Happy Tuesday, y’all! This week, Jana over at That Artsy Reader Girl handed the reins to Cathy from WhatCathyReadNext. So, what does Cathy want us to discuss this week? Bookish superpowers we wished we had, not ones in books, but ones we would love to have ourselves. One list never buying the same book multiple times or being able to speed read. I’m not feeling that topic, mainly because I’ve hit a weird reading slump. Instead, I will share my favorite historical fiction reads from 2023.
While some of these books were released in 2023, not all are. I will also share the period in which the books are set. All titles are linked to Goodreads.
Without further ado, here are ten of my favorite historical fiction reads from 2023!
Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Women’s Health
- Release Date: April 2022
- Setting: 1970s
Woman Enters Left by Jessica Brockmole
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Road Trip
- Release Date: April 2017
- Setting: 1930s/1950s
A Town Called Solace by Mary Lawson
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
- Release Date: February 2021
- Setting: 1970s
Coronation Year by Jennifer Robson
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Romance
- Release Date: April 2023
- Setting: 1950s
Mastering the Art of French Murder by Colleen Cambridge
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery
- Release Date: April 2023
- Setting: 1940s
The African Samurai by Craig Shreve
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Release Date: August 20023
- Setting: 1500s
The Apollo Murders by Chris Hadfield
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
- Release Date: October 2021
- Setting: 1970s
A Traitor in Whitehall by Julia Kelly
- Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery
- Release Date: October 2023
- Setting: 1940s
The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Release Date: April 2021
- Setting: 1940s
The General and Julia by Jon Clinch
- Genre: Historical Fiction
- Release Date: November 2023
- Setting: 1800s
And that’s my ten favorite historical fiction reads from 2023. Have you read any of these? What were some of your favorite historical fiction reads from 2023?
Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my other bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.
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You’re talking my love language! I’ve only read Last Bookshop and loved it! Thanks for your list I’m always looking for my next histfic read!
I hope you enjoy whichever one you decide on as much as I did.
I loved Mastering The Art of French Murder and A Traitor in Whitehall. I haven’t tried the others. Here’s my TTT: https://bonniereadsandwrites.com/2024/02/20/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-superpowers/
Historical fiction is my absolute favorite genre so I’m adding some of these on my TBR list.
Here’s my TTT:
https://pinkfordays.wordpress.com/2024/02/20/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-superpowers-i-wish-i-had/
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
Take My Hand and The African Samurai are on my radar already but The General and Julia, and Mastering the Art of French Murder sound really interesting too! I hope you manage to shake off the weird reading slump soon 🙂
Mastering the Art of French Murder is a fun historical cozy. How can it be bad when one of the characters is Julia Child? As for The General and Julia, I wasn’t sure what to expect when I read it. But it was an interesting look at a man many people learn about in US history, but don’t really know anything about.
The African Samurai seems different and so interesting
It’s different for me, as I don’t typically read books set in that era. But it was a great experience learning a bit about a real person.
The African Samurai looks interesting
It’s based on a true story, and one that I knew nothing about prior to reading this book.
Sorry about the reading slump! I wasn’t feeling it either so I also went in a different direction! Have a great week!
Reading slumps are no fun! Thankfully it’s getting better, I’ve been reading “brain candy” books to help with it.
It’s been a bit since I read a HF book. I need to change that and check some of your favorites out.
I hope you enjoy which ever one you decide to give a try.
The Last Bookshop in London was so good! I didn’t know The Apollo Murders were historical. I thought they were scifi set in the future, but good to know! I’ve been wanting to read it.
Haze @ The Book Haze
https://thebookhaze.com/
You’re welcome for the head’s up! I honestly didn’t realize The Apollo Murders were historical until I started reading it. As it’s set in the early 1970s, I consider it historical.
These all look great! Is historical fiction your favorite genre?
It’s one of my favorite genres. Honestly, I read from a variety of genres. The only one I tend to avoid is horror.
I think I’ve seen The Last Bookshop in London making the list rounds! Looks like one I should take a closer look at. 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting my website today.
If you give it a try, I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.
Ooh I never heard of any of these but I’m not a huge histfic reader! Thanks for dropping by my post!
Histfic isn’t something for everyone. I used to not enjoy it reading it either, but now it’s one of my go to genres.
This is a great list of books. The Last Bookshop in London sounds great! I am a sucker for anything bookish/libraries! I hope you get out of your reading slump soon!
Historical fiction is always more fun when there’s anything bookish about it!
Agreed!!
Love this list. I read The Last Bookshop In London last year and really enjoyed it. The African Samurai is on my list to read this year. I will have to check out some of the others on your list, they sound great.
I hope you enjoy The African Samurai as much as I did.
Love this list!
I’ve added three to my TBR:
1. Take My Hand
2. The Apollo Murders
3. The Last Bookshop in London
I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
Take My Hand is one I need to get to. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a bad review of it.
It’s not an easy read my any stretch of the imagination, but one that I feel is important nonetheless.
I loved Woman Enters Left and A Town Called Solace. The Last Bookshop in London really appeals to me too.
These all look good. I want to read more historical fiction.
Have a great week 😊
I don’t think you could go wrong with any of these.
☺️
I still need to get to The Last Bookshop in London. It’s just sitting in my Kindle…taunting me. LOL!
I hope you are able to get to it soon.
I have a friend who is mad for historical fiction. I will send her your way.
I hope she finds some new to her reads when she sees the list. And enjoys them as much as I did.
I really enjoy historical fiction, and I know that you’re always going to provide a list that’s going to get added to my TBR. I’ve only read Take My Hand, but it was fantastic. I’m looking forward to reading some good historical fiction this year.
Thanks Leah! I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.
Take My Hand looks like one I’d enjoy. I believe I’ve seen it on several bloggers’ posts recently. Thank you for sharing these recs!
Take My Hand is a really good read, but not an easy one as it discusses women’s reproductive health, and the abuses many dealt with in the 1960s & 1970s.
I haven’t read any of these. I did read My Dear Hamilton last month and enjoyed it.
I’m not familiar with that book. I may have to check it out.
I haven’t read any of these, so thank you for sharing them!
You’re welcome!