25 BOOKS IN 2025 // historical fiction & series TBR

[@crochetmima1443]

Great stack of books 👍 The Help and Geisha are both on my all time favorites list. Enjoy ❤

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you!

[@BookwormAdventureGirl]

What a fantastic list! I need to read more Amy Harmon. The Island of Sea Women is sooo good. I have several Kate Morton on my shelf. None of them read. The Help and Memoirs of a Geisha are both favourite of all time books. Can’t wait to hear about the books you get to. Also up for a buddy read if you are and I’m very flexible after March. 😊💙

[@JacquelineCaron]

I remember really liking 'The Help' and wishing Kathryn Stockett would write another book! Hope you have some excellent reads this year! 😊

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you Jacqueline!

[@AlmasBookJourney]

I love that you wait till a series is done before you start. I like having a complete set as well. My husband is listening to the Silo series on audio and is enjoying them. I have to tell him about that other series the author has. I loved From Sand And Ash. I also loved Only The Beautiful.

[@GloriaZThompson]

I just really don’t like feeling “incomplete” and having to wait so long for the next book. Then I forget details. Glad to hear he’s enjoying those! Try the tv show out as well to compare. It’s interesting even though they changed a lot.

[@AlmasBookJourney]

@@GloriaZThompson We love the TV show. And my husband did say there were some changes.

[@mollyjaybooks]

Wow some great picks!! 😊

[@natashachesney178]

Great books selections! I will definitely be checking out some of these especially the Ashley Weaver series, because I really like the Maisie Dobbs series.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thanks Natasha! Hope you like the historical mystery series.

[@SouthofStafford]

I really enjoyed Clockmaker’s Daughter and have a couple more Kate Morton I have long meant to get to. Would happily fo a buddy read on most any from your list. 😊 Veil of Doubt sounds very interesting. Never heard of it but added it to my list! Thanks also for the heads up on Susan Branch. Have a glorious reading year. I do so love your videos, your recommendations are great and have led me to increase my reading time and my TBR lists!! Keep up the great work and God bless you in ‘25! Lisa

[@starlasell5698]

❤📚📚❤️ Only the Beautiful was one I read this year and loved! Good luck this year in finding new favorites.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you! Love hearing that. Hope I find another favorite from Meissner.

[@JessieTBRoverflowing]

I’ve missed the boat with Elizabeth Gaskell as well but am eager to read one of her books. I would definitely be interested in buddy reading either of those. I Was Anastasia and The Lakehouse are on my list to read this year. Loved The Frozen River and still think about the twists in The Secret Keeper! I want to reread as many Austen novels as I can this year-eager to return to books and characters I’ve loved since high school but haven’t revisited for a long time (mom life!).

[@Molly-s6u]

I really enjoyed The Secret Keeper and Fall of Marigolds. Happy Reading ❤

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thanks for voting Molly! Hope I enjoy them too.

[@deserthorses5]

OOOOhhhhh!!! I just ordered the first Susan Branch book. I would LOVE to see hers and then make one of my own for the grandkids! I'm not an artist, but I do have plenty of photos and recipes! Thanks for sharing this series.

[@GloriaZThompson]

That would be such a fun idea to pass along in your family!

[@andrearyan816]

Lots of great reads to choose from. I am loving Maisie Dobbs. The secret Keeper is my favourite Kate Morton book (mmmm possibly Homecoming 🤔). Have you read any of Louise Penny’s Three Pines series, I am enjoying them too.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Glad to hear you’re enjoying Maisie! I’ve heard of Louise Penny’s series but have never read it. I know there are tons of those too and it’s still ongoing I believe.

[@dianesellepedrosa1876]

Maisie Dobbs is a wonderful series. I listened to the stories on audio as the narrator ( Orlagh Cassidy starting at bk 2) covers all the voices beautifully.

[@GloriaZThompson]

I agree! I’ve listened to it solely on audio and have loved it.

[@beckyfaith1070]

Coming Home is all seasons. It starts at Christmas time. I read it in the Winter and I really enjoyed it! The secret Keeper was my first Kate Morton. I liked it. Enough of a mystery to keep me reading!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thanks for the tip on Coming Home! Good to know it can be read anytime.

[@covergirlbooks]

I watched the 2 seasons of Silo in a week 😱- obsessed. I heard the books are less character-focused, but I’m happy to hear you liked them, I will still probably give them a read! Would love to read either North and South or Wives and Daughters with you 💕 I have both and also have not read them, just watched the adaptations.

[@GloriaZThompson]

It’s good! Yes, the books are a lot more plot. 2 seasons of the show haven’t even quite finished the first book. But I always love knowing what the author intended and what is changed for tv. Yes to buddy reading again! Hopefully we’ll have better luck with a classic.

[@alexandramacgregor]

Excellent selection of books. I must give the Maisie Donna series a go… sounds right up my alley. 😊

[@GloriaZThompson]

Please do! They are great on audio and print. And if you love it, there are 18 to keep you going for a while. 😊

[@sblbooks]

I would recommend reading From Sand and Ash, A Fall of Marigolds, The Help and I Was Anastasia. I hope you find some books that you really enjoy!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you for your votes! Fingers crossed I do find some new favorites.

[@cathy2142]

None of these are my genre but I hope you find some 5/5 books this year❤

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thanks Cathy! What’s your go-to genre?

