Author Anthony Doerr once said, "Writing historical fiction is all about finding a balance between reading, traveling, looking, imagining, and dreaming." Historical fiction is the perfect blend of truth and imagination, and an ideal choice for readers seeking to engage with the past while simultaneously enjoying a fictional escape filled with wonder. There is an abundance of selections for readers seeking just that, all highlighted below.
The Star of Camp Greene by Joy Callaway
"Imagine if Taylor Swift was singing at an army camp, overheard a war secret, and was forced to stay at the camp under false pretenses. THAT is this novel," explains author Joy Callaway, whose new book entitled, The Star of Camp Greene, is a captivating look at the female entertainers who tried to keep morale up among soldiers during WWI. Filled with secrets, danger, hope, and love, this fascinating story has it all.
The Amalfi Curse by Sarah Penner
Readers will be whisked away on the high seas in NY Times Bestselling author Sarah Penner's latest novel, The Amalfi Curse. When a trailblazing nautical archeologist travels to Positano to investigate a series of mysterious shipwrecks, she's hoping to discover so much more. On a secret quest to locate a sunken treasure her father spotted on a dive years earlier, she unearths a tale of ancient sorcery, taking readers along on an adventure full of mystery, romance, and magic.
The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau by Kristin Harmel
NY Times bestselling author and founding member of Friends & Fiction, Kristin Harmel transports readers to 1940s Paris in The Stolen Life of Colette Marceau. Two jewel thieves, a priceless bracelet, and a quest to solve a decades-old murder make for a can't-put-down story sure to enthrall readers.
The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry
Fellow founding member of Friends & Fiction and NY Times Bestselling author Patti Callahan Henry brings readers The Story She Left Behind, the "sweeping story of a legendary book, a lost mother, and a daughter's search for them both" in this captivating novel inspired by a real literary mystery.
The Lion Women of Tehran by Marjan Kamali
The Lion Women of Tehran has been sweeping book clubs lists everywhere. From bestselling author Marjan Kamali, it's "an evocative read and a powerful portrait of friendship, feminism, and political activism." Beautifully written, this powerful story of love and courage will stay with you long after the last page is turned.
Our Last Vineyard Summer by Brooke Lea Foster
Author Brooke Lea Foster invites readers to summer on Martha's Vineyard in her latest release, Our Last Vineyard Summer. Set in a dual timeline between 1965 and 1978, the story "captures two generations of women navigating love, loss…and [standing] up for what they believe in," while also deeply nostalgic for the glorious New England summer setting.
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Author Fiona Davis, best known for her NY Times bestselling historical fiction set in iconic New York City buildings, is back with The Stolen Queen, a story that both dazzles and thrills. From the glamour of NYC's iconic Met Gala to the labyrinth streets of Cairo, Davis leads readers on a riveting journey from 1978 NYC to Egypt in 1936 and back again, all in search of one of the museum's most valuable artifacts that's gone missing, potentially awakening the legendary curse of a rare female pharaoh.
Before Dorothy by Hazel Gaynor
Fans of The Wizard of Oz are in for a treat with Before Dorothy, the story of Dorothy's aunt, Emily Gale, and her grand adventure from gritty Chicago to a life in Kansas, where things change forever when her orphaned niece, Dorothy, lands on her doorstep. NY Times bestselling author Hazel Gaynor brings readers a story brimming with courage and heart.
Hotel Laguna by Nicola Harrison
While Before Dorothy finds its protagonist settling in Kansas, author Nicola Harrison's Hotel Laguna follows the main character from Kansas to California in 1942 to help construct bombers for the US military. When the war ends, Hazel Francis refuses to return to a predictable future in the Midwest, instead choosing to remain in California, settling in the bohemian town of Laguna Beach and finding work as the assistant to a famous artist. But Hazel has bigger dreams and is torn between pursuing them or enjoying the life she's currently living.
A Map to Paradise by Susan Meissner
Remaining in California, visit Malibu in 1956 where "something is not right on Paradise Circle."
A Map to Paradise by bestselling author Susan Meissner follows three women—a blacklisted Hollywood starlet, an Eastern Europe immigrant with falsified papers, and a widow caring for her agoraphobic brother-in-law—all at the height of the Cold War. "Despite their differences, the women form an unlikely alliance on the eve of a devastating wildfire just as one of them faces an impossible situation."
The Lost Baker of Vienna by Sharon Kurtzman
"An historical novel inspired by the experiences of the author's own family after the Holocaust," debut author Sharon Kurtzman's The Lost Baker of Vienna is "a sweeping saga about survival, loss, love, and the reverberating effects of war." A look at the courageous spirit of WWII refugees, this beautifully written and moving story is not to be missed.
The French Kitchen by Kristy Cambron
Secrets, betrayal, and redemption will enthrall readers in Kristy Cambron's The French Kitchen. "An ex-pat wife haunted by her experiences as an undercover agent in the American OSS during WWII crosses paths with chef Julia Child in a post-war Paris cookery class, complicating the carefully constructed high-society world she built to hide her past." Beautiful and enthralling, it will captivate readers.
Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
NY Times bestselling and celebrated author Mary Alice Monroe delivers the epic tale of one woman's life across multiple generations in the American South. "Set against the backdrop of the Lowcountry, Where the Rivers Merge is a dramatic and sweeping multigenerational family story of unyielding love, lessons learned, profound sacrifices, and the indomitable spirit of a woman determined to persevere in the face of change in order to protect her family legacy and the land she loves."
Last Twilight in Paris by Pam Jenoff
"A Parisian department store, a mysterious necklace, and a woman's quest to unlock a decade-old mystery are at the center of this riveting novel of love and survival" in NY Times bestseller Last Twilight in Paris by author Pam Jenoff. Inspired by true events, the story highlights the enduring power of female friendship, particularly during times of survival.
Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi
NY Times bestselling author of The Henna Artist is back, this time with a sparkling novel that whisks readers to exotic and historic locales around the world. Six Days in Bombay by Alka Joshi introduces readers to renowned painter Mira Novak. When a medical emergency ensues, Mira's nurse, Sona, finds herself enraptured by Mira's tales of journeys and experiences. When Mira dies suddenly and mysteriously, Sona's life is upended when she's deemed a suspect. The key to proving her innocence lies in several of Mira's paintings.
Author Cassandra Clare once noted, "Historical fiction is the closest thing we have to time travel." The recommended titles will do just that: guide you on a journey to various places through different times, all while teaching, entertaining, and providing experiences through words.
For all of the above recommended selections and more, visit the Wyckoff Library.
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