Top 10 Favourite Historical Fiction Novels

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The Books:
The Mad Woman's Ball: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978085...
The Wonder: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978150...
The Silence of the Girls: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978024...
The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978148...
The Passion: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978009...
Poor Things: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978074...
A Night to Surrender: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978006...
Kindred: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978147...
Bodies of Water: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978178...
The Mysterious Howling: uk.bookshop.org/a/2086/978006...
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[@alejandrarodriguez8410]

Historical fiction is my fave genre, finally someone Talking about it🥺

[@Shamrockbabe]

My favorite historical fiction novel is The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon. If you haven’t read it, I highly recommend it.

[@JeansThoughts]

I have it on my shelf and REALLY need to read it, everyone loves it so much.

[@WhatVictoriaRead]

This was so lovely and cosy! And I’m halfway through The Strange Case of the Alchemists Daughter and I’m really enjoying it! 💛

[@susanroberts9052]

I would LOVE to see your top 10 memoirs next please!! 💕

[@zeeybooknook]

Those are some really interesting sounding recs, thanks for sharing. The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter was already on my tbr, time to move it up I think.

[@julietbullen-dunbar7059]

Victoria Holt and other pen names was my introduction to historical fictiin. She began my love of books long ago in my teens. I enjoyed this video. Subscribed. Look forward to watching more.

[@BonnieDragonKat]

Jean Pilady. First book of hers I read was Lady in the Tower, which is an Ann Boleyn novel.

[@bentheoverlord]

Ugh so many more books I now need to read because they sound sooo good :P Absolutely fab video btw Kindred is an all time fav so was happy to see it get some love, and your love of Tessa Dare in your vids means I'll defo need to give her a go now.

[@teacupthestoryteller]

So glad I found this channel 😊 I love historical fiction but I haven´t heard of some of the books you mentioned here. Definitely will check them out, thank you 😊

[@Bookishhistorian]

Some of my favourite historical fiction: A Burnable Book by Bruce Holsinger (1380s London, follows John Gower playing detective, with side characters of Chaucer, and Eleanor Rykenor - a documented transgender prostitute) Shadows of the Pomegranate Tree by Tariq Ali (1499 Spain, follows a Muslim family after the “reconquest” of Spain, with the rise of the Spanish Inquisition and threat of Christianity) Possession by A.S. Byatt (split time period 1980s and 1800sish, follows two scholars as they uncover the relationship between two C19th poets, through letters, diary entries etc - writing is phenomenal) The Guernsey Literary and Potato PeelPie Society (postWW2, delightfully uplifting, quick, epistolary as a young author in London connects with a small society in guernsey who used her book to keep hope during the occupation)

[@agirlabookandamom6721]

Kindred is an excellent book! And my daughter and I just finished the third book in the Incorrigible Children series! We LOVE them!

[@imanbell]

Forever Amber by Kathleen Winsor! I had so much fun reading it, it's set in 17th century England but came out in the 1940s, fantastic read!

[@hyacinthh6900]

Oh yes! A wonderful story.

[@KritikaGrover]

I would love it if u make more fantasy and magic themed recommendations ♡♡♡

[@ttowntrekker5174]

Great reviews!

[@janicemacdougall1844]

I would love a video of your Top 10 Favourite Memoirs, please. :) I'm interested in reading The Mad Women's Ball, The Wonder, Bodies of Water, and I still haven't started reading The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place. I also enjoy reading Middle-grade books. :)

[@audreymaccready5778]

So thrilled that Regency romance is your favourite - mine, too! Addicted, really. Have several Tessa Dare's under my belt. Other are very interesting recommendations - thanks.

[@fionamacdonald8794]

‘Bodies of water’ was so good, I thought about it for days afterwards!

[@wendyryan1618]

I agree about the Silence of the Girls - it's a book I'm still thinking about a year after reading it. Coincidentally, I picked up the Theodora Goss book from my library last week, just before my city locked down due to COVID. Looking forward to being distracted and diverted!

