My Favorite Historical Fiction Books! (historical fiction recs 📚)

[@naylethhernandez2965]

A thousand splendid suns and The kite runner by Khaled Hosseini are two beautiful historical fiction novels, highly recommended and they also will make you cry.

[@fictionisvice]

I second your Thousand Splendid Suns suggestion. Also highly recommended. Am getting around to The Kite Runner

[@alixboyer8202]

Yep! I second this!

[@1197CS]

A Thousand Splendid Suns is definitely one of the best

[@life_of_wine_and_books]

Yes! Personally, I enjoyed A Thousand Splendid Suns more than Kite Runner, but you can't go wrong with either.

[@RudisKetabs]

Oh my gosh! They were soooo good! I love Khaled Hosseini.

[@EmiZViolet]

Learning about other cultures is one of my favorite reasons to read historical fiction and Pachinko is my gold standard of that experience. What a novel.

[@jmund175]

The Shadow of the Wind was astounding. Definitely a book that gives a hangover

[@judithvandenberg7894]

If you loved Pachinko I highly recommend Do Not Say We Have Nothing, it's a historical fiction that follows two families over multiple generations before, during and after the Tiananmen square protests in China and it absolutely broke my heart

[@rachelwhite4449]

I’ve read all but two of these and also love them! I would add A Gentleman In Moscow and The Nightingale.

[@JamesBond-cq9mg]

The "North And South" series by John Jakes is literally SO underrated! It follows two families (one from the north, one from the south) and their friendship during the American civil war. For basically two decades we get attached to the characters and how the war changes them and their relationships. It's beautiful, heart-breaking, dramatic and very authentic. Truly one of my favourite historical fiction reads!

[@jorgelopez-pr6dr]

There was a TV series based on the books?

[@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 Great Alone 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.

[@peachypitstop6648]

Outlander is one of my favorite fantasy/romance/political histroical fictions!

[@takshatangudu8736]

I am craving for historical fiction from 2-3 weeks but couldn't decide what to read ! You always have a great timing 😍😍😍

[@PeruseProject]

yay I hope you enjoy!

[@takshatangudu8736]

@@PeruseProject Thank you!!☺❤

[@CM-jv3sw]

Read The Bronze Horseman! Love Story set in Leningrad during WW1

[@TheWinnie9611]

I love all the light we cannot see as well, is such a beautiful story. The book thief is one of my favs too, is one that has definitely stuck with me!! I’m currently reading the shadow of the wind and I’m loving it ☺️

[@RudisKetabs]

The Book Thief was always one of my favorite movies. But when I read the book I didn’t like it as I thought I would. I don’t know why. Maybe it just wasn’t mine.

[@TheWinnie9611]

@@RudisKetabs 😭😭😭 I’m sorry it didn’t work for you, I loved it so much the first time I read it, it truly became an all time fav for me. Will have to re read it soon, hopefully I’ll love it just as much this time around

[@tna9633]

kristin hannah is the queen of historical fiction. i've read all of her books and she will always be my fav!

[@cheyannemiller4787]

Loved this video! Thank you for the recommendations. I recently read The Rose Code and *loved* it. I would definitely recommend!

[@brunatonella]

The Shadow of the Wind was a turning point in my reading life. It's even more touching in spanish, if that's possible. I love it so much ❤

[@JavierCardenasZurita]

I love The shadow of the wind, I’ve read the 4 books on the Cemetery of forgotten books in Spanish, I don’t think it should be considered historical fiction, it’s more of a thriller and mystery, the historical element is not the main focus of the whole series.

[@brunatonella]

@@JavierCardenasZurita I read the four of them, too. Love the first and the last the most though 😍

[@CRohrscheib]

Check out The Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. A woman travels back in time and gets stuck in English village during the Bubonic Plague. Pack your tissues.

[@gingerk3077]

I was suprised not to see The Book Thief on your list since I know you love that book (me too)! I've read several on your list and the one I liked the best was probably Burial Rites. Historical Fiction is my favorite genre though I try to mix things up a bit. I recently finished the audiobook for The Alice Network and thought it was fantastic. A book that is sort of historical/fantasy that I would highly recommend is The Dream Daughter by Diane Chamberlain.

[@shelleyk7462]

I really enjoyed The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah which is based in the Dust Bowl era. I will check out the other books you recommended. Pachinko has been on my reading list for a while now so I’ll try to read this soon.

