Top 10 BEST Historical Fiction Books of ALL TIME (For Me … Do You Agree?)

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Top 10 BEST Historical Fiction Books of ALL TIME (For Me … Do You Agree?)

Рет қаралды 9,659

Күн бұрын

Historical fiction is one of our favorite genres here on this booktube channel, and within this video we're going to give our 10 favorite historical fiction books of all time. There are so many great historical fiction books to choose from, so it was difficult to curate this list. Let us know in the comments below if there are any books on this list of best historical fiction books that you also love, or perhaps there are a few on this list of historical fiction that you don't like at all. Most important, don't forget to comment on what your favorite historical fiction books of all time are. The best part about #booktube is sharing book recommendations with one another. Happy reading!
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Пікірлер: 91

@TheBigB4000 7 ай бұрын

The Shadow of the Wind is part of a four-book series that is a must-read for fans of historical fiction. It's about book, magical realism, and Barcelona.

@judym414 7 ай бұрын

Just discovered your channel. When you started with “Pillars of the Earth” which is one of my favorite books I knew you were going to be a favorite. Several books that you mentioned are on my TBR list. Currently reading “Winter Solstice” by Rosamunde Pilcher. Looking forward to binging on a few more of your videos.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for watching! How are you liking "The Winter Solstice"? "The Shell Seekers" by Pilcher is actually on my library hold right now :)

@deetee8100 6 ай бұрын

If you liked the packhorse library, you’d like The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek. She’s one of the blue people of Kentucky as well as a librarian. There’s also a sequel. The author is Kim Michele Richardson.

@nancym6615 6 ай бұрын

I just discovered you too! I agree with the majority of your picks as they are some of my favorites as well. I loved Shadow of the Wind, it’s probably my all-time favorite.

@sissmallintentionalsteps4179 7 ай бұрын

Thank you for sharing these. My biggest genre is historical fiction. Here are some of my favorite reads this year: Ken Follett, The Armor of Light Karen Tanaka, A Woman of Intelligence Kate Quinn, The Diamond Eye Sarah Blake, The Guest Book Min Jin Lee, Pachinko Marie Benedict, The Other Einstein Ariana Trigiani, The Shoemaker’s Wife

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

That's a great list! I'm glad you liked Armor of Light. I was wondering if I should try it or not. And I keep hearing how good Pachinko is. I'll definitely be moving that up my TBR!

@prairierose1115 7 ай бұрын

Many of these books are my favorites also! Another excellent Elizabeth Gilbert historical fiction is The Signature of All Things.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

That one's definitely on my list!!

@elisasofis1061 6 ай бұрын

Hello, I just discover your channel and it seems like we have very similar reading tastes as all of these books are on my TBR list! (I’ve only gotten to the Crawdads so far and agree that the ending was phenomenal). Other historical fiction I’ve enjoyed include: Remote Sympathy, Cutting for Stone, the Winter Soldier (it’s a WWI story), All the Light We Cannot See.

@FortheLoveofStory 6 ай бұрын

I recently read the Winter Soldier and All the Light We Cannot See and really enjoyed them! Cutting for Stone is on my Libby wait list! I will have to check out Remote Sympathy. Thanks!

@GoreVidalComicbooks 8 ай бұрын

"Birdsong" was excellent. It led me to Pat Barker's "Ghost Road" Trilogy where Wilfred Owen, Robert Graves, and Sigfried Sassoon appear. Brilliant trilogy.

@FortheLoveofStory 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation! I've never heard of that trilogy.

@TimeTravelReads 7 ай бұрын

Did you look into how much research the authors did and how accurate these books are in various ways? That's what I'm looking for in reviews of historical fiction.

@peterz53 7 ай бұрын

Excited to read some of your recommendations. esp.Birdsong and Kite Runner. Thank you.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

They are great! I hope you enjoy them!

@barbarapaige4587 3 ай бұрын

Both of those books are among my favorites - I encourage you to read them!

@dianehouse4021 7 ай бұрын

I’ve ready most of these books. Pillars is definitely one of my most favorite reads, as well as, The Nightingale. The Book Thief, Lonesome Dove and Cold Mountain are also all time favorites.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

OMG! I just finished Lonesome Dove. Such vivid and beautifully wrought characters. I couldn’t stop crying at the end!

