Grab the tissues now—you won't make it through our list of sad books without shedding a few tears
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28 Sad Books That Will Tug at Your Heartstrings
Updated on Dec. 17, 2024
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The Days I Loved You Most by Amy Neff
For fans of: The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Amy Neff’s 2024 bestseller is one couple’s love story that spans from World War II to the present day, and while their romance will certainly make you swoon, it will also rip your heart out and put it back together again. After 60 years together, Evelyn is dying and Joseph cannot live without her. They decide this will be their last year together, and they tell their children of their plan to end their love story on their own terms.
“The Days I Loved You Most charts the ups and downs of a husband and wife’s devotion to one another, their children’s reactions to their decision, and the power of love even in the darkest of times,” says Wade Rouse, author of The Page Turner and more than a dozen other bestselling books. “The novel tackles life’s toughest moments and finality with grace, hope and strength. Yes, you will cry—a lot—for many different reasons. But with those tears comes questions, catharsis and the realization that an ordinary life is extraordinary when it is filled with love.”
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A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
For fans of: On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong and The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Although Hanya Yanagihara’s A Little Life was published in 2015, it’s still on international bestseller lists and getting a ton of hype on BookTok as one of the saddest books of all time. This devastating novel focuses on a group of friends—namely Jude, who has experienced unimaginable traumas throughout his life. Dealing with many tough subjects, including sexual violence, drug addiction and self-harm, this book comes with multiple trigger warnings, but Yanagihara manages to treat each topic carefully. A Little Life won the 2015 Kirkus Prize in Fiction and was a finalist for the Man Booker Prize, as well as a finalist for the National Book Award for Fiction.
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Wave by Sonali Deraniyagala
For fans of: The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion
Published in 2013, Sonali Deraniyagala’s Wave is a searing memoir that documents loss beyond imagination after the 2004 Sri Lankan tsunami, in which she lost her husband, two young sons and parents. She recounts her experience in the aftermath in this beautifully written and harrowing account of grief that will tear your heart out.
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Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner
For fans of: Tastes Like War by Grace M. Cho and The Magical Language of Others by E.J. Koh
Tears fell all around the world when Michelle Zauner, lead singer and guitarist of indie pop band Japanese Breakfast, released her 2018 essay “Crying in H Mart” in the New Yorker. Like her essay, her 2021 memoir of the same name explores Zauner’s grief after her Korean mother passed away from pancreatic cancer and how she was able to maintain her connection to her Korean heritage through cooking.
“It’s no surprise that a book titled Crying in H Mart would leave readers in tears, but the sense of catharsis and peace it left me with was unexpected,” says personal essayist and humor writer Gila Pfeffer, author of Nearly Departed: Adventures in Loss, Cancer and Other Inconveniences. “Michelle Zauner’s descriptions of her family’s homemade Korean food are so vivid, so fragrant and delicious, they left me feeling full, but the real meat of the story is the complicated, ever-evolving relationship between Zauner and her ailing mother. As a first-generation American myself and someone who lost both parents to cancer at young ages, I appreciated this candid, messy look at balancing career ambition with honoring her heritage and caring for a terminally ill, immigrant parent. Zauner’s writing is spare and powerful, rendering the dialogue between her and her mother utterly raw and heartbreaking.”
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Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher
For fans of: From the Jump by Lacie Waldon
The best sad books are the ones you can’t put down because you need to know what happens, and that’s definitely the case with this 2021 page-turner. Two sisters respond to the loss of their go-getter mom in different ways. Sadie’s a world-traveling adventurer, while Marin’s a low-key homebody too scared to travel. Sadie finally convinces Marin to accompany her on an island getaway, but when Sadie misses the flight, Marin’s on her own—alone on a tropical island and forced to face everything her life’s been missing.
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Indian Horse by Richard Wagamese
For fans of: Five Little Indians by Michelle Good
Indian Horse tells the story of Saul, a young Ojibway boy who enters a Canadian Indian residential school after he loses his family. This is one of those sad books you’ll fall in love with because the narrator inspires with his wit and fortitude in the face of unimaginable hardship. Young Saul goes through many difficult experiences, but he triumphs through hockey. This award-winning 2012 novel was adapted into a movie of the same name.
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Finding Home by Dean Cycon
For fans of: The Postcard by Anne Berest and We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter
What was it like for Jewish people who returned to their homes after the Holocaust? Dean Cycon’s 2015 historical novel explores this often overlooked but much needed perspective, while focusing on the tenacity of the human spirit and compassion in the face of unthinkable atrocities. Six concentration camp survivors—five men and one teenaged girl, Eva—return to their small town in Hungary. Their loved ones were all murdered in Auschwitz, and back home, life feels anything but normal.