[@NataliaNNS]

Pachinko is really good!

[@1197CS]

I'm so exicted to read this one! I love Kristin Hannah books, A Great Alone was one of my faves

[@shelleyk7462]

@@1197CS I will check that one out, thanks. The Four Winds was the first book I read from Kristin Hannah.

[@zeevausman4500]

Hi Regan, I hope you're doing good. 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.

[@krispy777]

Pachinko is truly an emotional investment of a multi-generational family. Also, completely devastating. Pachinko is going to be a show series starring Lee Minho.

[@sbacy99]

Oh wow. I love Lee Min Ho. I have to get Pachinko.

[@krispy777]

@@sbacy99 I think Spring 2022 and possibly on Apple TV? It’s been a struggle to find any release date info.

[@carolineblueskies]

Loved The Bear and The Nightingale, I need to read the other two! I've been waiting for winter to roll around, I feel like it's one of those books you need the right mood/setting for haha

[@AVMCC1]

I really enjoyed The Huntress by Kate Quinn. It centered around WWII and shortly after, trying to find Nazi war criminals, the titular character being the main one, and a female Nazi war criminal at that, and included a focus on all female Soviet night bomber unit. Who even knew there was such a thing! I love the mix of history and fictionalized characters/situations that a good historical fiction can bring to the table

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

yes! I really like Kate Quinn. The Rose Code is really good too! I have that on my channel if you are interested.....

[@AVMCC1]

@@SomewhereInIndiana1816 Thanks! I'll take a look at the video. I'm always looking for great books to read (so my TBR gets so long that I'll never read them all before I die) and used to read a lot more historical fiction, so would love to have more good ones to read!

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

@@AVMCC1 you're welcome, and thank you! There are so many great books!!

[@bookthoughtswitheilish]

I can't wait to read Pachinko! I picked it up recently on your recommendation, its sounds so good :)

[@lisa5451]

Thank you for the Historical Fiction and Historical Fantasy recommendations. It's been a while since you've done recommendations on this genre. I always love your selections.

[@raquelluna3756]

My favorite Historical Fiction is The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah set in Alaska it's so good and I bawled hard! Also The Four Winds by the same author, it came out earlier this year.

[@1197CS]

Yes! I loved that one - reminded me of Where The Crawdad Sings by Delia Owens as well

[@aftoncrain2042]

My mom has only read one novel in the past 25 years and it’s been All the Light We Can Not See. It is so dang good. Also, everyone should totally check out Lovely War. It’s a really unique take on an age-old story.

[@ceciliareda9421]

I’ve read The Tenth Muse by Catherine Chung this year and was completely blown away with how good it was. One of the best historical fiction I’ve ever read. I also love the winternight series and i’m always looking for other books that capture the same level of folklore and aesthetic and character depth but it’s been hard.

[@melissgoode]

Great list as always! Need to add a couple to my TBR. My favorite historical fiction books are The Tattooist of Auschwitz, The Bronze Horseman and We Were the Lucky Ones

[@andraste6746]

The ones of these I read I loved, especially Pachinko. I wasn’t sure about Gods of Jade and Shadow but will definitely pick it up now. I have also been eyeing off The Bear and the Nightingale and Shadow of the Wind and I will definitely read them now. I recently enjoyed Bone China by Laura Purcell and The Poisonwood Bible by Barbara Kingsolver is one of my all time favourite books.

[@piyaachatterjee1082]

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid is one of my favorites. I sobbed at the end

[@kiannamoss4896]

I love all the light we cannot see! I also loved seven husbands of Evelyn hugo. The ended of that one killed me 😭🥺

[@nicoleymotion]

I loved The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. Follows 3 women working on Bletchley Park (aka intelligence) during WWII. Super interesting! Has a mystery/thriller element with dual timelines.

[@robinmixon6999]

The Huntress by Quinn was really good!

[@nicoleymotion]

@@robinmixon6999 agreed! Though I think Rose Code was even better. Still have to read The Alice Network.

[@emilkrystad6364]

Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison is one of my favorite historical novels. It's about a young woman disguising herself as a man in the wild west in search of her outlaw brother. It has a very unique and beautiful narrative style and a sad but satisfying ending. Couldn't recommend it more highly. And a book unlike all of your favorites is The Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue by Mackenzi Lee, which is YA but still fantastic. It's a fast-paced silly adventure and I reread it whenever I'm feeling down.

