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I’m need some book suggestions I am really into historical fiction right now.

I’m need some book suggestions I am really into historical fiction right now.

Shelby #recommend #historical fiction #history

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160 Answers

Scott

The daughters of time
Or W.E.B Griffin

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Donna

Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters, book one in the series or Loving Frank.

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Jaron

Timebound by Rysa Walker

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Scott

My bad that was the daughter of time

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Edward

My Dear Hamilton by Kamone and Dray. The story of Alexander Hamilton’s wife, Eliza.

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Jill

Spring Came On Forever by ?

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Karen

Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

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Justine
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Kelly

I finally found this thread again! I didn’t get far through it before my phone restarted itself. ??‍♀️ I added this one to my list before it did though! Sounds interesting!

Off to go do more damage… ??

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Justine

Lauren Belfer has 3 books..
City if Light
Fierce Radiance
And After the Fire

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Justine
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Helen

Phillipa Gregory is good fpr English historical fiction

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Marlene

She is one of the best.

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Justine
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Susan

A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

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H

I loved this book

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Susan

I just read it as part of a Book Group. Not something I would have normally read, but I really loved it. Am going to check out his first book.

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Ashley

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain

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Jessica

Before We Were Yours and Orphan Train

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Genie

This Other Eden by Marylin Harris is an excellent read.

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Chris
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Mariah
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Amanda

Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (French Revolution centered) so so good!

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Sharell
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Tennille

The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons

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Georgina

The nightingale by Kristin hannah, tattooist of auschwitz by Heather Morris

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Lori

WW2 Historical Fiction:

1.Those Who Save Us by Jenna Blum
2. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
3. The Butterfly and the Violin by Kristy Cambron and its sequel A Sparrow in Terezin
4. The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
6. Second Hand Smoke by Thane Rosenbaum
7. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
8. Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Non WW2 historical fiction

1. Before We Were Yours by @Lisa
2. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

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Randall

A Company of Liars and The Owl Killers by Karen Maitland.

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Anna

It really depends what you are looking for: If something Medieval, with knights in shiny armour, my fav is The greatest knight by Elizabeth Chadwick (it’s the 2nd in her Marshall series, but as all of hers, are perfect as standalone). If you like more serious, heavier HF, loaded with politics, try Hilary Mantel and her “Wolf Hall” – heavy read, but soo good. If you look for Tudor love, Philippa Gregory is a good option for a light read. WW2 era – somebody already suggested Ruta Sepety’s Salt to the sea. Hundreds on hundreds great books, so maybe give a bit more info on the period/location you’re looking for

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Molly

yes – Wolf Hall is wonderful!!

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Heather

I just read Salt to the Sea and Home for Unwanted Girls. They we’re both good.

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Kristina
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Mari

This is a huge list of WWII related books I have compiled. Its a Google Doc, so open it yo see the whole list. https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VPahHLl4mNnjP7yVAYmsN2krfFv1byYLp46n2j-hBQU

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Linda

Wow what a list! This must have taken you years to compile! Thank you

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Linda

How many have you not read yet?

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Mari

@Linda Nope…a few months with lots of help and titles from people in the book groups I’m in.

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Mari

@Linda I’ve only read 20-25. That’s why I compiled the list…it’s one of my favorite historical times to read about.

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Linda

Mine too! Although, I haven’t read those many.

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Kathleen

The Autobiography of Henry VIII

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Constance

_Birdsong_ by Sebastian Faulks, _Regeneration_ by Pat Barker, _Killer Angels_ by Michael Shaara (basis for the movie “Gettysburg”)

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Mike

The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah

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Janis

Outlander series

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Jennifer

The forgotten garden by Kate Morton

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Mary

I loved The Invention of Wings and learned a lot from it, by Sue Monk Kidd.

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Holly

The Other Boleyn Girl

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Emily

The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah.

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Molly

Gutenberg’s Apprentice is fabulous 🙂

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Džejn

sounds interesting

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Molly

it’s pretty cool and well done — a look at the early printing frenzy from the angle of a young narrator working for Gutenberg. it’s lovely and insightful.

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Džejn

I love the website that was named after him.. (http://gutenberg.org/)
I get most classic novels there for free (and legally)..
will definitely add this! thanks

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Loba

The nightingale

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Sharon

Following ?

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Michael

The Terror.

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Fran

Books by Ruta Septys

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Karen

March by Geraldine Brooks.

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Graham

I don’t know if it’s what your looking for, but “Old School” by Tobias Wolfe. The protagonist goes to a prep school in 1960. Three times a year, the school hosts a lecture by a famous writer; one student is allowed a private audience with the author upon winning a short story contest. The book features fictional appearances by Robert Frost and Ayn Rand. It’s one of my top ten.

