We often have one of those days when all we want is a cup of hot chocolate and read a really good book that makes us curl up and cry. Books that effortlessly connect to us. All we crave is a good cry. If you are craving something similar, here are some books that will provoke your tears.
1. A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini (2007)
Set in Afghanistan, this book shows the hardships faced by Marium and Laila. Marium is branded a “Harami” at the age of five by her mother. A father who does not fulfil his duties and a mother bittered due to the injustices of life lead Marium in a path of pain and suffering. Laila, born a generation later, whose family is ripped apart is forced to marry a man older than her. Fate brings them together and intertwines their lives forever. The book showcases the plight of Afghan women and the relationship between a mother and a daughter and the bond they share beyond the norms of the society, beyond the relations of blood.
2. The Color Purple by Alice Walker (1982)
This book documents the story of a teenager Celie in the form of honest letters written by her to God. This is evoked when her father, Alphonso, rapes her and warns her not to tell anyone but God. She then gets pregnant for the second time with her father’s child but the child is taken away by Alphonso at birth just like the previous one. Eventually, she is forced to marry an abusive man. We witness Celie getting abused and harassed by her husband and his children from her previous wife to finding herself and exploring her sexuality. She eventually finds love with the beautiful Shug Avery and forms a deep meaningful relationships with the other women in her life.
3. All The Bright Places by Jennifer Niven (2005)
A bipolar Theodore is fascinated by death and keeps searching for new ways to die every day and Violet is secretly suffering from survivor’s remorse and is counting her days rather than living them. When they meet on the ledge of the school bell tower, a connection forms between them. They pair up to explore the “Natural Wonders” of Indiana. While Violet starts living her life to the full again and expands her world, Finch’s world starts to shrink and becomes the victim of his mind. An intense and gripping novel that deals with mental health and traumas.
4. The Perks Of Being A Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky (1999)
It is a coming-of-age tale of an introverted teenager Charlie set in the 1990s. Charlie finds it difficult to socialize with other people and stays alone for most of his time. Charlie narrates the story in the form of letters written by him to an unknown recipient addressed as “Dear Friend”. And through these letters, he tells us events that take place in his life. Charlie is a freshman in a high school in suburban Pittsburgh. The story progresses with him navigating his life through adolescence and adulthood, as he attempts to make friends, form relationships, and having a “normal life”. He often mentions a deep relationship that he has with his Aunt Helen. It is one of those books that will make you cry and smile at the same time.
5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (2005)
Set during World War II in Nazi Germany, this book is narrated by death himself. It narrates the story of a young orphan named Liesel who is put in the care of the Hubermanns. Distraught by the death of her younger brother, she finds solace in her new foster father Hans Hubermann with whom she forms a deep relationship. She also meets Rudy Steiner, a young neighbourhood boy in a football match. They soon become best friends. And while everything was well and good with what little she had in her life, her world is ripped apart. We witness the plight of the common people during the 1939s, we witness the cruelty of fate and most devastatingly we witness Death being haunted by humans.
6. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green (2012)
I know this is one of those books that almost everyone knows about. But each time I think of books that have made me cry, this book comes to my mind. The plot of this book follows the life of Hazel, who is battling cancer, and Augustus, who lost his one leg due to osteosarcoma. They meet each other at a cancer support group and strike a bond between them. Hazel whose life has been nothing but “Terminal”, learns to explore life rather than just living it. The Fault in Our Stars is one of those books that will make you ugly cry and will teach you that there is more to life than we see.
7. Aristotle And Dante Discover The Secret Of The Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
While we are talking about happy crying, this book will certainly make you weep and smile at the same time. This book revolves around Aristotle Mendoza who is sad and angry and confused but can’t figure out why. With a brother in prison and a father haunted by the horrors of the Vietnam wars, he has nothing to rely on but his friendship with a know-it-all, Dante. As the story progresses, Ari becomes more and more inclined toward Dante and vice versa. When halfway through the book they kiss, Ari tells Dante that it does not work for him. Because in his mind, Love is a vulnerability. But Love with a man is Vulnerability and hurt.
While there are innumerable books out there that will make you weep. These are the ones that have touched my heart and soul.
Got Any Recommendations for Books That Will Make You Cry?
Let me know!
Lots of Love,
Arunima x
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