“Strange as the Weather Has Been” by Ann Pancake had me sobbing in a couple places. I’ve thought a lot about how she did it, and it comes down to sympathetic characters that I really cared about. She conveys the devastation of mountaintop removal and what is lost by such brutal exploitation, at the environmental level and within the family at the center of the story.
The Book Thief is one of my favorite books. Definitely in the top 20. I also find myself gravitating towards sad books, the most recent example being In Memoriam by Alice Winn (2022 Waterstones Debut Fiction Award Winner) which I read just days after my proclamation that I will not be reading any more sad books because the world/life is sad enough. But yet who was I trying to fool? Sad books do make you feel though, open and raw.
Not sure what it says about me but you saying that has me wanting to pick it up asap haha- I just really love the possibility of being so emotionally invested and moved by a story!!
Hahah don’t worry I feel the same too! I love an emotional devastating read, let me know once you read it! As well as being heartbreaking it is such a well written story !
Yes, it is a completely different book. And I did not like that other book either. Brett Marie was one of the characters in that book. She was the. Ladies whose husband was having an affair on her. She was what I called the Stepford wife lol. Everything had to be perfect and done in proper etiquette. I don’t know how to describe her. But she was socially inept. She did not understand how the real world worked. And I did not like her as a character in that other book. But I read Brett Marie And fell in love with this lady. I’m not kidding when I say I ugly cried at the end of the book. I loved her and was so happy for her to evolve as a person. I believe you will be hooked on the first chapter, which is probably the first couple of pages of the book. She’s applying for a job in a completely new town. And it’s hilarious.
Renee, I recently finally read The Sun Does Shine based on your recommendation. I was so hesitant to pick it up, but absolutely loved it! I don't remember the last book that made me cry that hard! audible sobs, happy and sad. Amazing story!!
It's a great one! Quick easy read and one that I now will just pull out and flip to a random page when I need a little inspiration or smile for the day ahead. I think it's about time for a full re-read for me :)
I’m so glad you decided to read it, it’s a book you’ll never forget- what especially touched you? For me it was his love of reading and how his imagination literally saved him- I still think about that. The whole book was a roller coaster of emotions that’s for sure
Yes me too! And his relationship with his mom absolutely gutted and inspired me. I loved when he finally started connecting with the fellow inmates and found such acceptance and care for them.
Oh his mom yes same that was so sad- and how could I forget his friendship with Lester, that was also one of my favorite parts, what an incredible bond they have
Love this post! A Little Life & We Are the Light are at the top of my list too. Thx for the other recommendations! I’m going to give Lily and the Octopus a try :)
Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb is a beautiful memoir which left me sobbing! And another sob-fest for me was The Traveling Cat Chronicles. Since I do most of my reading at night, I’ve learned to remove my eye make-up before I sit down to read...
Britt Marie Was Here by Fredrik Bachman had me ugly crying at the end. She was a character in the previous book entitled My Grandmother Told Me To Tell You She Is Sorry. At the end of the book, you discover that basically her husband traded her in for a younger model so to speak. The following book, Britt Marie is all about her life after leaving her husband. You will laugh out loud and sob probably every other chapter. The book is great and I highly recommend it. The Class by Eric Siegel is another book that had me sobbing at the end. This book is about four different boys entering Harvard their freshman year. They are from very diverse backgrounds. The book is divided into four parts in the first half of the book with a chapter or two devoted to each character. it outlines her background and gives you an idea on how they came to all meet at Harvard. The second half of the book is based on their success in college. when you read each bio of the character, you will find yourself cheering for one character, another and then find yourself surprised in the second half of the book when everything ties together. both books for me took that my emotions, because there were underdogs in each book that have you cheering for them to succeed, and to be all that they can be. with the book, Brett Marie, you also learned why she was the type of person that she was when you read about her background and that will have you crying your eyes out. Love this article. Thanks for the book suggestions. I did read Lily and the octopus and the hearts, invisible theory. I did not want the latter to end.
I want to just give you a little more detail on Britt Marie. She is not a 20 year old air head who is funny. She is mid 40’s maybe older. She is socially inept. She is unaware how the real world works. In the beginning of the book, you will be shaking your head and laughing, wondering how she can survive the real world. At the end of the book, you just wanna hug her and you’ll be sopping. It’s my favorite book.
I would love a book that has me laughing and crying! So, question- I didn’t like My Grandmother Told me to tell you she’s Sorry- is Britt Marie a completely different book?
I would also like to add this time around that the book HELLO BEAUTIFUL brought me to tears. Also the books that you recommended to me by Robert Yocum. Excuse spelling but I forgot how to spell his last name. I find that the books that bring me to tears are the books that have characters that are flawed in one way or another. They usually are the underdog of the story.
“Strange as the Weather Has Been” by Ann Pancake had me sobbing in a couple places. I’ve thought a lot about how she did it, and it comes down to sympathetic characters that I really cared about. She conveys the devastation of mountaintop removal and what is lost by such brutal exploitation, at the environmental level and within the family at the center of the story.
Thank you for this rec, this is a book I haven't heard of and it sounds like something I would like
Thanks for a great read, btw.
You're welcome, thanks for reading and taking the time to comment and recommend a sad book:)
The last time I cried reading a book was Tomorrow, tomorrow and tomorrow
I haven't read that one but The Storied Life of AJ Fikrey by her almost made my list, I loved that book and many tissues were needed
Writers and Lovers that gave me a good cathartic cry!!
The Book Thief is one of my favorite books. Definitely in the top 20. I also find myself gravitating towards sad books, the most recent example being In Memoriam by Alice Winn (2022 Waterstones Debut Fiction Award Winner) which I read just days after my proclamation that I will not be reading any more sad books because the world/life is sad enough. But yet who was I trying to fool? Sad books do make you feel though, open and raw.
