Top 10 BEST Historical Fiction Books of ALL TIME (For Me … Do You Agree?)

[@judym414]

Just discovered your channel. When you started with “Pillars of the Earth” which is one of my favorite books I knew you were going to be a favorite. Several books that you mentioned are on my TBR list. Currently reading “Winter Solstice” by Rosamunde Pilcher. Looking forward to binging on a few more of your videos.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thank you for watching! How are you liking "The Winter Solstice"? "The Shell Seekers" by Pilcher is actually on my library hold right now :)

[@TheBigB4000]

The Shadow of the Wind is part of a four-book series that is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. It's about book, magical realism, and Barcelona.

[@nancym6615]

I just discovered you too! I agree with the majority of your picks as they are some of my favorites as well. I loved Shadow of the Wind, it’s probably my all-time favorite.

[@prairierose1115]

Many of these books are my favorites also! Another excellent Elizabeth Gilbert historical fiction is The Signature of All Things.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

That one's definitely on my list!!

[@cindyklint7385]

Philippa Gregory is an English historical novelist who has been publishing since 1987. Must reads. Some have been made into movies.

[@elisasofis1061]

Hello, I just discover your channel and it seems like we have very similar reading tastes as all of these books are on my TBR list! (I’ve only gotten to the Crawdads so far and agree that the ending was phenomenal). Other historical fiction I’ve enjoyed include: Remote Sympathy, Cutting for Stone, the Winter Soldier (it’s a WWI story), All the Light We Cannot See.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I recently read the Winter Soldier and All the Light We Cannot See and really enjoyed them! Cutting for Stone is on my Libby wait list! I will have to check out Remote Sympathy. Thanks!

[@deetee8100]

If you liked the packhorse library, you’d like The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. She’s one of the blue people of Kentucky as well as a librarian. There’s also a sequel. The author is Kim Michele Richardson.

[@peterz53]

Excited to read some of your recommendations. esp.Birdsong and Kite Runner. Thank you.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

They are great! I hope you enjoy them!

[@barbarapaige4587]

Both of those books are among my favorites - I encourage you to read them!

[@BooksThatTeachUs]

absolute YES to the Kite Runner and Birdsong. I included Kite Runner on my top 25 historical reads that I just posted! Shadow of the Wind was WEIRD! haha

[@laurynkennedy6001]

Thanks for sharing! One of my favorite historical fiction books is Code Name Verity.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for the recommendation! I actually have that one on Audible from a long time ago. I'll have to finally listen to it!!

[@TimeTravelReads]

Did you look into how much research the authors did and how accurate these books are in various ways? That's what I'm looking for in reviews of historical fiction.

[@jillporco6789]

Cutting for Stone was the first one I read on my Kindle when I got it and I was just blown away! That title means more than one thing, if you think about it enough. That was clever!

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I definitely enjoyed Cutting for Stone!

[@susanjimenez62]

Just discovered you, but our reading tastes are very similar! Pillars of the Earth and Nightengale are definitely on my. Top 10 list. The others are on my TBR list. I am also a big fan of the Outlander books. I’m not sure you’d call it historical fiction, but The Poisonwood Bible is also one of my big favorites. Seems like one you might like.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for watching! I have never read Barbara Kingsolver, but she is definitely on my list of authors to read this year. Did you read Demon Copperhead? Which one should I try first? For some reason I didn't like Outlander, haha. Although I truly have never met anyone who has agreed with me on this point! It definitely must be me!

[@susanjimenez62]

@@FortheLoveofStory Demon Copperhead was great. I listened to the audiobook. Thought the narrator was quite good. Poisonwood Bible is still my favorite of hers, though. The Bean Trees was also good. I think her writing is beautiful.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

@@susanjimenez62 Thanks! I will definitely read her sometime this year :)

[@bookstalgic]

Awesome list! I have also read Kindred and I really loved it, it was one of my favorite books of the year this past year for sure. I have not read The Kite Runner yet, but I have a different book by the author called A Thousnad Splendid Suns on my bookshelf that I’m going to try to read for the read what you own challenge this year. I also have Where the Crawdad Sings and Remains of the Day on my shelf too so you made me excited to get to them. I love historical fiction and you pretty much sold me on each of these books! My favorite historical fiction read this year was Four Treasures of the Sky - the audio was great and it was such a moving story 😭. On another note, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. The same thing happened to me - about a week after my youngest daughter was born my father also died suddenly and unexpectedly. It was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through and I completely understand!!