“In the face of unimaginable loss—family, friends and piano professor—Eva is determined to use her music as a transcendent, healing force in the face of resurgent antisemitism,” says Ted Olczak, publisher of the Independent Press Award and the NYC Big Book Award magazines, of this historical fiction book. “Eva’s story is deeply moving and representative of many young women survivors. She finds the inner strength to affirm life that evolves and touches those around her. The healing power of music, and its ability to transcend the physical, will have those interested in overcoming loss in tears as they read this very compelling and emotionally charged story.”
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What Belongs to You by Garth Greenwell
For fans of: Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski and Dancer from the Dance by Andrew Holleran
Garth Greenwell’s much-lauded 2016 debut novel moves with lyrical, seductive grace as it recounts the experience of an American teacher in Bulgaria who gets involved with a young man caught up in prostitution. The lives of the two men become enmeshed in this sensitive LGBTQ book that considers the transactional nature of both love and desire, especially in the midst of loss. It’s considered one of the great American novels of recent times, and critics and reviewers warn that it’s hard to make it through without crying your eyes out.
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Men We Reaped: A Memoir by Jesmyn Ward
For fans of: Heavy by Kiese Laymon and Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
Jesmyn Ward’s critically acclaimed 2013 memoir, Men We Reaped, recounts the stories of five young Black men who died way too young, including her own brother. Ward weaves together a sensitive narrative that recounts her own history and the connections between the young men. You’ll be thinking about this one long after you’ve finished it, especially since it poignantly relates to so many of America’s hot-button issues.
Artifacts and Other Stories by Ronna Wineberg
For fans of: The Joy of Funerals by Alix Strauss
Published in 2022, Ronna Wineberg’s Artifacts and Other Stories is a collection of 14 short stories that Olczak says “drive home a recurring theme of poignant events that change these women’s paths in light of marriage, betrayal, loss and desire.” The first story, “Framing the Picture,” deals with a woman’s struggle with her husband’s fractured emotional state when his mother falls ill and she begins to reevaluate their relationship. “Hurricane,” “Sleuth” and “Artifacts” follow the women’s search for stimulation in outside relationships.
“With less life to live ahead of them, the women seek change when particular events precipitate an enlightening moment where they feel compelled to act,” Olczak says. “I like this story collection, as it reiterates a central theme from an array of life stories. This book is great for women 55 and older and would make a great book club selection [that shows] a shared struggle from many different experiences.”
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The Big Finish by Brooke Fossey
For fans of: How to Age Disgracefully by Clare Pooley and The Summer Seekers by Sarah Morgan
Duffy, a spry 88 years old, teams up with his nursing home roommate’s granddaughter for some late-life mischief and mayhem in this funny and moving 2020 debut novel. In the midst of hilarious high jinks, the two bond over difficulties that can hit at any age. You’ll find yourself rooting for Duffy in this funny novel filled with human spirit and the kind of hope that moves you to tears.
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The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
For fans of: A Dog’s Purpose by W. Bruce Cameron
Fans of this 2009 bestseller, narrated by a dog named Enzo, often say this is one of those books that will make you cry from the first chapter until the last page. Kevin Costner stars in the movie adaptation from 2019 about a race-car driver and his beloved pooch. This is one of those sad books that will stay with you as Enzo moves readers with his wit, resilience and hope for becoming human himself.
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
For fans of: Saving Francesca by Melina Marchetta
Winner of the Michael L. Printz Award from the American Library Association, this enigmatic 2008 YA novel actually hails from Australia. It tells the story of Taylor, a teenager who was abandoned by her mother when she was 11 and whose current guardian also mysteriously disappears when Taylor needs her most.
“This is the power of Jellicoe Road: Each time I read it, I cry,” says Reader’s Digest Books Editor Tracey Neithercott. “As my favorite book, it’s seen me weep more than five times. Just when I think this time will be different, I get so sucked into Marchetta’s brilliant characters and braided storyline that I’m overcome with a wave of emotion. Science says one of the benefits of reading is a sense of deep empathy, and I only have to read this book to believe it.”
