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    31 Of The Most Heartwarming Books You'll Ever Read

    ❤️ ❤️ ❤️

    We recently asked subscribers of the BuzzFeed Books newsletter to tell us about the most heartwarming titles they’d ever read. Now, grab some tissues — because these books are definitely going to make you feel things.

    1. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

    Me Before You is so heartwarming yet heartbreaking. It is a moving story about a young woman who finds herself employed as a caretaker for a quadriplegic man. Her job isn't caring for him so much as it is to just make him happy. When the road to happiness looks hopeless, she dedicates herself even harder. Their path comes with many struggles and hardships, but also love and laughter. It will make you feel happy, sad, scared, furious, like crying, and also like laughing. It is a very well-written tale, one of my favorites. I cried for like 6 hours😭 but it was worth it😊

    —Zoe Potter

    2. An Abundance of Katherines by John Green

    The humor throughout this book is so uplifting. The way Colin tries to move on from all the Katherines he’s dated by utilizing math and theories is downright brilliant. He takes so much sadness and uncertainty and turns it into laughs and hope. This is well worth the read — just like any of John Green’s books.

    —Mirna Deif

    3. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

    In A Man Called Ove, the reader has the pleasure watching Ove's grumpy exterior — further hardened after the death of his beloved wife — crumble as he reluctantly becomes more involved with his neighbors and community. Be prepared to have all the feelings while reading this book.

    —Kerry W.

    This book made me smile from ear to ear; it also made me cry, but happy tears! It was so beautiful!

    —Karla Navarro

    4. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

    I know this book may seem like it's been referenced in too many places. However, it's truly mesmerizing and never fails to leave you with a glimpse of hope and that warm, fuzzy feeling inside. It's a reminder of how amazing children really are.

    —Neringa Mikutyte

    5. Tuesdays With Morrie by Mitch Albom

    This is the true story of a man who reconnects with his former philosophy professor Morrow Schwartz who is dying of ALS. They meet in weekly sessions every Tuesday to discuss a variety of topics, including death, forgiveness, happiness, etc. Morrie shares his insight on these topics based on his life experiences and views. This book completely changed my views on life, and it continues to inspire me every time I read it.

    —Kathi N.

    6. The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

    Told from a dog's point of view as he stands by his owner through life's highs and lows, The Art of Racing in the Rain is funny, heartbreaking, beautifully written — and the end made me ugly-cry in the best way.

    —Monica

    7. News of the World by Paulette Jiles

    I was in raptures over the two main characters, a retired war hero and a Kiowa-raised white girl. The bond they forge is such a delight of family love. All of my friends are thanking me for this recommendation!

    —Eileen Granfors

    8. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

    This is a coming-of-age story for every introvert who struggles to go outside their comfort zone. It always moves me to tears because Cath's relationship with her love interest is so much like mine — she falls for him and it turns out to be a mistake! The ending makes your heart squeeze with tears and joy.

    —Ally

    9. And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

    And the Mountains Echoed is such an amazing and heartwarming read. It's about a pair of siblings that fate cruelly separates and then finally reunites. A must-read for its simple yet gripping narration and amiable characters.

    —Juhi D.

    10. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

    I've read so many books that I would consider heartwarming, but the one that comes to mind is The Time Traveler's Wife. Perhaps a controversial choice, but it's been almost 10 years since I first read it and I still go back to it time and time again. Despite its fantasy genre, I found the characters to be totally human and relatable, and the love between Claire and Henry so beautiful despite all the complications. It's a clever, modern twist on a classic love story, with an ending that, though it had me in tears, gave me a new perspective on what true love really means.

    —Constance

    11. The Last Days of Rabbit Hayes by Anna McPartlin

    Mia "Rabbit" Hayes has learned that her life is coming to an end earlier than expected. And she's out to make the most of her last days... I feel like not many people have read this amazing book but it's *definitely* worth it.

    —Elena Hellne

    12. Lily and the Octopus by Steven Rowley

    This is a must-read for anyone who has ever loved a dog. It's a deeply touching story filled with so much charm and wit.

    —Nicole V.

    13. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

    This is a sweet little book about a fictional island off the coast of Georgia founded on the principles of grammar. But when a totalitarian island council starts banning letters one by one, everything changes. Told in the form of letters to and from a young girl named Ella Minnow Pea, this is a funny and heartwarming favorite.

    —Maegan

    14. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins

    Anna is shipped off to boarding school in Paris where she meets the super-charming Etienne, and that's when things get interesting. I was a squealing, giggly, mush-fest all the while through reading this book. Stephanie Perkins knows just how to turn a seemingly ordinary love story into an unputdownable read.

    —Bidisha D.

    I remember reading this over the summer on the beach and falling in love with the characters and the story. I felt like I was in France with Anna and Etienne every time I opened the book. It’s a great feel-good book that I would 100% recommend!

    —Maeve

    15. Lamb by Christopher Moore

    One book that always gets me in a good mood is Christopher Moore's Lamb. It follows Biff, a less-than-saintly childhood pal of Jesus' who was written out of the Gospels due to his crassness. His account of Jesus' formative years is not only hilarious, but can be enjoyed regardless of your faith.

    —Cameron Clark

    16. Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

    This is my all-time favorite "feel-good" read. The main character, Odd, engages the reader from the very first sentence. He is lovable, weird, scary, and someone that I (at least) would like to make a part of my "tribe." As wild as the storyline is — ghosts, serial killers, shape-shifting demons — Odd and his eccentric companions inevitably draw you in close. The ending is unexpected and tissue-worthy — I wanted to embrace Odd again and again. I was so sad when this series ended.