[@FortheLoveofStory]

OMG! I can't imagine the emotional roller coaster of giving birth to a child and then losing a parent all in the span of one week. I am so sorry that happened to you! ♥

[@bookstalgic]

@@FortheLoveofStory Thank you! Yeah, having a new baby really helped my siblings and I as we had her to enjoy and focus on, but super sad too! Thank you for your kind words.

[@donnypeters-y9c]

Highly recommend go as a river by Shelley read

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I have never heard of that book, but judging by its description it looks fantastic. I just placed a hold on it at my library. Thanks!

[@donnypeters-y9c]

It's a book a recommend often and my favorite historical fiction of 2023. Also try what the wind knows. Amazing as well

[@FortheLoveofStory]

@@donnypeters-y9c Thanks!

[@GoreVidalComicbooks]

"Birdsong" was excellent. It led me to Pat Barker's "Ghost Road" Trilogy where Wilfred Owen, Robert Graves, and Sigfried Sassoon appear. Brilliant trilogy.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for the recommendation! I've never heard of that trilogy.

[@michellemattenson1283]

Just found you and agree with your top ones and had to add Bird Song to my tbr list. I just "The things we cannot say" by Kelly Rimmer. If you haven't read this, i thoroughly enjoyed it!

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I hope you enjoy "Bird Song"! It's so good! Thanks for the recommendation! I just downloaded it on Libby!

[@bndergltd3053]

Loved “The Kite Runner”. I just remember thinking how well written it was.

[@dianehouse4021]

I’ve ready most of these books. Pillars is definitely one of my most favorite reads, as well as, The Nightingale. The Book Thief, Lonesome Dove and Cold Mountain are also all time favorites.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

OMG! I just finished Lonesome Dove. Such vivid and beautifully wrought characters. I couldn’t stop crying at the end!

[@dianehouse4021]

@@FortheLoveofStory Yes, so very true…the characters are absolutely vivid and heartbreaking. Time to read it again. Have you read The Power of One…An amazing novel written brilliantly by Bryce Courtenay, it is the story of Peekay a young boy growing up in South Africa WWII. To say that I could not put this book down is an understatement.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

@@dianehouse4021 Yes, I love the Power of One! One of my favorites, as well. I probably should re-read it. It's been so long!

[@cindyklint7385]

The Remains of the Day is a 1993 drama film adapted from the Booker Prize-winning 1989 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. Staring Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson.

[@debbiethomas2087]

loved loved the shadow of the wind series!!! top writing

[@ev3261]

Thank you for the recommendations, I also loved "pillars of the earth". I still haven't tried the other books in the series, but one day :-) My two favorite historical fiction books are "I, Claudius" by Robert Graves (about several of the Roman emperors) and "The Sunne in Splendore" by Sharon Kay Penman, about Richard III.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for the recommendations! "Goodbye to All That" is one of my favorite books ever, so I'll have to try "I, Claudius." "The Sunne in Splendore" sounds great too! I just put them on my Goodreads TBR :)

[@cindyklint7385]

Beneath a Scarlet Sky is the triumphant, epic tale of one young man's incredible courage and resilience during one of history's darkest hours. Pino Lella wants nothing to do with the war or the Nazis.

[@panktimodi5866]

Thank you for wonderful suggestion. I have read some of the books you suggested. The Kite Runner, The Nightingale and Where the Crawdads Sing are one of my fav too, adding remaning 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). I try to cover variety of countries A Thousand Splendid Suns/The Kite Runner Pachinko Homegoing Moloka'i The Vanishing Half The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane/The Island of Sea Women Purple Hibiscus/Half of a Yellow Sun 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 The Space Between Us The Exiles The Stationery Shop Independence Take My Hand The Beekeeper of Aleppo The Girl with the Louding Voice Hum If You Don't Know the Words I hope you enjoy some of these.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for the recommendations! I'm actually reading Pachinko right now! I also recently read A Thousand Splendid Suns, which I LOVED! I also really enjoyed Killers of the Flower Moon, and the Stationary Shop is on my shelf at home. I need to pick it up!

