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Hey... I'm very new to the world of historical fiction, but have been dying to read some. What are some suggestions for a good place to start, or some good authors even? I'm sort of looking for a wide range of ideas or book topics. Thanks!!

It is hard to suggest books when we don't know what you like. Is there a specific time period that interests you? Would you prefer to read classics or something newer? Any sub-genres you like such as mystery or romance or adventure? There is just so much variety it is hard to recommend anything specific.

You can start with this list, I think it has some of the more popular HF on the first few pages: /list/show/1...

That list is great, thanks! I've read memoirs of a geisha and water for elephants from that list. I liked both of them, probably water for elephants more. I saw the time travelers wife on there... I've read that, but don't understand what makes it historical fiction?

I would most prefer something newer than the classics. I would think the time period I would be most interested in is the 1800s on. Mystery, romance, and adventure I all enjoy. Thanks for the help!

Christy wrote: "That list is great, thanks! I've read memoirs of a geisha and water for elephants from that list. I liked both of them, probably water for elephants more. I saw the time travelers wife on there...."

I would then suggest anything by Bernard Cornwell, he writes amazing HF. He is well known among HF readers and highly regarded.

If your looking for 1800's history (some were set partially in 1800's) here are a few books that I thought were great reads....

Thanks!

I bought Cane River at a bookstore awhile back. Haven't gotten to it yet, but excited to see how it is!

These are two Victorian mysteries about very rich women. Think Sherlock Holmes meets Jane Austen: And only to deceive by Tasha Alexander and Silent in the Grave by Deanna Raybourn. The Tea Rose by Jennifer Donnelly is long, but spectacular book about very poor people the Victorian England and 1800s New York. It doesn't have a central mystery, but it's very suspenseful.

Thanks for the suggestions. The Tea Rose sounds awesome.

Leisie93.......I loved loved loved The Tea Rose because of the struggles and happiness the main character endured during her life, and of course always my favorite in any book.....romance! From your experience, can you recommend me any other book that comes close to Jennifer Donnelly's writing??

Read Belva Plain's Evergreen and Barbara Taylor Bradford's A Woman of Substance.

Elizabeth Chadwick's William Marshall series (5 books total) is about a knight in the middle ages and his descendants. Very good, you'll be hooked.


Alison Weir is amazing as both a historical fiction and nonfiction writer. Too many books to list!

Edward Rutherford writes huge (fictional) books about cities from ancient through modern times using actual events. Try Sarum: The Novel of England, London, Paris, Russka: The Novel of Russia or New York

I bought the Tea Rose series after about a million recommendations so they must be good. Happy reading :)

Just saw that you would be most interested in the 1800s after I wrote all that. Read my suggestions anyway :)

P.S. I also second Bernard Cornwell

You might like Maisie Dobbs.

Nadine wrote: "Leisie93.......I loved loved loved The Tea Rose because of the struggles and happiness the main character endured during her life, and of course always my favorite in any book.....romance! From you..."

Have you also read the next two books which make up The Tea Rose Trilogy.

Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "You might like Maisie Dobbs."

Maisie Dobbs is one of my favorite current characters. But this is a series and I suggest reading these books in order.

Thank you Nancy, Allie! and Susanna for your suggestions :)

Yes Nancy, I read all 3 books of Jennifer Donnelly's Tea Rose trilogy. I loved it. There's another one I couldn't put down. The Bronze Horseman by Phillippa Simons......great Jewish love story

Nadine- I read The Bronze Horseman but don't recall it being a Jewish love story. As I recall it was about the siege of Leningrad. I still have the book and will have to look through it.

Nancy wrote: "Susanna - Censored by GoodReads wrote: "You might like Maisie Dobbs."

Maisie Dobbs is one of my favorite current characters. But this is a series and I suggest reading these books i..."

And I believe Maisie Dobbs is the first one in the series.

Wow, great suggestions everyone! Thank u... I have a bunch to look into :)

No problem. That's what goodreads is for :)

Christy wrote: "I saw the time travelers wife on there... I've read that, but don't understand what makes it historical fiction?...."

I don’t know what makes it historical fiction either but you’ll find weird things like this within the HF genre for the simple reason that it’s so wide and broad. Anything written or set over 50-60 years ago seems fair game to be shoved into the HF genre regardless of whether it’s true historical fiction or not.

What constitutes true historical fiction of course is subjective, contentious and open to interpretation.

It’s interesting to note that the list of the Best Historical Fiction Books posted earlier does not include one single Bernard Cornwell book in the top 100 books, despite someone quite rightly mentioning earlier that Bernard Cornwell is considered by many to be one of the best historical fiction authors out there.

I think that says a lot about not only what many goodreads readers consider historical fiction to be, but what they consider to be good historical fiction.

Given that you’ve expressed an interest in historical fiction set in the 18th century, I’ll throw out a couple of little gems for you to consider, both by Bernard Cornwell:

and by Bernard Cornwell

Both books are beautifully written and should give you a real feel for the historical time period they’re set in. They should also hopefully whet your appetite for perhaps exploring some of Cornwell’s larger and wider ranging book series of which there are many.

I’ve read all of Bernard Cornwell’s books and I still consider those two to be immensely enjoyable to read. Many may not rate them as highly as some of his larger ranging series of books but that shouldn’t detract from their charm.