern to Oprah, and world-renowned events from the Grammys to the Super Bowl, creating memorable moments for audiences all along the way. As a passionate traveler, having explored over seventy countries, Peggy’s love for creating art was ignited during one of her many global adventures. Her illustrations capture the heart and spirit of the people, places, and moments that touch her soul. In fact, if you look very closely at her drawings, you will find a teeny little heart in each one. Peggy’s illustrations have been seen on CBS Sunday Morning and she was a featured artist at Soho House’s Ludlow House in New York City. She splits her time between Brooklyn, New York and Madison, Wisconsin.

“Prefaced with a fillable bookplate “To my bestie / from your bestie,” this sunny volume collects profiles of best-bud duos and cliques, be they real, fictional, or non-sentient. The besties are organized by categories, such as “Classics,” (Oprah and Gayle), “Hollywood” (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid), “Changemakers” (Bill Gates and Warren Buffett), “Squads” (Jerry, Elaine, George, and Kramer), and “Goodies” (champagne and caviar). Wry summaries share how these friends connected and what they’ve come to signify in American culture. For instance, The Mary Tyler Moore Show’s Mary and Rhoda were TV besties “who became unlikely heroes for single working women everywhere” while Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Congressman John Lewis united under the righteous bond of “good trouble.” Many pairings are lighthearted (Bert and Ernie; peanut butter and jelly; Ken and Barbie), but some are unusual bonds, such as mutual admirers Helen Keller and Mark Twain, or George Harrison and Eric Clapton, whose friendship thrived even after the latter married the former’s ex-wife (“I’d rather she be with him than some dope,” Harrison is quoted as saying). Opposites also attract: such as politically polar Supreme Court Justices Ruth Bader Ginsberg and Antonin Scalia or “bold and capricious” Captain Kirk and “the überlogical” Mr. Spock. Panosh’s simple line-art looks like it’d be at home on a greeting card passed between friends and is appropriately upbeat. This cheery package is ready-made for a just-thinking-of-you gift.”—Publishers Weekly

 

“Full of gorgeous illustrations and odes to friendships both real and fictional, Billions of Besties by Peggy Panosh and Susie Arons is a celebration of the power of friendship. The book features 100 entries covering the bonds between Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Antonin Scalia, Amy Poehler and Tina Fey, and more. Pick up a copy for yourself, and go ahead and grab one for your bestie, too, because this beautiful book will make a great gift.”—POPSUGAR

"Former Oprah Winfrey Show marketing executive Peggy Panosh and her bestie, Susie Arons, have created this book all about real and fictional BFFs, like Oprah and Gayle, Bert and Ernie, and Samuel L. Jackson and Spike Lee" —O, The Oprah Magazine

Billions of Besties

A Celebration of Fascinating and Simply Exceptional Friendships

By Peggy Panosh and Susie Arons
Illustrated by Peggy Panosh

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