History class making you think the past is dusty and dull? Make history come alive with a little help from the historical fiction reading lists!
In Historical Fiction: 20th Century and Onward, explore the Turn of the Century, the Great Depression, WWII, the Civil Rights Movement, plus much more!
Chasing Charity: Texas Fortunes Trilogy, Book 2 by Marcia Gruver
In this second book of the Texas Fortunes series, Charity Bloom is left stranded at the altar after her best friend takes off with her fiance. How will she ever show her face in town again? After Buddy Pierce discovers oil on the Bloom property, he realizes the real treasure may be above ground-in the form of Charity Bloom. Can he strike it rich in Charity? When her ex-fiance decides he wants her back, whom will Charity choose--the handsome roughneck or the deceitful rogue?
Courting Trouble by Deeanne Gist
It's 1894, the year of Essie's thirtieth birthday, and she decides the Lord has more important things to do than provide her a husband. If she wants one, she needs to catch him herself. So, she writes down the names of all the eligible bachelors in her small Texas town, makes a list of their attributes and drawbacks, closes her eyes, twirls her finger, and...picks one.
Kaspar the Titanic Cat written by Michael Morpurgo, illustrated by Michael Foreman
When Kaspar the cat first arrived at London’s Savoy Hotel, it was Johnny Trott who carried him in. But when tragedy befalls the Countess during her stay, Kaspar becomes more than Johnny’s responsibility: Kaspar is Johnny’s new cat, and his new best friend.
War Horse by Michael Morpurgo
In 1914, Joey, a beautiful bay-red foal with a distinctive cross on his nose, is sold to the army and thrust into the midst of the war on the Western Front. With his officer, he charges toward the enemy, witnessing the horror of the battles in France.
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Living in Germany during World War II, young Liesel Meminger scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist --- books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids.
Countdown by Deborah Wiles
It's 1962, and it seems everyone is living in fear. Twelve-year-old Franny Chapman lives with her family in Washington, DC, during the days surrounding the Cuban Missile Crisis. Amidst the pervasive threat of nuclear war, Franny must face the tension between herself and her younger brother, figure out where she fits in with her family, and look beyond outward appearances.
Glory Be by Augusta Scattergood
As much as Glory wants to turn 12, sometimes she wishes she could turn back the clock a year. Her sister Jesslyn no longer has the time of day for her now that she’s entering high school. Things have always been so easy with her best friend Frankie, but now suddenly they aren’t. And then there’s the debate about whether or not the town should keep the segregated public pool open.
More books like the ones on this list »
History class making you think the past is dusty and dull? Make history come alive with a little help from the historical fiction reading lists!
In Historical Fiction: Before the 20th Century, explore the Medieval age, Salem Witch Trials, moving to the Western Frontier and the Civil War, plus much more!
To see historical fiction books from the 20th century and onward, click here.
Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson
As the Revolutionary War begins, 13-year-old Isabel wages her own fight...for freedom. Promised freedom upon the death of their owner, she and her sister, Ruth, in a cruel twist of fate become the property of a malicious New York City couple, the Locktons, who have no sympathy for the American Revolution and even less for Ruth and Isabel. When Isabel meets Curzon, a slave with ties to the Patriots, he encourages her to spy on her owners, who know details of British plans for invasion. She is reluctant at first, but when the unthinkable happens to Ruth, Isabel realizes her loyalty is available to the bidder who can provide her with freedom.
More books like the ones on this list »
November 26, 2025
This is the season for gratitude.
Let me start with you, our readers. Thank you for reading this newsletter and being a part of our Bookreporter audience. We appreciate you! We love pulling together weekly updates for you, as well as our lineup of events. But none of it would matter if it was not for you joining us each week to read our suggestions --- and watching and listening to the interviews and preview events that we produce. We truly love what we do and enjoy bringing it to you.
Editorial Content for The Seven Rings: The Lost Bride Trilogy, Book 3
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
Set on the rocky coast of Maine, in a beautiful manor house filled with ghosts, THE SEVEN RINGS wraps up Nora Roberts’ The Lost Bride Trilogy. Some of the ghosts are members of the Poole family who owned the mansion. Others worked there, and their spirits still inhabit the spacious rooms. But there is one entity that doesn't belong, an evil spirit, who longs to possess the house and is willing to eliminate anyone who gets in her way. She killed seven Poole brides and stole their wedding rings, and she is intent on being the mistress of the mansion. Read More
Teaser
Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that house --- a manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed. After Sonya; her boyfriend, Trey; and their friends are forced to hear, see --- and feel --- the suffering of the house’s many ghosts, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story. But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover and come at her in frightening forms.