[@bridgetvollmer6337]

Great recommendations! Immediately went to thrift books to add Birdsong to my cart.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

That's where I got my copy too! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[@jennrecord2784]

The Women is my favorite Kristen Hannah. I was devastated. Her take on the Vietnam conflict was so true and heartbreaking.

[@jillporco6789]

The Nightingale made me "ugly cry". My husband asked me what was wrong--ha! I agree with Winter Garden being more soap opera-ish, especially near the end of the book. It was, however, a harrowing story, I felt.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

The Nightingale was so good; I understand why you ugly cried, lol. Yeah, most of her other books are pretty soap opera-ish. Entertaining, but soap opera entertaining :)

[@monicamacauley3750]

I’ve newly discovered Hazel Gaynor and Susan Meissner. Great historical fiction authors. Check them out.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I have "Last Christmas in Paris" on my Libby holds! I will check out Susan Meissner as well. Thanks!

[@bndergltd3053]

@@FortheLoveofStoryyes I recommend Nature of Fragile Things by Meissner

[@starlasell5698]

❤📚 I read The Pillars of the Earth in November, yes brilliant!! The Kite Runner and The Nightingale are on my tbr shelves. 😊 Where the Crawdad Sings was so good! I didn't have it figured out.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I hope you enjoy The Kite Runner and The Nightingale! Thanks for watching! :)

[@bndergltd3053]

Other recommendations: This Tender Land (set during the Depression) by William Kent Krueger and Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon. That’s about pioneers going west, focusing on a relationship between a young widow and a half Pawnee guide who helps them.

[@robinkirk1821]

If you liked the ending of Where the Crawdads Sing, I would recommend The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes. Great book!

[@robinkirk1821]

😂 I should’ve waited til the end! You’ve already read it!

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Yes, it was really good!

[@subaru7233]

I'd like to suggest a series that begins with The Seven Sisters about a man who adopts babies from all over the world and raises them in Switzerland. The story begins when he dies and leaves each of them hints about where they came from. Then each sister gets a book and each story goes back in history to explain who her family was and where she came from. The author is Lucinda Riley who has died. I was captivated by these stories.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Wow, that sounds really interesting!

[@judielarabee7464]

My all time favorite is Katherine by Anya Seton.

[@CarolMcDonald-m5s]

Me too! It’s been years but would love to read again. Library doesn’t have it.

[@rafd3593]

I’ve read five or six of the books reviewed and must say, it is a splendid selection. I’d like to recommend a book published in 2023, which is as powerful as “Birdsong” and, like that book, set during WWI - “In Memoriam” by Alice Winn. You won’t be disappointed if you read it.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for the recommendation! I vaguely remember that book when it came out, so thanks for reminding me. I just used one of my husband's audible credits to download it, lol.

[@loriwald9532]

I found where the crawdad was predictable too, but still enjoyed it. Loved Kite Runner. I’ll have to look into Birdsong.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Birdsong was sooo good!

[@janeliu5316]

Thank you for the recommendations! I think i might have a few ideas on what to get my war buff husband for Christmas 😅

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Hey! Thanks for watching. If you're husband is a war buff, I would also recommend "A World Undone" by G. J. Meyer. It's a full history of WWI, but it's riveting. Almost like a novel. I also loved "Goodbye to All That" by Robert Graves, which is a WWI memoir. "Charlotte Gray" by Sebastian Faulks and "The Winter Soldier" by Daniel Mason are two historical fiction war books that have received high praise, but I haven't read myself. I'm looking forward to reading them! Maybe your husband will like them too :)

[@janeliu5316]

@FortheLoveofStory OMG thank you so much!

[@cindyklint7385]

Best Audible: History of Bourbon by Ken Albala

[@lorahendrick5843]

Ok, historical with fantasy element due to Time travel The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon, I started could not get into the first book, I think it was maybe it was getting used to the Scottish language, however the book I read after I put that one down, the main characters favorites book was Outlander so I went back, started reading again, 15 more pages I could not put it down. I went on to read the rest of the series and the 3rd book I was reading at 1 am on a work night, was going to finish the chapter then go to sleep, I got to the end of the chapter set up in bed screamed out loud and read for 2 more hours (I took the next day off because I was tired) this series is epic.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Interesting! I tried Outlander a long time ago, but like you, I could not get into the first book, and halfway through I gave up. Can you read the second book without reading the first?

