Personal Tearjerkers (+ Giveaway)

I'm thrilled to be participating in the First & Then Superlative Blog Tour (especially after I read and thoroughly enjoyed First & Then)! Each blogger on the tour got assigned a different superlative, and will be posting about it on their designated date. Here's mine...

When I was assigned the Biggest Tearjerker superlative, it struck me as quite ironic. I don't cry very often when I'm reading young adult novels (case in point: I did not cry reading Code Name Verity or The Fault in Our Stars). So, when I tell you that these YA books made me sob like a baby, it's a big deal (in my opinion). My emotional connection to these stories was really strong, and I'm sure many other readers will feel the same way.

Second Chance Summer | Morgan Matson's novel centers around Taylor Edwards, who discovers the magic of second chances - in friendship, in love, in family, in life - during one summer.

Torn Away | Jennifer Brown skillfully writes the story of Jersey Cameron, a girl who faces the aftermath left behind by the tornado that takes away her family and her home.

The Start of Me and You | Emery Lord tackles the trials and triumphs that Paige Hancock experiences as she attempts to embrace a fresh start in her life.

Inheritance | Christopher Paolini brings his epic fantasy series, the Inheritance Cycle, to a fitting, emotional close, wrapping up this portion of Eragon and Saphira's adventures beautifully.

Queen of Shadows | Sarah J. Maas adds another incredible book to her Throne of Glass series, this time focusing on Aelin Ashryver Galathynius and her journey for vengeance & victory.

Mortal Heart | Robin LaFevers finishes off the His Fair Assassin series by revealing Annith's tale, setting her personal journey against the backdrop of the political situation in Brittany.

As a special treat, I asked Emma Mills, author of First & Then, to tell me her top five films that made her cry. Without further ado, here's Emma to talk about them! Spoiler alert: I've seen all these films and would second her endorsement of them as tearjerkers!

A Little Princess | This is such a beautiful (and at times, heartbreaking!) film.
Toy Story 3 | I was openly sobbing by the end of this movie. I went and found my childhood toys after because I have always suspected that they actually have feelings.
Up | Up had me crying in the first ten minutes.
My Sister's Keeper | I know the film is very different from the book, but it still really got the tears flowing!
The Notebook | It's a classic!

Thanks for sharing, Emma! I definitely love the films you've chosen and in particular, the middle three are the ones I remember sobbing like there was no tomorrow for. So glad you visited the blog today!

The lovely folks at Macmillan are generously offering 1 finished copy of First & Then to my readers! This giveaway is US only, and you can enter via the Rafflecopter form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And don't forget to check out the rest of the tour stops, which you can find listed in the super cute yearbook-style graphic below!