10 Incredible Books That Will Make You Cry

If you’re a mood reader like me, sometimes you’re looking for the best books that will make you cry. Whether you want to read emotional love stories or heartbreaking fiction novels, here are a few of my recommendations for books that will make you cry.

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The Best Emotional Books to Make You Cry

My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She’s Sorry – Fredrik Backman

Told from the witty perspective of seven-year-old Elsa, this novel explores the relationship between a grandmother and her granddaughter, and the magic we hold onto. Such a beautiful and touching story.

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This Is How It Always Is – Laurie Frankel

When Claude, a goofy five year old, says he wants to be a girl when he grows up, his family accept and support Claude, but they’re not sure they’re ready to share the secret with the rest of the world. This is an emotionally driven story about family, transformations, and revelations.

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The Perks of Being a Wallflower – Stephen Chbosky

High school is never easy, and this tearjerker chronicles a boy’s tumultuous journey through his freshman year. Filled with first dates, family drama, new friend (and sex and drugs), it’s a classic coming-of-age story.

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All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven

The Fault in Our Stars meets Eleanor and Park in this exhilarating and heart-wrenching love story about a girl who learns to live from a boy who intends to die. It’s one of the best bittersweet YA books that will make you cry.

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A Man Called Ove – Fredrik Backman

From bestseller Fredrik Backman comes A Man Called Ove, featuring grumpy old Ove, referred to as the bitter neighbor from hell. This emotional novel explores Ove’s past and present and explains how he came to be the way he is. So good, so heartbreaking!

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Extraordinary Means – Robyn Schneider

When Lane is sent to a boarding school for teens sick with a drug-resistant form of tuberculosis, he thinks his life is over. There he meets a life-changing group of friends who show him that getting sick is just the beginning.

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The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – Taylor Jenkins Reid

I also featured this one in my best book club books list, but it belongs in this one too because it’s such a beautiful, heartbreaking love story. This novel features Evelyn Hugo, an aging Hollywood movie icon finally ready to tell the truth about her life.

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The Light We Lost – Jill Santopolo

This one was honestly one of the saddest books I’ve ever read. It’s featured in Reese’s Book Club, and tells the story of Lucy and Gabe, two Columbia University seniors who meet on a day that changes both of their lives forever.

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The Art of Racing in the Rain – Garth Stein

Books about animals are always emotional. The Art of Racing in the Rain is told through the perspective of Enzo, an energetic golden retriever who feels he’s different from other dogs. It’s a heart-wrenching story about love, loss, and family, with some uplifting and hopeful storylines thrown in the mix.

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The Two Lives of Lydia Bird – Josie Silver

From the author of One Day in December comes a story about Lydia Bird, whose fiancé dies on Lydia’s 28th birthday. But then something inexplicable happens that gives her another chance at her old life with Freddie. A life where none of the tragic events of the past few months have happened.

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Got Any Recommendations for Books That Will Make You Cry?

There are so many other great book recommendations for books that will make you cry, including some I haven’t read like A Little Life, Room, My Sister’s Keeper, and Me Before You, so if you have any other best book suggestions, let me know!