My Top Historical Fiction Reads of 2024: 5 Novels That Changed My Perspective
Explore the top 2024 historical fiction reads from my bookshelf! These five unforgettable novels, read this year, transport you through time with compelling stories, rich characters, and immersive settings.
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Some books entertain, some inform — but the best historical fiction does both, immersing you so completely in another time and place that you forget the world around you. In 2024, I read some truly standout historical novels, and these five rose to the top.
A few of these books were hot off the press, some a bit older, but they all left a mark on me. Each one earned its spot on this list by weaving compelling narratives that transported me across decades and continents, introduced me to unforgettable characters, and, in some cases, broke my heart (I’m looking at you, The Women!).
If you love historical fiction that lingers in your mind long after the final page, this list is for you. Here are my top five historical fiction reads of the year!
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1. The Long March Home by Marcus Brotherton and Tosca Lee
Books often move me, occasionally make my eyes sting, but rarely cause an actual tear to fall. Twenty minutes after finishing this historical fiction novel set in the Pacific, my lashes were still wet.
Three teenage best friends from Mobile, AL, enlist in the Army, arriving in the Philippines just months before the bombing of Pearl Harbor. In a matter of hours, their little corner of paradise is thrown into a nightmare as Japanese warplanes swarm the islands. What follows is the largest surrender of American forces in history and the horror that becomes known as the Bataan Death March.
Jimmy, Hank, and Billy vow to make it home — together. As you walk with these young men for the next four years, you’ll witness courage and sacrifice beyond anything that should be expected of a fellow human being, you’ll lose hope and discover it again. You’ll need a break from the desperation, but you won’t be able to put the story down.
I’m not going to lie, this book will haunt you. But it will be worth it.
As with any book based on true events, do not miss the author’s note at the end! I listened to this on audio and the narration was excellent.
2. The Women by Kristin Hannah
If you’re a fan of historical fiction with gutsy female leads and stories that hit you right in the feels, this one’s for you.
Hannah takes us back to the tumultuous ’60s and ’70s, weaving a tale about the Vietnam War, the women who lived through it, and the culturally explosive years in the US that followed. You’ll find yourself rooting for flawed characters making choices that sometimes make you want to yell at the pages (but isn’t that what makes them so real?).
Hannah doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities – trauma, addiction, and heartbreak are all here, raw and unfiltered. Yet, amidst the chaos, there’s redemption and hope. And let’s not forget the music – it’s a soundtrack to the era!
What sets this book apart is its unflinching examination of a part of history that many have forgotten or never knew existed – the women who served in Vietnam only to return home to a country that denied their presence in the conflict.
If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably end up down a rabbit hole of internet searches about the real women who inspired this novel. Recommended for readers who appreciate historical fiction that combines thorough research with compelling character development and aren’t afraid to confront the darker aspects of human experience.
3. Only the Beautiful by Susan Meissner
I’m telling everyone who will listen: read this book! A meticulously researched piece of historical fiction, both brutal and tender in its telling, this is a work we should all read for so many reasons. ❤️🩹
California, 1938 – When she loses her parents in an accident, sixteen-year-old Rosanne is taken in by the owners of the vineyard where she has lived her whole life. But Rosie has a secret: she sees colors when she hears sound. And she doesn’t understand how dangerous it is for “girls like her.” Rosie endured appalling things at the hands of those who were supposed to care for her. Worse were the horrors she experienced from the state of California, for the “betterment of everyone.”
Across the world in Austria, Helen witnessed the heartless devastation of Hitler’s quest for racial purity firsthand. These two women — one young, one older — only met twice, yet they shared a special friendship. When Helen returns to California after the war and learns what really happened to Rosie, she is determined to find her. What she discovers, however, is that the horrors she thought had been defeated in Europe were yet to be conquered at home.
4. The Storm We Made by Vanessa Chan
In 1945 Maylaya, Cecily Alcantara’s family (and indeed, her country) suffer the devastating consequences of choices she made ten years earlier. This story is so hard, but so good.
A chance meeting with the charismatic General Fujiwara lured her into a life of espionage, pursuing the dream of an “Asia for Asians.” Instead, Cecily helped usher in an even more brutal occupation by the Japanese. Ten years later as the war reaches its apex, her actions have caught up with her. Now her family is on the brink of destruction–and she will do anything to save them.
Painful. Triumphant. Heartbreaking. Hopeful. This book deserves it’s National Bestseller standing, and it’s place in your book club.
5. The German Wife by Kelly Rimmer
I’ve read my fair share of WWII historical fiction, but this one stood out for two intriguing reasons:
First, it’s largely set in the United States, and while I’ve heard of Operation Paperclip (or should I say Project Overcast?), I’d read very little about the U.S. bringing Nazi scientists into its space and weapons programs.
Second, it offers a nuanced portrayal of Germans in the Nazi party, exploring the real people behind those labels and the complex choices many of them faced — or were denied.
The narrative weaves together the lives of two women: Lizzie, an American whose husband leads the program and whose brother carries deep psychological wounds from the war, and Sofie, a German immigrant whose husband — a former Nazi scientist — has been pardoned and brought to America for his expertise. As their stories unfold across past and present, their paths converge toward an explosive confrontation.
Rimmer doesn’t hand out hero capes here — characters perform heroic acts, sure, but also make choices that history might frown upon. Consider this book if you aren’t afraid to explore multiple viewpoints and ponder the reasoning behind actions, even if you don’t agree with them. It’s an ideal choice for readers who appreciate nuanced historical perspectives and are willing to tackle challenging ethical questions, making it perfect fodder for book club discussions.
Your Turn To Share Your Favorite Historical Fiction Books…
And there you have it: the best historical fiction books I read in 2024! But I’d love to hear what your favorite read was — please tell me in the comments!
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