Books That Will Make You Cry—In a Good Way
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Sometimes You Just Need a Good Cry
Let’s be honest: not all tears are bad. Sometimes, we crave the kind of book that punches us right in the feelings, shakes us to our core, and leaves us staring at the ceiling, contemplating life. Whether it’s an unexpected heartbreak, a gut-wrenching twist, or a story so beautiful it makes your soul ache, these books will wreck you—in the best way possible.
Get your tissues ready. Here are some of the most tearjerking books that will leave you emotionally destroyed (but also weirdly grateful for the experience).
1. The Fault in Our Stars – John Green
If you somehow missed the worldwide sob-fest that was The Fault in Our Stars, allow me to introduce you to the book that will turn you into an emotional puddle. This YA novel follows Hazel and Augustus, two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group. Their love story is both beautiful and tragic, and John Green’s signature wit makes the heartbreak hit even harder.
Why it’ll make you cry: The raw portrayal of love, loss, and the unfairness of life will leave you ugly-crying into your pillow.
2. A Little Life – Hanya Yanagihara
If you thought you knew what emotional devastation felt like, A Little Life is here to raise the bar. This novel follows four college friends over several decades, but the real focus is on Jude, a man with a past so tragic you’ll want to reach into the book and protect him. It’s long, it’s brutal, and it will stay with you forever.
Why it’ll make you cry: The sheer depth of suffering and resilience in this book is enough to shatter even the most stoic reader.
3. The Book Thief – Markus Zusak
A novel narrated by Death? You already know this isn’t going to be a lighthearted read. Set in Nazi Germany, The Book Thief follows Liesel, a young girl who finds solace in books while the world around her crumbles. It’s haunting, poetic, and heartbreakingly beautiful.
Why it’ll make you cry: The combination of war, loss, and humanity’s bittersweet nature is an emotional wrecking ball.
4. Me Before You – Jojo Moyes
A feel-good romance? Not quite. Me Before You is about Louisa, a quirky woman who becomes a caregiver for Will, a once-adventurous man now confined to a wheelchair. Their relationship is charming, but the story takes a turn that will leave you shattered.
Why it’ll make you cry: The emotional rollercoaster of love, hope, and tough choices will leave your heart in pieces.
5. Where the Red Fern Grows – Wilson Rawls
If you read this in school and didn’t cry, are you even human? This classic story of a boy and his two loyal dogs is wholesome, heartwarming, and absolutely soul-crushing by the end.
Why it’ll make you cry: Because dogs. And if that’s not enough, the bond between Billy and his dogs will make you believe in love, loyalty, and heartbreak all at once.
6. They Both Die at the End – Adam Silvera
Spoiler alert: the title is not misleading. This novel follows two strangers who find out they have one day left to live and decide to spend it together. It’s poignant, deeply touching, and somehow still full of hope despite its premise.
Why it’ll make you cry: Because knowing what’s coming doesn’t make it any easier to handle.
7. If He Had Been with Me – Laura Nowlin
A tragic love story wrapped in nostalgia and regret, this book explores the “what ifs” of a romance that could have been. The bittersweet tone and haunting ending will leave you emotional for days.
Why it’ll make you cry: The pain of missed chances and fate’s cruel twists will gut you.
8. Pachinko – Min Jin Lee
This multi-generational saga follows a Korean family over several decades, navigating love, war, and identity. It’s the kind of book that grips you emotionally, pulling you into the struggles and triumphs of its unforgettable characters.
Why it’ll make you cry: The sheer depth of hardship and resilience woven into this story is profoundly moving.
9. The Nightingale – Kristin Hannah
A WWII novel that follows two sisters in Nazi-occupied France, The Nightingale is about courage, survival, and love. This one is impossible to put down and even harder to recover from.
Why it’ll make you cry: The emotional weight of sacrifice, loss, and resilience is utterly heartbreaking.
10. Marley & Me – John Grogan
Yes, another dog book. But this one is a must-read if you’ve ever loved a pet. Marley & Me is equal parts hilarious and heartwarming—until it rips your heart out in the end.
Why it’ll make you cry: If you’ve ever had a pet, you’ll feel this loss on a deeply personal level.
Final Thoughts: Why Do We Love Books That Make Us Cry?
So why do we willingly put ourselves through this emotional torture? Maybe it’s because these books remind us that we’re alive. They make us feel deeply, they connect us to shared experiences of love and loss, and they remind us that even heartbreak is a part of what makes life beautiful.
So go ahead—pick up one of these books, let yourself feel all the emotions, and embrace the tears. Just make sure you have chocolate and a comforting playlist ready for the aftermath.