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Reading Recommendations

If You Like Historical Fiction

collage of historical fiction book covers including "Sacrificio," "Lavender House," "Siren Queen," "The Rib King," and more.

If you enjoy reading about characters living in a different time or navigating real historical events, here are some tips to help you find your next historical fiction read! Browse award winners, get recommendations from our staff, or make a selection from our list of historical fiction authors linked directly to our catalog, so you can conveniently place holds and check item availability. You might also find reading suggestions at If You Like Historical Romance.

Find award winners.

Awards for Young Adult and Children’s Historical Fiction:

Get reading recommendations from our staff.

Staff Picks 2024 – Best of Historical Fiction

Here are a few of our staff members’ favorite historical fiction selections of 2024– covering a span of hundreds of years. Read a trippy reimagining of Montezuma and Cortez’s meeting, see how an 18th century midwife handles being on trial for murder, or experience Huckleberry Finn from the point of view of James, the enslaved man at the center of the narrative. Looking for epic narratives that deal with the present as well as history? Take a peek at our Best of Fiction list.

New this year: we’ve included some recommendations at the bottom of the list that were our favorite reads from previous years. Hopefully, these will have a shorter hold list for you!

Title - JamesTitle - The WomenTitle - You Dreamed of EmpiresTitle - The Frozen RiverTitle - The Underground LibraryTitle - Freedom Is A FeastTitle - The Lion Women of TehranTitle - The Briar Club

Adults:

Kids:

Use your library card to access NoveList Plus.

Find reading recommendations, read-alikes, reviews, and lists of award-winning books on the book database NoveList Plus, which is free to access with your library card!

On the left side of the NoveList homepage, select “Historical Fiction” to view lists of recommended reads. Or, select “Browse By” at the top of the site and choose “Genre,” then select “historical fiction” from the drop-down menu to browse new and popular picks.

When viewing a title in NoveList Plus, you can read a brief description of the book and see reviews. Click “Check availability” to see if the book is available to borrow.

Subscribe to the historical fiction newsletter from NextReads.

Receive a monthly list of historical fiction books in your email. Listed books are linked to the Indianapolis Public Library catalog, so it’s easy to place a hold on anything that catches your eye. See a sample issue of the historical fiction list or sign up for NextReads newsletters.

Make a selection from one of these historical fiction authors.

Upcoming Author Talks & Book Discussions

  • Event: Zine Salon
  • Date & Time: Tuesday, August 26, 6:00pm
  • Location: East 38th Street Branch
  • Description: Spend some time reading, talking about, and making zines. We’ll pass around and read five selected titles.  If you need to wait while others read, use one of our kits to draw, write, and make a zine of your own.
  • Register Here
  • Event: Nonprofit Book Discussion Group
  • Date & Time: Tuesday, August 26, 6:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Central Library is excited to offer its first book discussion group for nonprofits. Gather with others from the nonprofit community to discuss ideas and themes related to nonprofits across a variety of readings.
  • No Registration Required.
  • Event: Virtual Author Talk: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos
  • Date & Time: Thursday, August 28, 2:00pm
  • Location: Online
  • Description: Learn how to master the daily grind and become shatterproof in a tumultuous world with key insights by Dr. Tasha Eurich as she talks about her newest book, Shatterproof: How to Thrive in a World of Constant Chaos (And why resilience alone isn’t enough).
  • Register Here
  • Event: BYO Book: A Different Kind of Book Club
  • Date & Time: Tuesday, September 02, 6:00pm
  • Location: Central Library
  • Description: Join a community of readers for an evening of reading and talking about books. There is no assigned book – just bring your current read and let’s chat!
  • No Registration Required.

Need more help?

Ask a Library staff member at any of our locations or call, text or email Ask-a-Librarian. The Tinker Station helpline at (317) 275-4500 is also available. It is staffed by device experts who can answer questions about how to read, watch and listen on a PC, tablet or phone.