I’m looking for something with a woman who isn’t just “morally grey” but actually manipulative, cold, or disturbing in a way that feels real. Not cartoon villain type, more subtle and psychological.

Any books where a female character made you uncomfortable in that way?

I am not talking about the most popular ones, like "Schindler's list", "The boy in the stripped pajama" or "The book thief", but still to be a very good and interesting read. If someone also knows books, based on Germany's point of view that'd be amazing too! Thanks in advance!

I love books that transport me to another time period with rich details, compelling characters, and immersive storytelling.

As the title says, I’m looking for suggestions for the best historical fiction books. I know “best” is subjective, but for me that usually means strong writing, likeable characters, and immersive world-building.

I especially love stories where you feel fully pulled into the historical setting, whether that means meeting real historical figures like Leonidas of Sparta or an Egyptian pharaoh and seeing how they lived day to day. Unique concepts and deep immersion are a big plus for me.

I’m curious what the rest of you consider the best historical fiction you’ve read, and why it stood out to you.

Probably my favorite genre. So far I’ve read:

The Nightingale

The Women

A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier

The Invention of Wings

The Things We Leave Unfinished (although not entirely historical fiction but the POV of the historical was my favorite part).

Beneath A Scarlet Sky

All the Light We Cannot See

The Things We Cannot Say

I need more good recommendations!!

I want to be able to SMELL the shit on the cobblestones. Don't care what time period, don't care where in the world, I just want a book that gets into the nitty-gritty of what life was like, complete with period-appropriate terminology and perspectives.

The absolute best example of this I've found so far is the Hild Sequence by Nicola Griffith, but honourable mentions go to The Terror by Dan Simmons and Between Two Fires by Christopher Buehlman (though both of those last two have supernatural elements). I want to be totally immersed.

Hello, I am interested in some historical fiction and would like some recommendations on book in this genre.

I like pretty much find all history interesting so please give me your suggestions!

Hello! I’m interested in finding books about the holocaust. Non-fiction or historical fiction is mostly what I’m looking for. Let me know if you have any good recommendations.

I started Homecoming by Yaa Gyasi and love it. I want to read more historical fiction because I like learning while also getting an interesting story with characters. What are your favorites?

I want to thank this community for introducing me to Ken Follett's work. I just finished Pillars of Earth. Truly exceptional book. When I was reading it, I was thinking about the book when I wasn't reading it. I escaped from home on weekend just to read this book in complete peace. I started reading World without End. I hope it will not disappoint me.

Thank you to everyone who took time to understand my request and give an answer based on that! I have enough suggestions to have a running list for any future reading challenges.

I need a book suggestion for the WNYC Get Lit Summer Reading Challenge for the category "American-set historical fiction", but I'm not a fan of horror, don't like graphic violence, or topics like The Revolutionary War, The Civil War, Jim Crow & the Civil Rights Movement, World Wars I & II, The Great Depression, slavery, Reconstruction era South, colonization & displacement of Indigenous nations and the like. These topics can be minor background themes but not dominate the story. Please help me find a book that won't depress me!

Hello! I’ve been weeding my to-do list and have it down to a manageable number (I think), which definitely means I need to find some new reads! I’m looking for historical fiction, mystery, and fantasy recs!

Historical fiction

What I like: Kristin Hannah, Kate Morton, Patti Callahan Henry, Lawhon, Ruta Sepetys, Katherine Reay, uncommon eras

What I don’t like: Beatriz Williams, Kristen Harmel, too much WWII, Clan of the Cave Bear, Marie Benedict, sexual content

Mystery

What I like: murder mysteries, cozy mystery with a good plot, good character development, Agatha Christie, Finlay Donovan, Richard Osman, Louise Penny

What I don’t like: excessive swearing and sexual content, thrillers, super predictable plots

Fantasy

What I like: Mistborn, red rising, the bird and the sword, Mary Pearson, Isabel Ibañez, romantic subplot but not romantasy, Robin Hobbs, Brittney Arena (A Dance of Lies)

What I don’t like: the hierarchy, powerless, SJM, super complex world building, dark magic, sexual content, half a soul, swordheart, Terry Pratchett

I know this is a long list, but I’m curious to know if any books come to mind! Open to anything!

What are your favorite historical fiction novels?
Preferably not based on religions (would enjoy a more Christian author if so)
I have really gotten into wars that aren’t talked about enough.
A little love story intertwined would be nice too!