[@cathy2142]

@@GloriaZThompsonhistory. Non-fiction

[@lizlittle1641]

North and South is a good story. I loved it. I loved Northanger Abbey. Mansfield Park is good too. Memoirs of a Geisha was a really good book. Another love of mine. I hope you enjoy them!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you Liz! 💕 Hope I do too!

[@mizsuzee]

I recently (last summer) re-read Coming Home. Since it covers a period of several years, not just a season, it probably doesn't matter when you read it. 🙂 I didn't really get any sort of seasonal vibe to this one. Lisa See is hit and miss for me... but her most recent one (Lady Tan's Circle of Women) was a huge hit! Too bad that's not one you already own. One of my goals for this year is to try and read a big chunker classic -- I've started Middlemarch by George Eliot. It's kinda tough going so far, but I'm really trying!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thanks for the tip on Coming Home! Wishing you luck and hopefully enjoyment as you dive into your reading goal. I own Middlemarch but am intimidated by it.

[@bytesofmemory]

I am all for a buddy read! I would like to read Fall of Marigolds, Only the Beautiful, Wives and Daughters, North and South, From Sand and Ash, The Tea Girl Of Hummingbird Lane, or the Island of Sea Women would be options for me!

[@insearchofwonder]

The Help is really good! I just read Only the Beautiful and really enjoyed it, so I vote for that one.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thanks for voting!

[@cindystephens6997]

I’d love to buddy read any of the historical fiction books!!

[@dianesellepedrosa1876]

❤Romanov By Nadine Brandes ❤ 💙Homecoming by Kate Morton 💙

[@emm4053]

i vote for Island of Sea Women of your 2 Lisa See books! i tried to read the Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane but dnf'd because of the content... but i really really loved Lady Tans Circle of Women!! would love to know what you think of island of sea women so I can know if i should skip or try her again!

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thanks for your vote! I’ll definitely plan on picking that one up.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I also want to read Elizabeth Gaskell this year. I’m guessing I’ll read “North and South” for Victober. I also have “From Sand and Ash,” which I’ll probably get to when the mood strikes me, lol.

[@summer6787]

I bought a kindle and ditched 160 of my physical books that I’ve had for 3 yrs and not read. Charity is a better place for them! I kept the favourites

[@GloriaZThompson]

Love that! I’m in a deep declutterring mood at the moment, so I’m feeling that with the books I still have too.

[@cindystephens6997]

Kate Morton and Lisa See books are Amazing!!!

[@boogsassy1]

I have I Was Anastasia as well & haven’t read it yet as well.

[@katherinestephens6537]

I got some Susan branch books today from my library

[@GloriaZThompson]

Wonderful! Enjoy your read.

[@kerrylagerwall222]

I absolutely loved Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner. I preferred it to A Fall of Marigolds. Hope it's a 5 star for you.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thank you Kerry!

[@carlaking3459]

Everyone should read The Help. Such a realistic perspective❤

[@GloriaZThompson]

I’m excited to finally get to it this year!

[@jillporco6789]

I'd be up for reading North and South along with you.

[@maryflaherty7096]

📚

[@jennimc898]

Straightaway behind you, The Bees 🐝 by Laline Paul. My favourite book 📕 I really recommend.

[@GloriaZThompson]

I’ve read it and found it super fascinating! So unique.

[@suzannebridges7334]

Tall of Marglds s very good… coming Home is great…I think maybe reaf in March/november,…but it is somewhat of a saga, so, all seasons really,…BTW, I love Winter Solstice….als, another older one byMaeve Binch..Night of Rain and Stars…not heard you mention an older book…The Secret Life of Bees..although bet you’ve read it…😅..I wonder if you could speak the book titles a little more specifically?…

[@covergirlbooks]

8:46 🤞🏻😂

[@GloriaZThompson]

🫣

[@lmoore2828]

Chose the Island of the Sea Women. I really like Lisa See as an author.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Thanks for voting, it’s finally the year that I get to that one.

[@jillporco6789]

Definitely do read The Help. I loved As Bright as Heaven by Susan Meissner--about the swine flu epidemic in 1918-ish. I vote for Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane--it was really good; my bookclub read and loved it! I *hated* Northanger Abbey--I had to read it for a college class. If you want a book that spoofs the Gothic romance kind of book, then read it. Otherwise, I recommend skipping it. Catherine Moreland, the heroine who seeks a husband (what else, right?), was overwrought as a character (in keeping with the spoof element) and I just couldn't stand her! I've tried Pride and Prejudice a couple of times--got to chapter 9 one time--and just couldn't take it. Another Booktuber suggests starting with Emma. I might try that someday. I just don't understand Jane Austen, which makes me sad, because SO many of my friends love her!

[@suzannebridges7334]

Tall of Marglds s very good…Vomng Home is great…I think maybe reaf in March/november,…but it is somewhat of a saga, so, all seasons really,…BTW, I love Winter Solstice….als, another older one byMaeve Binch..Night of Rain and Stars…

[@kathleenkemp1030]

"Memoirs of a Geisha" is a much deeper, better story in the book.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Good to know, excited for that read!

[@eileennielsen5165]

I hated The Frozen River. Waste of my money. For all the book tubers that reviewed it, they were not honest about some of the content. I know 4 other people that will not read because of some content. LOVED The Help. Like Susan Miessner , have many of her books as well as Susan Branch.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Sorry to hear that, but totally understand that it has content that you’re not comfortable reading. I’m glad more books have trigger warnings in them these days.