Category Archives: Historical Fiction

Atmosphere: a Love Story by Taylor Jenkins Reid (2025)

19 Friday Dec 2025

Posted by in 20th century, adventure, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Travel, United States

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Selected for the Novels at Night book club at the Weston Library on January 6, 2025! Read it and join the conversation.

“A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: TIME, NPR, People, Good Housekeeping, them, Marie Claire, Book Riot, Library Journal, Chicago Public Library, She Reads”- Amazon

#1 NEW YORK TIMESBESTSELLER• GOOD MORNING AMERICABOOK CLUB PICK • From the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones & The Sixcomes an epic new novel set against the backdrop of the 1980s space shuttle program about the extraordinary lengths we go to live and love beyond our limits. – Amazon

“Thrilling . . . heartbreaking . . . uplifting . . . the fast-paced, emotionally charged story of one ambitious young woman, finding both her voice and her passion.”—Kristin Hannah, author of The Women

“NASA? Space missions? The ’80s? This is a collection of all the things I love.”—Andy Weir, author of Project Hail Maryand The Martian

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What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown

17 Monday Nov 2025

Posted by in Fiction, Historical Fiction, mystery, suspense, thriller

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As long as she can remember, Jane has lived in the woods with her father, cut off from most of society. As she grows into a teenager, she begins to investigate her past and realizes her father has not been honest with her. Loosely inspired by real events, this is a thought-provoking page turner.

“A breathtaking story of love, loyalty, family, and fate, What Kind of Paradise is an incredibly prescient and nuanced exploration of the impact of technology on society and individuals.”—Alafair Burke, author of The Note

“Sinuous, intensely satisfying, spectacular . . . Janelle Brown’s new novel is a complete knockout.”—Amity Gaige, author of Heartwood

“[What Kind of Paradise] deftly captures both the giddy enthusiasm of that period when the internet’s possibilities felt boundless, as well as the unforeseen dangers and downsides that were ushered in with the digital revolution.”—San Francisco Chronicle

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The Scrapbook by Heather Clark (debut)

10 Monday Nov 2025

Posted by in Historical Fiction, History, mystery

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“What a novel. . . . Clark has achieved an impressive feat in this beautiful and powerful novel examining the nature of intergenerational trauma, inherited guilt and all-consuming love.” —The Jewish Chronicle

“Clark’s first novel combines historical fiction with a thoughtful examination of a classic rite of passage for many young adults: falling in unrequited love. . . . Clark deftly interweaves Anna and Christoph’s interactions with glimpses of their grandfathers’ lives during the war, adding depth to the story. . . . Clark is at her best.” —Library Journal

“Phenomenal. . . a unique blend of literary and historical fiction as well as a penetrating exploration of philosophy, art, historical responsibility and guilt in the context of war. . . . The Scrapbook is worthy of reading and rereading as Clark serves up romance, history and political philosophy in ways that could hardly be more relevant.” —BookPage (starred review)

“Historical fiction strikes a complicated balance, between a need to recreate with some accuracy events in the past while at the same time communicating the relevance of those facts to the present. Heather Clark situates a contemporary love story in the shadow of—and with capacious insight into—German history both during and immediately after the Second World War. Clark navigates difficult conceptual ground with remarkable ease, making the complex legacy of the war appreciable to readers in the present.” —Matthew Longo, author of The Picnic

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Jackal’s Mistress: A Novel by Chris Bojahlian

20 Saturday Sep 2025

Posted by in action, adventure, Historical Fiction, History, murder, romance, suspense, United States

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“The true story of a wounded Union officer saved by a Confederate woman… adding imaginative twists to the original story line… when Capt. Jonathan Weybridge is severely wounded in battle and left to die… Libby feels honor bound to do for him what she hopes a Union woman would do for her husband. Thus ‘the Jackal…’ becomes a secret member of their household and a perilous friendship blossoms.”—Alida Becker, The New York Times Book Review