[@monicamoskovics8686]

@@FortheLoveofStory I have only read those two from that particular series, I think the second book would be hard to follow without knowing what happens in the first.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

@@monicamoskovics8686 Thanks for letting me know. One of the reasons I've never tried it again is because it's such a huge book. There are so many others to try instead :)

[@subaru7233]

The audiobooks are excellent, Davina Porter narrates and her mother and husband are both Scots so her accents are on target. I started Outlander when I had a detached retina and surgery and couldn't do much. It is so worth sticking with these books, they do reward you .I have read up to Snow and Ashes.

[@monicamoskovics8686]

@@subaru7233- I agree, the narrator does an excellent job. For book one I would check trigger warnings.

[@douglasdea637]

Reading Pillars of the Earth now and loving it. Almost finished. There are some questionable parts to the book but overall well done. Read Kindred last year and loved it. Perhaps the best book of 2024 for me. It's dark and grim but worth reading. I don't read much historical fiction but have liked what I read. In particular The 10,000 was great. It's about Xenophon's march into Persia and the Greek retreat. Also loved a little known novel that was big when it was published called Look to the Mountain. It's about a man born in the 1700s near Concord, New Hampshire. He grows up learning how to be a farmer and carpenter, marries then moves to what is now Ossipee, New Hampshire to help found the town. A frontier story, but not about the West.

[@Bookishtravels1]

New to your channel, I really enjoy Histfic, but I have not read any of these! New to your channel, here for more :)

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for watching!

[@Bookishtravels1]

@@FortheLoveofStory 😁

[@gabbylikestoread]

I've been thinking about reading Pillars of the Earth for a while. It sounds very interesting and I love an ensemble cast! I haven't thought of my all time favorite historical fiction books but now I wanna make a list! The last one that I enjoyed was The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

The Last Rose of Shanghai is definitely on my TBR :)

[@annedixon7609]

Ken Follick what book did Human say? I couldn’t really understand the title.

[@snrynkee]

New subscriber of 20 minutes and I have already stopped each video I have watched to go and buy a book talked about. This could be expensive! Have you listened to Dan Carlins Blueprint for Armageddon?

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I hope you enjoy reading all the new books!! I've never listened to that!

[@monicamoskovics8686]

@@FortheLoveofStory Would highly recommend Dan Carlin's Hardcore History podcast. Very good!

[@FortheLoveofStory]

@@monicamoskovics8686 I love that podcast!

[@lizardrock510]

Please add the epistolary novel about the German occupation of the channel Isles during the entirety of World War II. You will fall in love with the characters and wish the book would never end. The title is the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I've heard so many good things about this novel! I'm not usually that into epistolary novels, but I may have to give this one a try.

[@unbreakable7633]

Anything by George MacDonald Frazier, all outstanding historical fiction. Thomas Berger's Little Big Man. C.S. Forrester's Hornblower novels.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for the recommendations!

[@AbdulHafeez-my3pd]

Very nice madam

[@annedixon7609]

Pillars of the Earth, have you read the other book Tennessee Grace

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I've never heard of it. Who wrote it?

[@teneshaanderson4761]

Where is booth?

[@sissmallintentionalsteps4179]

Thank you for sharing these. My biggest genre is historical fiction. Here are some of my favorite reads this year: Ken Follett, The Armor of Light Karen Tanaka, A Woman of Intelligence Kate Quinn, The Diamond Eye Sarah Blake, The Guest Book Min Jin Lee, Pachinko Marie Benedict, The Other Einstein Ariana Trigiani, The Shoemaker’s Wife

[@FortheLoveofStory]

That's a great list! I'm glad you liked Armor of Light. I was wondering if I should try it or not. And I keep hearing how good Pachinko is. I'll definitely be moving that up my TBR!

[@DancingNancio]

I always wonder why Outlander isn’t on these lists?

[@nancytrue7276]

One of my favorites is The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@StellarFella]

I hope you know of the great books by Barbara Tuchman.

