Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Top Ten Hidden Gems in Historical Fiction

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This week we're talking about hidden gems in the genre of your choice. We here at TBTB decided to talk about historical fiction! We can't wait to see which genres you picked. Let us know if you have any historical fiction recs you think we'd enjoy based on our picks this week!


Jamie's Picks

1. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys: Ruta's other two books get a lot more attention and I feel like this one is way underrated! The setting (New Orleans) is amazing and vivid and I loved the characters! 

2. Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee: This book came out last year and I don't know why it wasn't more popular! It was a great story and a great setting. 
3. Brazen by Katherine Longshore: This one was quite the addictive romp through King Henry VIII’s court! It's part of a series of companion novels and it's great and super underrated!
4. I Shall Be Near to You by Erin McCabe: The other picks I gave are all YA books but if you are looking for an underrated adult historical fiction, I recommend this book set during the Civil War featuring a woman who disguises herself as a man in order to be with her husband and fight in the war. 

Kimberly's Picks

I second I Shall Be Near To You! That book is beautiful. 


5. River Of Time Series by Lisa T. Bergen: Okay so this isn't strictly HF. It's time travel. But oh this story! Every book in the series is incredible. The setting is amazing, the romance is sweet and believable, and the character growth is PHENOMENAL. 


6. Red River Series by Chie Shinohara: Okay. Normally I don't recommend manga here, because it's not for everyone. But this is one heck of a story. There was obviously a great deal of research put into the writing. This is one of those reads where I feel like I'm learning something, and I'm constantly googling for even more information. It also has wonderful characters (with amazing character growth as well) an engrossing romance (watch out for tropes, there are many, but you'll love it despite / because of them). 

Lauren's Picks

7. Never Fall Down by Patricia McCormick: This is a very realistic historical fiction book recounting a boy's survival through Cambodian genocide and Khmer Rouge. Fair warning... there will be ugly crying. 

8. The Heretic's Daughter by Kathleen Kent: I felt like I was a true insider when reading this gem. It depicts the life of the daughter of one of the first women accused and hanged during the Salem Witch Trials.

9. The Heretic Queen by Michelle Moran: This is my go to author for all things historical fiction relating to Ancient Egypt. 

10. The Wet Nurse's Tale by Erica Eisdorfer: Y'all know how much I love Margaret Atwood... and The Handmaid's Tale is one of my favorite books. This book is very similar and pretty heartbreaking. I read this over five years ago and it still sits on my Goodreads favorites shelf. 

Jana's Pick

11. The Caged Graves by Dianne K. Salerni: This is gothic YA at its finest, in my opinion. I love the setting and the atmospheric writing. The story, which takes place in 1867,  surrounds the mystery of a real pair of caged graves in present-day Catawissa, Pennsylvania. 


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17 comments:

  1. I've heard SO many good things about the River of Time series. Alas, I've not had the chance to read it. Yet. :) Thanks for the reminder.

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  2. I'm super intrigued about the River of Time Series ! I love HF and I never heard of anybof these, so this list is super helpful ! Thank you <3

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  3. Kimberly you are a girl after my heart, both of your picks are on my top 10 list. They are amazing.

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  4. Ooh nice! All totally new to me ones! My historical fictions tend to run the paranormal route! LOL!

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  5. I love hidden gems. They are often my favorites of all.

    https://readerbuzz.blogspot.com/2017/08/reading-across-fifty-states.html

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  6. I love Out of the Easy! I do wish everyone would read it.

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  7. I haven't read any of those, but I'm adding a few to my wishlist! My historical recommendation is The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne.

    Here's my TTT:

    https://darlenesbooknook.blogspot.ca/2017/08/hidden-gems-in-young-adult-genre.html

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  8. River of Time! Yes! I have a soft spot for those books as well, and I even included them on my list for this week! :)

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  9. I LOVE Out of the Easy!! It totally deserves more attention than it gets. Anything Ruta Sepetys writes is a masterpiece, but that one seems to get barely any attention in comparison to her other two novels.

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  10. I love historical fiction! I’ll check out your recommendations.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  11. I usually run, shrieking in horror at improbably tales of women hiding out as men, but I Shall Be Near You was fabulous and utterly believable.

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    1. I think you would love Pope Joan by Donna Woolfolk Cross. :)

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  12. I read quite a bit of historical fiction but haven't read any of these - I'll have to check some of them out!

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  13. Great recs! I loved OUT OF THE EASY, OUTRUN THE MOON, and THE CAGED GRAVES. I haven't heard of some of these others, but they're definitely going on my TBR list!

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  14. I have to admit I don't read a lot of historical fiction so haven't heard of any of these. I may need to look into them.

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  15. Hi, this is Kathleen Kent, author of THE HERETIC'S DAUGHTER (so kindly mentioned in "Lauren's Picks"). My book is about the Salem Witch trials, not ancient Egypt. My friend, and wonderful author, Suzanne Frank publishes historical fiction books about Egypt. Cheers, and happy reading!

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    1. I am so sorry, Kathleen! Two of my picks included the word "Heretic" in the title and I got the descriptions mixed up. Thank you so much for bringing it to my attention so that I could correct my mistake. :) Also, your book was one of the reasons I fell in love with historical fiction, so... thank you! :)

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