Books
7 Quick Reads When You Just Need Some Alone Time
Feelings can be so overwhelming! And do any two things go together more than books and feelings? I'll admit, most books make me cry. That's part of what I love about them — books give my emotions a place to settle and allow me to feel like I'm connected to something.
Sometimes, when you're feeling all the feels, all you hide in your room alone and read a book cover-to-cover. If you're having an emotional day, here are seven books that you can easily read in an afternoon. Each one will go hand-in-hand with your feelings. Some of these books are heart-breakers that will give your emotions an outlet and finally give you that cry you've been needing. Some of them will wrap you up so much in their stories that you'll feel your heart thumping a new rhythm. And some of these books will open your eyes to experiences that will help you sort out the complicated feelings you're feeling.
Feelings are weird, and that's okay! Sometimes the best thing to do is to embrace your emotional mood. Grab your tissue box and your favorite comfort food, and dive in to these seven excellent reads.
1'Brooklyn, Burning' by Steve Brezenoff
Your heart will swell at this gorgeous love story about two teenage run-aways who find each other through music. (What makes this book especially unique is that Brezenoff hasn't assigned gender to either protagonist.)
2'Bear' by Marian Engel
This short book is so beautiful and strange, you're going to be captivated from the first page. The story of a lonely woman who, while working on a project in a remote library, forms a relationship with a bear.
3'So Sad Today' by Melissa Broder
This gut-wrenching entire essay collection deals with everything from depression to sexting to fetishes. Broder's voice is funny and wry. She'll make you feel like she understands all your darkest feelings and thoughts.
4'Life is Wonderful, People are Terrific' by Meliza Bañales
Set in Santa Cruz, California in the '90s, this is the story of Missy Fuego, an 18-year-old punk Xicana who leaves home to attend a hippie university. In her new home, she moonlights as a stripper, explores her queer identity, and learns some hard truths about herself along the way.
5'The Ocean at the End of the Lane' by Neil Gaiman
Sometimes, when you're feeling emotional, all you want is a beautiful, imaginative read that will sweep you away and transport you to a different place. In this lovely, dark fairytale, a man returns to his childhood home and finds himself wrapped up in the mysterious farm down the road.
6'Because of Winn-Dixie' by Kate DiCamillo
This childhood classic is sure to give you the cry you need. Because of Winn-Dixie is the story of Opal (who has just moved to a new town) and the scruffy, strange dog that ends up changing her life.
7'Another Brooklyn' by Jacqueline Woodson
In this beautiful book by Jacqueline Woodson, August — an anthropologist — returns to her hometown, Brooklyn, and revisits the memories of her girlhood.
