25 Sad Books That Will Tug at Your Heartstrings (Reader's Digest)

"Get ready to fight back the tears—or simply give in. There's something beautiful about sad books that make you feel like you're holding your actual heart in your hands. Why do we read books that make us weep? It's simple: They help us feel connected to other humans who are going through hard times too. The best books give us the strength to go on when we feel alone and provide an emotional release when we really need it. For this list, we compiled the perfect mix of classic books and contemporary, just-published works. Some of the books have had a huge cultural impact, some have won major literary awards, and a few have been adapted into hit movies. Others were chosen by Reader's Digest book editors as the best tearjerkers of all time—look for the Reader's Digest Editor's Choice seal for those. And of course, thousands of readers rave that they can't put down these books. So grab a box of tissues (and a blankie for comfort) and settle in for some intense emotions." - stage.rd.com