[@Gemmiejewel]

The Essex Serpent is probably my favourite until now. I have a few historicals on my TBR so this could very well change.

[@mikegseclecticreads]

This is a great list! I thought the one about the girls who are miraculously surviving without food sounds interesting. But a lot of other good recommendations too

[@martineolsenlysvand7400]

I read “Poor Things” for uni and it was so so good! I think you would enjoy “The Bell in The Lake” by Lars Mytting, the first book in a Norwegian historical fiction trilogy. It’s set in a remote Norwegian village in the 19th century, revolve around some folklore elements and has a strong female main character. And the second book also has some connections to Scotland!

[@cinnamonteeth]

Agreed, The Bell in The Lake is perfect for a winter historical read

[@pranavinissan]

The wonder and The mad women's ball sound soo intriguing, I immediately bought the audible audiobooks. Super excited to get started 😊😁😇 My favourite historical fiction book is Salt to the sea by Ruta Sepetys ❤️❤️ Absolutely wonderful book!!

[@storiesofwonderland8900]

I read the Ashton Place books because I saw it in one of your videos! I'm currently reading the last book!

[@JeansThoughts]

Aw this makes me so so happy!

[@adreeta]

Currently reading the mad women's ball. Guess Imma consume every single book u recommend cause I love it

[@Mrjacharles]

Oooh The Wonder looks so colorful! :D

[@ReadingNymph]

I LOVED Strange Case of the Alchemist Daughter. I also recently read The Other Boylen Girl and its sparked a love for Tudor period books

[@OhioEddieBlack]

I read the Incorrigibles in my late 40s and loved the whole series. Lumawoo!!! People who stick their noses up at middle grade miss out on so much.

[@KritikaGrover]

Thanks for introducing me to Charlie Bone(other video)!♡they're great...read the whole series!

[@JeansThoughts]

Aw I'm so pleased!

[@elskuperus4393]

Loved The Wonder. Tessa Dare’s books are a guilty pleasure 🙃

[@DailyMyChildhood]

This is awesome video …Appreciate your sharing😊

[@JeansThoughts]

Aw thank you!

[@pattidoyle5102]

I loved this list! I’ve put some on my “hunt” list.

[@megwithbooks]

Yesssss strange case of the alchemists daughter is one of my fave books ever!!! I’m super excited to read silence of the girls as welllll!!

[@JeansThoughts]

I REALLY need to read book two!!

[@delariri]

Love your recommendations videos, always add new books to read after watching them! Please do a dark academia top 10! I'd really like to hear your suggestions.

[@JeansThoughts]

Ooooh I don't know if I have 10 aha but I like The Secret History, Madam, Catherine House, and Truly Devious.

[@delariri]

@@JeansThoughts Thank you! I've only read the first. Gonna check the other ones :)

[@zeevausman4500]

Great! Video!

[@eleanorhynd5078]

I haven't read any historical fiction for a while but I used to - my favourite author for a long time was Anya Seton and her book Katherine is one of my all time favourite books.

[@foolishwitt]

It’s my favorite historical novel to date!!

[@heythereitskirsty]

My favourite adult HF is Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly - it’s following 3 different perspectives and is about the ‘Ravensbruck Rabbits’ and my favourite MG HF is The Dollmaker of Krakow it’s INCREDIBLE! Please read it (:

[@IreneAhmed]

Bodies of water has got my attention. Will check it out!

[@playsintraffic2]

Tessa Dare is exceptional. I love the female friendships and how she writes hero/heroine interactions.

[@JeansThoughts]

Yes!!!! The female friendships make her books for me ^_^

[@GettingHyggeWithIt]

I think I’m going to give the mysterious howling a go!! Going to listen on audio!!!

[@glendaw5221]

I’m distressed The Mad Women’s Ball isn’t available yet! It sounds so good.

