I’m not sure why, I love books that make me cry.
Okay, lately I’ll admit that I’ve been seeking more heartwarming than heartbreaking ya books, because, you know, state of the world and all. Still, I do love a good book that makes me sob and ugly cry for hours after I closed the last page. It’s just so impressive, isn’t it? When a story manages to make you FEEL everything, so well that you end up crying over it for hours. I think it’s pretty amazing.
I’m in the mood to share some of these stories today, so I hope you’ll enjoy these books. You’ll need tissues ready, though. Unless you’re not much of a crier. I know I am, but what can you say? Emotional stories just make me all chocked up.
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10 Heartbreaking YA Books I Loved…and made me cry
Vanishing Girls, Lauren Oliver
I love books with sisters at their hearts and, damn, Vanishing Girls was fantastic. The sisters in this story grew estranged after an accident. When Dara vanishes, Nick sets off on a chase to discover what happened to her sister and it’s a stunningly written tale that made me cry.
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The Astonishing Color of After, Emily X. R. Pan
This is one of the most beautifully written books ever. It’s about Leigh, grieving her mother’s suicide and trying to forge a relationship with her maternal grandparents for the first time. It’s a stunning and heartbreaking tale about letting go and discovering your own roots.
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Far From the Tree, Robin Benway
Far from The Tree is the story of Grace who, after giving up her own baby for adoption, goes out to seek her biological family. A beautiful story about family, finding yourself and your roots and oh, so emotional. I love this book so much.
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The Beauty That Remains, Ashley Woodfolk
The Beauty That Remains is one of these beautiful contemporaries that break your heart, but you’re happy it does. It deals with grief a whole lot, but it’s also hopeful and if you’re looking for amazing characters to root for (and to cry, a lot), pick up this one.
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Second Chance Summer, Morgan Matson
I’m a big fan of Morgan Matson’s work and yet… Second Chance Summer is one of her books I won’t re-read. That doesn’t mean it wasn’t excellent: it was. The characters, the summer vibes at the lake house, the old relationships building up again… it’s beautiful. I read this with a lump in my throat the size of my fist, though, because emotions.
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When We Were Infinite, Kelly Loy Gilbert
When We Were Infinite has friendship up front and center and I loved it SO much. It’s about this close group of friends in their senior year of high school, it’s about dealing with the upcoming separation, it’s about mental health and family and it’s a heavy read that will give you a good cry, for sure.
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If He Had Been With Me, Laura Nowlin
Now that’s an old one and I’m not certain I’ve heard a lot about it from others, which make me a bit sad, because… this book was really good. It’s about figuring out what happened to your childhood friend, it’s about all the what-ifs and it’s really good.
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When the Stars Lead to You, Ronni Davis
I really want more people to read Ronni Davis’ debut because it’s one of my favorite books, really. It’s about falling for someone with depression, falling in love for the first time, it’s both beautiful and heartbreaking to read about and oh, I’m so fond of this book, read it.
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The Storyteller, Traci Chee
I can’t think about this book, this entire series, without tearing up. The Storyteller is the last book in the Reader series and I urge you all to read it. It’s about reading in a world that doesn’t know books, it’s about figuring out the past, the present and the future, it’s brilliant and heartbreaking and incredible.
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A List of Cages, Robin Roe
I think the characters in A List of Cages made the entire book for me. They were so endearing, I couldn’t help but root for them, oh, I really fell for them. It’s a story about friendship, it’s also a story about abuse that’s not easy to read, at times, but this book’s so, so good.
Add to Goodreads ☂️ Buy on: Amazon – Book Depository – Bookshop – Blackwell’s
You might also be interested in: 10 underrated ya contemporary books to add to your TBR
📌 Pin 10 YA books that will make you cry!
Did you read any of these books? Do you want to?
What are some books that made you tear up, cry, sob, gave you all the emotions? I’d love to hear your recommendations!
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I actually don’t cry a lot while reading.. Even the heartbreaking ones. I’ve occasionally wondered if I am really a cold bitch but thankfully gotten over it. I’ve always wanted to cry deeply for a book but never got there. Thanks a lot Marie. I will without doubt try these books.
Oh well it’s okay! I mean, I tend to get very emotional while reading, but I know some people never ever cry while reading books. I hope you’ll enjoy these 😀
I loved Far From the Tree!
AH yes me too, such a good book! 🙂
Nobody ever talks about If He Had Been with Me. That book gutted me. I’m crying right now just thinking about it. Second Chance Summer was a total ugly cry book. I cried so much and so hard, my swelled shut.
Oh god me too, I’m so happy to hear you read it, Sam. It broke my heart SO much.
I loved Vanishing Girls, A List of Cages, and The Astonishing Color of After – they are definitely really heart-wrenching books, especially the latter too. I really want to read Far From the Tree so I’m glad to see that you enjoyed it – I’m so scared of the pain, though! Great post, Marie! 🙂
Ah I’m so glad you loved these, Veronika <3 I hope you'll love Far From The Tree! It was emotional, but also so beautiful. Definitely worth it <3
This is such an amazing list Marie!! Far From the Tree is one of my favorite books, and really is so heartbreaking!
Oh thank you so much, you’re too kind <3 It is heartbreaking, but beautiful too. I love it so much! :)
I love emotional stories, so I loved seeing your recommendations, Marie! ❤ I have been meaning to finally read The Storyteller, though I’m not sure if I’m ready for the pain 🥺 Same with A List of Cages, it sounds so heartbreaking 😭
Oh thank you so much, Caro! I hope you’ll read The Storyteller. It’s heartbreaking, but amazing. I’ll be here for all the emotional support! <3
I LOVE a good, cathartic, reading cry. I have only read Far From the Tree and Vanishing Girls, which were indeed really good, but the rest of these are on my TBR! I own A List of Cages, The Beauty That Remains, and If He Had Been With Me. OH and I have the sequel to The Reader, I just have not gotten to it. And I have heard so many amazing things about We Are Infinite and The Astonishing Color of After too, I really need to get to those!
Ahh I hope you’ll get to read some of these, Shannon, they’re absolutely incredible. The Reader is one of the best series I’ve ever read, really <3
Beautiful list, Marie! I haven’t read any of these but do love when a book gives me a good cry.
Oh thank you so much, Kal!! <3
I think I’ve only read The Beauty that Remains. Definitely will need to check more of these out!
Oh yay! I hope you will and that you’ll enjoy them 😀
We Were Liars makes me cry every time😥
it’s been y e a r s and I’m still shook just thinking about that ending. I didn’t see that coming AT ALL.
Great list, Marie! I have so many of these on my TBR and I finally need to read them. I kind of love when a book makes me cry haha.
Ahh thank you so much Ashley! <3 I love emotional reads every now and then, too, haha :)
Great list! I haven’t read any of these. I’m a bit sensitive person, even single well written scene can make me sad or cry or laugh so I’m sure these would make cry harder.
Oh thank you so much! I get that so much, I’m really sensitive as well…but I don’t know, sometimes I’m looking for all the emotions, ahah 🙂
Second Chance Summer is the only Matson book we haven’t read yet.
Ahh I hope you will soon! It’s a great read, but… be ready for all the feels!
I’m a total sucker for a book that makes me cry. I can say that I definitely cried while reading A List of Cages.
A List of Cages made me sooooooooooo emotional. Such a good book.