[@wbl5649]

thanks for the recommendation of Whiskey...I just downloaded it and cant wait to get started

[@1197CS]

All The Light We Cannot See if definitely one of my favourites!! Also love The Book Thief if you love that

[@ReadingNymph]

I loved Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo! I'm loving the Tudor time period, the Other Boylen Girl was one I really enjoyed

[@chrissyfuhrie]

You nailed the camera angle! Seriously love that chair.

[@MlleSophietr]

The beast historical finction I've read so far are : The Book of Longings, A Thousand Splendid Sun, Fall of Giants and Shadow of the Wind. They were amazing!

[@liviejb]

I’m currently reading Magic Lessons by Alice Hoffman, which is like Bear and the Nightingale in that it is historical with fantasy elements, and it’s SO good so far! It essentially about a witch, named Maria, during the late 17th century. It is surrounding the time of the Salem Witch trials, and I feel like it is so adept at explaining certain aspects of human behavior. And on top of that, the way she describes the magic is immediately immersing!

[@daisyniemeyer8490]

I have a few of these mentioned on the list but I added a few new ones to my tbr thanks to you! The Bear and the Nightingale and Burial Rights. I recently read Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah and thought it was good. I cant wait to get to these stories! TFS!

[@catherinebruno1689]

Pachinko was one of my add-ons from BOTM from this month. I am super excited for the new Ruta Sepetys though! Definitely going to be a pre-order for me.

[@tammyripp998]

Could not agree more about Pachinko, an amazing book/work of art/literary masterpiece.

[@mariecatherineechas9301]

Omg I missed watching u!!! Rlly needed a pick me up video from you. Also been trying to get out of a reading slump with All The Light We Cannot See soooo wish me luck hihi :)) Stay safe

[@PeruseProject]

Hope you enjoy!!

[@feylights166]

I love anything to do with Japan, so I may have to read Pachinko.

[@yourgirltati]

I thought I would see the Nightingale by Kristin Hannah I love this video I not read like historical fiction but I love Nightingale

[@awomaninstem]

City of Girls and House of Spirits are two of my favorite Historical Fictions ❤️

[@tomadamosborne4952]

Check out this cool cinematic book trailer: kzbin.info/www/bejne/kJnIeId3oNlgbJo

[@ZeeZeeDreaming]

Memoirs of a Geisha is beautiful! I like Kate Mosse’s historical books too!

[@Austrian_blood]

The Song of Achilles, is one of my top reads of historical fiction. Truly a wonderful tale of ancient Greece and Troy. Five-Stars*.

[@life_of_wine_and_books]

I would definitely recommend anything by Kate Quinn. She has a series set in Ancient Rome (that's how I discovered her AGES ago), then a duology about the Borgias, and now her books are centered around WWI and WWII. The Huntress is my personal favorite, but you seriously can't go wrong with any of them, especially her newer books.

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

Kate Quinn is excellent! The Huntress and The Rose Code are excellent.

[@francescalewi239]

Just found you. It seems We have very similar taste in books! I have All The Light, Burial Rights and Shadow of The Wind on my bookcase right now waiting tbr, and I’ve read Seven Husbands. I’ve added your recommendations to my “want-to-read” list. Thank you!

[@xBEERmonsterx]

I’ve had Pachinko in my hands numerous times but never committed, I will definitely pick it up now, thanx!

[@stormeyhine7291]

Please read The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Lyrical, metaphoric, stunning storyline. You'll LOVE it!

[@SharpenersReport]

I agree Pachinko is one of my favorites! I hope you'll check out The Moments Between Dreams if you want to learn some Polish culture and what it was like to live in the 1940s when a virus lurked in swimming pools.Thanks for all you do to help readers discover more fantastic books!

[@susancrabill1088]

The Book of Lost Names and The Sweetness of Forgetting, both by Kristin Harmel. They are both wonderful. I plan to read all of her books.

[@TheLunarFire]

Reading Pachinko now and it's SO GOOD

[@MoJordanReads]

I am about to finish The Girl in the Tower and I am truly obsessed with these books. I will be starting the last book immediately. Absolutely incredible books

[@quirkypages697]

All the light we cannot see has my heart!