@dianehouse4021 7 ай бұрын

@@FortheLoveofStory Yes, so very true…the characters are absolutely vivid and heartbreaking. Time to read it again. Have you read The Power of One…An amazing novel written brilliantly by Bryce Courtenay, it is the story of Peekay a young boy growing up in South Africa WWII. To say that I could not put this book down is an understatement.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

@@dianehouse4021 Yes, I love the Power of One! One of my favorites, as well. I probably should re-read it. It's been so long!

@debbiethomas2087 7 ай бұрын

loved loved the shadow of the wind series!!! top writing

@panktimodi5866 6 ай бұрын

Thank you for wonderful suggestion. I have read some of the books you suggested. The Kite Runner, The Nightingale and Where the Crawdads Sing are one of my fav too, adding remaning in my TBR list. I love historical fiction but after reading one usually I need something light as many of those covers heavy topics. These are some of the books which covers part of lesser known history(Some of these books are famous and some less so). I try to cover variety of countries A Thousand Splendid Suns/The Kite Runner Pachinko Homegoing Moloka'i The Vanishing Half The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane/The Island of Sea Women Purple Hibiscus/Half of a Yellow Sun The Henna Artist A Fall of Marigolds Before We Were Yours Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI Orhan's Inheritance The Mountains Sing The Other Einstein Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet The Space Between Us The Exiles The Stationery Shop Independence Take My Hand The Beekeeper of Aleppo The Girl with the Louding Voice Hum If You Don't Know the Words I hope you enjoy some of these.

@FortheLoveofStory 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendations! I'm actually reading Pachinko right now! I also recently read A Thousand Splendid Suns, which I LOVED! I also really enjoyed Killers of the Flower Moon, and the Stationary Shop is on my shelf at home. I need to pick it up!

@bookstalgic 8 ай бұрын

Awesome list! I have also read Kindred and I really loved it, it was one of my favorite books of the year this past year for sure. I have not read The Kite Runner yet, but I have a different book by the author called A Thousnad Splendid Suns on my bookshelf that I’m going to try to read for the read what you own challenge this year. I also have Where the Crawdad Sings and Remains of the Day on my shelf too so you made me excited to get to them. I love historical fiction and you pretty much sold me on each of these books! My favorite historical fiction read this year was Four Treasures of the Sky - the audio was great and it was such a moving story 😭. On another note, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of your father. The same thing happened to me - about a week after my youngest daughter was born my father also died suddenly and unexpectedly. It was definitely one of the hardest things I’ve ever gone through and I completely understand!!

@FortheLoveofStory 8 ай бұрын

OMG! I can't imagine the emotional roller coaster of giving birth to a child and then losing a parent all in the span of one week. I am so sorry that happened to you! ♥

@bookstalgic 8 ай бұрын

@@FortheLoveofStory Thank you! Yeah, having a new baby really helped my siblings and I as we had her to enjoy and focus on, but super sad too! Thank you for your kind words.

@bndergltd3053 2 ай бұрын

Other recommendations: This Tender Land (set during the Depression) by William Kent Krueger and Where the Lost Wander by Amy Harmon. That’s about pioneers going west, focusing on a relationship between a young widow and a half Pawnee guide who helps them.

@unbreakable7633 3 ай бұрын

Anything by George MacDonald Frazier, all outstanding historical fiction. Thomas Berger's Little Big Man. C.S. Forrester's Hornblower novels.

@FortheLoveofStory 3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendations!

@laurynkennedy6001 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for sharing! One of my favorite historical fiction books is Code Name Verity.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation! I actually have that one on Audible from a long time ago. I'll have to finally listen to it!!

@susanjimenez62 6 ай бұрын

Just discovered you, but our reading tastes are very similar! Pillars of the Earth and Nightengale are definitely on my. Top 10 list. The others are on my TBR list. I am also a big fan of the Outlander books. I’m not sure you’d call it historical fiction, but The Poisonwood Bible is also one of my big favorites. Seems like one you might like.

@FortheLoveofStory 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching! I have never read Barbara Kingsolver, but she is definitely on my list of authors to read this year. Did you read Demon Copperhead? Which one should I try first? For some reason I didn't like Outlander, haha. Although I truly have never met anyone who has agreed with me on this point! It definitely must be me!