“This page-turner from bestselling Bohjalian…will not disappoint fans of American Civil War narratives. The vividly drawn characters and historical details make for a compelling read.”—Library Journal, Starred Review

“Top-notch…. Based on a true story, The Jackal’s Mistress brings all the propulsive plot and sensitive character development one has come to expect from Bohjalian; here, he spins a tale of unlikely romance between a wounded Union soldier from Vermont and a gritty Virginia woman.”—Kate Tuttle, The Boston Globe

“Elegant, poignant, and richly atmospheric….Bohjalian once again demonstrates his profound respect for women, endowing his female protagonists with depth and nuance.”— Booklist, Starred Review

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The Impossible Thing by Belinda Bauer

05 Friday Sep 2025

Posted by in Fiction, Historical Fiction, mystery, nature, suspense, thriller

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“It was the greatest mystery never told . . .

1926. On the towering cliffs of Yorkshire, men are lowered on ropes to steal the eggs of the sea birds who nest there. The most beautiful are sold for large sums. But when small and hungry Celie Sheppard finds an ”impossible” red egg, it will forever alter the course of her life – and the lives of others.

One hundred years later in a remote cottage in Wales, Patrick Fort discovers his friend, Nick, and his mother tied up and robbed. The only thing missing: a carved case containing an incredible scarlet egg. Doggedly attempting to retrieve it, Patrick and Nick discover the cruel world of egg trafficking, and soon find themselves on the trail of a priceless collection of eggs lost to history. Until now. “ – Amazon

‘A captivating novel from one of the UK’s most talented storytellers. I loved every page of this unique mystery.’ CLARE MACKINTOSH, bestselling author of I Let You Go

”[The] most ingenious of crime writers . . . A funny, moving and beautifully written tale” The Guardian

‘Part crime caper, part historical mystery, The Impossible Thing is one of the most enjoyable novels I”ve read in ages’ PAULA HAWKINS, bestselling author of The Girl on the Train 

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Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dai Randel

22 Friday Aug 2025

Posted by in 20th century, Fiction, Historical Fiction, romance

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Highlighted by 797 Kindle readers:  “There is a kind of love that strikes like a thunderbolt; it blinds you, yet opens your eyes to see the world anew. Within its light, a pathway was illuminated.” This is a must-read for historical fiction lovers.

“Set against a panorama so vivid you can almost hear the jazz in Aiyi Shao’s nightclub, Weina Dai Randel brings to life fascinating WWII history new to me and, I imagine, countless other readers. The story of a well-born entrepreneur and the German-Jewish refugee she loves will stay with you long after The Last Rose of Shanghai ends.” —Sally Koslow, author of Another Side of Paradise

“Set in Japanese-occupied Shanghai, this is an unforgettable, page-turning tale of an impossible affair between lovers from two cultures. Randel casts an unflinching eye at the horrors of wartime Shanghai, where refugees starve while the wealthy and privileged continue to drink and dance, and where daily threats of danger and death only serve to fan forbidden passions to a blazing climax.” —Janie Chang, bestselling author of Dragon Springs Road and The Library of Legends

“In a novel that spans time, space, and culture, The Last Rose of Shanghai is a riveting story of love, heartbreak, and redemption. The smoky night clubs, jazz bars, luxury hotels, family compounds, and refugee settlements of Japanese-occupied Shanghai provide a fascinating background to the lives of those caught in the crossfires of war. Weina Dai Randel is a skilled artist, giving the reader well drawn characters of great depth, complexity, and heart. In the WWII genre, within the genre of historical fiction, The Last Rose of Shanghai stands out for its boldness and originality.” —Erika Robuck, bestselling author of The Invisible Woman

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33 Place Brugmann by Alice Austen

28 Monday Jul 2025

Posted by in 20th century, Fiction, Historical Fiction

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“An outstanding debut novel—a love story, mystery, and philosophical puzzle, told in the singular voices of the residents of a Beaux Arts apartment house in Belgium during World War II.” (Amazon)

