Books That Will Make You Cry

If you’re looking for some sad, heart-wrenching books to read, these should do the trick. They won’t all make you cry, but some of them will definitely get under your skin and stay there for quite a while after reading them.

• To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird is the story of a young girl, Scout Finch, told through her eyes. The book also tells the story of Atticus Finch and his children as they live in a small town during the Great Depression in Alabama, USA. It follows Scout's journey from childhood innocence to adult maturity while dealing with racism and injustice; however, it is not all doom and gloom - there are plenty of funny moments too!

To Kill A Mockingbird is one of those books that you can read again and again throughout your life because each time you will get something different out of it which makes it such an enjoyable read for everyone!

• Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

The seventh and final novel in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a bittersweet read. The book follows Harry, Ron and Hermione as they search for Horcruxes to defeat Lord Voldemort. It's also the last time we see all of our favorite characters together before their permanent separation after Hogwarts.

Rowling’s writing style is known for its dark themes and plot twists, but some readers may find it difficult to get through this particular chapter in her story—both because of its length (it clocks in at 700+ pages) or because of its subject matter: death.

• Never Let Me Go By Kazuo Ishiguro

The novel is about Kathy, Ruth, and Tommy, three students who attend a special school called Hailsham. The first part of the book is set at Hailsham and covers their childhoods through adulthood. The second part shows how they adjust to life after graduation and how they cope with their futures as donors.

The book was made into a film in 2010 but it's not recommended if you want to read the book first because there are many differences between the two versions of Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

• A Little Life By Hanya Yanagihara.

A Little Life is a novel that centers around four friends who are haunted by their pasts. The book follows the lives of Jude, Willem, JB and Malcolm as they struggle with trauma and loss throughout the years. While it's considered one of the best books of 2016, it's also one of the saddest books ever written.

If you're looking for a good cry but don't want to spend your whole break bawling in bed under your duvet with tissues all over your face (or maybe you do?) then this is definitely a novel to pick up!

• The Book Thief By Markus Zusak

The Book Thief is a 2005 historical novel by Australian author Markus Zusak. It is set in Germany during World War II and narrated from the perspective of Death, who considers himself an impartial observer and not responsible for what happens in the story. The main characters are Liesel Meminger, her foster parents Hans and Rosa Hubermann, as well as Max Vandenburg.

The book was inspired by Zusak’s conversations with his late father about Nazi Germany during the Second World War, how people were murdered and what their human stories might have been like. As Zusak described it: “I just wanted to tell it like I imagined it would be if I was there at that time."

• Me before you by Jojo Moyes

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes is set in a small town in the English countryside. The book centers around Lou Clark, a young woman who has recently moved back to her hometown after losing her job and spending time abroad. She becomes employed as a caretaker for Will Traynor, a wealthy young man who was paralyzed in an accident two years prior. The story explores their relationship as well as the lives of their friends and families.

While this book deals with serious issues such as disability, it is notable for its uplifting message: no matter how bad things get, it’s important to find joy where you can and be grateful for what you have.

• When Breath Becomes Air

The book, When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi, is about the author's life and how he came to terms with death. It is a heartbreaking read because it shows us how fragile life can be. The author was an oncology fellow at Stanford University Hospital & Clinics when he was diagnosed with stage IV lung cancer (stage IV means that it had already spread from its original site). He died just two years after his diagnosis at the age of 37. In his last year alive, while he was still in training as a neurosurgeon, Kalanithi started writing this book about his journey through illness and death. His widow finished it after he passed away.

The book is beautifully written but very sad; sometimes I found myself having difficulty reading through tears!

• All The Light We Cannot See By Anthony Doerr

You may have seen the cover of this book in your local bookstore, as it is one of the most popular novels from recent years. The novel follows two main characters—a blind French girl and a German boy. They meet when they are young children and remain connected through their lives. The story is set during World War II, so you can imagine that things get pretty heavy for these two characters as the war goes on. They end up in different places and eventually lose track of each other, but they finally meet again during WWII when she becomes a nurse and he becomes a Nazi soldier.

The book itself is divided into three parts: "Light," "Dark," and "Colors." Each part focuses on one character's story; however, all three stories weave together at various points throughout the novel to create a compelling narrative that will keep you hooked until its conclusion.

• The Kite Runner

The story is about two boys growing up in Kabul. Amir, the son of a wealthy businessman, and Hassan, the son of a servant. They are very close friends and do everything together.

The story is set against the backdrop of the Soviet occupation of Afghanistan. During this time, there was considerable social change which included women being allowed to work outside their homes and attend school with men; however they were still veiled when out in public or dealing with strangers.

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This book is not only sad because of its plot, but also because of the way it is written. The dialogue between Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters (which is mostly about death) and their witty banter will make you want to read them over again even if it makes your heart ache at first reading.

• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

This story revolves around Liesel Meminger who steals books from the mayor's house during World War II Germany and how she grows up as she reads them with her foster father Hans Hubermann during those times that she was assigned as a "book thief" by Death himself! This coming-of-age story about one girl's journey through an era where human rights were violated might just be one of your favorite stories ever! It's also filled with historical facts about this period of time which makes it so interesting to read!

There are many more sad books to read, but these are just a few of our favorite ones. If you want to cry over a book then make sure it’s one from this list!