Check out this year’s new historical fiction!
Looking for an updated list of new historical fiction coming out this year? Check out the updated list below.
I’ve been a little out of the loop lately when it comes to what adult fiction books are coming out so recently when I had some free time I started perusing through Goodreads and publishers catalogs to get a sense of what was coming out and what I might want to add to my TBR.
I always like to feel on top of things but things have been busy and ever-changing so it’s kind of fallen on the bottom of my TBR list. It was really relaxing to put on some music and discover some titles that piqued my interest.
So today I figured I’d share with you 5 recently (or soon to be) released historical fiction novels I discovered. I loooove historical fiction so I’m hoping to snag some of these soon because I’ve definitely been in the mood for historical fiction lately.
The Orphan’s Tale by Pam Jenoff
Setting: Traveling circus during WWII
What Interested Me: WWII novels are typically insta-adds for me, circus, promise of a strong friendship story between two woman who are both trying to hide & survive
The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence: A Story of Botticelli by Alyssa Palombo
Setting: 15th century Florence, Italy
What Interested Me: definitely the setting…I want to go back to Florence, real life historical figure Simonetta Cattaneo & the premise that she was indeed the muse of Botticelli and love interest, Medici family, art
The Fire By Night by Teresa Messineo
Setting: battlefield in France + Japanese POW camp in Manila during WWII
What Interested Me: the dual story of two friends who are military nurses during WWII half a world away from each other, I just LOVE stories about the heroism of women during the war
The Echo of Twilight by Judith Kinghorn
Setting: a wealthy summer estate in Scotland in 1914
What Interested Me: the fact it is set at the estate/manor of a wealthy aristocrat, the relationship between a lady’s maid & her employer, the tease of secrets, threat of war’s effect on the women despite their social standing
Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate
Setting: 1930’s in a Tennessee orphanage (interspersed with a present day narrative)
What Interested Me: that it’s based on a real life scandal in which the director of an adoption center kidnapped and sold poor children to wealthy families all over the country, the past and present day narrative
Dragon Springs Road by Janie Chang
Setting: early 20th century Shanghai
What Interested Me: orphan story about a girl who is an outcast because she is Eurasian and is taken in by a family (as a servant) who moves into the abandoned home she was left in, seems like there is a small fantasy element?
The Stars Are Fire by Anita Shreve
Setting: 1947 in coastal Maine
What Interested Me: based on a real catastrophic event, strong women protecting themselves and children while the men are off fighting the fire
The Baker’s Secret by Stephen P. Kiernan
Setting: Normandy coast during WWII
What Interested Me: a young woman who fights back against the Germans in the discrete way she can (by stretching out the rations given to her by the Germans to bake for them and secretly feeding her hungry villagers) — seriously I just love stories of ordinary people who fight back in sneaky ways!
Let me know if there are any recently released (or soon to be released) adult historical fiction novels that should be on my radar! Have you read any of these? Planning to read any of these?
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Lindsay says
“The Fire By Night” was a great read, plus it was really well-researched. I definitely recommend it! I love the covers of “Dragon Springs Road” and “The Baker’s Secret” and I’ll be looking those up. I can always go for some WWII fiction!
Jamie says
I’m so glad to hear that about The Fire By Night! I’ve owned a couple of her books but have never actually read them but hear so many good things!
Chrystal says
I’ll have to check out Before We Were Yours. It reminds me of the audiobook I listened to the other day: Orphan Train.
Jamie says
I have yet to read Orphan Train! Was it good on audio? I’m always looking for new audiobooks!
Chrystal says
It was so good. I found my copy at thrift store for $5! I’m loaning it to my MIL because she’s never tried audiobooks before.
Utopia state of mind says
I thought dragon Springs Road was good! It did have some fantasy, but I really enjoyed the characters. To me it had an Amy tan vibe to it
Jamie says
I’m so glad to hear that! It seemed like, from the summary, that the fantasy element wasn’t overwhelming. And ooh Amy Tan! That makes me even more excited!
kristen says
basically added all of these to my list! i’m with you, i love stories of ordinary people fighting back in sneaky ways 🙂
Stephanie @ Bookfever says
These all look amazing! I’m especially interested in The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence: A Story of Botticelli by Alyssa Palombo. <3
Trisha @ trishajennreads says
The Orphan’s Tale is wonderful! I was lucky enough to read an early copy and loved it. I reviewed it on my blog here :https://trishajennreads.com/2016/11/11/book-review-the-orphans-tale/
And now I’m adding all of these other books to my TBR. Right now.
Thanks!
Megan says
All of these look good, but I especially like books set during WWII. I added four of these to my to-read list. I don’t normally read too many historical fiction novels, but I really want to get into them more. I can’t wait to get some extra time to start reading for leisure again. I have so many books on my to-read list though. I don’t even know which one to start with. They all look so good.
Do you purchase most of your books (new or used) or do you try and visit the library? I don’t buy books very often, but when I do, I try and get them used. They are in good condition and much cheaper. New books are expensive!! I really enjoy going to the library too. I can check out so many good books and it’s free! And I also like looking through the little free libraries around town too. Have you heard of these? It’s an interesting concept. I love it!
Jordan @ ForeverLostinLiterature says
I love historical fiction, so I was beyond excited to see this post! The only one I’ve read is The Orphan’s Tale, and I found it to be a really interesting WWII-era story, especially with the circus aspect. 🙂 I’ve been dying to read The Most Beautiful Woman in Florence, Dragon Springs Road, and The Echo of Twilight as well, so hopefully we both get to soon! Before We Were Yours is new to me, but sounds extremely interesting! Great post!
Sarah J. says
Oh, I love this! I’m a lover of historical fiction and I’m always looking for new reads. I’m currently read Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald and I’m really enjoying it. I’m definitely going to check out a few of these!
Susan (Bloggin' 'bout Books) says
These all sound so good! I’ve actually read THE ECHO OF TWILIGHT and didn’t love it. The others all sound like winners, though. I bought THE ORPHAN’S TALE the other day — hopefully I’ll get to it soon!
Lauren @ Always Me says
The Echo of Twilight and The Fire by Night both sound pretty enticing! Thanks for sharing!
Jo says
I just finished the Orphan’s Tale, and loved it!! So great (and heartbreaking). The Baker’s Secret is right up my alley and has been on my list since i heard about it, but I just requested Before We Were Yours and Fire by Night, I can’t wait to read them.
Ebru says
Hi Jamie,
Congrats on your pregnancy 🙂 You must be so excited!! This list is awesome and I have gone ahead and clicked “The Orphan’s Tale” by Pam Jenoff – love her books so much, I am pretty sure I have read every single one of them so far. 🙂 For historical fiction writers she’s one of my favorites that’s for sure. I can’t wait to read this one.
On another note, I have to recommend the Bronze Horseman series by Paullina Simons, if you haven’t read them yet. Take a look at Goodreads for it, it’s a fantastic Historical Fiction and an epic love story as well. Two birds one stone right. 🙂
Anyways, good luck with everything, and I wanted to mention that your blog is fantastic!
Thanks, Ebru