23 best historical fiction books: From Taylor Jenkins Reid classic to Outlander

There’s nothing quite like a great historical novel to sweep you away to another time and place.

These stories, spanning from glamorous royal palaces and lively cities during wartime to the peaceful lives impacted by significant historical events, skillfully combine true events with creative storytelling in a truly captivating manner.

Escape your comfortable reading spot and journey to the streets of Paris, the royal bedrooms, and the battle-scarred beaches of Troy with these 23 historical fiction books. From the first page, you’re sure to have an epic, emotional, and completely immersive reading experience.

Best historical fiction books

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows
A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

1. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Marie-Laure and her father live in Paris, close to the Museum of Natural History. When the Nazis invade, they escape to Saint-Malo, taking with them a valuable and risky jewel. At the same time, in Germany, young Werner, who has lost his parents, proves to be exceptionally talented with radios. He is eventually compelled to employ this skill to hunt down members of the resistance. The lives of Marie-Laure and Werner cross paths in surprising ways, illustrating the challenges people face when trying to maintain their humanity during wartime. The story offers a unique perspective on the war, and the novel is particularly praised for how Doerr portrays the world through the eyes of blind Marie-Laure.

2. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Set in the peaceful French village of Carriveau, the story follows Vianne Mauriac as she struggles to survive after German soldiers take over her house, forcing her to make heartbreaking decisions to keep her daughter safe. At the same time, her headstrong sister, Isabelle, searches for meaning and romance during the turmoil, eventually joining the Resistance following a painful betrayal. Set against the backdrop of World War II, the sisters each face their own perilous journey, learning about fear, bravery, and the sacrifices they must make. Kristin Hannah’s novel is a moving tale of survival, love, and the strength of women during wartime.

3. Pachinko by Min Jin Lee

In Korea around the 1900s, a young woman named Sunja becomes infatuated with a rich man who seems to offer her everything, but she soon learns he’s already married and she’s expecting a child. Instead of accepting money, she chooses to marry a gentle, but ill, minister who is moving to Japan. This decision to leave her home and turn down the child’s influential father begins a long and impactful story that unfolds over many years. The narrative follows eight decades and four generations, revealing that while times change, certain hardships remain consistently difficult.

4. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Diana Gabaldon’s popular series beautifully combines historical fiction and fantasy, taking readers back in time-but be careful, it’s hard to put down! The story begins in 1945, when Claire Randall, a former nurse who served in combat, is planning a second honeymoon with her husband. However, when she touches an old stone circle, she unexpectedly finds herself in 1743 Scotland. Suddenly in a country filled with conflict and feuding clans, she has to deal with risky situations that put her in danger. It’s there that she encounters James Fraser, a courageous Scottish warrior who sparks a powerful romance. Claire is caught between her commitment to her husband and her growing feelings for James, forcing her to make an incredibly difficult decision between two vastly different eras.

5. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The year is 1939 in Nazi Germany, and Death is overwhelmed with work. Interestingly, the entire novel is told from Death’s perspective – a brilliant narrative choice by Zusak. Getting back to the plot: at her brother’s burial, Liesel steals a book, which ignites a passion for reading, nurtured by her foster father who plays the accordion. As Liesel continues to take books and her family secretly shelters a Jewish man in their basement, her world expands with both beauty and increasing peril. The outcome is a remarkable novel, focusing on the enduring strength of the human spirit even during the most horrific times.

6. The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

7. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini

Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner tells the story of Amir, a boy growing up in the Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, Afghanistan, during a period of great change-from the end of the monarchy, through the Soviet invasion, the flight of refugees, and the emergence of the Taliban. The novel primarily focuses on Amir’s complicated relationship with his father and the connections that influence his life. The ideas of guilt and finding forgiveness are central to the story and motivate Amir’s path to making amends. Set against the turmoil of war and people being forced to leave their homes, it’s a story about growing up, as well as an exploration of loyalty, betrayal, and forgiveness.

8. Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

After unexpectedly hopping a train, orphaned Jacob Jankowski lands a job with a struggling circus during the Great Depression, a world filled with wandering performers and temporary towns. He’s put in charge of the circus animals and quickly becomes drawn to Marlena, the beautiful star of the horse show, who is unfortunately married to August, a charming but cruel animal trainer. Jacob also develops a special connection with Rosie, an elephant that no one else can seem to handle. Water for Elephants is a wonderfully written story, full of vivid details about the time and setting, and it tells a love story that overcomes enormous challenges in a time when love itself was a precious and uncommon thing.

9. Girl With a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier

As a movie reviewer, I have to say that Johannes Vermeer is a fascinating figure, and this film really captures that sense of mystery surrounding his life and work. You’ll definitely recognize at least one of his paintings – it’s the inspiration for this story! Girl with a Pearl Earring takes us inside Vermeer’s home in 1660s Delft, and we meet Griet, a young woman who starts working as a servant. The film beautifully shows how she adapts to her new life, and how she develops a complex relationship with Vermeer himself. She quickly becomes more than just a servant, assisting him with his paintings and, ultimately, becoming the subject of his most famous work. It’s a delicate and somewhat dangerous connection, and it completely alters the course of her life. It’s a truly captivating story!

10. The Leopard by Giuseppe Tomasi di Lampedusa

Following in the style of classic historical dramas, The Leopard transports viewers to 19th-century Sicily. The story centers on a declining noble class that must face the inevitable forces of change. At the core of the film is the captivating Prince of Salina, who struggles with whether to hold onto his family’s diminishing grandeur or accept the revolution that’s transforming his world. It’s a richly detailed and moving story about power, pride, and the end of an age.

11. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

12. The Help by Kathryn Stockett

At age twenty-two, Skeeter comes back to Mississippi in 1962. Her mother hopes she’ll find a husband, but she’s troubled by the sudden disappearance of her cherished maid, Constantine. Meanwhile, Aibileen, a thoughtful Black maid, is coping with loss as she cares for her seventeenth white child, and her friend Minny, a spirited cook, starts working for a woman with hidden secrets. Despite being very different, these three women decide to work together on a daring, secret undertaking. They unite to fight against the strict norms of their community and the challenges of the time.

13. The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

This popular BookTok pick is famous for being a real tearjerker. Miller’s first novel beautifully combines stories from Homer’s myths, Ancient Greek history, and a touching romance. It retells the legend of the hero Achilles, but this time, we see the events unfold through the eyes of his beloved, Patroclus. Their journey, starting in Phthia and leading to the shores of Troy, is a powerfully moving and often painful story. It explores the famous Battle of Troy, the terrible cost of war, and explains the origin of the expression “Achilles heel”.

14. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Anne Barrows

I recently discovered this amazing story set in post-war London. It follows Juliet Ashton, a writer looking for inspiration for her next book, and she finds it in the most unexpected way – a letter from a man living on the island of Guernsey! As they start writing to each other, I was completely captivated by his world and all the wonderfully quirky and unforgettable people in the Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. It’s incredible to learn that what started as a clever wartime alibi actually blossomed into a real community filled with humour, heart, and a shared love for literature. And honestly, it’s one of the few historical novels I’ve read that doesn’t leave me in tears – a huge plus!

15. A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles

In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is ordered to live under house arrest in Moscow’s luxurious Metropol Hotel simply because he’s an aristocrat who won’t apologize for it. He’s a clever and educated man who has never had to work, and now he’s stuck in a tiny attic room while Russia goes through massive changes. However, inside the hotel, Rostov finds a surprisingly full and meaningful life, forming connections and growing as a person. His imprisonment actually becomes a path to strength, friendship, and understanding himself better. Ultimately, this novel delves into what gives a man meaning and purpose.

16. The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

In 1947, Charlie St. Clair, an American college student, finds herself pregnant and unmarried. She’s sent to Europe, ostensibly to deal with this personal problem, but she’s secretly determined to locate her cousin Rose, who disappeared in France during the Nazi occupation. The story also follows Eve Gardiner, who thirty years earlier joined the war as a spy in occupied France, receiving training from the famed Lili, also known as Alice. Years later, still troubled by past betrayals, Eve lives a secluded life in London until Charlie’s arrival. This sets them both on a perilous journey to reveal a hidden truth. It’s a story centered on women and their courage, loyalty, and the long-lasting effects of war.

17. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

I first heard about Lale Sokolov, a Slovakian Jew sent to Auschwitz-Birkenau in April 1942, and his story completely captivated me. He ended up working as the camp’s tattooist because he was good with languages, and he had to mark all the incoming prisoners. Over the next two and a half years, he saw things no one should ever have to witness – unimaginable horrors, but also incredible bravery. He actually used his position to try and help others, trading things like jewels and money for food so they could survive. Then, he met Gita, and from that moment on, he was determined to make it through the camp and marry her. The Tattooist of Auschwitz is a really powerful story – it’s heartbreaking, but also hopeful, showing the strength of love and the human spirit even in the darkest times. Seriously, keep a box of tissues handy – you’ll need them!

18. Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys

Most people are familiar with the disasters of the Titanic and the Lusitania, but have you heard about the worst maritime tragedy ever? On January 30, 1945, a German ship, intended to transport soldiers and refugees to safety, was sunk by a Soviet submarine. This resulted in the loss of over 9,000 lives, including approximately 5,000 children. Sepetys tells this story through the eyes of fictional characters: Joana, a Lithuanian nurse; Florian, a Prussian soldier escaping the Nazis with stolen valuables; and Emilia, a Polish woman nearing her due date. You’ll likely find yourself hoping for a positive outcome for at least one of these heartbreaking, yet historically grounded, individuals.

19. Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Chemist Elizabeth Zott is an extraordinary woman who doesn’t believe in the concept of an ‘average’ woman – a belief not shared by her male colleagues at the Hastings Research Institute in the early 1960s. The one exception is Calvin Evans, a brilliant but solitary scientist who connects with her intellectually, demonstrating that genuine connection can happen in unexpected ways. Years later, Elizabeth finds herself a single mother and, surprisingly, the host of America’s most popular cooking show, Supper at Six. Through her unique recipes, she subtly encourages women to question traditional expectations. Lessons in Chemistry is a hilariously funny and insightful story, as unique and dynamic as its unforgettable main character.

20. Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Born in 18th-century Ghana, two half-sisters, Effia and Esi, lead strikingly different lives. Effia marries an Englishman and enjoys a life of comfort within Cape Coast Castle, while Esi is imprisoned in the castle’s dungeons and tragically sold into slavery in the Americas. Homegoing chronicles the lives of Effia’s family over generations of Ghanaian history and conflict, and simultaneously follows Esi’s descendants as they endure the brutality of American slavery, the Civil War, and the Great Migration, bringing their story into the present day. Yaa Gyasi’s first novel is a powerful and expansive epic that makes history feel incredibly real, introducing memorable characters whose fates are determined by circumstances outside of their control. Homegoing is a truly masterful and essential read, establishing Gyasi as an exceptionally talented new writer.

21. The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead

Cora is a young enslaved woman on a cotton plantation in Georgia, and she’s isolated even from other Africans, facing a harsh and difficult journey to adulthood. When Caesar shares information about the Underground Railroad, they both take a huge risk and try to escape. However, during their attempt, Cora unintentionally kills a young white boy, which leads to her being relentlessly pursued. Their escape takes them along a network of hidden routes and tunnels, and each place they stop presents new threats, ranging from places that seem safe but aren’t, to determined hunters like Ridgeway. Colson Whitehead’s The Underground Railroad is a thrilling story of survival, but it’s also a powerful reflection on the history of slavery and injustice in America.

22. The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

23. Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray

During a time of great change and difficulty in America in 1919, Harlem became a vibrant center for Black culture and creativity, with exciting developments in music, theatre, fashion, and the arts. Jessie Redmon Fauset was central to this blossoming, serving as the literary editor for the important magazine The Crisis. W.E.B. Du Bois assigned her the crucial job of finding promising new writers who could make a real impact. As Jessie mentors rising stars like Countee Cullen, Langston Hughes, and Nella Larsen, the magazine gains popularity and her own reputation grows-but a secret romantic relationship with Du Bois puts everything at risk. Dealing with the challenges of racism, sexism, and her own aspirations, Jessie must carefully balance love, power, and the lasting impact she wants to make.

2025-09-29 16:02