My All-Time Top 10 Favorite Historical Fiction Books

[@confessionofabookdragon]

The Innocent Traitor by Alison Wier, The Lighthouse Keepers Daughter by Hazel Gaynor, The Cottingley Secret by Hazel Gaynor, The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner, The Courage of Sarah Noble by Alice Dalgliesh, Little Women by Louis May Alcott, Anne of Green Gables by L. M Montgomery, The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Call Me Athena: Girl from Detroit by Colby Cedar Smith, Finding Junie Kim by Ellen Oh, Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, A Brief History of Montmaray Series by Michelle Cooper, Goodbye, My Rose Garden, Vol. 1 (Manga) by Dr. Pepperco, Amber Tamosaitis(Translator), Number the Stars by Lois Lowery, The Librarian of Boone's Hollow by Kim Vogel Sawyer

[@zeevausman4500]

I couldn't resist suggesting you this historical fiction novel as I was watching your video: (The Thief, the Harlot, and the Healer) My favorite genre is historical fiction.

[@panktimodi5866]

I have to read few of the books which you have suggested. I am adding remaining in my tbr list. I love historical fiction but after reading one usually I need something light as many of those covers heavy topics. These are some of the books which covers part of lesser known history(Some of these books are famous and some less so) A Thousand Splendid Suns/The Kite Runner Pachinko Homegoing Moloka'i The Nighingale The Vanishing Half The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane/The Island of Sea Women Purple Hibiscus The Henna Artist A Fall of Marigolds Before We Were Yours Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI Orhan's Inheritance The Mountains Sing The Other Einstein Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet I hope you enjoy some of these.

[@CoUNtryForEva]

city of thieves, Moloka'i, Before We Were Yours, Memoirs of a Geisha, The Help ... these are also amazing

[@kelseywood174]

Lots of great books here! I am so glad I found your channel. Looking forward to watching more videos ☺️

[@doowopshopgal]

I loved All the light we cannot see by Anthony Doorr. Thank you for all these book recommendations

[@jenniferdobbs7092]

Loved Beneath Ther Scarlet Sky, and A Gentleman in Moscow, both are great reads! I have a handful of your list on my shelves, but have yet to read them. I don't know if I could pick a favorite just yet. So many to choose from.

[@ChantelReadsAllDay]

I just ordered When the World was Ours on the weekend, can't wait to read it!

[@loriwald9532]

Thanks for the recommendations. I am new to this genre and have loved the ones I have read so far.

[@MameysMedley]

LOVED this video as historical fiction is my favorite genre. I have only read a couple of these so I am so excited to add a bunch to my tbr. THANK YOU!!

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

Oh yay! I hope you enjoy them when you read them.

[@hillarylavendar9233]

When there is only one son in the family, he does not need to go to war unless he volunteers. Th US government changed the law after WWII. Saving Private Ryan was based upon the story. My dad went to Vietnam because his older brother dodged the draft. Because my dad took his place, my uncle never got in trouble for dodging. They were the only two sons in the family.

[@LifeisGoodLiveFully]

Great video and list! Thank you for the recommendations, I've added a few to my TBR!

[@wendyhoward2699]

I loved Beneath a Scarlet Sky. You had a lot of good books. Blessings.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

It was so good! Thanks!

[@audreymcnair350]

Ooh I cried SO much in The Great Alone. My kids kept walking into the living room to check on me 😂 Love her books. And Diane Chamberlain is another favorite. I’ve had Necessary Lies on my bookshelf for a few years. It’s time to read it!

[@kfp10596]

Loved these! I loved when we read Beneath the Scarlet Sky together. I have to read The Storyteller. I may slip that in if I need a substitute for historathon. My ultimate favorite is The Nightingale.

[@WildeBookGarden]

I want to try Bianca Marais! and I actually think the rule is 30+ years counts as historical fiction? which means books set in the 90's would qualify and that is alarming to me LOL

[@MargaretPinard]

So many I hadn't heard of, and so many recent ones! Loved Gentleman in Moscow :)))

[@iamkatherinee]

I love Ruta Sepetys’ books, she is an amazing writer.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

Agreed. If you like her books I would recommend checking out Sharon Cameron's books as well. I just read Bluebird by her and WOW it is so good!

[@dixiesmom4633]

I always get excited when you review historical fiction. Your picks have me adding to my TBR, ugh!! I have The Great Alone, but have not read it yet. That will be first up come January. Great video!

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

It's a great winter read!!

[@juliequezada7504]

The Giver of Stars needs to be on this list. You introduced me to this book, and it is one of my favorite historical fiction books. 🙂

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

It is so good!

[@MameysMedley]

YES! Loved it too!

[@karenmiller1105]

Awesome recommendations. Thank you.

[@GloriaZThompson]

Wonderful idea, I might have to copy you. 😉

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

Please do!

[@gayleham]

“All the light we can’t see” Doerr. Gave me a glimpse into understanding mind of “enemy” of ww 2. Beautiful book.

[@monicamacauley3750]

Have you ever read Hazel Gaynor? Memory of Violets, The Lighthouse Keepers Daughter and The Last Lifeboat are excellent. I savor every page of her books. Compelling writing style, interesting historical subjects examined. You’d love her.

[@meganmadkour9328]

The Great Alone is on my Historathon 3.0 TBR… can’t wait to start it. Right now I am listening to The Lost Vintage, and reading A Bend In The Stars by Rachel Barenbaum, which I am loving!

[@susannels4884]

One of my favorite things in a story is a good moral dilemma. I've got Necessary Lies on my TBR! I loved A Gentleman in Moscow!