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Leanne

Sandra Gulland’s Josephine Bonaparte series

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Norberto

Gore Videl’s “Burr.”

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Rachael

Yes! Followed up by all of Gore Vidal

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Marc

Vidal indeed has a wonderful body of work!

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Kathie

The Alice Network

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Elizabeth

Victoria

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Elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth

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Ella

Just finished A Home for Unwed Girls. Amazing book!

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Wendi

Cynfell brothers by Samantha Holt 8 books

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Wendi

https://www.amazon.com/Cynfell-Brothers-7-Book-Series/dp/B01K255066

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Vera

The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

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Jared

came here to say this. I’m 1/2 way through and really like it.

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Linda

I loved all of @Ellen books and each were different.

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Lesley-chevaughn

Try Wilbur Smith _ The River God

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Samantha

Try this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gathering-Dust-Novel-Out-Africa/dp/1724610910

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Samantha

or this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Called-Mbabati-novel-Africa/dp/1533445397

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Samantha

or this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zanzibar-Affair-Novel-Out-Africa/dp/1533269092

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Sean

Alone in Berlin
Or
All quiet on the western front

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Nick

Me too. I just finished ken Follet’s century trilogy. So good.

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Evan

I have a written a collection 6 seas tories based in the 1750 and leading up to the american war of independence. Plus another dealing with a girl sentenced to be Transported for life on the first fleet to Australia.

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Maria

Ransom my heart by Meg Cabot, it’s very funny and easy read 😀

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Deanna

Anything by Philippa Gregory

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Sumaya

Red queen by Victoria Aveyard. I’m thinking about trying Stephen King.

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Shellie

with King ~ try his Dark Tower series I believe this is his best work ever. I also love the Tailisman and Black House, Hope you enjoy

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Stephanie

The life of henerettia Leaks -a MUST read

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Shellie

Im not a big historical fiction person but have recently started Outlander. Im really enjoying it.

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Laura

I’m reading redeeming love and it’s really good

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Laura

It’s by Francine rivers

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Nicci

BETH GREEN ? OUT NOW !!

They call her The Miracle Of Bethnal Green
She knows things she can’t possibly know
She’s just a child
Isn’t she?

Based on real events

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beth-Green-Nicci-Rae-ebook/dp/B01M647KDJ/ref=sr_1_1_twi_kin_2?

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Lesley

Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon; Lake in the Clouds series by Sara Donati; anything by Sharon K Penman; anything by Ariana Franklin

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Penny

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks and Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See are 2 of my go to recommendations.

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Catherine

try Charles finch

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Angie

Orphan Train

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Paula

Emma Leech has a series out.

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Delilah

A Secret History of Witches. Reading that now and liking it so far. I also recommend Kate Morton’s books… All of them!

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Sian

Any novel by established historian and writer Philippa Gregory. The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels Series.

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Laura

I read those. I just loved them!!!!

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Dianna

The Bride and The Wedding by Julie Garwood

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Cerys

The King’s General by Daphne Du Maurier. I just finished reading it. It’s really good.

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Kay

The Other Einstein, Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund, Shanghai Girls by Lisa See

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Ashlyn

I read this and I was like “these are all of Kay’s favorites” and then saw your name lmao!

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Hincu

The Shadow of the Wind (the whole series) by Carlos Ruiz Zafon, The Gift of Rain and The Garden of Evening Mists both by Tan Twan Eng, At Swim Two Boys by Jamie O’Neill, Days Without End by Sebastian Barry and Arcadia by Ian Pears.

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Delilah

@Hincu hello, I’m wondering how is Arcadia? It was on my TBR for a long time but never got round to reading it…

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Hincu

@Delilah I absolutely loved it, but I had to put it down once because I wasn’t in the right mind frame to read it. It’s not a difficult book to read, but it’s complex and you need to be able to focus on what’s happening because it’s intense. So it’s not “reading before bed” material. Once I picked it up again I finished it in two days and I was blown away by it. It has a very complex narrative, but the characters are very compelling and the story is amazing. It’s also a tribute to literature and writing, so it’s a good read for book lovers. I can’t tell you more because it would ruin the experience, but it reads like a sci-fi, time travel, historical fiction type of novel. I totally recommend it!

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Delilah

@Hincu noted! Thank you for being very specific. I am looking fwd to reading it soon.

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Hincu

@Delilah You’re very welcome! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

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Hoogeveen

Florence Grace, Amy Snow by Tracy Rees

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Bobbie

The devil in the white city. By Erik Larson

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Ang

I’ll just be like probably half the other posters:

Outlander

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Sean

Do you like Arthurian / Dark Ages historical fiction, Shelby?
http://getbook.at/avalon

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Andrew

the masterpiece read it its terrific

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Emily

Memoirs of a Geisha

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Mo

Daughter of fortune by Isabel Allende…the hummingbirds daughter by Luis Alberto urea or the marriage of opposites by Alice Hoffman

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Donna

The Outlander series. 11/22/63 by Stephen King.

