The Fault in Our Stars by John Green is a New York Times bestseller of all time and has been in the top 10 books for the past decade. This novel also had a movie adaptation come out in 2014 which became a massive hit. The story was not an ordinary one and went beyond just a story revolving around terminal illness, the whole story is just beautifully written and is over all very engrossing. It was more about those two teens who despite the odds tried their best and tried to figure out the world together. The hype around this is totally worth it and it is a very enthralling read.
The author’s words in the novel “What’s the point of being alive if you don’t do something remarkable?” came to life after his work on this book became one of the most well-known works he has ever done. These well-known hand picked classics are sure to make you go an emotional outburst. They’re realistic, funny and heart-breaking!
Looking for Alaska
Another classic by John Green which became a hit as well was Looking for Alaska. Looking for Alaska undergoes themes like friendship, love, and loss and it also has a live-action TV show on it. The story involves Alaska Young and Miles Halter who narrates a story later known as Pudge as the novel continues.
The book is divided into two parts, before and after. The before part talks about the groups’ adventures and explorations that involve pranks and philosophical discussions, the after part is when the tragedy occurs with Pudge finding closure and the group coming to terms with the incident and trying to unravel and understand the complexities of Alaska’s actions.
Five Feet Apart
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott is a gut-wrenching story very similar to The Fault in Our Stars. It also has a movie made on it back in March 2019. The main characters Stella and Will both are suffering from a medical condition, cystic fibrosis.
They are going through issues related to their chronic illness and finding hope and love amidst all this suffering. This story narrates how they find love make sacrifices and try to keep physical distance as their condition requires. This is a tear-jerker with a lot of heartfelt moments and the dilemma between hearts and health demands.
If I Stay
If I Stay by Gayle Forman is also another classic that had a film based on it. The story talks about the main character Mia and her life’s situation and her hanging between life and death conditions as she falls into a coma after a road accident.
This story is all about her reflection on her human connections, her family, and her choices. This book also continues with a sequel “Where She Went” which is just as good as the former classic.
Paper Towns
This is yet another classic by John Green, who has written some really big hits already. Paper Towns also has an adaptation done on it. The story follows Margo, Quentin Jacobsen’s childhood best friend who reappears in his life before graduating.
Quentin who has liked Margo for a long time while she left him for years for a cooler crowd, asks Quentin to go out with her all night and disappears right after. This story is about him looking for Margo as he wants to figure out if she has run away or committed suicide.
Eleanor & Park
Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell is a New York Times bestseller. This novel tells the story of Eleanor and Park, two high school students who fall in love with each other overcoming their differences. It is a heartfelt story where they find love in an unexpected place against the odds.
The book talks about Eleanor’s struggles at home and how Park tries to lessen her burdens by being there for her. The story has a very realistic ending where Eleanor escapes from her home, and her old life, and emerges as a survivor.
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky also has a live-action made on it. The story follows a fifteen-year-old Charlie who in his freshman year faces difficulties and struggles with relationships, sexuality, and experimentation with substance abuse.
The novel also portrays his feelings of being perplexed after his best friend’s suicide, his childhood trauma up until now and how he was able to seek help and understand the complexities of his own character.
A Walk to Remember
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Spark is one of the most popular classics. A live-action of this exists as well. Landon and Jamie fall in love and they are changed forever. He is a rebellious teen while she is the minister’s daughter who helps him change and become a better person.
His character development is the main factor of the story and he gets told a secret by Jamie that changes his life forever. This tale is about making each moment count and the love that goes beyond health struggles and fate.
All the Bright Places
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven is a bestseller and a very memorable classic from our teens and a very one at that. It also has a Netflix adaptation. This story is about Violet, a girl with complicated grief that wants to die and Finch, a boy with suicidal tendencies and they meet.
This story is an absolute emotional wreck and has realistic undertones. This book is all about how mentally ill teenagers can be trying to cope with trauma and grief and even finding love amidst of it but forgetting that there is a “light at the end of the tunnel”.
Me Before You
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes follows Louisa Clark and Will Traynor’s story. It is a heart wrenching story and an absolute tear-jerker. It even has a movie made on the book back in 2016. It talks about living with disability and making your own choices and deciding your fate.
Louisa comes across Will after losing her job and becomes his care giver and Will is paralyzed chest-down due to a very bad accident and she helps him uplift his spirits and they fall in love in the process without Will knowing the deal struck between Louisa and his mother. This is a tragic tale and might be disturbing for a few people as it explores the complexities of illness, emotional depth, character development and accepting a helpless fate.
Everything, Everything
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon has also been made into a movie back in 2017. It is also one of those classic sick kid in love book and a tear-jerker. This book follows the story of Madeline, who is a severely immune-compromised system which means her only interaction is with her nurse and mother.
She never leaves the house, she ends up becoming infatuated with the boy next door, Olly. This story is about teens being teens and always wanting more. They end up uncovering the truth about Madeline’s mother and Olly’s family and finally escape the unhealthy environment and get together despite loads of ups and downs in their lives.