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

I bet you'll love Necessary Lies then!

[@Readingindarknesss]

I need to read between shades of grey! Thats one of the books i plan to read this month!

[@barbaramanickas6580]

Thank you for sharing your favorites

[@clovelly1946]

Wish I could whip your list onto my playlist..

[@Jordan_elaine]

Between shades of grey has been on my tbr so long! I loved her newest one I Must Betray You and also Salt to the Sea!

[@angiegarza1145]

I loved Beneath a Scarlet Sky!

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

It was so good!

[@kellythomas7611]

I loved The Great Alone, as well!!! Definitely in my top 10.

[@paperbacksandponytails]

I definitely want to read The Length of a String and Between Shades of Grey, I think I would really like both of those books.

[@monicamoskovics8686]

Thank you for sharing! These looks like awesome reads! My favorite middle grade historical fiction thus far is A Place to Hang the Moon - Kate Albus.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

Another great one!

[@Readingindarknesss]

Necessary lies was a great one! Im gonna read the last house on the street this month

[@tammyripp998]

The Second Life of Mirelle West, The Mad Girls of New York: A Nellie Bly Novel and Rules of Civility are my favorites.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

I really want to read The Mad Girls of New York and Rules of Civility.

[@bndergltd3053]

I also greatly enjoyed Second Life (along with her Between Earth and Sky)

[@bytesofmemory]

I have read so many of these and loved them all minus A Gentleman in Moscow. That one was just okay for me. I think because I didn't know the history and he was stuck in the hotel I was confused on what was happening outside of the hotel. I added a few more of these to my want to read list!

[@maryklein7131]

A girl has a BAT Mitzvah

[@annasmom2009]

I was expecting you to have Jefferson's Sons on this list, since I know how much you liked that one too. Thanks for sharing.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

I tried not to talk about it as much anymore since it's so hard to get

[@bookishmammabudgets]

A book in the same theme as Shades of Gray that you might like is The Nesting Dolls by Alina Adams

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

I read that a couple of years ago and enjoyed it.

[@pagesofblessings]

Casually adding all of these to my TBR. Our historical fiction preferences seem to be quite similar, and I actually own 3 of these (one thanks to you ❤) but have not read them (Great Alone, The Storytellers, and Until Tomorrow, Mr. Marsworth). I am very interested to read Necessary Lies, I read Big Lies in a Small Town by the same author and enjoyed that. I’m not sure how you narrowed it down to 10!

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

Believe it or not this was actually not super difficult. Ask me to rank these and that's a totally different conversation.

[@saifonlawrence2044]

So many great books...so little time

[@whatbringscorinajoy2724]

I’m reading Hum If You Don’t Know the Words right now and I am really enjoying the writing. I think it will be a high rating for me.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

You'll have to let me know what you think!

[@Readingindarknesss]

I loved hum if you dont know the words!

[@lindadashner9205]

i love when booktubers do videos like this. i loved the great alone. i just have to add two more of my faves. the fall of marigolds and kate quinn the huntress. did you read either of these? i think you would enjoy both of these.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

I have read the Fall of Marigolds but not the Huntress. I have read Kate Quinn though and really enjoyed her.

[@jeaninehogshead4710]

I know you hear this all the time, but I LOVE your hair!!!!

[@cmeeki4]

Beneath A Scarlet Sky is an amazing story.

[@JustinianG]

I am currently writing a historical fiction book. Can you make a video review of its when I am done?

[@theresas709]

The War That Saved My Life, As Bright as Heaven and The Iron River are probably my top Hist. Fic. but I haven't read any of the ones you had here.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

I loved the first two you mentioned and have never heard of the third. Gonna have to check it out.

[@nickielynn2169]

I am looking to broaden my experience in historical fiction from different countries that we don't hear about very often. ( Like North Koorea, South America, Africa . . .). Can anyone help me out or tell me how to find books from specific countries?

[@glendaw5221]

I loved The Storyteller. I wish the author would have written more books like this one. Sadly, I think many of her recent books have not been as good. and gosh, you love to cry while reading. I’m just not as eager to cry over a good book.😢😂❤

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

I LOVE when a book makes me cry. Then I know it really made me FEEL something. :)

[@jeanmarieboucherit7376]

This is so so good and you obviously haven't read read read I, Claudius, The three musketeers or The road to Jerusalem.

[@leighcochran8276]

Hello! The great Alone ne as really good, but the abuse was disturbing at times. The storyteller was amazing as well. Jodi picoult is a wonderful author.

[@Readingindarknesss]

I loved the storyteller but jodi picoult is an author where you need to decide whether you wanna change your mind or at least see both sides of a topic. I was fine with this one but she’s polarizing because not everybody wants this when it comes to certain topics.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

Definitely agree with this.

[@MichaelKaunas]

good video

[@strangementalitypaperYT]

Sounds like you're very into dual timelines. That's honestly one of my least favorite tropes, but you still had some awesome choices on here IMO. I was also really happy to NOT see The Nightingale on here. It's such a beloved book on BookTube but when I read it I just couldn't believe how mediocre it was.

[@OnTheMiddleShelf]

I just honestly love some other one more. It's a good book, just not a favorite of mine.

[@strangementalitypaperYT]

@@OnTheMiddleShelf The more I think about The Nightingale, the more I realize I just hated it. Haha.

[@autumnof1992]

I loved reading the secret life of bees by Sue Mock Kidd and the wolf den by Elodie Harper these stories have a special place in my heart.