“Alice Austen uses her considerable gifts to remind us that the past and the present are more connected than we wish to believe, and that vigilance, loyalty and art hold the key to survival. This is a beautiful and deeply engaging novel.” — Ann Patchett, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Tom Lake

“A work of art—stylish, charming and magnetic. There is a crisp immediacy in the writing so that the eve of a world war is now, here, close and not in the sepia colored past.” — Leila Aboulela, author of River Spirit, A New York Times Best Historical Fiction Book of the Year

“Through an arresting symphony of the residents’ voices, debut novelist Austen carves a special place in the much-surveyed landscape of Holocaust fiction, especially in her homage to the importance of art. Equally remarkable is her ability to bestow attention on each of the many characters while still driving the plot forward . . . In a powerfully well-written novel, the most chilling thought is subtly said, ‘What is thinkable is also possible.’” — Poornima Apt, Booklist (starred review)

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Antidote: a Novel by Karen Russell

02 Wednesday Jul 2025

Posted by in 20th century, Fiction, Historical Fiction, United States

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The Antidote opens on Black Sunday, as a historic dust storm ravages the fictional town of Uz, Nebraska. But Uz is already collapsing–not just under the weight of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl drought, but beneath its own violent histories.  Excellent historical fiction – couldn’t put this book down.

“An inspired and unforgettable fusion of the gritty and the fantastic.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)

“The Antidote blends speculative and fantasy elements with rich language and vivid characters in an effort not to escape reality but to comment even more thoughtfully on it. . . . Russell’s lyrical writing dazzles on every page.” —The New York Times

“An ardent work of encompassing and compassionate historical fiction supercharged with her signature imaginative, astutely calibrated supernatural twists. A dramatic and uncanny tale of the drastic consequences of our destruction of nature and Indigenous communities.” — Booklist (starred review)


“The most salient quality of The Antidote is the beauty and power of Russell’s writing. . . . The Antidote is clearly the work of a writer with prodigious gifts.” —The Guardian

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The Safekeep by Yael van der Wouden

09 Monday Jun 2025

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“It is 1961 and the rural Dutch province of Overijssel is quiet. Bomb craters have been filled, buildings reconstructed, and the war is truly over. Living alone in her late mother’s country home, Isabel knows her life is as it should be–led by routine and discipline. But all is upended when her brother Louis brings his graceless new girlfriend Eva, leaving her at Isabel’s doorstep as a guest, to stay for the season….” (Amazon)

* SHORTLISTED FOR THE 2024 BOOKER PRIZE *

* WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD FOR DEBUT FICTION *

“Remarkable…Compelling…Fine and taut…Indelible.” —The New York Times • “Moving, unnerving, and deeply sexy.” —Tracy Chevalier, author of Girl with the Pearl Earring • “A brilliant debut, as multi-faceted as a gem.” —Kirkus Reviews

A “razor-sharp, perfectly plotted” (The Sunday Times, London) tale of desire, suspicion, and obsession between two women staying in the same house in the Dutch countryside during the summer of 1961—a powerful exploration of the legacy of WWII and the darker parts of our collective past.

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Isola: a Novel by Allegra Goodman

26 Wednesday Mar 2025

Posted by in action, adventure, Biographical fiction, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Travel

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In 1500s France, orphaned Marguerite is dependent on her guardian, who forces her to travel with him to New France (Canada). When she develops a relationship with another young man on their ship, her guardian abandons them on an uninhabited island as punishment. An intense, powerful novel about the strength of women, based on a true story.

“A shocking story, made all the more stunning by the fact that it has its roots in true history, Isola is an immersive journey through the eyes of Marguerite de la Rocque, who redefines what makes one a woman of worth and what the difference is between having a life and truly living.”—Jodi Picoult, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Goodman writes with fluid beauty, deep empathy, and an emotional undertow that pulls you in and holds you from the first page to the last.”—Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“Goodman’s lush and enthralling castaway tale of betrayal and love, suffering and strength is magnificent in its beauty, mystery, fury, and redemption.”—Booklist, starred review

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