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Top tier books for the readers who love emotional literature (often with romance as a subplot)
16
items Some of my 5 star reads! As someone who loves to engage with emotionally devastating literature, here are some of my top picks. I love books that explore grief, familial relationships, and expand one’s empathy - which is where I think a lot of these ...
Sections
8
Memoirs
Romance
Literary fiction
YA
Historical fiction
Fantasy
Memoirs
A very raw and emotional read on grief and family dynamics. This book follows a daughter grieving the recent loss of her mother. What does one make of the relationships that persist when the one most important to you is over? How do you pick up the p...
Crying in H Mart (B&N Exclusive Edition) by Michelle Zauner, Paperback
Please check trigger warnings! This should absolutely be required reading.
Know My Name by Chanel Miller, Paperback
Please check trigger warnings! This memoir follow an abusive same-sex relationship. In this extraordinarily candid and radically inventive memoir, Machado tackles a dark and difficult subject with classic horror themes.
In the Dream House: A Memoir by Carmen Maria Machado, Paperback
Romance
A romance novel that feels a bit more like women’s fiction. The anxiety representation was carefully and respectfully executed. A beautiful read.
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez, Paperback
Perhaps my favorite emhen! This novel highlights the realities of a second-chance romance. There are peaks and valleys in choosing to love someone again, and this read handles that up-and-down with grace and delivers that Emily Henry banter we all kn...
Happy Place by Emily Henry, Paperback
Literary fiction
The love I have for this book was so unexpected but runs so deep. A romantic love story. A familial love story. A bizarre animal transformation. This book has altered my brain chemistry and I loved every bit of it.
Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habeck, Paperback
Please check trigger warnings! A story on grief, sorrow, friendship, love and so so much more. Five friends embark on separate journeys with one friend acting as the group’s North Star. Queer, raw, and insightful - this book has changed my life. Thes...
A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara, Paperback
This book is multi-pov and follows a family navigating grief, loss, and secrets. I think a lot of people can find something of relevance to compare back to their own life while reading this book - something that makes it so very special. The writing...
The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff, Hardcover
YA
I sobbed. A stunning read. This book tackles family dynamics and coming of age with a war-time backdrop. This is a read that will absolutely expand your empathy, and for that it is one of my favorite reads of all time.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh, Paperback
Queer romance. YA and it excels as a beautiful resource for today’s youth. I loved every bit of this! Breaks you down to put you right back together again.
Heartstopper Book Series
A beautiful story on grief and duality of the human condition.
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness, Jim Kay, Paperback
Historical fiction
A new spin on an already gut-wrenching story. I loved walking with these two sister as they navigated working on two opposite sides of war-time.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, Paperback
A fan favorite for a reason. A queer love story with magnificent prose. I will go back to this read time and time again.
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, Paperback
Fantasy
Poignant, atmospheric writing! Sapphic vampires! This one will definitely be in my top 5 reads of the year. In this read, we tackled grief, longing, toxicity, hunger, transformation and so much more. The prose is thoughtful and encapsulating - I coul...
Bury Our Bones in the Midnight Soil by V. E. Schwab, Hardcover
Sci-fi
Digestible sci-fi that is so profoundly human. We follow a physicist on his journey to save mankind and learn so much about altruism, acceptance of others, and what it means to be human. This book make me laugh, cry, and feel so very much. An immersi...
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, Paperback
Horror
A horror novel that delivers so much more. This book was raw, deep, bizarre, queer, and explored the different avenues one can take when navigating grief. The book highlights the duality of the human condition and how so many (contrasting) emotions c...
Monstrilio: A Novel by Gerardo Sámano Córdova, Paperback