@susanjimenez62 6 ай бұрын

@@FortheLoveofStory Demon Copperhead was great. I listened to the audiobook. Thought the narrator was quite good. Poisonwood Bible is still my favorite of hers, though. The Bean Trees was also good. I think her writing is beautiful.

@FortheLoveofStory 6 ай бұрын

@@susanjimenez62 Thanks! I will definitely read her sometime this year :)

@ev3261 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for the recommendations, I also loved "pillars of the earth". I still haven't tried the other books in the series, but one day :-) My two favorite historical fiction books are "I, Claudius" by Robert Graves (about several of the Roman emperors) and "The Sunne in Splendore" by Sharon Kay Penman, about Richard III.

@FortheLoveofStory 8 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendations! "Goodbye to All That" is one of my favorite books ever, so I'll have to try "I, Claudius." "The Sunne in Splendore" sounds great too! I just put them on my Goodreads TBR :)

@Rebecca-le9hn 6 ай бұрын

I also enjoy reading historical fiction, Here are two suggestions. The PersonalLibrarian by Marie Benedictand Victoria C. Murray is about the personal liberian of J.P. Morgan who was of Arican American descent but was passing for white. Wench by Dolene Perkins Valdezis the story of four enslaved women who are taken to a summer spa with their owners.

@FortheLoveofStory 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendations! They sound great!

@deetee8100 6 ай бұрын

Yes, every book by Marie Benedict!! Also every book by Fiona Davis.

@bndergltd3053 2 ай бұрын

Loved “The Kite Runner”. I just remember thinking how well written it was.

@lorahendrick5843 2 күн бұрын

Ok, historical with fantasy element due to Time travel The Outlander Series by Diana Gabaldon, I started could not get into the first book, I think it was maybe it was getting used to the Scottish language, however the book I read after I put that one down, the main characters favorites book was Outlander so I went back, started reading again, 15 more pages I could not put it down. I went on to read the rest of the series and the 3rd book I was reading at 1 am on a work night, was going to finish the chapter then go to sleep, I got to the end of the chapter set up in bed screamed out loud and read for 2 more hours (I took the next day off because I was tired) this series is epic.

@FortheLoveofStory Күн бұрын

Interesting! I tried Outlander a long time ago, but like you, I could not get into the first book, and halfway through I gave up. Can you read the second book without reading the first?

@monicamacauley3750 7 ай бұрын

I’ve newly discovered Hazel Gaynor and Susan Meissner. Great historical fiction authors. Check them out.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

I have "Last Christmas in Paris" on my Libby holds! I will check out Susan Meissner as well. Thanks!

@bndergltd3053 2 ай бұрын

@@FortheLoveofStoryyes I recommend Nature of Fragile Things by Meissner

@rafd3593 7 ай бұрын

I’ve read five or six of the books reviewed and must say, it is a splendid selection. I’d like to recommend a book published in 2023, which is as powerful as “Birdsong” and, like that book, set during WWI - “In Memoriam” by Alice Winn. You won’t be disappointed if you read it.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation! I vaguely remember that book when it came out, so thanks for reminding me. I just used one of my husband's audible credits to download it, lol.

@loriwald9532 7 ай бұрын

I found where the crawdad was predictable too, but still enjoyed it. Loved Kite Runner. I’ll have to look into Birdsong.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

Birdsong was sooo good!

@bridgetvollmer6337 8 ай бұрын

Great recommendations! Immediately went to thrift books to add Birdsong to my cart.

@FortheLoveofStory 8 ай бұрын

That's where I got my copy too! I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

@starlasell5698 8 ай бұрын

❤📚 I read The Pillars of the Earth in November, yes brilliant!! The Kite Runner and The Nightingale are on my tbr shelves. 😊 Where the Crawdad Sings was so good! I didn't have it figured out.

@FortheLoveofStory 8 ай бұрын

I hope you enjoy The Kite Runner and The Nightingale! Thanks for watching! :)

@user-rf1ty7pr1g 7 ай бұрын

Highly recommend go as a river by Shelley read

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

I have never heard of that book, but judging by its description it looks fantastic. I just placed a hold on it at my library. Thanks!

@user-rf1ty7pr1g 7 ай бұрын

It's a book a recommend often and my favorite historical fiction of 2023. Also try what the wind knows. Amazing as well

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

@@user-rf1ty7pr1g Thanks!