A historical fiction period piece but from a time period not done too much and/or from a perspective/POV not heard too much and/or from apart of the world or culture often looked over. For instance, if it’s wwII era, make it ANYTHING but European or American. Just for an interesting change. If it’s a courtly romance, maybe something Ottoman or something besides Tudor or Regency England. If it’s ancient/antiquity/mythology, anything but Roman, Greek, or Norse. If it’s Egyptian, I need to be from an every day average person or family, I’ve exhausted myself with the gods and the pharaohs. I hope I’m making sense because my searches are confused as hell.

I have always had a fascination with the downstairs, or the servants’ lives of a big house. I like the 1800s. Even if it’s boring. I like the quiet lives or not so quiet. I am going through a lot of stress (laid off car accident) and I just need a bit of escapism. I prefer fiction, please. I appreciate all of you in advance.

I’m looking for a book similar to The Nightingale - something deeply emotional that really stays with you. I want a story that can genuinely break me a little, the kind that makes you fully invested in the characters and their lives.The last two hours of The Nightingale had me crying on a train (on my way to Paris, which felt weirdly symbolic 😅). And now I’m chasing that same feeling again.

I actually really like historical fiction but I’m really bored of historical fiction set in either WWI or WWII or books that involve time travel or “spans across generations told from multiple POV”.’

I would love recommendations that are by POC authors, about POC characters, or books set outside of Europe. I prefer books featuring women protagonists.

I don’t mind books set in regency English or Victorian England but they’re not my first choice. (However I did recently LOVE LOVE LOVE the Love’s Academic series by India Holton which is more historical fantasy and I LOVED the Emily Wilde series which is also historical fantasy).

Thanks!

I’m LOVING historical fiction, from realistic to borderline fantasy, and I love a gothic horror. I love a good mystery and just finished “A Most Agreeable Murder” which was such a fun read. I’m very open to more serious books too! Any and all recommendations are welcome.

Edit: I particularly like things set in the Victorian-Edwardian era, a side effect from being a Sherlock Holmes loving child.

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for any books that are set during the times of Little house on the prairie or Anne of Green Cables but are adult/young adult oriented. I'm not sure what that genre would be called, since English isn't my main language.

It can be any kind so drama, fictional history, crime, I'm open to anything that's in similar settings. Also curious about books that aren't american but have the action taking place in the 19th century in countryside areas.

Thank you in advance!

I've been searching for a chonky classic book to read throughout the next year. I'm not much of a classic reader, so I haven't read many. I have Count of Monte Cristo, Don Quixote and War and Peace on my mind. I am also open to any other books. I just don't know if I'm starting right with Classics.

I've read lots of the well-known books, like Beneath a Scarlet Sky, the Nightingale, and The Boy in the Striped Pajamas. I'm looking for more works that may be lesser known, but still really good!

Been looking for good historical books that are either fiction or non fiction. Kinda leaning more towards war books but I’m open to any recommendations.

Edit: THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR THE AWESOME RECOMMENDATIONS!! I appreciate it and will definitely check them out !

What I loved about Pillars of the Earth is that I learned A LOT about life in that time by simply reading about the goings on of what needs to be done to accomplish x y z task. I liked that it didn't force-teach these things, you just picked up on it while reading the narrative. In this case obviously with the architecture of the cathedral and the religious politics of the time. I also appreciated the show of hardships of life in that century, for example leaving a baby behind because you can't feed it and not just writing in some cop out coincidence to allow the baby to remain with its family.

I would LOVE a similar narrative style, but with a focus on visual art (painting, drawing, sculpture) rather than the cathedral like in PotE. Meaning, a story with a slice-of-life narrative with visual art being the thing that is being done, and as such you learn about art and creation of art at that time (medieval preferred but renaissance OK) by context of what the characters say/do.

I have a really difficult time latching onto a book and want to be sure what I pick up next will fill the shoes of what I'm craving.

I’m newer to reading… please be patient with me as I try to explain this 🤣

I’m looking for history books… like maybe fiction love stories or war stories?

I don’t know lol just give me any suggestions you have. I can’t stop reading and I need more.

I struggle so much with finding a book I like and am in dire need of recommendations!

My top 3 favorite books are:

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Circe by Madeline Miller

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

I like historical fiction, but I also enjoy some quirky reads (Elinor Oliphant is completely fine, Nothing to See here, for example). I prefer historical fiction that is centered on a female character, not typically into romance but am interested in it more lately. I need a page-turner and a book with a 'can't put down' type-feel to combat my adhd. I appreciate any recs, thank you!