[@deborahborne4861]

I enjoyed your list. Many new to me recommendations. I would add one of my favorites, The Devil's Arithmetic by Jane Yolen

[@subtlebookish]

The Wonder by Emma Donoghue is a book that's been staring at me from my shelves for a very long time already. Bought it on a whim and completely forgot about it. Hearing you explaining the book, made me decide to finally read it in September!

[@JeansThoughts]

Oooooooh I hope you enjoy it :D

[@GemofBooks]

Never heard of Bodies of Water - sounds really good 👍🏻

[@JeansThoughts]

It's fantastic!

[@Nastya-uj9bg]

also I loved Mary Renault's Alexander's trilogy! she also has Theseus myth retelling, very original

[@JeansThoughts]

I neeeeeed to read Mary Renault!

[@Nastya-uj9bg]

@@JeansThoughts and lady Dunnett! 😁

[@macylightfoot]

Film version of The Mad Woman's Ball (in French) coming to Amazon Prime in mid September. Directed by and starring the fantastic Melanie Laurent. Haven't read the book, but I'm very excited about the film.

[@JeansThoughts]

Oooooh is it that’s so exciting! Thanks for the heads up I’ll definitely be watching that

[@amyg8176]

They’re filming the wonder right now! With Florence Pugh 💙💙

[@JeansThoughts]

WHAT I DID NOT KNOW THIS. That will be so good!

[@dibdab101]

The Colour Purple (Alice Walker) Wolf Hall and its sequels Bring Up The Bodies and The mirror And The Light. (Hilary Mantel) The Name Of The Rose (Umberto Eco) Songbird (Sebastian Faulks) Perfume (Patrick Suskind) To Kill A Mockingbird (Harper Lee) Atonement (Ian McEwan) The Underground Railway (Colson Whitehead) Things Fall Apart (Chinua Achebe) The Remains Of The Day (Kazuo Ishiguro) Hamnet (Maggie O`Farrell) Kindred (Octavia E. Butler)

[@LiterarilySmitten]

The Mad Women’s Ball was added to my TBR are so fast lol

[@LiterarilySmitten]

Loved, loved, loved The Silence of the Girls. I can’t wait for her next book to come out (this month, I think)

[@davidsigler9690]

I've always enjoyed the fiction of Irving Stone, Bernard Cornwall, and Jeff Shaara.....but new Historical Fiction recommended is good as well.

[@avrydekazan6016]

Top 10 memoirs please 🥰 although thrillers too aha

[@JeansThoughts]

Aha eventually I will get to both!

[@zeideerskine3462]

I am somewhat missing Desiree by Anne-Marie Selinko in this line up especially when compared to Napoleon's romance novel Clisson and Eugenie which can only be termed narcissistic selfapologistic fiction.

[@heathers9378]

Please please please read Kerrigan Bryne if you havent already. Historical romance that is very well crafted

[@sabrinaburton7158]

I absolutely loved The Mad Women's Ball and The Silence of the Girls, I think my current favourite historical fiction has to be Velvet Was The Night by Silvia Moreno Garcia, coming out 17th August, although that is more crime noir it is set in 1970s Mexico during the "Dirty War" also Pachinko by Min Jin Lee if that counts, although some is set during the present as it follows the family for multiple generations over almost 100 years

[@2BOLD4U]

Have you read Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno Garcia.

[@sabrinaburton7158]

@@2BOLD4U not yet, it is literally on my book shelf, I am so excited to read it

[@karenmiddlebrook8215]

Oranges are not the only fruit and Why be happy when you can be normal. Love love love ! The film of oranges 🍊 fabulous.

[@melissaholman2466]

Is The Remains of the Day considered historical fiction? Cause that is definitely one of my favorites. I also love The Madonnas of Leningrad and The Girl with the Pearl Earring.

[@monikakamila]

Warsaw orphan is my favorite by kelly rimmer.

[@graceblondell7320]

One of my favorite Historical fiction novels is The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali

[@jackrandom4893]

John Jakes The North and South Trilogy. Also Colleen McCullough on Rome.

