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Classic Books That Will Make You Cry: 15 Books to Stir Your Emotions

Emotional books have been categorized as a sadder version of romance novels. Emotions have a gravitational pull that makes the reader turn each page even though some of the most amazing characters are killed off or are going through so much at once. When a character is written perfectly, readers can’t help but feel the same emotions said character is experiencing.

On numerous occasions, emotional books can help us explore our own emotions. It should be noted that these books are there to help people feel less alone in whatever situation they are in. Most importantly, these books are there to motivate you to make changes that benefit your goals in life.

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1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

It is a novel that is based on the life observations of Harper. It starts in a fictional town that is affected by the Great Depression. Jean Louis Finch, the main character, and her family face threats because her father is appointed to defend a black man who is falsely accused of a crime. Even with the challenges they face, Atticus Finch teaches his children the importance of courage and compassion.  

The novel is described as a powerful novel that explores sensitive topics such as racism and being excluded from the decision you make. To Kill a Mockingbird is noted as a great book because of the timeless message it sends.

2. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

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The book tells the tragic story of Jay Gatsby, a self-made millionaire who seems to have it all. However, when we get a closer look, we see that the one person, Daisy Buchanan he worked hard for ended up being his demise. The story is told from the eyes of Nick Carraway, who is Daisy’s second cousin. Slowly, we begin to see how the love Jay had for Daisy destroyed him and the legacy he had built.

3. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

It is a novel that follows four friends and their complicated lives over the course of 30 years. The story begins in college through the perspective of Willem, a kind and handsome actor. His friends are JB, a quick-witted artist, Malcolm, a frustrated architect, and Jude, a mysterious but intelligent litigator. The book follows them as they go through a number of things such as trauma, abuse, and addiction.

Even though the book has been criticized for its graphic content, it shows readers the meaning of life and the importance of finding beauty in the world when things become tough.

Read more about American classics here.

4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green 

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It is a novel that tells the story of Hazel Grace Lancaster, a girl with thyroid cancer that spread to her lungs who meets Augustus Water, a boy with osteosarcoma who lost his leg to the disease. When they meet in a cancer support group both of their lives are changed. Hazel and Augustus travel to Amsterdam to meet Peter Van Houten, the author of Hazel’s favorite book. 

By the end of the book, Augustus dies, leaving Hazel heartbroken and sad. She finds comfort in the memories they shared instead of wallowing. It’s not until he’s gone that she realizes Augustus taught her about loss, love, and the meaning of life.

5. Kite-Runner by Khaled Hosseini

The story focuses on Amir, a wealthy boy from Kabul, Afghanistan, and his friendship with his father’s servant, Hassan. The two boys become inseparable even though they come from different backgrounds. Hassan and Amir spend their days running kites, and exploring the streets of Kabul.

When Hassan is sexually assaulted by a group of older boys. Hassan is traumatized by the event that he doesn’t know was caused by Amir. Years later, Amir redeems himself by saving Sohrab, Hasaan’s son. By the end of the book, Amir learns the importance of redemption, respect, and love.

Click here to read about 30 best must-read books.

6. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven

It is a novel about Violet Markey and Theodore Finch. They are two teenagers dealing with different issues that have weighed down their lives. When they meet, they agree to embark on a journey to find all the bright places in the world. Slowly, they begin to heal themselves and fall in love with each other.

However, Theodore, otherwise known as Finch’s mental health worsens and results in him attempting to take his own life. Violet helps him heal and overcome his suicidal thoughts.

7. If I Stay by Gayle Forman

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It is based on the life of Mia Hall, a 17-year-old girl who is the only survivor of a car accident that kills her family. When Mia has an out-of-body experience, she is able to watch her friends and relatives grieve her death. Throughout the book, she must decide whether to wake up or join her family in death.

The book has themes such as love, loss, and the power of music. The story is a sad take on how grief, and losing someone close to you can have a strong impact on the decisions you make after the incident.

8. Reminders of Him by Colleen Hoover

The novel is based on Kenna Rowan, a young woman who returns home after serving a five-year sentence for a crime she didn’t commit. All she wants to do when she returns is to reunite with her four-year-old daughter Diem even though everyone in Diem’s life wants to keep them apart. Ledger, a local bar owner who is also Diem’s godfather is willing to give Kenna another chance. 

As Kenna and Ledger become close, things become complicated because they are both grieving the same person. Scotty was Ledger’s best friend and Kenna’s husband who passed away. Some readers have noted that their relationship was based on the fact they were both processing Scotty’s death.

9. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

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It is the story of Charlie, a 15-year-old boy who writes letters to an unnamed friend. Through the letters, we learn that Charlie is an introvert which makes him stick out in school. When he is befriended by two seniors, he is introduced to a world of parties, music, and sex. Through his new friends, Charlie is able to embrace his unique qualities and the life he always wanted.

The novel’s main themes are loneliness, friendship, loss, and love. Through these themes, young readers have been able to understand and connect with Charlie’s character. It is an honest portrayal of adolescence.

10. They Both Die at the End by Adam Silvera

It is a novel about Mateo Torrez and Rufus Emeterio, two boys who get a notification on the day of their death. After the notification, they go on an adventure where they live their lives to the fullest. The book ends with both Mateo and Rufus dead. However, the saddest part about their story is that Rufus spends his last moments alive listening to Mateo singing.

Here are 30 Classic Romance Books That Will Make you Swoon.

11. The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

It is a novel about a man who has a genetic disorder that allows him to time travel to a point in time unpredictably. However, the main character in this book is his wife, Claire Abshire who has to cope with the new normal in their lives. However, Henry’s new gift is a gift that makes it difficult to maintain relationships whether it is in the past or present.

Through his struggles, readers learn how even the greatest of gifts have their own price. With themes such as loss, fate, and free will, it is hard not to love the book but also resonate with the characters on a metaphorical understanding.

12. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini

The book is based on the story of Mariam and Laila, two completely different women who are forced to marry the same man. However, these events take place in the span of three decades. Through their marriage, they form a close friendship that helps them through the hardships of life in Afghanistan during the Taliban regime. A Thousand Splendid Suns has been praised for its ability to depict complex characters and its realistic portrayal of Afghanistan. 

13. Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

It is based on a boy who trains two Redbone Coonhounds for hunting. When 12-year-old Billy Colman is surprised with two puppies by his father, he is overjoyed and immediately starts training them to hunt. However, these pups face a lot of unexpected tragedies that lead to the death of both puppies. 

At the end of the book, Billy buries them together in a red fern grove. He uses the grove as a place to remember them. The book is a sad yet heartwarming reminder that dogs are more than pets. It shows that Billy was deeply connected with his pups.

14. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

The novel is about Ove, an old man who is determined to end his own life. Ove is a widower who is getting tired of his day-to-day routines and rules to the point where he becomes a grump. One day, he does his daily routines but he makes connections with everyone around him. Through these connections, he changes his mind about death and finds a new meaning in life. A Man Called Ove is a heartwarming story that shows how important it is to find hope while grieving.

15. All of Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

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The novel is based on Quinn and Graham, a married couple who are madly in love with each other but struggle with infertility. Throughout the book, we are able to see how their love grew, how they had it all, and how their marriage falls apart because of their infertility. Quinn and Graham begin to grow apart and slowly question their love for each other.

However, when things reach their breaking point, Quinn and Graham find a box of letters they wrote to each other through marriage. After reading them, their love is rekindled, and begin to rebuild their marriage.