Wanna cry? These books will destroy you.

Summary

In this heartfelt video, the speaker shares a deeply emotional journey through books that have left them teary-eyed. They discuss a range of works, from poignant non-fiction such as *A Heart That Works* by Rob Delaney and *My Brother* by Jamaica Kincaid, to sentimental fiction like *Stoner* by John Williams and *A Man Called Ove*. Each book is connected by themes of loss, vulnerability, and the human experience, with the speaker reflecting on how these stories, whether based on real events or fiction, evoke profound emotional reactions. Through this personal recount, the speaker invites viewers to reflect on their own experiences with tear-jerking literature.

Takeaways

• 😀 The video begins with the creator briefly mentioning a sponsor, Parade, and their positive experience with the brand, emphasizing comfort, sustainability, and inclusivity.
• 😀 Parade's Replay fabric, made from recycled materials, is highlighted for its comfort, stretch, and the bodysuit's perfect fit.
• 😀 The creator promotes a special Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal with a 50% off discount using the code 'ANABF'.
• 😀 The main focus of the video shifts to books that have made the creator cry, particularly sentimental and tragic reads.
• 😀 The creator acknowledges their tendency to cry over sentimental moments, such as dog videos or reunions, and reflects on the emotional impact of books.
• 😀 'A Story of the Balkans' by Slavenka Drakulic is mentioned as a tough but powerful read about the human toll of the 1992 Bosnian War, focusing on women affected by the conflict.
• 😀 'My Brother' by Jamaica Kincaid is highlighted for its emotional portrayal of the author's brother's battle with AIDS and the complex family dynamics surrounding it.
• 😀 'A Heart That Works' by Rob Delaney is described as a gut-wrenching memoir about the loss of his child to illness, exploring grief with humor and raw emotion.
• 😀 The creator moves into sentimental fiction, mentioning 'Stoner' by John Williams, which evokes tears through its quiet, realistic portrayal of an ordinary man's life.
• 😀 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' is discussed as an emotional and optimistic novel about a young girl growing up in a tough environment, filled with hope despite adversity.
• 😀 'A Man Called Ove' is identified as a tear-jerking story about an elderly man who finds unexpected kindness from his neighbors, ultimately softening his worldview.
• 😀 The creator concludes with 'Plainsong' by Kent Haruf, emphasizing how the novel's portrayal of community and support for an abandoned pregnant girl deeply moved them, especially in audiobook form.

Q & A

What is the sponsor of the video and why does the speaker recommend their products?

The sponsor of the video is Parade, a woman-owned brand focused on sustainability and inclusivity. The speaker recommends Parade products because they are comfortable, stylish, and made from sustainable fabrics. The speaker has been wearing Parade items daily and highlights their soft, stretchy Replay fabric that feels like wearing nothing.

How does the speaker describe their emotional response to books?

The speaker identifies as a 'sap' who cries over sentimental things, not necessarily from pain, but from emotional triggers like dog videos or family reunions. They cry over both tragic and sentimental stories, finding emotional resonance in well-written books.

What is the main theme of *The Balkans: A History* by Slavenka Drakulić?

The main theme of *The Balkans: A History* is the impact of the 1992 Bosnian War, particularly the suffering of women in the war camps. The book highlights human vulnerability and the deep emotional effects of such traumatic events.

Why does *My Brother* by Jamaica Kincaid resonate deeply with the speaker?

The speaker finds *My Brother* by Jamaica Kincaid deeply emotional because of the author’s lyrical writing and the way it conveys love, guilt, and family struggles. The story about the author's brother’s death from AIDS speaks to themes of shame and the inability to express love, making it both relatable and heart-wrenching.

What is the emotional impact of *A Heart That Works* by Rob Delaney on the speaker?

The speaker describes *A Heart That Works* as profoundly sad, specifically focusing on the grief Rob Delaney experienced after the loss of his child. The book combines humor with tragedy, which makes the emotional experience both heart-wrenching and cathartic for the reader.

How does *Stoner* by John Williams make the speaker feel?

The speaker finds *Stoner* emotionally impactful despite its seemingly simple plot. The story about William Stoner’s quiet life and struggles builds empathy, and by the end, the speaker is deeply moved by the character’s unremarkable yet poignant existence.

What makes *A Tree Grows in Brooklyn* by Betty Smith such an emotional read for the speaker?

The speaker describes *A Tree Grows in Brooklyn* as emotionally moving due to its portrayal of hardship and resilience. The protagonist’s optimism and determination, even amidst the struggles of growing up in a tough environment, make it a book that causes both sadness and inspiration.

Why does the speaker mention *A Man Called Ove* by Fredrik Backman in their emotional book list?

The speaker includes *A Man Called Ove* because it’s a tearjerker that highlights the transformative power of kindness. The book’s story of an old man softening his rigid views due to the kindness of others is emotionally resonant, and it had a profound impact on the speaker.

What is the significance of *Plain Song* by Kent Haruf in the speaker's emotional experience?

The speaker describes *Plain Song* as an emotionally overwhelming experience, particularly because it follows a small town coming together to support a pregnant girl who is abandoned. The kindness shown by the townspeople, including old farmers, deeply moved the speaker, and they cried while listening to the audiobook.

What does the speaker say about the experience of reading tearjerker books in general?

The speaker believes that a good tearjerker book is one that taps into deep emotional responses, whether through sentimental stories or through tragedy. These books make readers feel something profound, allowing them to experience emotions they might not have fully processed otherwise.