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!
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
@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!
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.
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…
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.
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.”
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
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!
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).
The daughters of time
Or W.E.B Griffin
Lucinda Riley’s Seven Sisters, book one in the series or Loving Frank.
Timebound by Rysa Walker
My bad that was the daughter of time
My Dear Hamilton by Kamone and Dray. The story of Alexander Hamilton’s wife, Eliza.
Spring Came On Forever by ?
Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
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… ??
Lauren Belfer has 3 books..
City if Light
Fierce Radiance
And After the Fire
Phillipa Gregory is good fpr English historical fiction
She is one of the best.
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
I loved this book
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.
The Paris Wife by Paula McLain
Before We Were Yours and Orphan Train
This Other Eden by Marylin Harris is an excellent read.
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly (French Revolution centered) so so good!
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
The nightingale by Kristin hannah, tattooist of auschwitz by Heather Morris
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
A Company of Liars and The Owl Killers by Karen Maitland.
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
yes – Wolf Hall is wonderful!!
I just read Salt to the Sea and Home for Unwanted Girls. They we’re both good.
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
Wow what a list! This must have taken you years to compile! Thank you
How many have you not read yet?
@Linda Nope…a few months with lots of help and titles from people in the book groups I’m in.
@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.
Mine too! Although, I haven’t read those many.
The Autobiography of Henry VIII
_Birdsong_ by Sebastian Faulks, _Regeneration_ by Pat Barker, _Killer Angels_ by Michael Shaara (basis for the movie “Gettysburg”)
The Lost Vintage by Ann Mah
Outlander series
The forgotten garden by Kate Morton
I loved The Invention of Wings and learned a lot from it, by Sue Monk Kidd.
The Other Boleyn Girl
The Great Alone by Kristen Hannah.
Gutenberg’s Apprentice is fabulous 🙂
sounds interesting
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.
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
The nightingale
Following ?
The Terror.
Books by Ruta Septys
March by Geraldine Brooks.
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.
Sandra Gulland’s Josephine Bonaparte series
Gore Videl’s “Burr.”
Yes! Followed up by all of Gore Vidal
Vidal indeed has a wonderful body of work!
The Alice Network
Victoria
Queen Elizabeth
Just finished A Home for Unwed Girls. Amazing book!
Cynfell brothers by Samantha Holt 8 books
https://www.amazon.com/Cynfell-Brothers-7-Book-Series/dp/B01K255066
The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
came here to say this. I’m 1/2 way through and really like it.
I loved all of @Ellen books and each were different.
Try Wilbur Smith _ The River God
Try this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Gathering-Dust-Novel-Out-Africa/dp/1724610910
or this: https://www.amazon.co.uk/House-Called-Mbabati-novel-Africa/dp/1533445397
or this:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zanzibar-Affair-Novel-Out-Africa/dp/1533269092
Alone in Berlin
Or
All quiet on the western front
Me too. I just finished ken Follet’s century trilogy. So good.
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.
Ransom my heart by Meg Cabot, it’s very funny and easy read 😀
Anything by Philippa Gregory
Red queen by Victoria Aveyard. I’m thinking about trying Stephen King.
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
The life of henerettia Leaks -a MUST read
Im not a big historical fiction person but have recently started Outlander. Im really enjoying it.
I’m reading redeeming love and it’s really good
It’s by Francine rivers
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?
Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon; Lake in the Clouds series by Sara Donati; anything by Sharon K Penman; anything by Ariana Franklin
People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks and Snowflower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See are 2 of my go to recommendations.
try Charles finch
Orphan Train
Emma Leech has a series out.
A Secret History of Witches. Reading that now and liking it so far. I also recommend Kate Morton’s books… All of them!
Any novel by established historian and writer Philippa Gregory. The Plantagenet and Tudor Novels Series.
I read those. I just loved them!!!!
The Bride and The Wedding by Julie Garwood
The King’s General by Daphne Du Maurier. I just finished reading it. It’s really good.
The Other Einstein, Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund, Shanghai Girls by Lisa See
I read this and I was like “these are all of Kay’s favorites” and then saw your name lmao!
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.
@Hincu hello, I’m wondering how is Arcadia? It was on my TBR for a long time but never got round to reading it…
@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!
@Hincu noted! Thank you for being very specific. I am looking fwd to reading it soon.
@Delilah You’re very welcome! I hope you enjoy it! 🙂
Florence Grace, Amy Snow by Tracy Rees
The devil in the white city. By Erik Larson
I’ll just be like probably half the other posters:
Outlander
Do you like Arthurian / Dark Ages historical fiction, Shelby?
http://getbook.at/avalon
the masterpiece read it its terrific
Memoirs of a Geisha
Daughter of fortune by Isabel Allende…the hummingbirds daughter by Luis Alberto urea or the marriage of opposites by Alice Hoffman
The Outlander series. 11/22/63 by Stephen King.
The All Souls series by Deborah Harkness. The second book is set in history.
Bernard Cornwell.
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
“Shogun”, by James Clavell, is fascinating and exciting!
Winter in Madrid
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.
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco!!
The Girl from Berlin or The Dream Daughter. Both are cross genre.
Dorothy Dunnett!!
The Moon And Sixpence, by William Somerset Maugham; partly based on the life of French painter Paul Gauguin.
The Glass Ocean – set aboard the Lusitania.
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…
The Red Sun. It’s all about World War II
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.
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.”
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
Anything by Phillipa Gregory
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
Michelle Moran and Phillipa Gregory are two of my faves
Suzanne Woods Fisher
Diana Galbadon
The Book of Negros
The Underworld USA Trilogy, by James Ellroy.
Anything by Bernard Cornwell.
Red queen by victoria Aveyard
P.C. Doherty & anything with Brother Cadfael in it.
Alison Wier
A Song for Bellafortuna
The Eterna Files
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
????
unputdownable
Thanks everyone!
‘Fatherland’ and ‘Munich’ by Robert Harris.
The All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. She’s a historian (professor) and an EXCELLENT author.
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!
@Hannah im just about finished with it!
@Tracy, Time’s Convert?
@Hannah yes and I just finished it! I loved it!!
Hilary Mantel novels
OH YES!
The Lost Wife. Lilac Girls. Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet (sp)
LILAC GIRLS is wonderful.
I just got a copy at a library sale.
Maus, The Best We Could Do,
The Century Trilogy(The Fall of Giants, etc..) or Pillars of the Earth both by Ken Follett
The Royal Nanny.
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).
Red Sky at Noon by Simon Montefiore… violent & graphic, but what a tale.
Call the midwife
The Lost Family by Jenna Blum