43 Best Historical Fiction Books

"Every now and then a book comes along that reaches the marrow of your bones, settles in, and stays forever. This is one." - Oprah Winfrey

John Legend mentioned this book on Twitter.

Barack Obama's "2016 Summer Reading List."

"Magnificent." - Sarah Jessica Parker

Andy Cohen recommended this book on Twitter.

Barack Obama's favorite books of 2018 list.

"The first book I read by an African author. Achebe is unflinching in his portrayal of the challenges of change, the relationships of colonialism, and power/powerlessness." - Jacqueline Novogratz

"[The author's] classic." - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Sarah Jessica Parker shared this book on Instagram.

Barack Obama's favorite books of 2019 list.

On the "books read" section of Emma Watson's GoodReads profile.

"I was basically gasping as I read this saga of an ethnically Korean family in Japan." - Jia Tolentino

"The God of all writing." - Shonda Rhimes

"[I recommend this book] because everything." - Tavi Gevinson

"This thrilling story about a double agent lived up to the hype." - Bill Gates

Max Levchin recommended this book on LinkedIn.

Barack Obama's favorite books of 2019 list.

"A service to the history it depicts, and puts the author in the very first rank of historical novelists." - Christopher Hitchens

Most Recommended Books reached out to Kathryn Minshew directly.

"My favorite book that I keep recommending to every single person I meet." - Ann Miura-Ko

"Exquisite." - Christopher Hitchens

Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez recommended this book on Twitter.

"A good book to appreciate." - Neil Strauss

Richard Branson recommended this book on his "70 must-read books" blog post.

"As steamy, dense and sensual as the jungle that surrounds the surreal town of Macondo!" - Oprah Winfrey

"If you’ve never written a book and you’re going to tell somebody you want to write a great book, [...] read this and know what a great book is." - Cal Fussman

"Epic." - Christopher Hitchens

Barack Obama's favorite books of 2017 list.

"Technically historical fiction, but you’d be just as accurate calling it a thriller or a love story." - Bill Gates

"Just so good. Such a wonderful read." - Brian Koppelman

Melinda Gates recommended this book on Likewise.com.

"Magnificent." - Sarah Jessica Parker

Barack Obama's "2016 Summer Reading List."

"One of the best books of the last 10 years." - Mike Maples, Jr.

"Despite being a work of fiction, it offered fresh insight that made me rethink parts of [Abraham Lincoln's] life." - Bill Gates

Ezra Klein recommended this book on Twitter.

"One of the most powerful books I've read about the evil consequences of patriarchal oppression, be it personal, cultural or political." - Hillary Clinton

Oprah Winfrey recommended this book in "Oprah's Book Club."

Ann Patchett recommended this book on the Parnassus Books website.

Bryan Callen recommended this book on YouTube.

"A wonderful blend of historical drama, science fiction, fantasy, and romance." - George R. R. Martin

Patrick Bet-David recommended this book on his website.

"The 'subject' is assuredly family life, which is also the tempestuous subtext of much of [the author]'s nonfiction." - Christopher Hitchens