25+ Best Historical Fiction Books to Read (By Era & Theme)

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I love historical fiction. There’s something about slipping into a different time period, where everything feels just a little slower, a little quieter, and way more dramatic (in the best way).

Whether it’s a World War II story that wrecks me for days, or a quiet character-driven novel set in the 1800s, I love the way these books blend real history with personal stories.

In this post, I’m rounding up some of the best historical fiction books I’ve read (plus a few that are high on my TBR). From sweeping love stories to lesser-known gems, these picks are perfect if you’re craving a slower read that still pulls you in completely.

Best Historical Fiction Books by Era

Let’s organize this by era so you can pick your time period. Each one brings something different… romance, war, resilience, or just a really good story.

Ancient World

Epic tales, myth retellings, and ancient civilizations that feel anything but dusty.

• The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
  A lyrical, gut-punch retelling of the Iliad through the lens of love, loyalty, and grief. Even if you don’t usually read Greek mythology, this one’s accessible and addictive.
• The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
  A deeply human look at the women of the Old Testament, told through the voice of Dinah. It’s spiritual, earthy, and surprisingly modern in its themes.

Medieval & Renaissance

Cathedrals, kings, plagues, and passion.

• Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
  A chunky read but totally worth it. Centered around the building of a cathedral in 12th-century England—filled with ambition, betrayal, and a cast of characters you won’t forget.
• Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
  Based on the life (and loss) of Shakespeare’s son, but told through the eyes of his wife, Agnes. It’s quiet, haunting, and beautifully written.

18th–19th Century

Corsets, revolutions, and lots of letters.

• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
  Time travel meets Highland drama. Historical accuracy? Loosely. Entertainment? Absolutely.
• Girl with a Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier
  Inspired by the famous Vermeer painting. A simple story, but rich with atmosphere and subtle tension.

Early 20th Century (WWI to WWII)

Stories that stick with you long after the final page.

• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
  A heartbreaking tale of two sisters in Nazi-occupied France. If you haven’t cried over a book in a while, this one will do the trick.
• Atonement by Ian McEwan
  Beautiful and devastating. It starts slow, but the payoff is worth it. (Also, that library scene.)
• The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
  Based on the real American Library in Paris during WWII. Book lovers will eat this one up.

Post-War to Late 20th Century

Modern history with deeply personal stakes.

• Beneath a Scarlet Sky by Mark Sullivan
  An underdog story set in WWII Italy, based on a real teenage spy. Reads like a movie.
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
  Narrated by Death. Heartbreaking, poetic, unforgettable.
• Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
  Spans generations from 18th-century Ghana to modern America. Heavy, but beautifully told.

Underrated Historical Fiction Gems

These might not be front and center on every bestseller list, but they deserve way more love. If you’re tired of reading the same five books everyone on TikTok is talking about, start here.

• The Mercies by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
  Inspired by a real-life storm and witch trials in 1600s Norway. Atmospheric, eerie, and full of quiet tension. Perfect if you like dark winter reads with a feminist edge.
• The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor
  A dual timeline novel based on Grace Darling, a real lighthouse heroine from the 1800s. Underrated, beautifully written, and perfect for a cozy weekend read.
• Wake by Anna Hope
  Set just after WWI in London, following three women whose lives were forever changed by the war. Quiet, reflective, and deeply emotional.
• The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See
  Set on a Korean island, this novel follows the friendship of two female divers through decades of change, war, and tradition. Unique setting, strong female leads, and deeply moving.
• The Winter Soldier by Daniel Mason
  A medical student is thrown into a makeshift war hospital during WWI. Haunting and elegant, with vivid writing and complex characters.

Historical Fiction Series to Binge

If you love sinking into a world and staying there for a while, these series are worth the commitment. Multi-book arcs, layered character development, and a lot of historical drama? Yes please.

• Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
  Time travel, romance, politics, and so many kilts. It starts in 1740s Scotland but jumps across decades and continents. There are 9 (huge) books so far, so if you’re in a reading slump, this’ll fix it.
• The Seven Sisters by Lucinda Riley
  Each book follows one adopted sister, tracing her story across history and geography—from Brazil to Norway. Historical fiction + family secrets + light mystery = the perfect binge.
• The War of the Roses Series by Philippa Gregory
  If you’re into royal intrigue, betrayals, and power plays, this series about the Plantagenet and Tudor women is it. The White Queen and The Other Boleyn Girl are great starting points.
• Wolf Hall Trilogy by Hilary Mantel
  A literary powerhouse of a series about Thomas Cromwell during Henry VIII’s reign. Dense, brilliant, and full of court politics. (If you like a challenge.)
• Maisie Dobbs Series by Jacqueline Winspear
  A cozy-meets-serious historical mystery series set between WWI and WWII. Maisie is a former nurse turned detective, and the writing balances emotion with intrigue really well.

Best Historical Fiction Books with a Strong Female Lead

If you’re drawn to character-driven stories with women at the center—fighting, surviving, questioning, or just quietly existing with grit—these picks deliver. No one-dimensional damsels here.

• Circe by Madeline Miller
  Yes, it’s myth-based, but it reads like literary historical fiction. Circe is fierce, complex, and way more relatable than you’d expect from an immortal. If you’ve ever felt underestimated, this one’s for you.
• The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
  Two timelines, one during WWI and one just after WWII—both following bold women wrapped up in espionage. Fast-paced, emotional, and full of twists. If you liked The Nightingale, you’ll probably love this too.
• The Giver of Stars by Jojo Moyes
  Based on the real Packhorse Librarians of Depression-era Kentucky. A quiet but powerful story about friendship, books, and doing the right thing in a world that makes it hard.
• The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner
  Dual-timeline story about a secret apothecary in 18th-century London that helps women… handle their problems. Dark, clever, and a little magical without feeling over the top.
• The Last Train to Key West by Chanel Cleeton
  Three women, one hurricane, and a backdrop of 1930s Florida. It’s a quick read but layered with social and emotional weight.

Book Club Favorites & Tearjerkers

These historical fiction picks are perfect for book clubs, buddy reads, or just your own solo cry session.

• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
  Yes, it’s already on the list, but it’s that book. A WWII story about two sisters in occupied France that somehow crushes and uplifts you at the same time. Nearly every book club has read it—and for good reason.
• Before We Were Strangers by Renée Carlino
  A love story told across decades with all the “right person, wrong time” energy. Not strictly historical, but it spans eras and hits hard emotionally. Prepare for longing, regret, and redemption.
• The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
  Dual timeline novel (WWII + present day) with a lot of emotional weight. Deals with love, sacrifice, and generational trauma—but in a very readable way.
• Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
  Based on true events and real women, it follows three lives during WWII—from New York high society to Nazi concentration camps. Gritty, moving, and unforgettable.
• The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
  A quiet, literary novel about family, memory, and the kind of love that sticks even when it shouldn’t. If your group loves digging into relationships more than plot twists, this one’s gold.

Audiobooks Worth Splurging On

Some books are good. But some are even better when someone else reads them to you. If you’re looking to upgrade your reading experience, these are worth the splurge.

Audiobooks That Hit Different

• The Book Thief narrated by Allan Corduner
  The narration adds even more heart to this already emotional story. The voice of Death as a narrator? Surprisingly gentle and moving.
• Circe narrated by Perdita Weeks
  A rich, steady voice that perfectly matches the quiet power of the character. Makes the whole thing feel like a spell being cast.
• Homegoing narrated by Dominic Hoffman
  The different voices and accents help you keep track of the sprawling family tree across continents and generations. Definitely one to listen to.
• The Night Watchman by Louise Erdrich (read by the author)
  There’s something powerful about hearing a story in the author’s own voice, especially one rooted in family history and tribal politics.

You can find all of these on Audible—and if you haven’t tried it yet, they offer a free trial with two audiobooks on the house. Personally, I love listening while journaling or walking, and these picks really shine in audio format.