[@marislawyer1896]

My debut novel, The Blue Line Down (Hub City Press, winner of the 2020 SC Novel Prize) details a little-known piece of Appalachian history surrounding the Baldwin-Felts agents, a violent group of union busters who heavily targeted coal mine unionizers during the turn of the century. Set in the 1920s, the story follows Jude Washer, a young man who is forced to confront his painful past and murky morality as a Baldwin-Felts agent himself. It's a fast-paced, compact read, and I hope you'll consider picking it up!

[@michreviews1704]

All the Light We Cannot See did what The Nightingale couldn't for me, it just gave me all the feelings 😭😭😭 also I hadn't heard of the Silvia Moreno-García's book before??? Just added it to my tbr!

[@zainabelmadhoni6856]

I loved "all the light we cannot see". Read it because of your rec

[@julissadc6303]

The Alice Network was amazing

[@clareseymour6227]

Great recommendations! Some other awesome historical fictions I recommend are The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennet, The Weight of Our Sky by Hanna Alkaf, The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead, and for some lighter reads, The Montague Siblings books by Mackenzie Lee!

[@sofiamilla7809]

I love Last Night at the Telegraph Club!

[@princess20-sideddie95]

Favourite historical fiction books and no Guy Gavriel Kay on that list? This is definitely an author you need to check out. Though there are some historical aspects to it, his first trilogy, The Fionavar Tapestry, is a pretty standard (but well written!) fantasy story. After that, however, it's pretty much all historical fantasy that he writes. I love all of his books and can't recommend him enough.

[@robinmixon6999]

Try Through A Glass Darkly by Karleen Koen. I thought it was amazing!

[@bookishmillennial5297]

7 Husbands is on my wishlist and I have Pachincko on my list waiting to be read!

[@JavierCardenasZurita]

Have you read any of Ken Follet’s historical fiction novels ??? If so, Which ones and what do you think about them ??

[@jorgelopez-pr6dr]

There's some interesting historical fiction I find out some time ago: The Apostle (Sholem Asch), The Egyptian (Mika Waltari) ,both set in the Antique world, One Million Dead by Jose Maria Gironella ( set in the Spanish Civil War) and Desiree Annemarie Selinko ( about one of Napoleon's loves). Do you know these ? There are movie adaptations of the second and the last.

[@layalialsudairy9992]

I loved The book woman of troublesome creek The great alone The four winds

[@malinhalia]

I read Hamnet earlier this year and it has definitely made it on to my all round favourites list, so that's a historical fiction book I would very highly recommend!

[@mashby2683]

Panchiko was so good, I loved it so much it made me so emotional

[@debiklotovich1933]

I loved Pachinko it was wonderful.

[@zeallygreen]

I’m surprised you didn’t mention The Ghost Bride or The Paper Tiger by Yangsze Choo? Both amazeballs! Thx for sharing!

[@xdiaz755]

Thanks for these great recommendations putting them on my list 🙏🙏🙏

[@lucyinthestacks]

The Mountains Sing was one of my favs of the year! I think you’d like it~

[@lalitalalita1985]

Thanks for the great recs love from Croatia!

[@karrysmith9336]

Historical fiction is my favorite!!

[@eloisereads4952]

Not sure if you’ve read The Giver of Stars but it is a wonderful historical fiction novel that is my top book of the year so far.

[@johnsparegrave5996]

It seems to me Anglosaxons have different evaluations of what a historical novel is. To me for example The Bear and the Nightingale typically would not enter the category, it is more about the folklore but then not history per se (the trilogy is beautiful though).

[@fictionisvice]

I think I'm cursed in regards to All The Light We Cannot See. Every time I sit down to read it something comes up to stop me! However, love Burial Rites - I found it really interesting.

[@sarahann4205]

Your plant baby is so big now! 🌱

[@jennifers4142]

I think if you enjoy lyrical writing, you’d like The Ragged Edge of Night by Olivia Hawker. It’s so beautifully written.

[@c.r.novilee4682]

Star Crossed Enemies is worth checking out!! It’s enemies to lovers, set in Nazi Germany.

[@Candi7x]

Oh! By who may I ask?

