Books That Meet You Where You Are: Historical Fiction for Every Chapter
Somewhere along my reading journey, I fell in love with historical fiction —the kind of story that makes you pause, reflect, and see yourself in unexpected places. I’ve gathered a diverse list of historical fiction reads I’ve enjoyed, filled with stories from all walks of life and experiences. They’re grouped by the moments or seasons they might speak to most. If you’re searching for your next great read, this is a wonderful place to start and one worth pinning or saving for later.
When You’re Rediscovering Yourself After Change
Stories of resilience, reinvention, and healing.
The Vanishing Half — Brit Bennett
A Woman Is No Man — Etaf Rum
Homegoing — Yaa Gyasi
The Turner House — Angela Flournoy
Lessons in Chemistry — Bonnie Garmus
By Her Own Design — Piper Hughley
No Better Time — Sheila Williams
The Filling Station — Vanessa Miller
Good Dirt — Charmaine Wilkerson
When You’re Finding Strength in Womanhood
Stories celebrating ambition, creativity, and women’s voices.
The Tobacco Wives — Adele Myers
The Henna Artist — Alka Joshi
The Rose Code — Kate Quinn
The Marriage Portrait — Maggie O’Farrell
The Personal Librarian — Victoria Christopher Murray & Marie Benedict
The First Ladies — Victoria Christopher Murray & Marie Benedict
Becoming Mrs. Lewis — Patti Callahan
Becoming Madam Secretary — Stephanie Dray
The American Queen — Vanessa Miller
When You’re Reflecting on Identity and Belonging
Stories that explore connection, culture, and self-understanding.
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store — James McBride
Harlem Rhapsody — Victoria Christopher Murray
The Lion Women of Tehran — Marjan Kamali
The Stationery Shop — Marjan Kamali
The Dictionary of Lost Words — Pip Williams
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? — Crystal Smith Paul
The Secret Keeper of Main Street — Trisha Thomas
The Great Man — Kyra Davis Lurie
When You’re Drawn to Resilience and Untold Histories
Stories of courage, justice, and the power of truth.
American Daughters — Piper Hughley
Yellow Wife — Sadeqa Johnson
The Devil’s Half Acre — Kristen Green
The House Is on Fire — Rachel Beanland
All We Were Promised — Ashton Lattimore
The Other Einstein — Marie Benedict
The Davenports — Krystal Marquis
The Davenports: More Than This — Krystal Marquis
The Great Man — Kyra Davis Lurie (also in Identity)
When You’re Craving Escape, Imagination, and Possibility
Stories that transport you to new places, eras, and dreams.
Meet Me in Monaco — Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb
The Last Train to Key West — Chanel Cleeton
Wild Women and the Blues — Denny S. Bryce
Water for Elephants — Sara Gruen
The Vanishing Half — Brit Bennett (also in Rediscovery)
A Woman Is No Man — Etaf Rum (also in Rediscovery)
When You’re Seeking Faith, Hope, and Meaning
Stories that invite reflection, belief, and quiet strength.
Becoming Mrs. Lewis — Patti Callahan (also in Womanhood)
The American Queen — Vanessa Miller (also in Womanhood)
By Her Own Design — Piper Hughley (also in Rediscovery)
No Better Time — Sheila Williams (also in Rediscovery)
When You’re Exploring Power, Politics, and Purpose
Stories of influence, legacy, and the choices that shape history.
Becoming Madam Secretary — Stephanie Dray (also in Womanhood)
The First Ladies — Victoria Christopher Murray & Marie Benedict (also in Womanhood)
The Personal Librarian — Victoria Christopher Murray & Marie Benedict (also in Womanhood)
My Government Means to Kill Me — Rasheed Newson
These are stories I’ve loved for different reasons, some made me pause, some had me in my feelings, and some reminded me that what feels impossible often isn’t.
As I continue to share A Letter Slipped Through the Pages, not every letter will be drawn from historical fiction, but some will, and each will hold a story worth discovering.
Here’s to the stories that meet us right where we are.
In support of independent bookstores, you can find and purchase many of these books at bookshop.org/shop/stinagene
