A Look Back at Five Years of Historical Fiction Hits
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A young duchess navigates treacherous palace intrigue in Renaissance Italy. A black cake recipe passes through history to unite a fracturing Caribbean family. Five courageous women in Depression-era Appalachia spread hope and literature in the amazing true story of the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.
Such are the narrative destinations available in today’s collection of books, in which we sort out Goodreads’ most popular historical fiction novels from the past five years. The titles listed below have been selected by tracking overall reader reviews, ratings, and shelvings—that is to say, which books end up on Goodreaders’ Read and Want to Read shelves. The books are presented in order of overall popularity, with the most popular on top. Also, each of the titles has earned an average rating of 3.5 stars or higher.
Habitual historical fiction readers will recognize some familiar names here. Goodreads members clearly have some favorite authors in this particular aisle: Kristin Hannah, Taylor Jenkins Reid, Kate Quinn, and Lisa See, to name four. You’ll find some genre crossover specimens, too, like Anthony Doerr’s Cloud Cuckoo Land, which incorporates historical, contemporary, and sci-fi elements. Also look for acclaimed writers from other fields trying historical fiction for the first time—for instance, Ta-Nehisi Coates’ frankly amazing novel The Water Dancer.
Click on the book cover images for more details about each title, and add any good leads to your Want to Read shelf. (Actually, we might add that this collection features some particularly excellent book cover art and design.)
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Jess
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Jul 15, 2024 01:05AM
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Here are more Historical Fiction I loved that aren’t on this list:
These Is My Words: The Diary of Sarah Agnes Prine, 1881-1901
I Must Betray You (Young Adult)
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Salt to the Sea (Young Adult)
The Siren of Sussex
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![Law](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1663675779p1/156286696.jpg)
![Ida](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1339082334p1/10057299.jpg)
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I loved Lessons in Chemistry (listened to it twice!), also loved Giver of Stars, The Women, Looking for Jane (one of my favourites), Homecoming and the Last Bookshop of London. I read 26 of the books above, but these stood out as favourites. They all have a moment or two in them that aren't "happy", but I also don't love books that leave me feeling sad so I would reccommend these as they left me feeling content.
![Janet Martin](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
Here are more Historical Fiction I loved..."
This list is limited to books published for the first time during the past 5 years--unfortunately only 2 of the terrific five you listed qualify.
![Lisa](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1671768855p1/4913184.jpg)
Here are more Historical Fiction I loved..."
We have a lot in common! These is My Words is one of my all time favorite books! I feel like hardly anyone has read it, so it was nice to see someone else mention it. I liked all your other recs, too, except I haven't read The Siren of Sussex (adding to my list now). Code Name Helene is also one of my favs on this list.
I've read 36 on this list.
![TaTanisha (TaTaLuvs2Read)](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1562801777p1/17270065.jpg)
My absolute favorites are The Love Songs W.E.B DuBois, The Yellow Wife and The Women.
![Amanda T](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1363486256p1/4964945.jpg)
A lot of people loved "Lessons in Chemistry", but I hated it. Contrived and completely unbelievable. It's one of the four I've read from this list and the only one I liked was "Cloud Cuckoo Land".
![Laceygoodbooks](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1713652561p1/141595732.jpg)
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Go As A River
_------------------------ And The Forest of Vanishing Stars
Why read Historical Fiction ? Because learning something new feels good.
![Alethea Brugman](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1622154863p1/26385644.jpg)
![Anna](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1340236917p1/10366376.jpg)
Here are more Historical Fiction I loved..."
Ruta Sepetys is a fantastic author. I also loved her books on your list!
![Brandi Dringus](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1532390531p1/15754389.jpg)
Also really enjoyed the heaven and earth grocery store, lady tans circle of women and the covenant of water
![Lisa Irwin](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1673011085p1/8093456.jpg)
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I did nor care at all for The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store and did not finish it but did like The Good Lord Bird.
![Ryan Humphris](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1721520270p1/62321617.jpg)
![Amy](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1544573334p1/3982953.jpg)
The Dutch House is amazing, IMHO
![Daniel Cox](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1575235962p1/14562660.jpg)
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Here are more Historical Fiction I loved..."
Yes! GUERNSEY and THESE IS MY WORDS!!!
![Carol](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/f_25x33-d79c46f9428d2aea1444d67c091766a6.png)
To me, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women was much better than Lessons in Chemistry, but I can’t say the same would be for you since I don’t know you. I’m a retired nurse, so I’m drawn to anything about health care. Another on the list that I loved was The Frozen River.
![Connie](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_25x33-ccd24e68f4773d33a41ce08c3a34892e.png)
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I love The Women. I lived through the Viet Nam War era, so I could relate to what was happening. I loved it.
![Susan ewing](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_25x33-ccd24e68f4773d33a41ce08c3a34892e.png)
I loved Lessons in Chemistry. I’d start with that. I am not much of an historical fiction reader but I found this book interesting, compelling and at times both funny and sad.