Aside from a run in with the po-po, very little puts the kibosh on good times faster than good ol’ Names McDrop-a-Lot.

“So, I’m working with [insert mega director here] and it’s so refreshing to find someone who’s just all about the craft. Hey, who made these kabobs? They remind me of the kabobs I had at that party at [billionaire socialite]’s house for [pop princess]’s 30th birthday.”

With friends like that, who needs publicists?

But, on occasion, you hear sensational stories about a friend of a friend, and it takes the utmost restraint not to Google them obsessively. Such is the case with author James Frey’s pal Leonard, the subject of his new book, My Friend Leonard. Those who read Frey’s debut memoir, A Million Little Pieces, may recall the “West Coast director of a large Italian-American finance firm” whom he befriends in rehab. (Your guess? As good as ours.) In his newest work, Leonard plays a prominent role, helping the just-released Frey give life another go.

The narrative is straightforward and sap-free, which makes it a good read for ladies who appreciate friendship-oriented themes as well as for dudes who pretend they’ve never heard of a BFF.

Now if only there were some way to get you to care about that time [A-list actor] and [rock star] did that really funny thing at the bar down the block.

You might not have to write off [annoying name-dropper] after all.

Available online at amazon.com or at your local bookstore.