Top Ten Tuesday used to be a weekly post hosted by The Broke and the Bookish, but was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl. “It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.” This is definitely something I can understand and want to participate in.
This week’s prompt is a genre-related freebie, where we get to pick a specific genre and then build a freebie around it. And while I read and post about fantasy a lot, I want to take it in a different direction this time. My sister-in-law was visiting me recently, and I was trying to get her into some new genres, and we decided on historical fiction, which gave me the topic idea for this week: Historical fiction books I’d suggest to someone new to the genre.
When I suggest a book to someone, I try to take into account what they’d be most likely to enjoy. So I’m going to tailor this list based on how I’d make a recommendation. Here goes nothing:
- For someone who likes a little magical realism or fantasy: This Rebel Heart by Katherine Locke. The story is set in post-WWII Hungary under Soviet rule, and it incorporates Jewish folklore into the tale as well.
- For someone who likes the Roman Empire: Emperor’s Sword by Alex Gough. This series starter is set in Britannia, and follows a scout as he is inducted into the Arcani, the elite faction of assassins and spies and rises through the ranks.
- For someone who likes Vikings and/or The Last Kingdom on Netflix: The Last Kingdom by Bernard Cornwell. Cornwell transports us to 9th-10th century England as they battle the invasion of Danish Vikings, and the story centers on a young Saxon who is taken in by Vikings and raised by them.
- For someone who likes learning about prehistoric times: The Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean M. Auel. This is an old series, but I haven’t found anything close to as engrossing as this story of a young woman facing hardships and experiencing successes as she makes her way alone in a tough world.
- For lovers of ancient historical mysteries: Rebel Daughter by Lori Banov Kaufmann. This story tells the story of a young Jewish woman who was enslaved during the Roman sack of Jerusalem in the first century, and was inspired by the real-life gravestone of a woman during that time.
- For someone who likes Pompeii: The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper. This book really delves into the daily life of an enslaved prostitute in Pompeii, and the struggles of the women she’s enslaved with.
- For fans of British history during the Middle Ages: The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. This book is an absolute brick, but it’s surprisingly interesting and difficult to put down for a book that is about the building of a church (that is still standing in England today).
- For someone interested in learning about African and African-American history: Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi. This book explores the differing lives of two African siblings—one who stays in Africa, and one who is captured by slave traders and brought to America, and it’s incredible.
- For fans of the Russian Revolution: The Revolution of Marina M by Janet Fitch. This tells the story of an upper-class woman in Russia who goes through the Revolution and survives on her wits and some luck.
- For someone interested in India: The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi. This book is about a young woman in 1950s Jaipur, trying to escape her abusive husband, earning her living doing henna for the city’s upper echelon of society, and toeing the line of all the social norms, when her delicate balancing act becomes too much.
What are some of your go-to recommendations for historical fiction books?
Categories: Top Ten Tuesday
Leah's Books 
This Rebel Heart is one I think I’ve seen around on other’s lists or maybe I’ve read about it. May be one I need to take another look at. 🙂
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It’s one of my favorites! I hope you give it a chance.
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I’ve just started the last kingdom series and it’s great
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Oh yay! It just keeps getting better with every books, I promise!
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I haven’t read any of the books you’ve listed, but I am familiar with some. I tend to prefer my historical fiction set in the 20th century, possibly with a bit of a mystery. I read one last summer called Die Before Sundown, set in Paris during WWII.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/visit-michigan-in-ten-books/
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I’ve only recently gotten into historical mysteries, and they’re so interesting! If I’m reading 20th century historical fiction, I try to stick to events and locations I’m not familiar with the history of.
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Ooh, great topic. I agree with all of your picks.
Here is my Top Ten Tuesday post.
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Thanks Lydia! I knew if I did this long enough I’d find one that you knew all the books on!
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The Henna Artist is on my TBR still. I think I might actually pick it up soon.
My TTT: https://laurieisreading.com/2023/08/22/top-ten-tuesday-fantasy-books-i-havent-read/
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It’s such a great story! I hope you pick it up sooner rather than later.
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I love Bernard Cornwell’s Sharpe series! Hoping to get into some of his other series here soon.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday. Thank you!
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I haven’t checked out the Sharpe series, but I guess I’ll have to!
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This Rebel Heart was so good! Here is my post-https://paigesofnovels.com/2023/08/22/top-ten-tuesday-genre-freebie-romance-recs/
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It’s one of my all-time favorites.
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I read HF every so often but I have yet to read these. Thanks for the recommendations.
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Hopefully this inspires you to give one (or more) of these a try! Thanks for stopping by.
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A great list. I like how you match the book to the eras. I don’t read a lot of historical fiction so this has been an eye opener!
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
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Thank you! I figured it would be a nice change from my usual focus on fantasy. Enjoy your week!
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I enjoyed it. It was something different ☺️
Thank you
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This is an awesome idea for a list. I love it! I’m a huge hist-fic fan, but I actually haven’t read any of these. I tend to prefer stories set after 1800, so that explains some of the problem. THE REVOLUTION OF MARINA M is one I’ve had my eyes on. If you loved it, I’m even more excited to read it.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
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Thank you! I wanted a little change from fantasy, and I’m so glad I chose this genre! I haven’t seen anyone at all talk about The Revolution of Marina M, so I’m even more juiced to see you wanting to pick it up now!
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Bernard Cornwell is one of the best authors ever!!! Great list. 😀
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My nephew introduced me to his work, and I was blown away! Thank you for checking it out!
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I loved Homegoing! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres.
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Oh, that’s such a great story. I randomly grabbed it at the library and had no idea how good it was going to be! Historical fiction is cool because there are so many periods to learn about!
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