For this blog post, I drew my inspiration from our very own Technical Services Coordinator, Allison Liesz. Go check out her blog post “Five Books That Got Me Through Grad School”. I myself have been a reader on and off since middle school. It can be hard to read when I am back in school, but when I do, I go for the books that will drive a metaphorical knife through my heart. I personally am a mood reader, so on any given day I can decide to read wherever my heart takes me. Typically, it takes me to sad novels.

This is your official warning: these books are sad…proceed with caution. 

 

(Or don't; I didn’t.)

 

These books are ordered by sadness:

 

If We Were Villains by M. L. Rio

If We Were Villains by M.L. Rio | GoodreadsThis novel is dark academia and is told by Oliver Marks who just spent the last ten years in prison for a murder he may or may not have committed. Oliver recounts the events of his time at Dellecher Shakespeare Conservatory. Pieces of Shakespeare's plays are woven into the lives of the characters, blurring the lines of their lives and a play. Although this group of friends is close, they fight each other for the main roles in the plays. Tensions build, friends are hurt, and someone ends up dead.

 

This book will keep you guessing while you try to decide whether Oliver is actually a murderer. While this book is not entirely sad, readers may be left with an ache in their heart.

 

 

 

Sadness Rating: 1.5/5

 

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin

If He Had Been with Me by Laura Nowlin ...This novel follows the main character Autumn who is next door neighbors with Finny. Their moms are best friends, Finny and Autumn were raised together, inseparable…until high school. Everything changed in high school. Finny was considered popular while Autumn was considered an outsider and kind of weird. They both avoided each other, their friend groups being enemies. The story moves all throughout high school with flashbacks to their childhoods intertwined. Read to find out if their paths ever really cross over again.

 

I have read this book almost once a year since middle school. It is a quick read and brings me so much comfort. You may cry, I cannot confirm or deny. Bonus! In 2024, Laura Nowlin published a sequel to this book; If I Had Told Her. It is told through the perspective of three different characters recounting the events of the last book from different character's POV, as well as the future. The second book is much sadder than the first in my opinion, but tied together, they are a tragic duo.

 

Sadness Rating: 2.75/5

 

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow: A ...This novel follows two main characters, Sam and Sadie. They met when they were children at a hospital not really thinking they would cross paths in the future. But when Sam is attending Harvard, he bumps into Sadie who is attending MIT. Both have a love of video games, it was originally what they connected over when they were children. But as adults, their love of playing video games has shifted to creating. After their run in, they begin to create a game together. The novel moves through the next couple years of their life. 

 

This was my first read of 2024 and it has stayed with me since then. When I play video games, I wonder what Sadie and Sam would have to say. Even if you personally don’t play video games, this book is a must read. It has a diverse cast and the characters feel real.

 

Sadness Rating: 3.5/5

 

Call Me by Your Name by Andre Aciman

Call Me by Your Name | Rotten TomatoesI first watched the movie a few times before I decided to pick up the book and boy was it worth it. This book is a very quick read, coming in at just about 280 pages. Taking place in Italy during the 1980s, Elio and his family take in PhD student Oliver. Elio and Oliver spend the summer together where Elio is discovering his sexuality. They both know that the summer will end and Oliver has to return to America, but that doesn’t change how they feel towards one another. If you have watched the movie, you may think their story ends when Oliver leaves, the book however chronicles 20 years of their relationship. All the missed chances and longing they both feel. 

 

As I said before, I originally watched it before I read it. The movie does an amazing job at staying close to the book but the book just provides so much feeling and desire. Elio discovers who he is while Oliver has other obligations. There is no avoiding the sadness you will feel at the end of this book.

 

 

Sadness Rating: 4/5

 

A Little Life by Hanya Yanagihara

A Little Life Audiobook | Free with trialI will start off by saying that you must check Trigger Warnings before picking up this book. A Little Life follows four college friends: Jude, JB, Willem, and Malcolm. They started off as roommates but quickly became lifelong friends. Although they all hail from various backgrounds, cultures, economic statuses, and family upbringings, they always have time for each other. Jude, who hides his past but is truly the glue to the group, is a lawyer. JB is an artist who likes to play with all different mediums and chronicles the group's friendship through his art. Malcolm is an architect who makes a career for himself and is constantly trying to accommodate for Jude. And Willem is the actor of the group who is kind and compassionate. Hanya Yanagihara beautifully writes these characters and while you read, you will feel like an invisible fifth friend. Watching all four men grow and each individually face hardships is gut-wrenching but real. 

 

Not a week goes by where I do not think about Jude. He really is the main focal point that brings all the other characters together. His slowly unraveled past will keep you holding a box of tissues at your side. All the tears will be shed throughout this book.

 

Sadness Rating: 5/5

 

I know these books are sad but that is what makes me love them. I constantly say to myself and those around me that it is good to feel things and I believe that to be true. Without a doubt, these books will make you feel things. Fret not, I will provide a happy list for those of you who do not want to be sad.