Books have the incredible power to elicit deep emotions, often leading to tears. Stories like “The Fault in Our Stars”, “The Light Between Oceans”, and many more, have tugged at my heartstrings, leaving me with a mix of sadness, empathy, and profound emotions. It’s a testament to the power of storytelling.
1. Where The Crawdads Sing (Delia Owens)
Genre: Historical fiction, mystery, romance
Length: 384 pages
First published: August 14, 2018
Opinion:
“Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens stirred my emotions deeply, leading me to tears as I journeyed through the poignant tale of Kya Clark. The character’s resilience in the face of loneliness and abandonment resonated with me profoundly. Owens’ vivid descriptions of the marshlands and the complexities of human relationships drew me in, evoking a profound sense of empathy and understanding. This novel is a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the enduring power of the human spirit.Read More
Plot: “Where the Crawdads Sing” by Delia Owens follows the life of Kya Clark, a young girl abandoned by her family and left to survive alone in the marshes of North Carolina. As Kya grows up in isolation, she becomes known as the “Marsh Girl” and forms a deep connection with the natural world around her. When a local man is found dead, suspicion falls on Kya, unraveling secrets from her past and challenging her to confront the complexities of love, betrayal, and forgiveness in a gripping tale of resilience and redemption.
2. The Fault in Our Stars ( John Green)
Genre: Fiction, contemporary, young adult
Length: 313 pages
First published: January 10, 2012
Opinion: Reading “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green was a deeply emotional experience for me. The raw portrayal of Hazel and Gus’s love amidst their battles with cancer moved me to tears. Green’s poignant writing captured the essence of life’s fragility and the power of human connection in the face of adversity. As I delved into their journey, I felt a profound mix of sadness, empathy, and hope that lingered long after turning the last page.Read More
Plot: “The Fault in Our Stars” by John Green follows the love story of Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters, two teenagers who meet at a cancer support group. Despite their terminal illnesses, they form a deep bond and embark on a journey to Amsterdam to meet their favorite author. As their relationship blossoms, they confront the realities of life, love, and mortality, grappling with the complexities of illness and the search for meaning in their limited time together.
3. The Ashes In The Snow (Ruta Sepetys)
Genre: Historical fiction, romance, war
Length: 384 pages
First published: March 22, 2011
Opinion: Reading “The Ashes in the Snow” by Ruta Sepetys was a profound and emotional journey that deeply affected me. The haunting portrayal of Lina’s struggle for survival amidst the horrors of Siberian labor camps stirred intense emotions within me, often making it difficult to continue reading. Sepetys’ vivid storytelling and poignant characters elicited tears as I empathized with their harrowing experiences, leaving a lasting impact on my heart and mind.Read More
Plot:
“The Ashes in the Snow” by Ruta Sepetys follows the story of Lina, a fifteen-year-old Lithuanian girl, and her family as they are deported to Siberia by the Soviet secret police during World War II. Amidst the brutal conditions of the labor camps, Lina struggles to hold onto hope and preserve her art, documenting the atrocities she witnesses. As she forms unexpected bonds and confronts unimaginable challenges, Lina’s resilience and courage shine through in this powerful tale of survival, love, and the enduring human spirit.
4. The Notebook ( Nicholas Sparks)
Genre: Fiction, romance, classics
Length: 368 pages
First published: January 1, 1992
Opinion: Reading “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks was like rediscovering an old, cherished treasure. Despite its age, the story’s timeless charm and emotional depth captivated me second time from start to finish. As I immersed myself in Noah and Allie’s romance, I couldn’t help but feel a myriad of emotions—joy, heartache, and everything in between. There were moments that moved me to tears, reminding me of the enduring power of love and reaffirming why this classic tale remains “old but gold”.Read More
Plot:
In “The Notebook” by Nicholas Sparks, the narrative unfolds through the love story of Noah Calhoun and Allie Nelson, two young lovers from different social backgrounds who meet one summer in North Carolina. Despite their contrasting lives, they embark on a passionate romance that is cut short when Allie’s family relocates. Years later, Noah, now a widower, still holds on to memories of their love. When fate reunites them, they confront the challenges of their past and present, rediscovering the enduring power of love amidst the trials of aging and memory loss.
5. A Thousand Splendid Suns ( Khaled Hosseini)
Genre: Historical fiction, drama, war
Length: 372 pages
First published: May 1, 2007
Opinion: “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini was an emotional journey that left me deeply moved. The poignant portrayal of Mariam and Laila’s lives in war-torn Afghanistan evoked a myriad of emotions—from heartache and despair to resilience and hope. Hosseini’s vivid storytelling plunged me into the harsh realities of their existence, making it hard to read at times. The profound bond between the two women, forged amidst adversity, left me in tears, reminding me of the resilience of the human spirit amidst the darkest of circumstances.Read More
Plot:
“A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini intricately weaves together the lives of Mariam and Laila, two Afghan women from different generations whose paths converge in Kabul. Forced into marriage to the same abusive man, Rasheed, their bond evolves from rivalry to solidarity as they endure oppression, loss, and violence under the Taliban regime. Despite the brutality of their circumstances, their friendship becomes a source of strength, ultimately enabling them to defy societal norms and strive for freedom and redemption in a war-torn land plagued by injustice and suffering.
6. The Light Between Oceans (M. L. Stedman)
Genre: Historical fiction, romance
Length: 362 pages
First published: March 20, 2012
Opinion: Reading “The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman was a profoundly affecting experience that resonated deeply within me. The emotional depth of the characters and the moral dilemmas they faced cut straight to the core of my being, leaving me reeling with empathy and introspection. As I delved into the intricate layers of love, loss, and the consequences of difficult choices, tears welled in my eyes, moved by the raw authenticity of the storytelling. It’s undoubtedly one of the best stories I’ve ever read, its emotional impact lingering long after I turned the final page.Read More
Plot:
“The Light Between Oceans” by M.L. Stedman revolves around Tom Sherbourne, a lighthouse keeper on a remote island off the coast of Australia, and his wife Isabel. Struggling with infertility, they discover a washed-up boat carrying a dead man and a crying baby. Against their better judgment, they decide to raise the child as their own. As years pass, they encounter the child’s biological mother, unraveling the web of deception and forcing them to confront the moral implications of their actions, ultimately leading to heart-wrenching choices that will test the boundaries of love and forgiveness.