Promo
Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that house --- a manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed. After Sonya; her boyfriend, Trey; and their friends are forced to hear, see --- and feel --- the suffering of the house’s many ghosts, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story. But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover and come at her in frightening forms.
About the Book
#1 New York Times bestselling author Nora Roberts concludes her compelling Lost Bride trilogy as two women --- one dead, one alive --- prepare for a terrifying final showdown.
Long ago, Arthur Poole built a grand house overlooking the turbulent ocean, in a Maine village that bore his name. Today, Sonya MacTavish lives in that house --- a manor that has been cursed for generations. Within its walls, she has witnessed the deaths of seven brides and the thefts of seven wedding rings. And now, to break the curse and banish a malevolent spirit once and for all, a difficult task must be completed.
After Sonya, her boyfriend, Trey, and their friends are forced to hear, see --- and feel --- the suffering of the house’s many ghosts as their torment is reenacted by the evil presence, their bond only strengthens and their anger is renewed. Refusing to let her spirit be broken, Sonya searches each room for clues to her ancestors’ hidden story, putting the picture together, unearthing small treasures and uncovering the moments of joy that existed among the sorrows. She’s determined to bring light to this haunted place --- to fill it with people, with life and hope, once again.
But the enemy in the black dress continues to hover, to come at her in frightening forms. They may be illusions --- but illusions can be powerful enough to wound and kill. She feeds on fear and lies are her weapon. This dark-hearted witch wants to be mistress of Poole Manor, at any cost. And Sonya will need to fight a battle across two realms to finally take possession of the house on the clifftop --- and of her own future.
Audiobook available, read by Brittany Pressley
Editorial Content for Robert B. Parker's Showdown: A Spenser Novel
Contributors
Reviewer (text)
When Robert B. Parker passed away in 2010, he left behind a fine legacy of work and a unique collection of characters. Perhaps the most iconic of the bunch is Spenser. Thanks to the diligence of excellent writers like Mike Lupica who have helped keep the series alive, Spenser’s fans continue to enjoy watching him take his act into the present day. Read More
Teaser
Vic Hale is one of the biggest --- and loudest --- podcasters in the nation and got there by spewing overheated rhetoric that’s reviled by some but loved by even more. His particular brand of “entertainment” is so successful, he’s about to sign the biggest contract in the history of online broadcasting. Vic is riding high…until he gets a visit from Spenser. Spenser is there on behalf of Daniel Lopez, a young man who believes Hale may be his father. It’s a potentially explosive revelation for a man in the podcaster’s position, and it might even be enough to blow up his massive new deal. That could explain the bodies that start popping up --- bodies connected in one way or another with the mystery surrounding Daniel’s birth. There are a lot of questions remaining, and Spenser is going to have to find the answers before someone shuts Hale or Daniel up for good.
Promo
Vic Hale is one of the biggest --- and loudest --- podcasters in the nation and got there by spewing overheated rhetoric that’s reviled by some but loved by even more. His particular brand of “entertainment” is so successful, he’s about to sign the biggest contract in the history of online broadcasting. Vic is riding high…until he gets a visit from Spenser. Spenser is there on behalf of Daniel Lopez, a young man who believes Hale may be his father. It’s a potentially explosive revelation for a man in the podcaster’s position, and it might even be enough to blow up his massive new deal. That could explain the bodies that start popping up --- bodies connected in one way or another with the mystery surrounding Daniel’s birth. There are a lot of questions remaining, and Spenser is going to have to find the answers before someone shuts Hale or Daniel up for good.
About the Book
Spenser may have uncovered an explosive secret that threatens the career of a controversial figure in this latest installment of Robert B. Parker’s beloved series.
Vic Hale isn’t anyone’s idea of a father figure. He is one of the biggest --- and loudest --- podcasters in the nation and got there by spewing overheated rhetoric that’s reviled by some but loved by even more. His particular brand of “entertainment” is so successful, he’s about to sign the biggest contract in the history of online broadcasting. Vic is riding high...until he gets a visit from Spenser, who specializes in bringing guys like Hale back down to Earth.
Spenser is there on behalf of Daniel Lopez, a young man who believes Hale may be his father. It’s a potentially explosive revelation for a man in the podcaster’s position, and it might even be enough to blow up his massive new deal. That could explain the bodies that start popping up --- bodies connected in one way or another with the mystery surrounding Daniel’s birth. There are a lot of questions remaining, and Spenser is going to have to find the answers before someone shuts Hale or Daniel up for good.
Audiobook available, read by Joe Mantegna