P.S. if you love sad books & haven’t read The Kite Runner yet... then 🏃♀️ 🥺
I've heard In Memoriam is good- and sad. I have read The Kite Runner!
Cold Mountain!! Oh my god, that book ROCKED me! Also of course, The Notebook. I will never not cry.
Another book not on my radar, thank you! I also cried over The Notebook - book and the movie
Have you read Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart? That’s definitely a sad book
No, adding to my tbr now thanks! I've had Shuggie Bain on my radar so I think I'll read Young Mungo first since you said it's sad:)
They’re both sad! But personally I found Young Mungo a lot more heartbreaking. When I finished it was I was bawling my eyes out :)
Not sure what it says about me but you saying that has me wanting to pick it up asap haha- I just really love the possibility of being so emotionally invested and moved by a story!!
Hahah don’t worry I feel the same too! I love an emotional devastating read, let me know once you read it! As well as being heartbreaking it is such a well written story !
Yes, it is a completely different book. And I did not like that other book either. Brett Marie was one of the characters in that book. She was the. Ladies whose husband was having an affair on her. She was what I called the Stepford wife lol. Everything had to be perfect and done in proper etiquette. I don’t know how to describe her. But she was socially inept. She did not understand how the real world worked. And I did not like her as a character in that other book. But I read Brett Marie And fell in love with this lady. I’m not kidding when I say I ugly cried at the end of the book. I loved her and was so happy for her to evolve as a person. I believe you will be hooked on the first chapter, which is probably the first couple of pages of the book. She’s applying for a job in a completely new town. And it’s hilarious.
Ok great, I like the sound of her and her story so I’ll give this a try, thanks for the additional insight!
Renee, I recently finally read The Sun Does Shine based on your recommendation. I was so hesitant to pick it up, but absolutely loved it! I don't remember the last book that made me cry that hard! audible sobs, happy and sad. Amazing story!!
Also my rec for a book that made me cry is The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse. so beautiful.
I have this sitting on my print to be read bookshelf!! Pulling it off right now to read in Sept!!
It's a great one! Quick easy read and one that I now will just pull out and flip to a random page when I need a little inspiration or smile for the day ahead. I think it's about time for a full re-read for me :)
I’m so glad you decided to read it, it’s a book you’ll never forget- what especially touched you? For me it was his love of reading and how his imagination literally saved him- I still think about that. The whole book was a roller coaster of emotions that’s for sure
Yes me too! And his relationship with his mom absolutely gutted and inspired me. I loved when he finally started connecting with the fellow inmates and found such acceptance and care for them.
Oh his mom yes same that was so sad- and how could I forget his friendship with Lester, that was also one of my favorite parts, what an incredible bond they have
Yes Lester!! <3 what an inspiring and amazing story they have!
Loved this article Renee!
Thank you!
Love this post! A Little Life & We Are the Light are at the top of my list too. Thx for the other recommendations! I’m going to give Lily and the Octopus a try :)
Nobody Will Tell You This But Me by Bess Kalb is a beautiful memoir which left me sobbing! And another sob-fest for me was The Traveling Cat Chronicles. Since I do most of my reading at night, I’ve learned to remove my eye make-up before I sit down to read...
I've heard the Bess Kale is so good, thanks for the suggestion- and I love cats so I immediately downloaded the Cat Chronicles
Britt Marie Was Here by Fredrik Bachman had me ugly crying at the end. She was a character in the previous book entitled My Grandmother Told Me To Tell You She Is Sorry. At the end of the book, you discover that basically her husband traded her in for a younger model so to speak. The following book, Britt Marie is all about her life after leaving her husband. You will laugh out loud and sob probably every other chapter. The book is great and I highly recommend it. The Class by Eric Siegel is another book that had me sobbing at the end. This book is about four different boys entering Harvard their freshman year. They are from very diverse backgrounds. The book is divided into four parts in the first half of the book with a chapter or two devoted to each character. it outlines her background and gives you an idea on how they came to all meet at Harvard. The second half of the book is based on their success in college. when you read each bio of the character, you will find yourself cheering for one character, another and then find yourself surprised in the second half of the book when everything ties together. both books for me took that my emotions, because there were underdogs in each book that have you cheering for them to succeed, and to be all that they can be. with the book, Brett Marie, you also learned why she was the type of person that she was when you read about her background and that will have you crying your eyes out. Love this article. Thanks for the book suggestions. I did read Lily and the octopus and the hearts, invisible theory. I did not want the latter to end.
Thanks for the recs!
I want to just give you a little more detail on Britt Marie. She is not a 20 year old air head who is funny. She is mid 40’s maybe older. She is socially inept. She is unaware how the real world works. In the beginning of the book, you will be shaking your head and laughing, wondering how she can survive the real world. At the end of the book, you just wanna hug her and you’ll be sopping. It’s my favorite book.
I would love a book that has me laughing and crying! So, question- I didn’t like My Grandmother Told me to tell you she’s Sorry- is Britt Marie a completely different book?
You’re speaking to my bookish soul, Renee. Love this list. I have Lily and the octopus to read this fall.
we love a good emotional read!
Share the books that moved you or brought you to tears!
I would also like to add this time around that the book HELLO BEAUTIFUL brought me to tears. Also the books that you recommended to me by Robert Yocum. Excuse spelling but I forgot how to spell his last name. I find that the books that bring me to tears are the books that have characters that are flawed in one way or another. They usually are the underdog of the story.
The Light we Lost - Jill Santopolo. I read this in a day and bawled my eyes out!