There’s something oddly enjoyable about reading a fictional story that can just rip your heart out and take your breath away. I usually read fast-paced thrillers, but every now and then, I like to read something that will put me face-to-face with real-life emotions.
So, if you’re in the mood for a book that will make you pause, self-reflect, and really think about the difficult themes they present, here are five books that will break your heart, complete with Amazon links so you can pick them up in a hurry – or find them on Kindle – I think you can get some books for free. But, if you have the time – head your favorite local bookstore or library and get it there instead!
Ok – here we go!
Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro
If you’re looking for a beautiful slow burn read, Never Let Me Go¸ needs to be added to your TBR immediately. Written by the 2017 Nobel Prize Winner for Literature, Kazuo Ishiguro , this dystopian novel is narrated by Kathy who reflects on her life at an English boarding school. Kathy and her classmates grow up believing they are special but later discover their true purpose has been hidden from them.
I don’t want to spoil anything – so I won’t say what their purpose is – but it will stop you in your tracks. This book discusses life, love, loss, friendship, and jealousy in a way that is really thought-provoking. It will make you consider your own morals and values and break heart while doing so.
Migrations Charlotte McConaghy
This haunting, eco-fiction novel follows Franny Stone, a troubled woman on a mission to track the last remaining Arctic terns on their migration from the North Pole to Antarctica. Franny convinces a fishing boat captain, Ennis, to let her join his crew as they follow the terns’ migration.
As the journey progresses, Franny’s troubled past is slowly revealed through flashbacks. We learn about her unusual relationships with her husband and her mother, along with the deep sense of loss and guilt that drives her obsession with the birds. It examines the human cost of environmental destruction, while also presenting a deeply personal story about one woman’s search for purpose and connection in a world that is falling apart.
I was surprised at how much I liked this book, and at times, I felt myself rushing along to see what was next. It broke my heart multiple times, but I wouldn’t have changed a thing about it. It was just beautiful.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
I first read this book about 15 years ago, and it honestly changed the way I saw things and I still think about it to this day! This story begins with Little Bee escaping a Nigerian immigration center and beginning a journey to find Sarah, a woman she met on the beach years earlier. Little Bee eventually finds Sarah, who has been struggling with the loss of her husband.
As the novel unfolds, it explores themes of trauma, guilt, global inequality, and immigration. Warning -there are some scenes that are graphic and will be difficult to read. But his book and the subjects that it explores will leave you feeling heartbroken in only a way that a brilliantly written book can.
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Set in Afghanistan, The Kite Runner explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and the complexities of father-son relationships. The story is based on Amir, a privileged boy from Kabul, and his friend Hassan, the son of Amir’s father’s servant. Despite their close bond, class differences and societal tensions mark their relationship.
Amir’s guilt over a traumatic event—where he witnesses Hassan being assaulted and does nothing to stop it—shapes the course of his life. It causes Amir to betray and humiliate Hassan, and the two part ways. Years later, Amir, now living in America, learns a devastating truth about his family and seeks redemption by returning to war-torn Afghanistan. Readers will be moved by Amir’s personal growth as he confronts the past and seeks to make amends.
The Kite Runner discusses real-life subjects related to Afghan history and the rise of the Taliban, all while capturing deep human emotions and reflections that are rarely seen through male characters. A must read!
Demon Copperfield by Barbara Kingsolver
Demon Copperhead is a modern take on Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield. Set in the rural Appalachian region of southern Virginia, the novel follows the life of Damon Fields – whose nickname is “Demon Copperhead”. Damon was born into a poor family and raised by a single mom struggling with addiction. After his mother dies of an overdose, he enters the foster care system, where he experiences abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
This novel explores Demon’s resiliency in the broken foster care system. He will deal with systemic poverty, substance abuse, and the opioid crisis while forming friendships and other relationships that will shape his life.
This book vividly portrays Appalachia and the struggles many of its people face. It confronts inequality and addiction while also revealing the beauty within people and leaves readers hopeful.