Historical Fiction Books

Explore each book further by clicking on the covers!

The Nightingale

Author: Kristin Hannah

Summary: Set in France during World War II, this novel tells the story of two sisters and their struggle for survival and resistance against the Nazi occupation.

Time Period: 1939 - 1945

All the Light We Cannot See

Author: Anthony Doerr

Summary: This Pulitzer Prize-winning novel intertwines the lives of a blind French girl and a German soldier during World War II, exploring the impact of war on humanity.

Time Period: 1934 - 1944

The Book Thief

Author: Markus Zusak

Summary: Narrated by Death, this novel follows a young girl in Nazi Germany who finds solace by stealing books and sharing them with others.

Time Period: 1939 - 1943

Homegoing

Author: Yaa Gyasi

Summary: This powerful debut novel traces the legacy of two half-sisters and their descendants from 18th century Ghana to contemporary America, revealing the impact of slavery.

Time Period: 18th century - Present

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Author: Heather Morris

Summary: Based on a true story, this novel follows Lale Sokolov, who is forced to tattoo identification numbers on his fellow prisoners in Auschwitz, and his love for Gita Furman.

Time Period: 1942 - 1945

The Alice Network

Author: Kate Quinn

Summary: This gripping novel tells the story of two women—a female spy in World War I and an American socialite in post-World War II—as they work together to find a missing person.

Time Period: 1915 - 1947

The Great Alone

Author: Kristin Hannah

Summary: This novel explores a family’s struggle to survive in the Alaskan wilderness during the 1970s, highlighting themes of love, trauma, and resilience.

Time Period: 1974 - 1975

Circe

Author: Madeline Miller

Summary: A reimagining of the life of Circe, the witch from Homer's Odyssey, this novel explores themes of empowerment, identity, and transformation.

Time Period: Ancient Greece - Mythological