“Top Ten Tuesday” is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish!
This week’s Top Ten Tuesday topic is the Top Ten Books For Readers Who Like Historical Fiction.
Writing, and by extension writers, are magical. They create entire characters, entire relationships, entire worlds with little more than the flick of a pen (or keyboard) and the endless scope of their imagination to guide them. And while I’m certain that there are those who will disagree, nowhere is this transcendent power more evident than in the the realm of historical fiction. When delving into this genre, the most mild-mannered reader suddenly becomes an explorer, hurtling through time and space in a way which only the written world can allow. From the Roaring Twenties to the French Revolution, the Oregon Trail to the Tudor court, there is no place and no period from the past that I won’t jump at the chance to explore. The ten books listed below are what I would consider to be some of the best and brightest examples of what the historical fiction genre has to offer for middle grade and young adult readers alike.
As always, these choices are listed in no particular order.
1) The Ruby In The Smoke by Philip Pullman
2) The Girl Is Murder by Kathryn Miller Haines
3) Bright Young Things by Anna Godbersen
4) The Dark Unwinding by Sharon Cameron
5) Dead To Me by Mary McCoy
6) The War That Saved My Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
7) A Mad, Wicked Folly by Sharon Biggs Waller
8) Between Shades Of Gray by Ruta Sepetys
9) Under A Painted Sky by Stacey Lee
10) Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood
16 Responses
A Mad Wicked Folly! Really want to try that one and The Cahill Witch Chronicles 😀
Eileen recently posted…Tabby Talk: What about ARCs?
I’ve read little historical fiction–A MAD, WICKED FOLLY, CODE NAME VERITY, THE LUXE–but what I have read I really liked, and I would love to read more of the genre. I’ll have to look into all of these. Thanks for the recs!
Rachel Patrick recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday (122)
Jen, I recently wrote a post on how I need to read more historical fiction so this is perfect for me! I have, of course, added Dead to Me to my list, and I had no idea Born Wicked was of the same genre. Beautiful graphics, as usual 🙂
Amaris (amarisafloria.com) recently posted…Breaking Up with My Books
I used to read so much historical fiction a few years ago and I’d love to get back into it! I much prefer ancient history and medieval but love it all really! Bright Young Things & The Dark Unwinding look really intriguing. Great choice this week!
Becca @ Lost in Thought
My TTT!
I love historical fiction and completely agree with you on Bright Young Things and Dead to Me. I still need to read Between the Shades of Gray…I’ve heard great things. Fantastic list!
Christina recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books For Readers Who Like Sarah Dessen
Haven’t read any of these yet and I love historical fiction! I did Top Ten Tuesday with HF as well, but with adult books. Great intro by the way! Your blog looks amazing!
-Katie
Katie H recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: For Readers Who Like Historical Fiction
Between Shades of Grey has been on my shelf for two years now, and I still haven’t read it :/
There are quite a few titles I’d like to check out from your post, Jen, but I think I’m most looking forward to reading Under a Painted Sky! It’s really had me curious ever since I first caught a glimpse of the cover, and the story just sounds quite incredible.
Alexa S. recently posted…The Start of Me and You – Emery Lord
It’s great to see some historical fiction bopping around. 😀 A Mad, Wicked Folly is still on my TBR – I really need to get to it soon!
Jess @ Curiouser and Curiouser recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday | SFF Books for Readers Who Like Contemporary
I’ve only read Born Wicked from your list! I really want to read more historical fiction in the coming months/year. I really enjoy it but somehow don’t read it often.
I’ll definitely be picking up Between Shades of Gray, Dead to Me and Under a Painted Sky though, they are all on my to-read list.
Great list!
Jolien @ The Fictional Reader recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: For Readers Who Like Magic and Wizardry
I like your theme of historical fiction! From your list, I’ve only read Born Wicked by Jessica Spotswood. I’ll have to check out your other recommendations! 🙂
Lola recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Top Eight Books For Readers Who Like YA Fantasy Series’
Nice list of books for this week’s TTT post!!
Lisa @ Captivated Reader recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday —- Ten Books For Readers Who Like Young Adult Books
I have a few of those onmy shelf, and really want to read.
Aj recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Anthologies
I haven’t heard of a lot of these, and I am always on the lookout for some YA historical fiction! Thanks for sharing!
Anna recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday (2)
I love historical fiction but I have not read any of these. I will have to check them out!
Missie @ A Flurry of Ponderings
Missie recently posted…Waiting on Wednesday with Everything That Makes You
If you want to go back as far as Biblical times Magdala by Valerie Gross is fantastic. It’s a look at Mary Magdalene and her coming of age. Been a very good read.