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Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
For fans of: Afternoon of the Elves by Janet Taylor Lisle and Homecoming by Cynthia Voigt
In Bridge to Terabithia, lovable young protagonists Jesse and Leslie become friends despite their contrasting home lives. After they face a bully at school, they cope by creating a magical haven, Terabithia, in the woods near their homes. The elaborate fantasy locale provides a safe space beyond the challenges and conflicts of regular life. This classic 1977 book may be a children’s novel, but it treats tragedy with unflinching honesty as readers follow the kids through a journey that includes seemingly unbearable grief.
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The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
For fans of: Outlander by Diana Gabaldon and The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
This bestselling 2003 novel tells the love story of Clare and Henry—which would be perfect if only Henry didn’t have a pesky genetic illness that causes him to travel through time without warning. This, of course, causes all kinds of hassles and heartache. The out-of-order love story in this time-travel book captures the loss inherent to love as it constantly moves in and out of moments, and it will pull on your heartstrings as it explores that strange and delicious feeling that you know someone when you’ve only just met.
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Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
For fans of: A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Ever read a book narrated by an octopus? This absolutely stunning 2022 debut novel is told from the perspective of Marcellus, who often escapes from his aquarium tank and goes on secret nighttime excursions. Marcellus befriends the grieving widow who cleans the aquarium at night, and both animal and human end up saving each other.
“As someone who courts a good cry (through fiction, of course), I often seek out books that I think will pack an emotional punch,” says Neithercott. “That’s not why I bought Remarkably Bright Creatures. I had heard it was a warm, feel-good title—and it is! But boy did that brilliant ending destroy me. Don’t get me wrong: I absolutely loved it. It’s one of my favorite books of the past few years. But even thinking of the ‘remarkably bright creatures’ line uttered at the end of the story makes me tear up.”
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Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah
For fans of: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
Kristin Hannah’s epic 2011 historical romance, set in Russia during World War II, follows two daughters as they begin a quest prompted by their mother’s deathbed revelations. Prepare for heartache as you’re plunged into the details of the Siege of Leningrad and the sacrifices of the women and children who struggled during a time of terror and war.
Float Plan by Trish Doller
For fans of: Meet Me in Paradise by Libby Hubscher
In this 2021 page-turner, Anna suffers from overwhelming grief after the sudden, traumatic loss of her fiancé. She impulsively takes to the seas in the sailboat he left behind and feels like a fish out of water—until she hires a handsome boater to help her. Travel the Caribbean seas in Trish Doller’s Float Plan, which is packed with witty narration that balances heartbreak with hope.
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The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
For fans of: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, with Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis, and Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
This sweet and philosophical 2012 novel for teens is the quintessential YA tearjerker. It follows Hazel Grace and Augustus, two teenagers who meet in a cancer support group, and it will definitely have you crying your eyes out—in between laughs. John Green is known for writing both realistic and funny characters, and these two will draw you right in. You know they’re both sick from the very beginning, and it’s beautiful and heartbreaking to watch them fall in love in the midst of dire circumstances.
“Just how sad is The Fault in Our Stars? I was reading the final pages when my husband burst into the room wearing a look of concern and asking questions like, ‘What happened?’ and ‘Did somebody die?'” Neithercott says. “I was sobbing uncontrollably and sitting next to a pile of used tissues. It’s a beautifully written book you should read—but only with a fresh box of Kleenex nearby.”
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My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
For fans of: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green and The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold
Published in 2004, this heartrending New York Times bestseller by Jodi Picoult centers on the relationship between two young sisters, one of whom has cancer. The younger was conceived in order to “save” her older sister as her medical match for transplants, and conflict arises when she sues her parents for medical emancipation to prevent having to give a kidney to her sister—and imperil her own life. Through tears, you’ll ponder larger themes of family, medical ethics, loss and the love between sisters. There’s also a movie based on this book, which you will most definitely sob at while watching.
The Sweetest Days by John Hough Jr.
For fans of: Bridge of Sighs by Richard Russo
The Sweetest Days delves into the love story between two people, Pete and Jackie, who’ve been married for 34 years, as they grapple with their past. The two are en route to celebrate Pete’s book signing while dealing with a devastating cancer diagnosis. The 2021 novel dips into their past and the tragedies along the way. If you’re looking for a book on long-term marriage and the ways in which couples sacrifice and adapt, you can’t go wrong with this one.
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The Fortunate Ones by Catherine Hokin
For fans of: The Kommandant’s Girl by Pam Jenoff and The Forest of Vanishing Stars by Kristin Harmel
If you love the harrowing details of World War II fiction, The Fortunate Ones is the novel for you. Some reviewers mention crying throughout this heartbreaking love story, so keep your tissues handy. Published in 2020, this book is set in Berlin, spanning a 15-year period as Felix and Inge cope with war, separation and hardship. He’s relegated to a concentration camp, while she’s married off to a Nazi doctor.
