Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Top Ten Tuesday: Best Ugly Cry

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is...

Best Ugly Cry!


Those who know me know I am not a re-reader. Therefore, I struggled with the topic today. Instead, I thought I would leverage the topic from the Best Reads of 2020 for today. These are YA books that had me snotty crying. You know, that gasping type of sobbing, and just thinking about these book could set off another episode. They just hit me hard in the feels. Many of these dealt with loss, mostly a death, and though the deaths are always difficult for me, there were usually multiple things that evoked such a strong response from me. One book dealt with a friend breakup, one with a suicide. Two took on domestic abuse, as one focused on watching a parent deteriorate due to Alzheimer's. For whatever reason, each of these books caused me some serious heartache, though, there was beauty in the pain. 

Favorite ugly cry book?
Let us know in the comments!

44 comments:

  1. The book Henry's Sisters makes me sob every time I read it!

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    1. That sounds really deep, and I am already worried that someone dies.

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  2. I really do love those books that know how to pack a punch! I will be checking some of these out!

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    1. I am trash for books that make me cry. My reading history is littered with them.

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  3. I'm not a crier when it comes to books but The Book of Broken Hearts broke me too. Loved that book and I'm eagerly awaiting new books from Ockler.

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    1. The whole idea of watching someone fade right before your eyes breaks my heart. It was hard to see that happen to my grandmother, but I can only imagine it being even harder to see in someone so young. I hope Ockler finds her muse and writes something new, because her books are so special.

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  4. I really need to read A List of Cages. I'm sure there are many books where I've cried a bunch, because I tend to gravitate toward those very realistic novels. LOL

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. I hope you get to it Lauren. I put it off quite a few times, but am so glad I finally read it. It's heartbreaking, but also heartwarming.

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  5. A List of Cages definitely did that for me. The chapters from Julian's POV about did me in.

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    1. Didn't you just wish you could wrap him in a big hug and never let go? Adam being able to really see Julian and appreciate him was something I loved in that book too.

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  6. Sometimes I just really need a book that'll make me ugly cry. As I haven't read any of these, I'm adding them ALL to my TBR!

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    1. I am always crying, but some really hit me hard.

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  7. I'm waiting for the audiobook of Grown and I can't wait to give it a try!

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    1. That book! It is a difficult read, and horrifying because you know there is so much truth to the story.

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  8. I love a book that gives me that emotional reaction- so true! It's always amazing how someone's writing can do that...

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    1. More amazing when just seeing the cover of the book can move me to tears.

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  9. I can't believe I haven't read any of these! I didn't know you liked ugly cries. First, you MUST read Bright Side by Kim Holden if you haven't yet. Then, Google Huntington Post's Ugly Cry reading list. They have a whole list!

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    1. This is my YA ugly cry list. I bet you have read some from my adult list. I have avoided Bright Side for years. Kim Holden was the keynote speaker at a con I went to in 2015, and she put together a video of her readers talking about the book, and I was crying.

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  10. I don't usually cry with books but I know there's been several where I was ugly crying. Which totally goes against what I just said! Lol. It's rare when a book gets me to cry but happens occasionally!

    Thanks for visiting my TTT!

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I am all about how the book makes me feel, and I welcome all the feels.

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  11. I'm not a huge crier when it comes to books (movies are another story), but there are a few that moved me to tears. I can't think of any of them right now, of course ... I haven't read any of the titles on your list. I'll have to come back to them when I'm ready for an emotional read.

    Happy TTT!

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    1. This is my YA list. I bet you would recognize (maybe have read) some from my adult list. I am a crier. That happened after I became a mom. It apparently made me more sensitive.

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  12. I didn't know you don't do re-reads, but I understand. Hard to find the time with so many new books to read. I did read the Sarah Ockler book a while ago and now I can't really remember what it was about. Dementia? Hmm...maybe.

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    1. I have not re-read a book since my daughter was small and began reading to me (you know kids) Ockler's book was about the dad with early Alzheimer's. It broke my heart.

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  13. I rarely cry when I'm reading books, just because it's easier for me to get really frustrated without expressing it through tears...I just stare into space and talk to myself when a book makes me sad. But, A List of Cages and The Book of Broken Hearts are definitely high on my list of books I need to get ahold of soon! Pretty sure they'll make me cry as well, just by reading the synopsis!

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    1. Hey, everyone deals with emotional pain in their own way. I hope you get a chance to read those two. They were very memorable for me.

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  14. I still need to read The Book of Broken Hearts by Sarah Ockler, I'll keep it in mind when I'm wanting an emotional heartfelt book ♥
    Jen @ Star-Crossed Book Blog

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    1. The book was nothing that I expected, but incredible nonetheless. I wish Ockler would write something new, because I really love her books.

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  15. It takes a lot for me to cry reading. I just finished Grown and that was a really powerful story.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. That was very painful at times for me, and I cried for all the things she lost.

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  16. Hey thanks for doing our challenge today! And yes A List of Cage is totally an ugly cry book! Taking note of all your aothers to add to my TBR LOL

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    1. Always fun to make a list of books that moved me to tears.

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  17. A book has never made me cry because I’m dead inside, but A List Of Cages is definitely the saddest book I’ve read in 2020.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. List of Cages was sad and painful, because of the violence against Julian. That's the same reason I cried reading Grown. Very tough topics.

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  18. I havent read any of these here, but I do love a ugly cry book. I definitely think we all need these in our life at one time or another.

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    1. I feel like I need to make a second list of adult books read in 2020 that moved me to tears, because there were quite a few. You would probably know more from that list.

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  19. Oh my goodness, I can see why these are (the good) ugly cry books!

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    1. Some were really gritty and painful, while some were mostly the happy tears type of books

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  20. I know you’re always good for a YA book which hits you right in the feels. You seem to always find these books which will leave you crying yet you’ll be happy about it too. I adore The Book of Broken Hearts because the book is so good. I love the characters and the romance but the story surrounding the dad just leaves me ugly crying. I think it hurt more as it reminded me of my Nan in some ways and how it felt to slowly lose her when she was still there. I keep wanting to reread but I just don’t know if I have enough tissues to be able to.

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    1. My heart ached reading Book of Broken Hearts. Those memory loss diseases are so cruel. Does your library have the audiobook? I always consider revisiting faves that way

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  21. I'm not a big crier when it comes to books, but I do love a good emotional read. I've only read A List of Cages from your list, so thank you for sharing all of these! <3

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  22. I'm not a fan of ugly cry books... I've become such a coward when it comes to anything I suspect could set me off. I wish I could blame the pandemic and wanting to avoid more pain but this happened long before covid and I can't put my finger on why... One day, I'm convinced I'll got on a binge of them though.

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    1. I always say I don't like them, but then I love them. I think it all depends on the ending, and if I was left with hope.

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