    —Susan Drissi

    17. I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson

    Jude and her brother Noah are twins, utterly inseparable — until the day everything changes. When their story splits, we learn of one falling in love, the other going to art school, and then of their narratives inevitably intertwining back together once more. It's amazing how the past, present, and future pieces of their narratives so poetically collide. Tissues and highlighters are essential when reading — for the tears and so many great quotes. This is one of the greatest books I've read this year.

    —Velicya

    18. Wonder by R.J. Palacio

    Wonder revolves around a single element: being different. August was born with a facial difference that changes how the world sees him, and his story is an utterly transportive triumph. From the ingeniously crafted characters to the rollercoaster of events, Wonder makes you feel every possible emotion and really think about the world around you. What would it be like to be August? How would you cope? And what would it take to find — and truly be — yourself against all odds? This book is a true wonder in its own right.

    —Sam Broadhead

    The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows

    This book is a surprisingly heartwarming story about how the love of reading brings an unlikely group of friends together — sustaining them through WWII and its aftermath on an occupied island in the English Channel. The book is composed entirely of letters and notes between characters, which gives such a unique voice and depth of life to each character. I always know I can return to these quirky and lovable people on Guernsey Island when I need a literary pick-me-up!

    —Abbey Thomas

    There's something here for everyone to enjoy: romance, friendship, war, the magic of reading, etc. I cry every time I read it from sheer happiness.

    —Ansley K

    19. A Mango-Shaped Space by Wendy Mass

    A Mango-Shaped Space is about a 13-year-old girl with synesthesia (she can see, taste, and hear colors) and her journey in getting a diagnosis and accepting herself and all her differences. It's sort of a coming-of-age story, too.

    As someone with multiple chronic illnesses who has gone through the same process at the same age, this really was an incredible reading experience. One of my favorite quotes is "We all do the best we can, trying to keep all the balls in the air at once." I recommend it to everyone.

    —Katie K.

    20. Milk and Honey by Rupi Kaur

    This is by far the most heartwarming book I've ever read. It's a collection of poetry and not an entirely happy read: There's a lot of pain — but the emotion is just so raw and beautiful.

    —Ashley Boren

    21. Emma by Jane Austen

    Emma is definitively one of my favorites. It's charming, heartwarming, easy to read, and so funny. My best friend and I are always fangirling about the characters, so in a way they became a part of the family.

    —Mila

    22. Orphan #8 by Kim van Alkemade

    Orphan #8 is historical fiction about the experiments done on children in group homes. One woman who suffers horrible side effects from the experiments she endured as a child goes on to become a nurse on the terminal geriatric ward in a hospital. There, she comes in contact with the doctor who experimented on her — and is now dying. How will she care for a man responsible for her own suffering? Will she reconcile her feelings from the past to show him the compassion she was denied?

    —Roni Marie

    23. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

    This is one of the best books I have ever read. I had to take my time with it because it became such a dear friend. It's hard to imagine a book about an orphan growing up in a graveyard as a feel-good read — but it really is. Reading it feels like coming home.

    —Lisa Nena

    24. Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden

    Absolutely moving, the struggles Sayuri faces are painted so beautifully by Arthur Golden's masterful craft that you totally empathize with her as she grows and triumphs in a world designed to see her fail. The ultimate conclusion of the novel fills me with such warmth — it's both entirely unexpected and wholeheartedly appreciated.

    —Michael Spendelow

    25. The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain

    This is a French romance novella, and basically a love letter to book lovers. There's mystery, romance, and some of the most beautifully crafted sentences and paragraphs I have ever read. The ending is so sweet, even though you wonder how you ever got there so soon.

    —Faith Ross

    26. Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury

    Warm and fuzzy the whole way through, Dandelion Wine is by far the best story to make you feel good. Though I'm not the correct age to directly relate to the young adult story, I still felt the warm summer days and the wonder of it all.

    —Stephanie Dean

    27. Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys

    Between Shades of Gray takes place in 1939, following the Lithuanian people who were ripped from their homes by invading Russians. The characters have such a passion and deep care for one another through the indescribable hardships they must face. I cry every single time I read this story — from the plot to the characters to the love behind it all. I've never read a better book.

    —Danielle Shaffery

    28. I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

    Zusak is best known The Book Thief, so I chose this book because I wanted another read that would bring me incredible feels. But, to my surprise, this is the opposite of The Book Thief. It's uplifting and, simply put, amazing. It made me realize the importance of helping others, of paying it forward and of leaving a positive message in the world. It's my go-to recommendation for anyone who feels down and wants to restore their faith in humanity again.

    —Michelle R.

    29. Shibumi by Trevanian

    Shibumi is the story of a self-made man: how, despite severe hardships in his own life, Nicholai Hel became a champion of the downtrodden — and a world-renowned assassin, too. I have often said, "Life doesn't come with a manual," but this is truly as close as you can get. Everyone should have a copy. I read it the first time, turned back to page one, and reread it once more. Amazing message.

    —Maggie C.

    30. The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

    My mother gave me two books before she died and I never got to share them with her or thank her properly. They were Harry Potter and the Sorceror's Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

    After I got divorced, my life was rather "upheavaled" and I needed a book, or books, that would be a source of comfort during this difficult time. I read and reread both of my copies and 15 years later I still have them.

    I will never part with these books, as worn and cried-over as they are, because they mean the world to me. I love them for their wonder, because they are about quirkiness in a harsh world and finding love in extended families, and because they were my last presents from my mother.

    —Suzy Marcus Smith

    Note: Entries have been edited for clarity and length.