Top Ten Books that Broke My Heart a Little

Tuesday, February 14, 2012


I have a confession -- since high school, most of my Valentine's days have been good. Even when I didn't have a boyfriend to spend it with, I would usually find some friends to go out to dinner with and get in a good chick flick afterward. So I've never really bought into the Valentine's day hate -- I like love, so why not celebrate it, if not with a lovER, than with another person you love, like a friend or a sister? But anyway -- despite the fact that I like Valentine's Day (because not only do we celebrate love -- we get candy, too), I think this is a fun and creative prompt for Valentine's day. Anyway, on to the list. {Thanks, Broke and Bookish, for hosting}

1. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak -- I can't possibly tell you all of the reasons without spoiling, but think about it -- Nazi Germany, narrated by Death.

2. Bel Canto by Ann Patchett -- It took me a while to become invested in this book, but by the end I was so miserably intertwined with the characters that it killed me to see everything come crashing down around them.

3. The Amber Spyglass by Phillip Pullman -- I think this book completely shaped my ideas of romance. When I was in the 9th grade and got my first ever rose (on Valentine's day, as it so happened), I remember putting petals on all of the pages of this book that I loved. (Yup, I was a cheeseball. Nothing much has changed).

4. Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly -- This book is raw and emotional and moving. Read it now.

5. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta -- This book was so unique and emotionally charged.

6. Delirium by Lauren Oliver -- I really wish everyone out in the blogosphere had read this book so I could rant about the ending in all capital letters. I just couldn't believe it! Fortunately, Pandemonium comes out soon, so hopefully I can have some closure (although from what I hear, slim chance of that).

7. The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton -- I don't think any book has ever socked me in the gut as hard as this one.

8. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton -- And while we're on the subject of Ms. Wharton... While The House of Mirth didn't have the same emotional punch as The Age of Innocence for me, it was also just achingly sad, and yet beautiful.

9. Kartography by Kamila Shamsie -- You guys. Kartography. I know that I have been pushing this book constantly on this blog, and that no one has ever heard of it or read it unless you know me personally and I shoved it down your throat. But seriously, this book covers the full range of human love -- romantic, friendship, love for parents, everything. And it doesn't gloss anything over as far as the pain that loved ones can inflict goes.

10. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens -- I know, right? Who would have thought I would ever put this book, my arch-nemesis of books, on such a list? But it is true.

28 comments:

  1. The Amber Spyglass made my list too. The ending was just so bittersweet.

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    1. I know -- it was so perfect but I wished that it oculd have been another way.

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  2. I'm a pretty big fan of Valentine's, too, even though most of my V day's were spent without a boyfriend/husband.
    Nice list! I have Jellicoe Road & Delirium on mine as well. And now I feel like I must read The Amber Spyglass since book club converted me to Phillip Pullman.

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    1. Yay! I'm glad you were converted! He definitely has some off ideas but his story-telling is amazing.

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  3. Yes, yes, yes to Delirium - oh my gosh - the ending!

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    1. I know! I've heard Pandemonium doesn't relieve any of the tension, either!

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  4. The House of Mirth was a heartbreaking story! I saw the movie first and thought it was so stupid...then I read the book and it was much better.

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    1. Oh is the movie dumb? I heard about it when it came out and I never saw it, maybe it is a good one to skip.

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  5. I think I really should read A Tale of Two Cities! Great list :) Thanks for sharing :) :)

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    1. It is a tough book to read (it was for me, at least) but once I finished it, I felt it was worth it!

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  6. LOVED Revolution! I agree...READ IT NOW if you haven't! Edith Wharton's books are also a MUST for anyone! Here's our Top 10

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  7. Great list! I actually first had Revolution on my list but took it off to make room for Old Yeller. Didn't occur to me to list Jellicoe Road, but you're so right on that.

    I never read Kartography, but Kamila Shamsie is a good friend to the bookstore where I work, so I should totally get on that one of these days.

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    1. Oh man, I can't even read Old Yeller. Too sad.

      You have a connection to Kamila Shamsie!?!? I am so jealous. She is my hero. You really should read it, it's gorgeous!

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  8. So many good choices! I'm with you on Delirium - that ending totally deserves a rant in all capital letters or lots of shocked exclamation points.

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    1. Haha you put it better than I can! Love what you say about Delirium :)

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  9. A Tale of Two Cities is one of my favorite stories... it broke my heart too.

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    1. It was so hard for me to get into, but now I think it is one I will read over and over again.

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  10. The only one I've read on your list is House of Mirth. I really liked it, but kind of think I blocked out the ending a little.

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    1. I really wish it had ended in a different way -- it was so tragic.

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  11. I started The Age of Innocence a few weeks back but then got slowed down by an overwhelming amount of poetry. I need to get back into it, especially with your phenomenal review.

    And I am so right there with you on Kartography. Just suggested it to a friend of mine. Beautiful, heartbreaking book.

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    1. "Overwhelming amount of poetry" -- sounds fun though! Was it for school?

      Thanks for spreading the Kartography love!

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    2. Yes, mostly for school. I'm taking a poetry class focusing on Elizabeth Bishop and Robert Lowell (love, love Bishop) and then for my book design class I'm designing a poetry book. Plus I've been reading a bit of Auden and Kay Ryan in my spare time. Way more poetry than I've ever read before, but it's been good.

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    3. I will have to look into Bishop! I like poetry but because I haven't taken very many English classes I don't usually know where to start.

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  12. I'm with you on The Book Thief! The rest of the books are great, too, I haven't read all of them though.

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    1. I haven't either, just I Am the Messenger. I need to get my hands on the rest of his books!

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  13. Awww, Philip Pullman. <3 No further comment necessary.

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