The Bookish Ashley

If you’ve ever wanted to slip into a beret, murmur existential musings under flickering candlelight, and sip overpriced coffee while sighing dramatically, then let me introduce you to the literary corner where tortured poets dwell. These books are for anyone who revels in complicated characters, introspective prose, and a good dose of emotional intensity. Whether you’re trying to channel your inner Byron or just need an excuse to wallow in some deep thoughts, these novels will help you embrace your poetic side, tortured soul and all.

1. “On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous” by Ocean Vuong

This one is a gut-punch. Vuong’s novel reads like an extended letter, with language that’s beautiful, lyrical, and just the right amount of heart-wrenching. Following the story of Little Dog, a young Vietnamese-American reflecting on his relationship with his mother and the generational trauma of war, Vuong’s prose is an art form in itself. It’s a book to sit with, let wash over you, and maybe even let a tear or two slip out for. (Or cry buckets. No shame here.)

2. “The Bell Jar” by Sylvia Plath

You can’t make a tortured poets reading list without mentioning The Bell Jar. Sylvia Plath’s only novel is practically the holy grail of beautiful sadness, chronicling Esther Greenwood’s struggle with mental illness and her search for meaning. The sharp, almost haunting quality of Plath’s writing will leave you looking up from the pages with that “staring into the distance” vibe we all love to channel sometimes.

3. “Normal People” by Sally Rooney

Moody, melancholy, and a masterclass in complex relationships, Rooney’s breakout novel feels like it was written for all of us who have overanalyzed a text or been haunted by that one person who “just gets you.” Marianne and Connell’s on-again, off-again relationship explores love, loneliness, and the pain of growing up. It’s raw and quietly poetic, offering those beautifully simple but emotionally loaded lines that’ll leave you deep in thought for hours.

4. “The Secret History” by Donna Tartt

Want some dark academia to go with your tortured poetry? The Secret History is the perfect mix of brooding intellectuals, literary references, and moral corruption. Follow Richard Papen and his charismatic, questionable clique as they fall down a rabbit hole of philosophy and hedonism. It’s an absorbing look at how beauty and danger mingle, and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to feel like they’re lurking in the shadowy halls of an Ivy League university, wearing a black turtleneck and reciting obscure poetry.

5. “Bluets” by Maggie Nelson

Bluets is not your typical novel but rather a blend of prose, poetry, and personal essay. Written as a series of vignettes centered on the color blue, Maggie Nelson explores love, loss, and the passage of time. It’s poignant, reflective, and ideal for readers who want to feel the weight of every word. Bluets is the book for late-night, philosophical pondering—particularly for anyone who’s a sucker for a good metaphor.

6. “Call Me by Your Name” by André Aciman

Aciman’s novel about a passionate summer romance in Italy is the kind of book that’ll give you all the feels. Elio’s obsessive thoughts and poetic reflections on his relationship with Oliver have made this novel a modern classic for a reason. Aciman’s lush prose feels like one long, beautiful lament, as he captures the intensity of young love in a way that’s both intoxicating and bittersweet.

7. “Giovanni’s Room” by James Baldwin

Baldwin’s classic novel tells the story of David, an American in Paris grappling with his sexuality and love for Giovanni, an Italian bartender. It’s a short read but powerful, with Baldwin’s vivid descriptions and razor-sharp prose bringing out all the heartache of love, identity, and longing. If you’re ready to experience the true emotional rollercoaster of Baldwin’s writing, Giovanni’s Room won’t disappoint.

8. “Autobiography of Red” by Anne Carson

This one’s for the myth-lovers and poetry aficionados. Anne Carson takes the myth of Geryon and Herakles and transforms it into a modern love story, blending poetry with narrative in a way that only she could pull off. Autobiography of Red is haunting, strange, and beautiful—an experience that feels less like reading and more like floating through the pages.

9. “Norwegian Wood” by Haruki Murakami

If the phrase “beautiful sadness” were a book, it would be Norwegian Wood. Murakami’s tale of love, loneliness, and coming of age follows Toru Watanabe as he navigates life, love, and loss in Tokyo. It’s steeped in melancholy and full of striking, quiet observations about life. This book will have you listening to sad songs on repeat while thinking about how we’re all just tiny humans drifting through life.

10. “The Waves” by Virginia Woolf

For the true literary masochists who want to plunge into poetic prose, The Waves is a masterpiece of inner monologue and emotional landscapes. Following the intertwined lives of six friends, Woolf’s novel is a journey through identity, connection, and the relentless passage of time. Every sentence is crafted with such precision that reading it feels like savoring each word, a book best enjoyed slowly, with a side of deep sighs and introspection.

These books might not actually make you a tortured poet, but they will give you a pretty solid head start. Whether you’re reading them in a café at midnight or under a pile of blankets on a rainy day, these novels are here to take you through the highs and lows of poetic suffering. So go ahead, put on that moody playlist, grab a mug of tea, and let the beautiful angst wash over you.