[@andreaivey7362]

Thank you!!! I’m glad to see John Jakes make the comments here!

[@ZadokthePriest11]

I like historical novels with a touch a fantasy. Recently i finished The Terror by Dan Simmons. I was speechless. So go good

[@agniguha3002]

Top 10 memoirs pleaseee ❤️

[@JeansThoughts]

Noted ;)

[@booksandbeauty4381]

People against middle grade books: Harry Potter: "cough cough"

[@tiborkovacs5317]

I like history I enjoy a movie I read novels... Bingo... Hahah goodstuff thanks.

[@WooEnglish]

Top 10 memories please🤜🤗🤗❤❤

[@JeansThoughts]

Noted ;)

[@heatherbradford6900]

I know these are her personal favorites. But as someone who is not generally a fan of historical fiction I was sad to see that Outlander wasn't represented here because it's about the only one I've loved. Oh well.

[@Nastya-uj9bg]

Have you read Dorothy Dunnett's lYmond chronicles? about Scotland? Highly recommend

[@JeansThoughts]

I have not - I shall look them up!

[@louisewagenknecht6140]

Yes! Dunnett rocks!

[@Nastya-uj9bg]

@@louisewagenknecht6140 she is one of the best in historical fiction!

[@michelle.planteachread.413]

I feel like I'm missing a genre name for historical fiction with fantastical notions, I almost feel that it's often so believable, and often realistic; people participating in wiccan activities or other rituals..hmmm not sure I make much sense lol

[@michelle.planteachread.413]

Ah you said historical magical realism, that's it ❤

[@Austrian_blood]

I took your advice on Passion, it was a great read! I will continue to take your advice.⚜️ The Madwomens Ball was disturbing and depressing; well written though. I think your advice is skewed towards women. Please offer novels that interest men. The Song of Achilles was great; beautifully written? 🔥

[@extramextra6809]

His Own Master by A.Z. Wright

[@BonnieDragonKat]

Kindred is technically a time travel. Not a scifi. Philippa Gregory is good historical fiction too.

[@JeansThoughts]

See I would usually class time travel as a subgenera of sci-fi - but Kindred is definitely super sci-fi light aha.

[@pratistha8420]

I wish this list wasn't so Eurocentric 😔

[@sabrinaburton7158]

could you recommend some non-Eurocentric books, I would love to pick them up.

[@JeansThoughts]

I just haven't read widely enough in historical fiction but I'd love more recommendations!

[@pratistha8420]

Here are some Asian and African historical fiction that I have read & loved : Ibis Trilogy (Sea of Poppies, River of Smoke, Flood of Fire) by Amitav Ghosh ‌A Murder on Malabar Hill by Sujata Massey ‌A Rising Man by Abir Mukherjee ‌Pachinko by Min Jin Lee ‌The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See ‌How we Disappeared by Jing Jing Lee ‌The weight of our sky by Hanna Alkaf ‌Mama Hissa's Mice by Saud Alsanousi ; translated by Sawad Hussain ‌Funny boy by Shyam Selvadurai ‌In the time of the others by Nadeem Zaman ‌Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa ‌The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandani ‌The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri ‌The Lives of Others by Neel Mukherjee Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi ‌Half of a Yellow Sun by Chimamanda Adichie ‌The Shadow King by Maaza Mengiste ‌Nervous Conditions by Tsitsi Dangarembga ‌Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe ‌A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi Wa Thiongo ‌She would be King by Wayetu Moore

[@karendavies7510]

I second the recommendation of Sea of Poppies. I can also recommend Woman of the Ashes by Mia Couto (2015), which is set in 19th century Mozambique.

[@karendavies7510]

And before I forget: The Moor's Account by Leila Lalami (2014), which is about a 16th century Spanish expedition to what is now Florida; and The Man Who Loved Dogs by Leonardo Padura (2009), which is about the assassination of Leon Trotsky in Mexico, with side trips to Cuba and Spain.