Top Ten Tuesday is a bookish meme hosted by The Broke and The Bookish. This week’s theme is Top Ten Books To Read If Your Book Club Likes _______________. I’ve decided to go for Historical Fiction, as I’ve done a top ten thrillers list recently.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
My favourite book of all time. It’s a very marmite type book, so I imagine it would provoke some interesting discussion in a book club setting. The narrative is very unusual, as is the main premise of the story really. In my opinion, it’s a true masterpiece of writing.
The Bronze Horseman Trilogy by Paulina Simons
Good for book clubs that enjoy a good romance. This trilogy is so, so good, with characters that you will fall head over heels in love with. The setting of the first book is the Siege of Leningrad, during World War Two, and it is unbelievable harrowing.
Fall of Giants Trilogy by Ken Follett
Perhaps these are a little long for a book club, being over 1000 pages each, but I’d recommend it to those who have plenty of time! The first two are brilliant tellings of 20th Century history, from the start of World War One, through to the end of World War Two. The third one is set during the Cold War, and is no where near as good as the first two, so probably best to be avoided.
The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman
Not strictly historical fiction, but it is set in 1920s Australia, so it does slightly fit into this genre. I can imagine this providing plenty of book club debate as it has the question of right and wrong at its core. Highly recommended.
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
The parallel stories of a blind French girl and a German boy during World War Two. Really beautiful imagery throughout. (My review here)
The Help by Kathryn Stockett
A stunning account of a black woman in 1960s Southern America.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Another ‘Set in World War Two France’ book, but a completely different spin to anything I’ve read on that topic before.
The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne
I’m sure many people will have already read this, or at least seen the film. There’s something so brilliant about the way it’s written that I instantly felt the need to discuss it afterwards. I’m sure many others felt the same.
Two Brothers by Ben Elton
The story of two brothers, one adopted, during the rise of Nazism in Berlin. One is discovered to be from Arayan parentage, while the other is from Jewish. It is partially based on Ben Elton’s own family.
Our Endless Numbered Days by Claire Fuller
Not really historical fiction, but it is set in the 1970s, so it’s not entirely modern either. It’s a very deep and really quite disturbing book, yet so beautifully written. I loved it, although I know many people found it a bit much. I’m sure a book club would enjoy discussing it regardless. (My review here)
So many of these are on my TBR! I love historical fictions and am always looking for new ones to discover! Thanks for sharing some amazing options!
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Great list! I have read a few of these, and The Book Thief is one of my favorites, too.
Here’s my TTT: https://4thhouseontheleft.wordpress.com/2016/11/01/top-ten-tuesday-top-picks-for-a-read-the-world-book-club/
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I’m a bit in love with your list! I’ve read quite a few of these so it was lovely to seem them on here. Especially the Bronze Horseman – what can I say – Alexander – *le sigh*.
Lynn 😀
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Alexander!
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I’m still so new to historical fiction I think. I’ve read The Book Thief and I have a couple of these books on my shelf. I think I might have to give them priority on my reading list 🙂
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I love historical fiction. I like the idea of learning something whilst reading 🙂
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