Books That'll Make You Cry Like a Baby

This book was one of the most touching love stories I have ever read. You're swallowed, tossed around through time, and continually mindful of the impossibility and paradox of their love, but you hope for the best. Make sure you have a big box of tissues for this one, it will leave you in both smiles and tears.

Such a beautiful but disturbing novel; the impact of this amazing book stayed with me long after I'd turned the last page.

Set in Afghanistan and America, this is the story of the intertwined lives of Hassan and Amir, from their close childhood friendship to adulthood, with some powerful twists and turns along the way.

Heart-wrenching, harrowing, poignant and moving — this is one of my top-ten all-time favourite books.

Read this book, if for no other reason than to experience life through a young girl's eyes again, however difficult that life may be. The point of view is Ellen's, written first person. The style is Ellen's, too; written as she thinks and speaks instead of the typical cleaned-up narration for reading. This is particularly fascinating in this story of a girl who never gives up hope, is flexible enough to adjust to her circumstances, and knows what she wants. The tone is not maudlin, even through hardship, and her observations about life are poignant and appropriate for her time. This is really a story of resilience. A quick read, with flashbacks and other time-bending devices galore.

When the county mistakenly takes possession of Kathy's house, a series of events are launched that change lives forever. As Kathy fights back, the house is sold and soon she's no longer about to distinguish who the actual enemy is — the county, the new owner, or her own demons.

The even cadence of Dubus' prose keeps the plot moving as paths cross and stories intertwine in a story that is compelling and haunting.

While the main story is a sad one, the mystery, angst and unique point-of-view storytelling are what make this book the success that it is. It's a one-of-a-kind novel that everyone should read.

For many years, when asked, I would say that "...Garp" was my favorite book. Why? The storytelling. The characters and character development. The use of words. Maybe I just love John Irving.

One memory from the book still comes into conversation many years after I read the book, especially when I go to the beach with my kids: "The Under Toad"

From "...Garp":

"It was Walt's fourth summer at Dog's Head Harbor, Duncan remembered, when Garp and Helen and Duncan observed Walt watching the sea. He stood ankle-deep in the foam from the surf and peered into the waves, without taking a step, for the longest time. The family went down to the water's edge to have a word with him.

"What are you doing, Walt?" Helen asked.

"I'm trying to see the Under Toad." Walt said

"The what?" said Garp.

"The Under Toad," Walt said. "I'm trying to see it. How big is it?"

And Garp and Helen and Duncan held their breath; they realized that all these years Walt had been dreading a giant toad, lurking offshore, waiting to suck him under and drag him out to sea. The terrible Under Toad."

This is a wonderful story of quiet bravery in the face of bitter hatred. A subplot about the hero's young daughter and a friend provides a wonderful counterpoint to the main story.

Steinbeck was not America's great writer, but he was a uniquely American writer. Disenchanted, but not disaffected, he was never far in his heart from the people about whom he wrote. He was at his best, I think, when he wrote of the central coast of California and of the common man, as he does here. Of Mice and Men is small story, but a powerful and heartbreaking one.

You may have seen this book on book report lists when you were a teen and think it must therefore be some musty classic that won't speak to you. Or you may think you've outgrown it. But don't think either of those things. This book about the life of a man named Marty who goes from being mentally challenged to a tormented genius (after he undergoes the same experimental treatment as the titular Algernon, a mouse) is full of life and sorrow. If you aren't at least tearing up by the last page, nothing will break you.

Regardless of whether or not it's on Oprah's book club list (and if that's your benchmark, stop reading) this book is an interesting look into the world of a deaf mute man,who on the surface seems to be unassuming and kind. As the story progresses you learn much more about him and his relationship with the young woman he 'befriends'. It was made into a film w/Alan Arkin playing the lead and Sondra Locke as the female protagonist. Read the book, rent the film.