Do you love books that evoke strong emotions? When I feel strong emotions and make significant connections with a book, it’s usually a 5 Star read for me.

Books That Evoke Strong Emotions

(In no particular order)

Well…no two persons read the same book, so one that evokes strong emotions for me might not evoke stroke emotions for you.

I’m focusing on positive emotions in this post. Yes, books can evoke negative emotions but I usually DNF them.

I’m not talking about tear-jerker reads. You know, the books where authors make you “ugly cry.” I’m avoiding a couple of authors these days who write unrelentingly sad stories with trauma after trauma and seem manipulative to make me cry.

I’m listing books in this post that are huggable, cause me book hangovers, evoke authentic emotions, and enable me to make heartfelt connections.

I’m linking up today with That Artsy Reader Girl for Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Had Strong Emotions About. You’ll find bonus content today because I couldn’t stop at ten.

***This post may contain Amazon affiliate links

Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell

EMOTION: Grief
Hamnet is an emotional book from start to finish because we know that it is the story of Shakespeare’s son who dies in childhood. This well-written story explores a mother’s grief.

James by Everett Percival

EMOTION: Heartbreaking
James is a re-imagining of Huckleberry Finn from enslaved Jim’s point of view. Powerfully told…heartfelt, tragic, and emotional. I created a free book club kit for James here.

The Last Lifeboat by Hazel Gaynor

EMOTION: Worry
The Last Lifeboat is inspired by the sinking of the SS Benares, which evacuated children and chaperones from London during WWII.

Go as a River by Shelley Read

EMOTION: Sacrifice
Go as a River is a heartfelt and, at times, emotional coming-of-age story set in Colorado. I created a free book club kit for Go as a River here.

The Winners by Fredrik Backman

EMOTION: Loss
The Winners is the dramatic and emotional conclusion to the Beartown trilogy.

A Place For Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza

EMOTION: Heartache/Remorse
A Place For Us is a poignant and heartfelt family drama with thought-provoking themes told from multiple points of view. I will never forget the emotional last section between father and prodigal son. I desperately need a sequel! “Of all my mistakes the greatest, the most dangerous, was not emphasizing the mercy of God.”  ~Rafiq

Small Things Like These by Claire Keegan

EMOTION: Compassion
Small Things Like These is a heartfelt and poignant short story/novella that features themes of protecting/saving the innocent and found family. My favorite of Keegan’s work.

The River by Peter Heller

EMOTION: Fear
The River is a memorable story of male friendship and wilderness survival.

And Every Morning the Way Home Gets Longer and Longer by Fredrik Backman

EMOTION: Bittersweet
Every Morning is a tender short story of Alzheimer’s and family relationships.

Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail Honeyman

EMOTION: Shock
The big reveal near the story’s end is a jaw dropping gut-punch and changes the interpretation of the entire story.

****Yes…I have more than ten titles….keep scrolling!****

We Were the Lucky Ones by Georgia Hunter

EMOTION: Heartwarming
Lucky Ones is a WWII story of family, faith, and music has one of the most memorable (emotional and satisfying) conclusions!

Room by Emma Donoghue

EMOTION: Heroic Sacrifice
What a compelling and memorable story! (I read this before I started blogging so no blog review available.)

Still Alice by Lisa Genova

EMOTION: Empathy
It’s been years, but I vividly remember this heartfelt story of a woman living with early onset Alzheimer’s. (I read this before I started blogging so no blog review available.)

A Place to Hang the Moon by Kate Albus

EMOTION: Unconditional Love
A Place to Hang the Moon is a middle-grade WWII (home front) story that includes one of my favorite themes, found family. For readers who loved The War That Saved My Life (#1 and #2).

Paper Hearts by Meg Wiviott

EMOTION: Inspiration
Since I included one MG title (above), I need to also include one YA title. Paper Hearts is an inspiring and memorable story of friendship during the most difficult times and circumstances of WWII. Written in free verse.

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QOTD:

 I could list more, but I’ll stop with these. What book(s) tops your list of books that evoked strong emotions?

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Happy Reading Bookworms!

“Ah, how good it is to be among people who are reading.”
~Rainer Maria Rilke

“I love the world of words, where life and literature connect.”
~Denise J Hughes

“Reading good books ruins you for enjoying bad ones.”
~Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

“I read because books are a form of transportation, of teaching, and of connection!
Books take us to places we’ve never been, they teach us about our world, and they help us to understand human experience.”
~Madeleine Riley, Top Shelf Text

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All books I review are purchased or borrowed from the library unless explicitly stated that the book is free (arc).

Amazon or an author’s (or publisher’s) website receives all credit for book covers and author photos.

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