[@alastairgrayhardback5733]

Try Fall of Giants by Ken Follet. I can't decide If Pillars of the Earth or Fall of giants is Ken Follets best book.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I love Fall of Giants, but I think Pillars of the Earth is way better, lol :)

[@michalgitman8357]

I loved The Kitchen House, The Personal Librarian, I Must Betray You, The Lion Women of Teheran

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for the recs!

[@marimuthuelakkuvan1011]

❤❤❤

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for watching!

[@terrydithurbide4509]

I really loved the libraians of the burned books It is Berlin 1933

[@FortheLoveofStory]

That definitely sounds like a good one. I remember putting it on my TBR, but I haven't read it yet :)

[@donnarion1147]

I just subscribed and am so glad that You Tube recommended your channel! After years of following book-tube on and off, you are the first one to love the books I love. (Actually, my fault as I think I may be too old for book-tube). HF being my favorite genre, I would also recommend: Follett's century trilogy, Edward Rutherfurd's books (long, but he follows four or five families throughout several hundred years so he'll jump forward in time to subsequent generations of the same families), Elswyth Thane's Williamsburg series (1st book is Am. Revolution, but each subsequent book is another stop in Am. history) Elizabeth Chadwick's books, especially her Wm. Marshal books Herman Wouk The Winds of War and War and Rememrance, also The Caine Mutiny I'll quit before I overrun your post, but these are all highly recommended. I thoroughly enjoyed this! Thank you! All the best, Donna

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks so much for the recommendations! Yes, I love Follett's Century series! I have had The Winds of War on my TBR forever but have never gotten to it due to its length. I'll likely get to it eventually though!

[@donnarion1147]

@@FortheLoveofStory Don't be put off by the length - it moves quickly from the protagonist back and forth to his grown children who are all in various parts of the world. So not one long, continuous slog. Enjoy! Also, I should have mentioned R. F. Delderfield's HF novels, especially his God is an Englishman trilogy, Victorian/Industrial revolution setting. These are keepers for me to re-read.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

@@donnarion1147 Thanks so much for the recommendations! Yes, The Winds of War has definitely moved up my TBR list!

[@maxgoldsmith9]

I’m reading Indian Horse right now.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Thanks for the recommendation. I've never heard of that book, but I'll have to check it out.

[@HenrieAsconir]

Hi! I recently published my novel Archangel: World at War on Amazon and Kobo. I’ve really enjoyed your videos and would be honored if you’d consider reviewing my book in one of your vlogs! It’s not fully edited yet, but I’d be excited to send you a physical copy once it’s finalized. Also, The Nightingale and The Shadow of the Wind are fantastic books! They’re similar to my book in that they both revolve around World War II. Thanks for all the great recommendations and for your time and consideration! God bless!

[@rogerbernard9572]

Pillars of the earth. A++++++

[@FortheLoveofStory]

It was so good! I've decided I'm going to re-read it or re-listen to it at least once a year.

[@lesliebrophy2810]

People cry on planes due to lower air pressure which can lower the blood oxygen levels. This makes it harder to deal with emotions and/or stress. So, don’t read sad books or watch tearjerkers!

[@FortheLoveofStory]

I never knew that, lol. I guess that's why I always cry on planes!

[@Eric4real4321]

Im reading Pillars of the Earth right now, and i have never hated a villain more than i hate William Hamleigh. And i have read A Song of Ice and Fire. If this dude does not meet a satisfying end, im going to be mad.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Haha. Yes, he's a fantastic villain!

[@rogerbernard9572]

Please stop shaking the book in front of you. Set it up so we can see it. Thank you.

[@FortheLoveofStory]

Sorry, this is one of the first videos I ever did. I didn't think anyone would even watch it.

[@richardhelfman903]

A "10 BEST of ALL TIME" Historical Fiction list that doesn't include War and Peace does get one's attention. I'm getting the feeling that this genre is intended to attract female readers and is more a marketing tool than a serious attempt to evaluate historical novels. Like a Novels for Teens section in Barnes and Noble. (After Googling B&A to be sure I spelled "Noble" correctly, it turns out to be EXACTLY that, as they have their own 10 Best that also does not include Tolstoy's classic.)

[@robertawalsh2995]

6:20 You lost me. 🙄

[@twentynineteen4687]

Milkweed.