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

I LOVE All The Light We Cannot See. I do like historical fiction, especially WW II era. I have several such novels reviewed on my channel -- Lilac Girls, The Alice Network, The Rose Code, The Last Bookshop in London, etc. Most of the books reviewed here are new to me; I'll need to check them out. Thanks! New to your channel....

[@CM-jv3sw]

Hi! We have similar tastes and books. I would love more recommendations

[@SomewhereInIndiana1816]

@@CM-jv3swAwesome, Thank you! Stay tuned on my channel as I post book reviews often. 😊

[@4travelinggirls]

I would recommend 'The Parisian' by Hammad. It's a WWI story but through Palestinian perspective, very rich story!

[@tatianawirth6455]

Hey Reagan! Have you considered giving These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong a shot? It takes place in 1920’s Shanghai and is a romeo and Juliette retelling!

[@PeruseProject]

I own it!! Def want to read!

[@erinlindsmccabe]

Loved Burial Rites so much! 💗 it reminds me of Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood, which I think you would find a lot to admire in, if you haven’t read it. It also explores the truth and the stories told about another woman accused of gruesome crimes.

[@yohanieciu]

If u love Pachinko PLEASE read the mountain sings!!

[@linjicakonikon7666]

You missed the following incredible books: Aztec, Journeyor, Raptor, and Spangle by perhaps the finest historical fiction writer I've ever read, the late Gary Jennings. Each is an epic tale and not for the faint of heart.

[@vincaalkaloids6732]

What about Tombland and Pillars Of The Earth?

[@jordynchadwellbias3407]

Do a review on Diana Gabaldons Outlander book series and Kent Folletts series the Kings Bridge and The Century series

[@stellangios]

I liked The Bear and the Nightingale well enough, not very emotional for me but I do want to read the other two someday. My favorite historical fiction is a different sort from the stuff in this video. I don't read it much but I liked Stephen Pressfield; Gates of Fire, Last of the Amazons, Tides of War... I need to read his new Roman book, his Alexander books. I loved Mary Renault's--the first two anyway, haven't yet read the last because 💔. Elizabeth Chadwick is also good for me sometimes, though I've rather fallen behind on hers. I liked A Place Beyond Courage a lot, though. Rosemary Sutcliff's The Eagle is also really nice, different from the film which I also enjoyed. I started reading a series about Boudicca, and I really liked it but then I had to stop reading super bloody stuff for a while. I dunno when or if I'll try more historical fiction, but I feel like anything that doesn't involve lots of swordfighting will be a stretch for me! ⚔️

[@elisabeth_montgomery]

Yayyy! My favorite topic lol Ken Follett has a new book out called Never if anyone wants to add it to their list.

[@PeruseProject]

I reallllllly want to read one of this books!

[@elisabeth_montgomery]

@@PeruseProject His Pillars of the Earth series is amazing. Worth all the hand cramps from holding the massive books lol

[@jeanmarieboucherit7376]

Pachinko is brilliant.

[@yashasree1044]

I have read all of them except Gods of Jade and Shadow and Evelyn Hugo

[@melissamybubbles6139]

I'm two years late to this party, but I've noticed a trend. When women booktubers recommend historical fiction, they treat it as general fiction which happens to have a historical backdrop. The reviewers have no background in reading historical nonfiction, and there is no discussion of historical accuracy or of how a book fits into the overall conversation around the topic it addresses. I realize that no booktuber can be an expert on every time period, but it would help to read at least a few introductory books on one or two time periods, and do a search on accuracy issues for each book.

[@JayGTheAwkwardBookworm]

I’ve heard such good things about Gods Jade Shadow 👀

[@NataliaNNS]

I had really high expectations for gods of jade and shadow, but unfortunately it just wasn’t for me 😅I got bored halfway through, and the plot seemed to drag, even though it had a lot of potential

[@velocitor3792]

"Chesapeake" by James Michener.

[@katxl7]

I couldn’t get into All the light we cannot see, took me ages to finish.

[@juanbuitron4708]

Hi Reagan, I would love you to read a Spanish book obviously with the English translation, we as your Latin American followers would love to see that, Try to read the novel winner Gabriel Garcia Marquez ( Colombia ) or Mario Vargas Llosa ( Perú ). Love u ❤️❤️

[@thefairylibrarian3282]

I would recommend War and turpentine by Stefan Hertmans

[@francescatelari]

Bookshelf tour pls 🥺