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Hannah

The All Souls series by Deborah Harkness. The second book is set in history.

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Heike

Bernard Cornwell.

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Andrea

Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood

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Marc

“Shogun”, by James Clavell, is fascinating and exciting!

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Himanshu

Winter in Madrid

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Bethany

Anything by Kate Furnivall is good, The Jewel of St. Petersburg, The Russian Concubine are my favorites. Also, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan, The Red Chamber and The Bronze Horseman.

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Courtney

Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco!!

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Cynthia

The Girl from Berlin or The Dream Daughter. Both are cross genre.

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Brittany

Dorothy Dunnett!!

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Luis

The Moon And Sixpence, by William Somerset Maugham; partly based on the life of French painter Paul Gauguin.

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Amy

The Glass Ocean – set aboard the Lusitania.

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Carmen

The Shadow of the Wind trilogy. Elizabeth Peters’ Amelia Peabody series. Rhys Bowen’s Molly Murphy and Her Royal Spyness series. Ken Follett, Catriona McPherson, Meredith Whitford, Kerry Greenwood all write fabulous historical fiction. Oh, and Ellis Peters, Anne Perry…

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Christian

The Red Sun. It’s all about World War II

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Laurie

Sharan Newman’s Catherine LeVendeur series, Laurie King’s Mary Russell’s books. Michael Jeck’s books, and Gregory Dowling’s books are a few of my favorites.

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Kelly

I really like The Secrets of Mary Bowser, by Lois Leveen. You don’t hear much about it. I just happened to skim over it at a bookstore and it intrigued me. Probably one of my favorites! Here’s a little snippet from Amazon:

“Based on the remarkable true story of a freed African American slave who returned to Virginia at the onset of the Civil War to spy on the Confederates, The Secrets of Mary Bowser is a masterful debut by an exciting new novelist.”

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Ruth

I Like Dilly Court VAL Miss Mary’s Daughter by Dinner castelloand VAL Wood and that is called No place for a woman and Disney Costello her latest

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J.L.

Anything by Phillipa Gregory

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Atrisha

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay. Really heartbreaking moments but a great novel that gives an insight of a Jewish girl in France after Germany took over during WW2 but with a modern ‘taste’ to it

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Sara

Michelle Moran and Phillipa Gregory are two of my faves

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Patricia

Suzanne Woods Fisher

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Donna

Diana Galbadon

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Matt

The Book of Negros

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Les

The Underworld USA Trilogy, by James Ellroy.

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Paul

Anything by Bernard Cornwell.

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Sumaya

Red queen by victoria Aveyard

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GiGi

P.C. Doherty & anything with Brother Cadfael in it.

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Ruthena

Alison Wier

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Cassidy

A Song for Bellafortuna

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Mia

The Eterna Files

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Kristy

The Possible World by @Liese

The Myth of Perpetual Summer by Susan Crandall

Rust and Stardust by T Greenwood

The Daisy Children by Sofia Grant

Boardwalk Summer by Meredith Jaeger

All the Best People by Sonja Yoerg

????

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Victoria

unputdownable

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ShelbyQuestion author

Thanks everyone!

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Richard

‘Fatherland’ and ‘Munich’ by Robert Harris.

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Tracy

The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. She’s a historian (professor) and an EXCELLENT author.

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Hannah

Yep! This series is awesome! There’s a 4th book out now. I haven’t quite started it yet. I’m still rereading the original trilogy. By Halloween I should be reading Time’s Convert!

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Tracy

@Hannah im just about finished with it!

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Hannah

@Tracy, Time’s Convert?

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Tracy

@Hannah yes and I just finished it! I loved it!!

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Luca

Hilary Mantel novels

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Sunny

OH YES!

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Maureen

The Lost Wife. Lilac Girls. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (sp)

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Marlene

LILAC GIRLS is wonderful.

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Sunny

I just got a copy at a library sale.

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Teri

Maus, The Best We Could Do,

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Melissa

The Century Trilogy(The Fall of Giants, etc..) or Pillars of the Earth both by Ken Follett

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Janet

The Royal Nanny.

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Sunny

The Winter Palace by Eva Stachniak (Catherine the Great’s early years), Margaret George’s Memoirs of Cleopatra and also Helen of Troy; River God by Wilbur Smith (ancient Egypt).

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JGlenn

Red Sky at Noon by Simon Montefiore… violent & graphic, but what a tale.

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Nandika

Call the midwife

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Laurie

The Lost Family by Jenna Blum

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