@gabbylikestoread 8 ай бұрын

I've been thinking about reading Pillars of the Earth for a while. It sounds very interesting and I love an ensemble cast! I haven't thought of my all time favorite historical fiction books but now I wanna make a list! The last one that I enjoyed was The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel.

@FortheLoveofStory 8 ай бұрын

The Last Rose of Shanghai is definitely on my TBR :)

@janeliu5316 8 ай бұрын

Thank you for the recommendations! I think i might have a few ideas on what to get my war buff husband for Christmas 😅

@FortheLoveofStory 8 ай бұрын

Hey! Thanks for watching. If you're husband is a war buff, I would also recommend "A World Undone" by G. J. Meyer. It's a full history of WWI, but it's riveting. Almost like a novel. I also loved "Goodbye to All That" by Robert Graves, which is a WWI memoir. "Charlotte Gray" by Sebastian Faulks and "The Winter Soldier" by Daniel Mason are two historical fiction war books that have received high praise, but I haven't read myself. I'm looking forward to reading them! Maybe your husband will like them too :)

@janeliu5316 8 ай бұрын

@FortheLoveofStory OMG thank you so much!

@nancytrue7276 6 ай бұрын

One of my favorites is The Wedding Dress Sewing Circle by Jennifer Ryan.

@FortheLoveofStory 6 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation!

@DancingNancio 2 ай бұрын

I always wonder why Outlander isn’t on these lists?

@RovingRedhead 7 ай бұрын

New to your channel, I really enjoy Histfic, but I have not read any of these! New to your channel, here for more :)

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@RovingRedhead 7 ай бұрын

@@FortheLoveofStory 😁

@snrynkee 7 ай бұрын

New subscriber of 20 minutes and I have already stopped each video I have watched to go and buy a book talked about. This could be expensive! Have you listened to Dan Carlins Blueprint for Armageddon?

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

I hope you enjoy reading all the new books!! I've never listened to that!

@annedixon7609 5 ай бұрын

Ken Follick what book did Human say? I couldn’t really understand the title.

@alastairgrayhardback5733 Ай бұрын

Try Fall of Giants by Ken Follet. I can't decide If Pillars of the Earth or Fall of giants is Ken Follets best book.

@FortheLoveofStory Ай бұрын

I love Fall of Giants, but I think Pillars of the Earth is way better, lol :)

@marimuthuelakkuvan1011 9 күн бұрын

❤❤❤

@FortheLoveofStory 2 күн бұрын

Thanks for watching!

@teneshaanderson4761 12 күн бұрын

Where is booth?

@annedixon7609 4 ай бұрын

Pillars of the Earth, have you read the other book Tennessee Grace

@FortheLoveofStory 4 ай бұрын

I've never heard of it. Who wrote it?

@StellarFella 5 ай бұрын

I hope you know of the great books by Barbara Tuchman.

@terrydithurbide4509 7 ай бұрын

I really loved the libraians of the burned books It is Berlin 1933

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

That definitely sounds like a good one. I remember putting it on my TBR, but I haven't read it yet :)

@Eric4real4321 Ай бұрын

Im reading Pillars of the Earth right now, and i have never hated a villain more than i hate William Hamleigh. And i have read A Song of Ice and Fire. If this dude does not meet a satisfying end, im going to be mad.

@FortheLoveofStory Ай бұрын

Haha. Yes, he's a fantastic villain!

@maxgoldsmith9 7 ай бұрын

I’m reading Indian Horse right now.

@FortheLoveofStory 7 ай бұрын

Thanks for the recommendation. I've never heard of that book, but I'll have to check it out.

@AbdulHafeez-my3pd 7 ай бұрын

Very nice madam

@richardhelfman903 2 ай бұрын

A "10 BEST of ALL TIME" Historical Fiction list that doesn't include War and Peace does get one's attention. I'm getting the feeling that this genre is intended to attract female readers and is more a marketing tool than a serious attempt to evaluate historical novels. Like a Novels for Teens section in Barnes and Noble. (After Googling B&A to be sure I spelled "Noble" correctly, it turns out to be EXACTLY that, as they have their own 10 Best that also does not include Tolstoy's classic.)