After reading the title, you may be wondering why anyone would purposely read a sad book. After all, reading is supposed to be an enjoyable escape from reality, right? While that is often true, I also believe there is something powerful about deeply emotional books.

That is why I have compiled a list of the saddest books I read in 2024 for those who enjoy reading a sad story once in a while. Every book on this list was as sad as it was well-written, and they ultimately all left a profound impact on me. So, in order from saddest to least sad, here are the five most emotional books I read in 2024.

1) Monday's Not Coming - Tiffany D. Jackson

Page Count: 448 Pages

Genres: Thriller, Suspense, Young Adult

Monday's Not Coming is a story where you know something bad will happen from the first line: “This is the story of how my best friend disappeared.” But even though this story made me feel on edge the entire time, I could not put it down. The relatable dialogue, well-crafted characters, and general suspense and mystery made it a novel I couldn't stop reading until I flipped the last page.

The writing in Monday's Not Coming is what makes it so excellent. Throughout the book, I felt like I was right there alongside the protagonist Claudia, feeling her confusion, frustration, and fear as she unravels the mystery of her friend's disappearance. And just when I thought I figured it out, the story took another twist, leaving me uncertain until the end.

Speaking of the ending, what is finally revealed is absolutely heartbreaking and will surely stay with you long after you've read it. In fact, I found myself pausing for a minute to digest what happened.

Overall, Monday's Not Coming is a must-read as it's not only a well-crafted mystery, but it discusses much larger themes, such as racism, gentrification, the mistreatment of missing POC girls, and the struggles marginalized communities face.

“Who's really responsible for your well-being--your family, the government, or your community?”

Image Credit: Toa Heftiba From Unsplash

2) Cold Girls - Maxine Rae

Page Count: 352 Pages

Genres: Contemporary, Coming-of-age, Young Adult

TW: PTSD

Second only to Monday's Not Coming, Cold Girls by Maxine Rae is a heartbreaking story centered on grief and friendship. The story follows eighteen-year-old Rory Quinn-Morelli several months after a car accident that she survived, but that killed her best friend, Liv. When she later reconnects with Liv’s parents, Rory is forced to confront her buried emotions and secrets. She must decide whether to keep everything locked away or risk breaking open and uncovering the truth hidden within her grief.

One of my favorite things about this novel was the engaging dialogue. All too often, adult authors struggle to capture authentic teen dialogue, but Rae does an exceptional job! The characters feel real and their conversations flow naturally, capturing their wit, sarcasm, and vulnerability, which makes the emotional scenes so much more heartwrenching.

Ultimately, whether you are a fan of coming-of-age stories or simply love a well-told novel about grief, friendship, and resilience Cold Girls is the perfect book for you.

“To my sweet Roo, I'd give you the sky, but that wouldn't be enough.”

Image Credit: Brandi Redd From Unsplash

3) The Girls We Sent Away - Meagan Church

Page Count: 341 Pages

Genres: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Young Adult

Historical fiction is a genre I rarely ever read because I often find it difficult to connect with stories set in the past. However, every so often, a book comes along that changes my perspective entirely. The Girls We Sent Away by Meagan Church was one of those books.

Labeled by the Washington Post as a “compassionate novel about loss and broken dreams," The Girls We Sent Away is set in the 1960s in North Carolina. It follows Lorraine Delford, a seemingly perfect teen girl with dreams of going to space. However, her life takes a dramatic turn when she unexpectedly becomes pregnant and her parents send her to a harsh maternity home for "wayward girls." As Lorraine faces the home's dark secrets and stifling rules, she must decide whether to fight for her child or conform to societal norms.

This novel not only introduced me to a part of history I was completely unfamiliar with, but exposed me to the harsh realities many unmarried mothers faced during that time. As you follow Lorraine on her heartbreaking (and empowering) journey, you will delve into an engaging story while learning more about history.

“Strength isn’t in the loud and obvious. Strength is often camouflaged in the quiet, reserved places where most people wouldn’t think to look. It’s grown in the moments when we give up things along the way.”

Image Credit: Nitin Arya From Pexels

4) Not About a Boy - Myah Hollis

Page Count: 336 Pages

Genres: Drama, Romance, Young Adult

While not as emotionally devasting as some of the other books on this list, Not About a Boy by Myah Hollis is likely my favorite book of 2024. Full of multi-layered and complex teen characters, Hollis creates a vivid reality that will quickly absorb you. Even after reading it months ago, I still find myself consistently thinking about the plot and the hyper-realistic characters.

The story focuses on Amélie (Melie) Cœur, a 17-year-old girl in foster care, who tries to rebuild her life after a tragic past. Throughout the story, you follow her as she navigates friendships, relationships, and her complicated history. From the first few pages, I was instantly drawn into the world of Not About a Boy and grew to love the characters. That's why watching Melie confront her grief and come to terms with her depression before losing herself again is not just emotional, but deeply impactful.

If you need a complex and “gritty” young adult novel packed with complicated and mature teen characters then Not About a Boy by Myah Hollis is a must-read. (And if you need another reason to read it, the cover is absolutely gorgeous!)

"It’s funny how you’re a kid until the second you’re not. To adults, there’s nothing gradual about growing up."

Image Credit: Nong From Unsplash

5) This is Not a Dead Girl Story- Kate Sweeney

Page Count: 318 Pages

Genres: Thriller, Mystery, Young Adult

TW: Grooming

Kate Sweeney is one of my favorite authors, so I knew that her latest novel This is Not a Dead Girl Story would not disappoint. With fully-fledged teenage characters, realistic dialogue, and an engaging plot This is Not a Dead Girl Story is a thrilling and mysterious read.

The story follows awkward and introverted Jules Green who refuses to believe her magnetic and perfect cousin Remy is dead, despite everyone else in their small town of Black Falls insisting so. Driven by Remy’s voice in her head, Jules sets off to uncover the truth about what happened. As she digs deeper into the town’s secrets, Jules unearths hidden truths about her cousin’s double life and the people she thought she knew best.

This is Not a Dead Girl Story is dark, intense, and full of twists. However, as mysterious and eery as it is, it isn't too violent or scary to make you stop reading. In fact, This is Not a Dead Girl Story is simply a masterful blend of mystery and emotional depth.

Image Credit: Mirkostoedter From Pixabay

From historical fiction to romance to thriller, the books listed above encompass a wide variety of genres. However, they all have one thing in common: they are emotional reads that are guaranteed to immerse you and make you reflect long after you've turned the last page. So, whether you are looking for a gripping mystery or a heart-wrenching romance these books promise to leave a lasting impact. Happy reading!