Best Historical Fiction Book Recommendations

While time travel will (probably) never happen, we’ll always have the next best thing: historical fiction novels. Through the magic of fiction (and authors’ dedication to researching endless incredible details), readers can feel as though they’ve been everywhere and every time, from Ancient Greece to colonial Asia to the American Revolution to the Holocaust. If you’re a fiction lover who wants to learn more about the past but isn’t sure about diving into the world of history books, it’s the best of both worlds. 

Another reason to love historical fiction is that it can be crossed with any other genre. From historical mysteries to steamy historical romance to hilarious historical fiction, whatever genre you enjoy can be placed in another period.

Clearly, this is a genre that truly has something for everyone. Whether you prefer novels that bring you to times of war and terror or more whimsical stories set in the past; historical fiction that is surprisingly accurate or tales that take creative license with their settings, you'll find endless books to add to your TBR pile in the lists below.

4af56302c502-birdillustration.png

Fact or Fantasy: All About Female Samurai Warrior Tomoe Gozen

Can you tell the difference between historical Japanese legend and creative fantasy fiction?

10 Books Like The Nightingale

Revel in the resilience of women with these historical fiction novels.

8 Books We Wish We Read in High School

If we could do it all over again, we'd make time for these stories.

[CLOSED] GIVEAWAY: Win a Copy of a Moving Historical Fiction Novel

The Secret Wife of Aaron Burr introduces you to a woman forgotten by history.

16 Best Western Books of All Time

Lasso up these classics for your reading rodeo.

Hope Takes Flight in this Debut World War II Novel

The Long Flight Home chronicles the little-known wartime effort of carrier pigeons and their handlers.

6 Historical Fiction Books About Anne Boleyn

These books illuminate another side to the infamous Tudor queen.

11 Upcoming Historical Fiction Books We Can’t Wait to Read

These hotly anticipated narratives deserve a top spot on your summer TBR list.  

[CLOSED] GIVEAWAY: Enter to Win a Debut World War II Novel

The Long Flight Home tells the little-known story of the National Pigeon Service, which helped deliver encrypted messages during World War II. 

A Young Woman Endures the Civil War in This Historical Fiction Novel

The Abolitionist’s Daughter takes readers inside a lesser-known history of the South during the 1850s and ‘60s.

8 Anne Perry Books About Sleuths and Murders of the Past

The author's historical mysteries feature lovable sleuths and high society intrigue that'll keep you coming back for more.

Graham Greene Paints a Vivid Portrait of The Quiet American

A timeless exploration of love and politics set in turbulent 1950s Vietnam.

[CLOSED] GIVEAWAY: Win Two Copies of a New Historical Fiction Novel to Read with a Friend!

Enter for your chance to win a debut historical fiction novel set during the Civil War.

Flannery O'Connor and Robert Lowell Get Their Love Story in This Novel

Frances and Bernard begs the question: What if these close writers had been more?

[CLOSED] GIVEAWAY: Enter to Win a New Historical Suspense Novel! 

We're giving away ten copies of The Glovemaker, by Ann Weisgarber. 

The Author of The Other Einstein Brings Hedy Lamarr's Incredible Story to Life

The Only Woman in the Room paints a fictionalized portrait of the Hollywood actress who was so much more than a pretty face.