Get lost in time with historical fiction books
Is there anything better than losing yourself in a good book? When you're transported to another time and place, and all your troubles fade away for a while? If that's your idea of paradise, then you need to check out some historical fiction books. They'll take you on exciting adventures through history, letting you experience worlds and cultures that you never could have otherwise. So if you're looking for a new read that will sweep you off your feet, dive into the world of historical fiction!
A Spartan's Sorrow
Hannah Lynn
Overall it’s not the worst myth retelling I’ve read, but it was mildly disappointing
Cursed Bread
Sophie Mackintosh
Sooo weird and unpredictable, if I had to sum it up "be gay, do crime."
Miss Burma
Charmaine Craig
A heavy, emotional story about one family's oppression in Burma's history that I would recommend!
The Vanishing Half
Brit Bennett
I’ve never read a book quite like this and I’ll definitely be reading more from Brit Bennett!
A Mercy
Toni Morrison
A slow start, but a beautiful novel of hardship and unique characters in 17th-century America.
All the Light We Cannot See
Anthony Doerr
An interesting story but nothing new added to the WWII historical fiction genre
The Sin Eater
Megan Campisi
A fantastically underrated historical novel, focusing on a lesser-known piece of history!
The Four Winds
Kristin Hannah
It’s an emotional story with a lot of trauma these characters are put through. But the white washing of history was a big yikes.
Between Shades of Gray
Ruta Sepytys
I read this in a single day, WOW WHAT A STORY! Definitely a favorite for the month
Cecily
Annie Garthwaite
This will be a favorite for the month and I’m ready to make the war of the roses my hyperfixation once again
Booth
Karen Joy Fowler
Overall an enjoyable story about a family that we don’t know much about, despite having an infamous member.
Mexican Gothic
Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Overall a creepy, atmospheric novel reminiscent of Rebecca in which everything is not as it seems.
Belgravia
Julian Fellowes
Overall a relaxing story with a happy ending! It has definitely proven that I not only enjoy regency era movies/series but also books
Matrix
Lauren Groff
Highly recommend if you like stories about powerful women challenging that status quo (especially in the world of religion)!
Everything I Never Told You
Celeste Ng
After reading this and previously, Little Fires Everywhere, I want to read everything she writes in the future!
Shoulder Season
Christina Clancy
The cover and premise are what made me pick this up but ultimately it was disappointing in execution.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
Taylor Jenkins Reid
This one just wasn’t worth the hype to me. I enjoyed Daisy Jones so I’m willing to read more from TJR that I’ll hopefully enjoy more than this one.
Daisy Jones and the Six
Taylor Jenkins Reid
It took me a long time to finally get around to this one and I have to say it lived up to the hype.
Wolf Hall
Hilary Mantel
I liked the story overall but I’m not sure yet if I’ll continue with the trilogy.
The Foundling
Stacey Halls
An atmospheric novel that centers around two very different women and their connection!
The Gravity of Birds
Tracy Guzeman
Overall I rated it 4 stars for the mostly fantastic writing and amazing mystery plot!
The Red Queen
Philippa Gregory
An interesting look at the Tudor matriarch, Margaret Beaufort! The third book in the Plantagenet & Tudor series by Ms. Gregory.
Hiddensee: Tale of the Once and Future Nutcracker
Gregory Maguire
Overall an interesting story that may be more enjoyable if you don't think of it as a story of The Nutcracker.
The Essex Serpent
Sarah Perry
Essex Serpent is one of the reads that’s been on my TBR for years and I’m very glad I finally read it!
The White Queen
Philippa Gregory
Not a bad second book in the Plantagenet and Tudor series looking at the Elizabeth of York.
The Lady of the Rivers
Philippa Gregory
Overall an interesting look at the War of the Roses written in a dramatized way.
Lost Autumn
Mary-Rose MacColl
After this one, I added more of MacColl's books to my TBR because her storytelling style is fantastic and she could easily become a new favorite author for me!
Melmoth
Sarah Perry
Overall I really enjoyed this gothic tale of switching POVs and timelines. It’s perfect for autumn and if you’re looking for a slow, unraveling ghost story.
The Familiars
Stacey Halls
Stacey Halls is a lyrical storyteller who will has quickly become a new favorite author for me.
Red Letter Days
Sarah-Jane Stratford
An exciting novel filled with romance and espionage during the start of the Cold War.
The Wonder
Emma Donoghue
I look forward to falling in love with more of Donoghue’s novels after this thought-provoking historical fiction.
Under the Udala Trees
Chinelo Okparanta
I’ll be recommending this to everyone and rated it a full 5 stars!
The Summer Wives
Beatriz Williams
I’d recommend if you enjoy historical fiction, dark family secrets, mystery, multiple POVs/timelines, and character driven novels.
The Immortalists
Chloe Benjamin
Overall this is a beautiful, heartbreaking tale of siblings, life, and coming of age. If you’re a fan of family sagas or sibling stories, I highly recommend checking this one out!
Green Island
Shawna Yang Ryan
I loved learning about pieces of history I never knew about, but it could have cut out a lot of the extra descriptive adjectives/seemingly random side stories.
The Golden Hour
Beatriz Williams
A fantastic historical fiction that has made me an instant Beatriz Williams fan!
Girl with a Pearl Earring
Tracy Chevalier
Overall I enjoyed the story and found it to be better than the previous book I read by Chevalier.
Things a Bright Girl Can Do
Sally Nichols
It was a nice plot and a quick read but overall I was disappointed and left wanting more from the story.
The Glass Woman
Caroline Lea
If you enjoyed The Familiars, Jane Eyre, or books set in the 17th century then I think you’ll enjoy this one. Also the cover is just gorgeous!
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
VE Schwab
My rating may change over time but I definitely recommend it, if you like lots of character development, spanning of timelines, historical fiction, or fantasy.
Allah is Not Obliged
Ahmadou Kourouma
Overall, interesting story and I learned a lot about the historical context. However, the repeated sentences (and sometimes even whole paragraphs) were irritating at times.
