I am joining in on this weekly meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. Each week there is a different top ten list topic and a bunch of bloggers weighing in. Head on over there to see more of the great blogs participating.
I am a crier. I am the person you might see tearing up at a touching commercial. I am absolutely the person you will see crying at the end of almost any dramatic movie. It doesn’t matter if it is happy or sad, I will be touched by it. I remember crying so hard in Steel Magnolias that the stranger behind me offered his package of tissues. (That was embarrassing!) Therefore, I am sometimes hesitant to watch a movie or read a book when I know there is something sad involved. I was actually quite surprised that I was able to come up with this list, because of the avoidance. But here it is, in no particular order:
See You at Harry’s by Jo Knowles is an amazing book that will have you sobbing in an ugly, snot-dripping, unable-to-breath way. The characters are so very real and the grief is so raw and realistic. This book brought me back to a time of loss in my own life and I actually had to put the book down and get under control so that I could see the print through the tears. It is the type of story I usually avoid, but I am so glad I did not do that with this one.
Predictably, the book about two cancer patients falling in love brought me to tears. This is a sweet love story and a touching book. John Green really knows how to bring out the feels. I was an emotional wreck at the end of this book.
I read Gone With the Wind in middle school. All I remember is how the end of the book gutted me. I remember putting the book down and sobbing. It was all just so UNFAIR. Why couldn’t he just see that she loved him now and be with her? My preteen self was really rocked by the injustice of it all.
When I read A Map of the World by Jane Hamilton, I didn’t know what to expect. This was a good thing because the story was much more tragic than I had anticipated. If I had known ahead of time, I would probably have avoided reading this book, so I am glad I did not know. I just can’t imagine what it would feel like to be this protagonist experiencing the guilt that she feels after the awful events.
It took me three tries to get into Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta before I finally stuck with it. I am so glad that I did! The story is so intricate and amazing. I was heartbroken when I finally knew the full story of what had happened. This book brought out so many feelings!
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness is a beautiful story about living with a chronically ill person. My heart broke for Conor throughout the book. I listened to this one on audiobook and should not have been on my spin bike while listening to the end. The noises that came out of me must have sounded quite scary. Ugly crying and working out don’t mix so well.
If I Stay was incredible. I don’t have words for this one. You just have to read it. Don’t forget to have the box of tissues handy. (Then you should also read Where She Went and continue to have the box of tissues at hand).
In Bruised by Sarah Skelton, the protagonist has survived a shooting at a local diner. Throughout the book, she deals with survivor’s guilt and PTSD. It was such a realistic look at how someone might deal with this type of psychological stress.
I am so close to my sister so The Sky is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson really hit in a place close to home. I felt so awful for Lennie and cried about the way that she made mistakes that stemmed from the grief and desperation she felt.
Honorable Mentions:
One for the Murphy’s by Lynda Mullaly Hunt is an amazing story about a girl in foster care and the family who wins her over. It is a middle grade book so is a quick read and definitely worth your time.
The Summer of Letting Go by Gae Polisner is coming out in March. You need to go read it. It is a book about a family that is trying to heal after a tragic death. I loved how this book was at once heartbreaking and hopeful.
