Guest post written 72 Hours of You author Darianne Schramm
Darianne Schramm grew up in Gainesville, Florida, listening to the sounds of the woods and the music of Tom Petty. When she’s not writing stories about grief, love, and characters who are slightly nihilistic, you can find her eating the darkest possible chocolate and playing overly aggressive games of Scrabble. She is currently getting her PhD in New Zealand, where she lives with her husband, daughter, and goldendoodle. 72 Hours of You is her debut novel.
About 72 Hours of You: A unique, unforgettable and tragically romantic YA debut, perfect for readers of Laura Nowlin’s If He Had Been With Me, Adam Silvera’s They Both Die at the End and Dustin Thao’s You’ve Reached Sam. Releases August 27th 2026.
Today we’re delighted to be joined by Darianne Schramm, whose debut novel 72 Hours of You takes the reader on an unforgettable emotional rollercoaster in this gorgeously rendered story of love, death and trying to make the most of life. She shares five books to make you feel something, a perfect follow-up for this emotionally immersive read.
The main characters in YA novels try to deflect, hide their emotions, or pretend like they don’t have any at all (ope, relatable). But we all know the truth: there are always feelings. So. Many. Feelings. simmering under that tough exterior. And what’s wrong with feeling anyway, she cries to herself in the mirror? There’s nothing better than a novel that makes you feel something deeply.
Which is why I wrote one myself.
My debut YA tragic romance, 72 Hours Of You, is about a teenager who can see pink neon death clocks over people’s heads 72 hours before they die. And if you’re thinking this book has got to be seriously sad… well, you’re right! It has been known to make people throw the book across the room surrounded by tissues. But it’s also really funny, and hopefully the kind of book that makes you think about life (and death) just little differently.
Below is a list of six books that make you feel deeply and widely.
They Both Die At The End by Adam Silvera
You’ll Feel: Optimistic and Nihilistic
I know, the words “optimistic” and “nihilism” don’t usually go together. Kind of like peanut butter and motor oil. But in this book, they totally do. They Both Die At The End was such an inspiration to me while writing 72 Hours Of You and a big reason for that is the very specific feeling that the novel leaves you with. There is, of course, the deep and abiding existential dread of knowing that not a single one of us is going to survive life. But—stay with me—in knowing and accepting that, there is also freedom! Hey, if none of us are getting out of here alive, we might as well have the best time we can while we’re here. They Both Die At The End will leave you wishing there was another chapter to the book, but when you finally accept that there isn’t anymore (for any of us), you’re left with a sense of possibility and appreciation for the world (and the people) around you.
The Dividing Sky by Jill Tew
You’ll Feel: Heartwarming Coziness
This book is a dystopian romance. I see you glancing back up to make sure I did, in fact, call a dystopian book “heartwarming” and “cozy.” I did! This book is part “eat the rich” and part “oh god, is technology going to ruin our lives??”, but it is all romance. Sure, the world may have fallen into a techno-hellscape, but our main character has also fallen into the arms of her (golden retriever) enemy. And let me tell you, the swoon vibes are off the charts. But beyond that, there is, somehow, a magical coziness to this dystopian book. It is the kind of read that makes you want to curl up with it over and over. I felt so warm and fuzzy while reading—I never wanted to leave the world that Tew had created. Which is a wild thing to say about a dystopian book!
Natural Selection by Clare Edge
You’ll Feel: RAGE!
On the complete opposite end of the spectrum we have the rage-filled manifesto about the (totally valid) feminine urge to tear it all down. Natural Selection is the literary embodiment of the viral question of whether you would choose to be alone in the woods with a man or a bear. And let me tell you, in this house we Live, Laugh, Love and Choose The Bear. Always. This book is a heart-pounding fury-fest, but what’s even better is the absolute catharsis you feel when finishing this book. If “boys will be boys,” then this book is wholly redefining what it means to let “girls be girls.” Natural Selection will take you through the anger and out the other side into power.
All The Noise At Once by DeAndra Davis
You’ll Feel: Sibling Love
All The Noise At Once is such a special book that leaves you with the deep urge to call your sibling and tell them how much you love them. After closing this book, I immediately had to pick up the phone and call my brother to tell him how much I love him (and also remind him that I am still Mom’s favorite). This is a book about police violence against Black people in the US, a book about what it means to be an autistic teen grappling with their place in the world, and it’s definitely about football. But the heart of this book is the relationship between two brothers: the football star and his younger brother. The absolute care and protectiveness shown by Brandon to his younger brother, Aiden, is so beautiful it almost makes you forget the time your own brother drew a bunch of overflowing toilets on your (private!!) diary.
Glass Girl by Kathleen Glasgow
You’ll Feel: Abiding Hope
Hope? With a book cover like that? I know! But stick with me here. Yes, this is a Kathleen Glasgow book so yes, of course, there is trauma, pain and the potent teenage anguish of being alive. But! There is also abiding hope. This novel follows Bella and her struggle with the grief over losing her grandmother, and her subsequent struggle with her coping mechanism of choice: alcohol. Much of the book takes place at a rehab center so there are a lot of different feelings going on in this book, not just sadness. But at the end, we’re left with hope. But of course, this is a Kathleen Glasgow novel and she is the queen of sad-but-true novels. So while there is hope it never feels like false hope. And that is the beauty of a Glasgow novel.
The Fault In Our Stars by John Green
You’ll Feel: The Sads
Last but not least… You didn’t think we could have a list about feeling things deeply and not include a John Green book did you? Couldn’t be done. The Fault In Our Stars is a certified YA classic for a reason. This book has it all: angst, teenagers that talk like they’re mid-doctorate, and death. Just when you think “Perhaps I will not fall victim to the cryfest everyone else seems to be having, maybe, I am made of steel!” this book will kick you square in the gut. If you want to laugh, cry, ponder life, and then cry harder this is the book for you. Just be prepared to stare at a wall for 3-5 business days afterwards.
