13 Gut-Wrenching, Saddest Books To Read When You Need To Cry
Sometimes you just need a moment of catharsis that feels like a deep breath and an emotional reset. We’ve all been in dire need of a good cry, movies like If I Stay (best movie ever, by the way) or Me Before You are popular for a reason. But nothing is as devastating as these saddest books to read.
This is true catharsis. If you’re anything like me you’ll also find these books that will make you cry both gut-wrenching and therapeutic. I know I am not alone in this, sad books are free therapy.
Without further ado, here is my list of deeply gut-wrenching, most depressing books of all time for when you need an emotional reset.
This post is all about the saddest books to read.
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13 Books That Will Make You Cry
1. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Khaled Hosseini’s masterpiece is often said to be one of the saddest books ever written, and for good reason. Following the lives of two Afghan women whose lives become intertwined through war, loss and sacrifice, it’s a devastating yet hopeful story about resilience, motherhood and love. Expect tears from beginning to end.
2. All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
This book turned my summer holiday into a cry fest. For about 60 pages I was inconsolable, and that is why I now read the blurb before I take books on holiday with me.
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3. If I Stay by Gayle Forman
I discovered this story as a movie and completely fell in love with it, I knew I had to read the original book which was just as devastating. It is a moving story about family, love and impossible choices, If I Stay follows Mia after a tragic accident leaves her caught between life and death. Emotional, thought-provoking and deeply moving, it’s a sad book that will stay with you long after you’ve finished reading.
4. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
John Green’s beloved novel has earned its reputation as one of the saddest books ever written. Hazel and Augustus’ love story is funny, intelligent and utterly heartbreaking, making this a must-read for anyone who enjoys emotional contemporary fiction.
5. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes
Jojo Moyes’ bestselling novel explores love, disability and the difficult decisions that can change lives forever. Equal parts romantic and devastating, it’s one of those books that will make you cry no matter how many times you read it.
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6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by J.K. Rowling
Something about this book gets me EVERY time. While the ending is heartbreaking, it’s always the moment where Grawp tries to comfort Hagrid that has me laughing through tears. For me, it’s the perfect nostalgic comfort read and deserves its place among the saddest books to read for fantasy fans.
7. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
Few novels have the emotional impact of A Little Life. Often described as one of the most depressing books of all time, this powerful story of friendship, trauma and survival is emotionally exhausting in the best possible way. Read with care- you’ll need tissues.
8.To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee’s classic is heartbreaking in quieter ways. Through Scout Finch’s eyes, readers witness injustice, compassion and the loss of innocence. It’s one of the saddest books of all time, not because it’s relentlessly tragic, but because its themes remain painfully relevant.
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9. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Celeste Ng’s beautifully written novel begins with the death of a teenage girl before exploring the secrets, expectations and misunderstandings within her family. Devastating, it’s a sad book that examines grief with incredible sensitivity.
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Narrated by Death itself, Markus Zusak’s unforgettable novel is both beautiful and heartbreaking. Set during World War II, it’s filled with moments of hope, friendship and unimaginable loss, making it one of the saddest books ever for historical fiction lovers.
11. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Maggie O’Farrell’s stunning novel imagines the grief surrounding the death of Shakespeare’s son. Written with breathtaking prose, Hamnet is an emotionally rich exploration of family, love and loss, and easily ranks among the saddest fiction books of recent years.
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12. Brother by David Chariandy
This powerful coming-of-age novel explores family, identity and systemic injustice through the lives of two brothers growing up in Scarborough, Canada. Beautifully understated yet emotionally devastating, it’s one of the most overlooked books that will make you cry.
13. Nightcrawling by Leila Mottley
Inspired by true events, Nightcrawling follows a young Black woman trying to survive poverty and corruption in Oakland. Raw, powerful and unforgettable, it’s one of the saddest books ever written in recent years and an essential read for fans of contemporary literary fiction.
This post was all about the saddest books to read for when all you need to do is cry.
Take good care of yourself, and reach out for help if you need it.
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