Best Historical Fiction Books

Set against the backdrop of World War II, this beautiful and moving novel follows the intertwined lives of a blind French girl and a German boy. When Marie-Laure and her father must flee Paris for the walled citadel of Saint-Malo, they carry with them a valuable and dangerous jewel from the Museum of Natural History. Meanwhile, Werner Pfennig grows up enchanted by a radio he finds in a mining town in Germany, and becomes enlisted to track down the resistance. As their paths converge, they must try to be good to each other in the midst of the devastation of war. With stunning detail and captivating prose, this National Book Award finalist is a must-read for lovers of historical fiction.

Experience a breathtaking journey of love, sacrifice, ambition, and loyalty in this novel. Set in the early 1900s, follow Sunja, a young girl who falls for a wealthy stranger and becomes pregnant. Deciding to marry a gentle sickly minister instead, Sunja's decision sets off a dramatic saga that spans generations. With complex and passionate characters, this novel takes you on a journey through bustling markets, the halls of prestigious universities, and the criminal underworld. Richly told and profoundly moving, this is a tale of strong women, devoted siblings, and fathers struggling with moral crisis against the backdrop of history.

Explore the haunting and innovative world of a former slave in this Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Sethe may have escaped to Ohio, but memories of the beautiful yet tragic Sweet Home still hold her captive. A destructive ghost and a mysterious teenage girl, both named Beloved, only add to the weight of her past. Discover how Sethe navigates the horrors of slavery and the consequences it has on her family in this unforgettable classic.

Embark on a journey through twelfth-century England with this spellbinding epic tale of ambition, anarchy, and absolute power. The Pillars of the Earth is a departure from Ken Follett's usual thrillers and a monumental masterpiece that stunned readers and critics with its gripping humanity and ambitious scope. Follow Philip, a devout and resourceful monk driven to build the greatest Gothic cathedral the world has known, Tom, the divided architect of his vision, and the beautiful Lady Aliena, haunted by a secret shame. This unforgettable story of good versus evil will leave you breathless.

Follow Cora's journey through the Underground Railroad, a secret network of actual tracks and tunnels beneath Southern soil. As she flees from state to state, she encounters iterations of her own world at each stop. Colson Whitehead's book is a harrowing tale of one woman’s escape from the horrors of bondage while weaving in the saga of our nation from the brutal abduction of Africans to the unfulfilled promises of the present day. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and National Book Award, this powerful meditation on history is not to be missed.

In Alias Grace, Margaret Atwood delves into the mind of Grace Marks, a convicted murderer with a disputed past. Is she a manipulative killer or a victim of circumstance? As an expert in mental illness tries to unlock her memories, the reader is taken on a captivating and disturbing journey into Grace's world. Atwood's writing shines in this Booker Prize-winning book.

A tale from the New York Times bestselling author of Rules of Civility, follows Count Alexander Rostov's house arrest in a luxury hotel in 1922. Though confined, his wits and erudition allow him entry into a much larger world of emotional and intellectual discovery. Brimming with humor, historical depth, and a cast of engaging characters, the novel invites readers to join Rostov's endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to have a purpose in life.

In Nazi Germany, a young girl falls in love with books and words. From stealing books from book burnings to the mayor's wife's library, Liesel's love affair with literature blooms with the help of her foster father. But when her family hides a Jew in their basement, the danger intensifies. Markus Zusak's superbly crafted writing tells a timeless story of love and loss in a tumultuous era.