Epic Reading Challenge: July

Welcome back to the Epic Reads Challenge 2024, where each month some of the TBG members choose a book that fits a specific prompt. Provided by Epic Reads, these prompts inspire new and unique book choices among readers. We encourage the community to join in this challenge with us and participate each month!

The prompt for July was… a book known for making people cry.

Most readers pick up a novel because reading brings them happiness, or maybe the reader wishes to escape reality by diving into the world of a character. But sometimes, books can bring upon an entirely different emotion: sadness. Whether you pick up a book knowing it will make you cry, or whether it catches you by surprise, there are hundreds of tear-jerker novels out there. Here are a few YA examples that members of the guild have read this month:

Grace: They Both Die At the End by Adam Silvera

In an alternate universe, where people who are about to die are sent a message that same day, Mateo and Rufus receive messages just after midnight. Told in multi-POV, this queer, coming-of age novel follows both of these teens on their last day to live and the adventures that they have together.

I really enjoyed this book, despite it having mixed reviews. I especially appreciated the multiple POV format of the novel, because it kept the novel from dragging on, since the events only took place over one day. And even though the events of the ending are known from the first page, the specific circumstances remain unknown, contributing to the tearshed at the conclusion of the story. This is a novel that will certainly make you cry.

Holly: The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris

The Cost of Knowing follows the point of view of Alex Rufus, the future-seeing, older brother of Isaiah Rufus. Upon seeing the vision of Isaiah’s grave, Alex tries to give Isaiah the best days of his life before his passing. This book definitely qualifies as a tearjerker. The suspense leading up the end involves many twists and turns. I would recommend reading this book with a box of tissues. Overall, I really liked this book. The concept is very interesting and unlike anything I have read before.

Brooke: Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Salt to the Sea is about the life of refugees in 1945 escaping from war. The story is exciting with many plot twists but also brought tears to my eyes at certain parts.

Phoebe: Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughty and Tobias Iaconis

Another notable tear-jerker novel is Five Feet Apart co-written by Rachael Lippincott, Mikki Daughtry, and Tobias Iaconis, entailing a romance between two teenagers suffering from cystic fibrosis (CF). Forced to be distanced 6 feet apart for their safety, they were cursed never to touch. A light-hearted romance story that brings up health struggles in teens as they navigate through their lives. There is also an element of the opposites attract troupe, mixed with enemies to lovers. Despite being fairly fast-paced, this book was still able to invoke strong emotions. Be warned, it may seem light-hearted at first but it will make you ball your eyes out!

Helena: The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green features a lung and thyroid cancer patient, Hazel, and Augustus, who had osteosarcoma, and as a result, his leg was amputated. They first meet at a cancer support group meeting, where Augustus was with their mutual friend, Isaac. Augustus asks Hazel to hang out, and she agrees. Their relationship blossoms throughout the book, even through the ups and downs of their difficult lives. 

I believe that this book is an essential read. It explores relationships, reliability, and coping with doom. Because of the message, it is one of my favorite books I've ever read. It’s also beautiful and completely heart-wrenching. It’s grim, meaningful, and relatively realistic throughout the novel, which is not always in the YA world. The end is very, very sad, but a fitting finale for the story.

Top Ten Tuesday: Books with My Favorite Color on the Cover

By Marley 

My favorite hue is blue and it is colorfully displayed in the novels listed below:

 

1. A book cover that includes my favorite color goes to We Were Liars. The cover dons a beautiful light blue sky and matching seascape. This book is the perfect summer thriller that will make you hold your breath after every page. It's a perfect read for a beach day!

2. All the Bright Places is one of my go to reads! The cover leaves a lot to the imagination and is sure to take you on an emotional ride. Have tissues near because this one is a real tear jerker. 

3. You’d Be Home Now will pull on your heartstrings. It addresses addiction and mental struggles among young adults. This book is as tumultuous as the Florida weather. 

4. Live Your Best Lie takes you on a rollercoaster of emotions. It addresses the physiological damage that social media can cause.

5. Where Things Come Back does a great job of making you feel like you're part of this small town setting. You can’t help but to get caught up in the character's growth and development.   

6. Unwind is the epitome of a dystopian novel! I'm typically not a fan of book series, but I truly couldn’t get enough of the world Neal Shusterman created.

7. Whether your team Jeremiah or team Conrad The Summer I Turned Pretty is the book of the summer! It's your classic love triangle that makes you feel like you're in a rom-com.

8. They Both Die At The End is an eye-opening read. It really makes you think about how you would spend your last moments and how we live through experiences. 

9. I Am Not Your Perfect Mexican Daughter handles the struggle of grief and finding yourself within your culture. With a colorful array of personalities and the right amount of drama, this novel is hard to put down.

10. Last but definitely not least is Five Feet Apart. This book has my favorite cover of ALL TIME and the romance to match! A couple devastated by illness finds love in a dark place.