The Celebrants by Steven Rowley
For fans of: A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
For the last three decades, a group of college friends have been throwing each other living funerals as a reminder that life is worth living, even through all the trials and tribulations of adulthood. However, this reunion becomes even more significant when one of the friends reveals a secret. Filled with character-driven warmth, this 2023 New York Times bestseller was a Today Read with Jenna book club pick.
“Look, you can’t read the synopsis of The Celebrants without knowing you’re in for a tearjerker,” says Neithercott. “The story concerns living funerals and a main character’s impending death. Even so, this book broke my heart. There are achingly sad moments, and then there are hilarious or truly heartwarming moments that make the sad parts even sadder. I loved this book, kept Kleenex in business while reading it and will probably reread it again one day.”
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Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
For fans of: East of Eden by John Steinbeck and Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes
John Steinbeck’s tragic 1937 novella follows two migrant workers, George and Lennie, as they struggle to subsist during the Great Depression. They’re driven by the American Dream to own their own plot of land, but their best-laid plans go awry. The novel exposes social justice issues of its time period, which remain relevant for contemporary readers. The shattering turn of events in this short book speaks to the universal desire for dreams and justice and the ways they are so easily thwarted for those who are oppressed. Since Of Mice and Men is usually read in English classes around the country, it may be one of the first sad books that teens come across.
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The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
For fans of: The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai
Partly set in Afghanistan, this 2003 bestseller chronicles the friendship of two young boys who fly kites together as children, despite vast differences in their social statuses. The story follows the devastating betrayal of one boy by the other and how they age and grow apart over time, and it shows that while you cannot change your past, you may be able to atone for it—though that atonement is rarely easy or complete.
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To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
For fans of: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith and The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd
Published in 1960, Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize–winning masterpiece is still taught in English classes because of its universal themes and ever-relevant lessons about race, class and gender. The story follows a young girl, Scout, as she watches her father, Atticus Finch, defend Tom, an innocent man wrongfully accused of a vicious crime.
Natalie Burton, author of A Journey of Love and Discovery, says, “I recommend To Kill a Mockingbird as a tearjerker because it masterfully portrays the loss of innocence and the struggle for justice, evoking deep emotions and reflection. The novel is meaningful to me for its powerful depiction of empathy and moral courage in a complex world.”
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The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
For fans of: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Set in Nazi Germany and narrated by the character Death, The Book Thief follows the relationship between a young girl, Liesel, and her foster parents as they live within the brutal regime. Max is a Jewish man whom they hide in the basement, and as he bonds with Liesel over their shared love for books, the two manage to forge hope out of desperation. Readers confess to crying throughout this beautiful 2016 book about the power of kindness and love amid hate and atrocity.
“One of the best books I’ve ever read, The Book Thief is the type of story that sticks with you for ages,” says Neithercott. “Once I realized this was a book about the Holocaust, I knew I was in for a potentially sad story. And yet I still wasn’t prepared for the heartbreak of reading this novel. Zusak conjures tears not only with the events of his story but also with his carefully crafted turns of phrase. There’s no better way for me to recommend this book than with The Book Thief‘s own words: ‘I have to say that although it broke my heart, I was, and still am, glad I was there.'”
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When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
For fans of: Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande
This gorgeously written 2016 memoir reads with the language and depth of a novel as it recounts the illness of its author, neurosurgeon Paul Kalanithi. He begins the story in his youth, discussing his love of books and literature, though he is eventually drawn to science. He’s at the start of his career and marriage, with a baby on the way, when he receives a devastating diagnosis. A Pulitzer Prize finalist, When Breath Becomes Air recounts his thoughts as he grapples with the beauty of a life well-lived.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. For this piece on the best sad books, Molly Pennington, PhD, tapped her experience as an avid reader, a longtime journalist and a specialist in critical and cultural studies to ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Wade Rouse, author of The Page Turner; email interview, August 2024
- Gila Pfeffer, author of Nearly Departed: Adventures in Loss, Cancer and Other Inconveniences; email interview, August 2024
- Ted Olczak, publisher of the Independent Press Award and the NYC Big Book Award magazines; email interview, August 2024
- Natalie Burton, author of A Journey of Love and Discovery; email interview, August 2024
