May Genre Challenge: Historical Fiction
If you long for years gone by or just want to learn some history in a fun way, this is the genre for you! May's theme in the 12 genres in 12 months reading challenge is historical fiction. I don't normally seek out historical fiction, so I was surprised to learn that I'd read so much of it when I started looking at recommended reading lists.
Recommended Reads
Here are a few historical fiction titles I've enjoyed over the last few years:
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrows (1946, Guernsey Island)
It's tough to write a compelling novel that's comprised of letters, but this one does it well. - The Help by Kathryn Stockett (1962, Mississippi)
The movie is good, too. - The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini (1970s, Afghanistan)
A heartbreaking story. - Number the Stars by Lois Lowry (Denmark, Word War II)
I read many historical fiction books for children in my year-long Newbery project. This one stood out as the best. - Orphan Train by Christina Baker Lane (Minnesota, Great Depression)
I keep notes on the books I read. For this one, I noted that I enjoyed the historical parts of the book more than the modern-day ones.
What I Might Read
Here are the few books that made my short list:
Possibility #1: March by Geraldine Brooks
Why this interests me: This book tells the story of the Little Women's father against the backdrop of the Civil War. I'm always fascinated by books that try to tell a different part of a well-known story. This book won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 2006.
Recommended by: 50 Essential Historical Fiction Books (Abe Books)
Possibility #2: The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton
Why it interests me: The central plot(s) seem to revolve around a mystery set in a gold-mining town in New Zealand in 1866. I always love a good mystery. This book won the Booker Prize in 2013. It's over 800 pages, which is a little daunting!
Recommended by: 20 Works of Historical Fiction You Should Read Right Now (Quicklit)
Possibility #3: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Why it interests me: This is one of those titles that seems to pop up on many recommended book lists. The basic premise that books can feed the soul during dark times (Nazi Germany, 1939) is very compelling.
Recommended by: Best Historical Novels That Made You Cry (Goodreads)
Possibility #4: Dancing in Combat Boots by Teresa Funke
Why it interests me: Teresa Funke is a local author who has written historical fiction books for children and adults. This one is a series of short stories about American women during World War II. I like the idea of reading a book of short stories, since that seems to be an unusual format for historical fiction.
Recommended by: Small Books About Big Wars (KidLit History)
I'll be reading one (or possibly more) of these books this month.
For other book ideas, check out my Book Recommendations board on Pinterest. I'll be adding book lists throughout the year as I come across intriguing ones.
Next Month (June): Science Fiction or Science Factual. When I was looking for books to read this month, I discovered a few time travel / alternative history ones that I might read in June. Stay tuned!