3 Books That Are Completely Sob-Worthy

Ah, October. Autumn, leaves, pumpkin-spice everything. Halloween, sweaters, and...really sad books. I don't know how to explain it, but I have a love-hate relationship with super sad books. I love them, because if they make me cry, that means they're written really well. But it's also, you know, sad. You know that side character, the one you kind of hated in the beginning, but fell in love with as the book progressed? The one who was very important to the plot? The one the main character would die for? Yeah, them. You know what usually happens?

They die.

That's right. They become un-alive, someone "does the death". And I get it. As a writer, your entire goal is to have the readers in tears by the end of the story. That's how you know you've written a good book. So, if you're like me and like to pick up a good sad book once in a while, these are for you.

1. Heartless by Marissa Meyer

I've heard a lot of conflicting opinions about this book. My best friend, for instance, just couldn't get into it. But me? I couldn't put it down!! Marissa Meyer wrote The Lunar Chronicles, another series that I LOVE. (Granted, I read this before I read The Lunar Chronicles, but that's not the point.)

The people who hate this book, they hate it. I mean, with a passion. And I get it, after reading their reasons. They ARE valid reasons. But, personally? I loved it. Don't get me wrong. I know as much about reading books as the next guy. (As in, I don't claim to be a professional reviewer. Or anything professional, for that matter.)

But I liked this book. I really did. It was heartbreaking, in the best way possible. For those of you who have never heard of it, it's a bit like Wicked (which, I only know from the musical by the way. Never read the book, but I plan to. Some day.) A Queen of Hearts villain-origin story, which in itself, I love the idea of. But this one, oh it's fantastic. At least I think so. So, I just encourage you to read it. Give it a try. Maybe you'll love it like I did.

“A heart, once stolen, can never be taken back.” -Heartless

2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

A friend recommended this book to me. I did not expect what happened when I read it. First of all, I devoured it. As in 550+ page book, maybe 2-3 days. I read this constantly. It was sensational. Second of all, the fact that it's narrated by Death??? That made it 10x better (to me, anyway).

After scrolling through Goodreads reviews, I have officially realized (a bit late on the fact, I guess) that ALL books will have 5 star reviews AND 1 star reviews. And both sides of the spectrum make some very convincing points. So in light of that, I would just like to clear up (if I sound repetitive, my apologies)- my blog is me telling you the books I liked. That's it. I'm not claiming to be the "right" reviewer, the one who trumps all others. I'm young, I have poor grammar, and I write this the way I talk. That's just how it is. So from now on, just keep in mind these are my opinions, and they don't have to be yours. Not at all.

So, back to the book. It's a WWII fiction (I think that's the term- it's fiction...set in WWII). The main character is a girl named Liesel. I've always been fascinated by WWII, and love reading books about it. One of the things I liked about this book is that it's written from the perspective of a German family hiding a Jew, not the other way around. I enjoyed that.

I don't think this book quite made me cry, but I got pretty close. It was a wonderful book, with beautiful descriptions and quotes and a completely heart-wrenching story.

“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.” (The Book Thief)

3. The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton

If you are a reader, you have heard of this book. I can't even begin to tell you how much I loved this book (I probably say that a lot, but believe me, if I say it, it's true.)

The Outsiders...it was SO good. I read it for high school summer reading this year, and I never would have picked it up otherwise. I'm so glad I did. Disclaimer- after I finished this book, I cried on the floor for awhile. That sob-worthy.

At first, it doesn't seem like much. 180 pages. A book about the "Greasers" and the "Socs", and their rivalry being taken to far. "A heroic story of friendship and belonging" (per the back of my copy).

And so, you pick up the book, set to read it in 2 days, another summer reading book to get over with.

Mrs. Hinton, what have you done? This book broke my heart. It didn't even put it back together. It just broke my heart. Twice. (If you've read the book, you know.)

I don't know what else to tell you without spoiling the book. Just read it. You won't regret it. :)

Love,

Alaina