Reading Recommendations

If You Like Historical Fiction

08/17/25 If You Like

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.

The Walter Scott Prize recognizes historical fiction novels published in the last year. Browse the Walter Scott Prize award winners.
The Society of American Historians awards a Prize for historical fiction every other year. View the Society of American Historians award and past winners.
The Crime Writers’ Association awards the Historical Dagger for a historical crime novel published in the last year in the UK in English.
Make a selection from the Goodreads Readers’ Favorite Historical Fiction of 2024.

Awards for Young Adult and Children’s Historical Fiction:

Get reading recommendations from library staff.

Adults:

Kids:

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!

Use your Library card to access Novelist Plus.

On Novelist Plus you’ll find reading recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books. There are several historical fiction categories to choose from including:

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: Adult Book Discussion at College Avenue
Date & Time: Monday, January 05, 1:30pm
Location: College Avenue Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion on the first Monday of the month from 1:30 to 3 p.m. New members are always welcome!
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Martindale-Brightwood
Date & Time: Monday, January 05, 4:30pm
Location: Martindale-Brightwood Branch
Description: Our small group will meet to discuss “Amazing Grace Adams” by Fran Littlewood. Pick up a copy of the book at Martindale-Brightwood. New members and fresh perspectives are always welcome.
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Wayne – First Monday Book Club
Date & Time: Monday, January 05, 6:30pm
Location: Wayne Branch
Description: The book to be discussed is “Tell Me Everything” by Elizabeth Strout. Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program, which is free and open to everyone!
No Registration Required.

Event: Adult Book Discussion at Franklin Road
Date & Time: Monday, January 05, 6:30pm
Location: Franklin Road Branch
Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program. The title for January is “The Man Who Invented Christmas: How Charles Dicken’s A Christmas Carol Rescued His Career and Revived Our Holiday Spirits”, by Les Standiford.
No Registration Required.

Event: BYO Book: A Different Kind of Book Club
Date & Time: Tuesday, January 06, 6:00pm
Location: Central Library
Description: BYO Book is modeled after Silent Book Club. Bring whatever you’re currently reading and enjoy a period of silent reading followed by discussion with fellow book lovers.
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.

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