'Sad Girl' books: the trend that's got us feeling all the feels - should we celebrate or worry?
These novels - often moody, introspective and emotionally raw - centre around young women navigating mental health struggles , societal pressure, alienation and the quest for identity.
From TikTok r eels to #BookTok shelves at local bookstores, 'Sad Girl' books have become the literary obsession of a generation.
But while some hail these books as honest portrayals of the modern female psyche, others worry they glamorise depression and self-destructive behaviour.
So, are 'Sad Girl" books empowering or harmful? And what does their popularity say about the times we're living in?
What is a 'Sad Girl' book?
A 'Sad Girl" book is a type of contemporary literature that centres on emotionally complex, often troubled female protagonists who are navigating the messy, painful and sometimes mundane aspects of life.
These stories are typically told from a first-person or deeply introspective point of view, with themes that revolve around mental health, loneliness, existential dread, female desire, body image, burnout, heartbreak and the search for meaning in a complex world.
These books aren't necessarily about "plot" - they're about mood and emotion.
And why are they popular?
The rise of 'Sad Girl Lit" is no coincidence. It's a product of its time - our time.
In a world grappling with climate anxiety, economic uncertainty, unattainable beauty standards and the ever-looming pressure to perform and succeed, Gen Z and younger millennials are turning to literature that feels like them.
Online, hashtags like #SadGirlLit and #FeministFiction rack up millions of views. There's also a rebellion against toxic positivity - this idea that people, especially women, must always be 'okay', always healing, always hustling.
'Sad Girl' books say: It's okay to be a mess sometimes.
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