We all know that feeling.
The one where you need a good cry.
Perhaps life’s throwing punches, or you’re just in the mood to feel all the feels.
Whatever the reason, sometimes only a truly sad book will do.
But not just any sad book.
We’re talking about the kind of book that will wreck you emotionally, the kind that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.
The kind that makes you ugly cry, sniffle, and maybe even sob into your pillow.
If that sounds like what you need, you’ve come to the right place.
We’ve compiled a list of the saddest books on the market, guaranteed to make you reach for the tissues.
These books, from devastating love stories to poignant tales of loss and resilience, will take you on an emotional rollercoaster.
1. A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara
If you’re looking for the saddest books that will absolutely wreck you, A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara is almost guaranteed to be at the top of every list.
This book tells the story of four friends – Jude, Willem, JB, and Malcolm – who meet in college and navigate life’s complexities together.
But beneath the surface of their seemingly successful lives lies a deep well of pain, particularly for Jude, who endures unimaginable trauma and suffering.
Fair warning: A Little Life is not an easy read.
It delves into dark and difficult subjects, including child abuse, self-harm, and disability.
But it’s also a powerful and moving story about friendship, love, and resilience.
Nonetheless, be prepared to feel your heartbreak, and maybe even question humanity.
2. The Notebook by Nicholas Sparks
Let’s be honest; no list of the saddest books of all time would be complete without at least one Nicholas Sparks tearjerker.
And The Notebook is arguably his most iconic.
This tale of enduring love between Noah and Allie, set against the backdrop of the American South, will make you believe in soulmates (and probably make you cry a river).
Told in a dual timeline, we witness the passionate young love of Noah and Allie and the strength of their connection decades later, facing challenges such as Alzheimer’s disease.
Get ready to be swept away by a love story that transcends time and circumstance.
But also, grab the tissues.
You’ll need them.
3. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult
How far would you go to protect the ones you love?
Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper grapples with this very question and takes you on an emotional journey with two sisters, Anna and Kate.
Anna was born into the world as a genetic match for Kate, who has leukemia.
But when Kate needs a kidney transplant, Anna makes a drastic decision that challenges the very foundation of their family.
Picoult doesn’t shy away from the tough questions, which inevitably force readers to confront ethical dilemmas surrounding family, sacrifice, and what it truly means to love.
My Sister’s Keeper powerfully explores these themes, and it might just leave you reaching for the tissues (and maybe even a lawyer).
4. When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
Looking for sad books to read that will also make you contemplate the meaning of life?
Look no further than When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi.
This memoir, written by a neurosurgeon facing a terminal cancer diagnosis, is a powerful reflection on mortality, identity, and what makes life worth living.
Kalanithi’s honest and insightful prose will stay with you long after you finish the final page.
This book is heartbreaking and uplifting, but it also reminds us that even in the face of unimaginable challenges, there is beauty and meaning to be found.
5. The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah
Have you ever wished you could escape to the Alaskan wilderness?
Be careful what you wish for.
In Kristin Hannah’s The Great Alone, 13-year-old Leni and her parents do just that, hoping for a fresh start.
But their new life in the remote Alaskan wilderness is far from idyllic.
Leni’s father, a troubled Vietnam War veteran, brings his own demons to their isolated cabin.
Hannah vividly portrays survival, resilience, and the enduring power of family bonds, even when tested to the extreme.
It’s no secret this book is a wild ride full of breathtaking scenery and heart-wrenching moments.
And you can bet your bottom dollar this is one of those books that will make you cry
6. Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
Family secrets, hidden grief, and the complexities of love and identity – Celeste Ng’s Everything I Never Told You dives deep into the heart of a Chinese-American family in 1970s Ohio.
When Lydia, the favorite child, is found dead in a lake, her family is shattered.
As they grapple with their grief, long-buried secrets and unspoken truths begin to surface.
Ng masterfully weaves a story that explores themes of race, gender, and the weight of expectations.
This book is a poignant reminder that the people we love are often more complicated than we realize.
If you’re looking for a moving story that will stay with you long after you finish reading, Everything I Never Told You is a book that will have you sobbing uncontrollably—the kind of title that earns a spot on any list of sad books that make you cry.
7. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein
The Art of Racing in the Rain isn’t your typical tearjerker.
This time, the story is told through the eyes of Enzo, a wise and observant dog.
As Enzo watches his human, Denny, navigate the ups and downs of life as a race car driver, we gain a unique perspective on love, loss, and the meaning of life.
Enzo’s witty observations and philosophical musings will charm you.
He shows us that life, like racing, is about navigating unexpected turns with grace and determination.
This heartwarming story celebrates the human-animal bond and will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the simple joys in life.
Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself shedding a few tears along the way.
8. Blue Nights by Joan Didion
Joan Didion, the queen of cool and chronicler of all things California, takes a turn for the deeply personal in Blue Nights.
This isn’t some breezy beach read, though.
Didion confronts the raw grief and lingering questions that haunt her after the death of her daughter, Quintana.
With her signature sharp prose, Didion dissects her anxieties about aging and motherhood, exploring the messy, complicated emotions of losing a child.
Blue Nights is a slim volume, but it packs an emotional punch.
So, I hope you’re ready for a literary gut punch that will leave you contemplating your own experiences with love, loss, and the relentless passage of time.
9. Human Acts by Han Kang
Human Acts is not an easy read, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Han Kang doesn’t shy away from the darkness of humanity in this novel, which explores the brutal aftermath of the Gwangju Uprising in South Korea.
Imagine a city under siege, where the line between right and wrong blurs, and the human spirit is pushed to its breaking point.
That’s the world Kang brings to life in this haunting and unforgettable book, which easily earns a spot on a list of the saddest books ever written.
We meet ordinary people grappling with extraordinary circumstances through a series of interconnected vignettes.
A young boy searching for his friend among the dead.
A student activist struggling to survive.
A mother mourning the loss of her son.
Their stories are woven with a raw intensity that will leave you breathless.
Need a Good Cry? These Books Will Make You Cry
Okay, so we’ve explored some seriously emotional territory here.
These books will make you laugh, sob, and question everything you thought you knew about love, loss, and the human condition.
But hey, who said reading was supposed to be easy?
Sometimes, we need a good dose of fictional heartbreak to remind us of what matters in life.
So grab a couple of tissues and dive into these powerful stories.
You might just emerge a little more human on the other side.
Bonus read: when you don’t want to feel sad, why don’t you check out some of the best spicy books? Thank me later!
