Recs if you like Sorrow and Bliss...

recs from @leahsfigtree and @emmareadstoomuch on substack + personal recs

The ladies on these covers just need a damn break.

If you’ve ever made eye contact with a mirror and said “this is a mess” but also “i’m kinda iconic for this,” congrats, this list is for you.

A list of books I have come across when looking for books that fit this theme. Please leave a comment if there is something I should add.

some book recs that involve the complexities of motherhood: the tough and tender, chaotic and beautiful, exhausting and full of purpose.

With a big scoop of melancholy!

messy, problematic women whom you might have an affinity towards if you also feel like an unlikable character sometimes

All sorts of stories about all sorts of women. Mostly litfic, some horror.

2019-2026

books on mental health that alleviate judgment and encourage empathy, sometimes with humor, sometimes with an allegorical plot, and mostly with immersive, insightful storytelling.

[Love and Deepspace]

Broody, tragic, and morally complex; Zayne's books explore loyalty and sacrifice, often steeped in gothic, melancholic, or atmospheric tones.

💌 updated monthly.

Adventuring gangs, messy friend groups, and quirky bio families trying to make it work. Whatever found-family mood you're in, this list has you covered!

LitFic / Fiction / Fantasy

from across the annoying to cruel spectrum

For when you want to curl up with a sad story that'll quietly break your heart, but may also remind you how beautiful life can be.

i cry a lot but these made me SOB