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:
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.
Isabel Allende
Tessa Arlen
Marie Benedict
Georgie Blalock
Rhys Bowen
Pearl S. Buck
Isabel Cañas
Monica Chenault-Kilgore
Tracy Chevalier
Chanel Cleeton
Fiona Davis
Lindsey Davis
E. L. Doctorow
Shaunna J. Edwards
Louise Erdrich
Ken Follett
Diana Gabaldon
Margaret George
Philippa Gregory
Upcoming Author Talks & Book Discussions
- Event: Soulful Pages Book Club
- Date & Time: Monday, December 15, 6:00pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: We’ll gather for a guided, interactive conversation exploring characters, themes, symbolism, and the emotional impact of The Sable Cloak. Bring your insights, questions, and open hearts — Soulful Pages is all about shared voices and shared stories.
- Register Here
- Event: Adult Book Discussion at Lawrence
- Date & Time: Tuesday, December 16, 10:30am
- Location: Lawrence Branch
- Description: Adults are invited to this monthly book discussion program. The title for December is “Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame” by Olivia Ford.
- Register Here
- Event: WitLITS Book Discussion Group
- Date & Time: Friday, December 19, 10:30am
- Location: Spades Park Branch
- Description: A read aloud group exploring classic literature in a group reading. Do you like classic American Literature? Do you enjoy listening to literature read out loud? Then consider WitLITS where our bookclub requires one thing – show up.
- No Registration Required.
- Event: Black Author Book Club
- Date & Time: Monday, December 22, 6:00pm
- Location: East 38th Street Branch
- Description: Come celebrate the wide array of books by Black authors. We will explore various genres ranging from poetry, urban fiction, nonfiction, and adult fiction. There are a limited number of spots so reserve yours today!
- Register Here
- Event: Ad Astra
- Date & Time: Monday, December 29, 6:00pm
- Location: Central Library
- Description: Embark on interstellar journeys of imagination with Ad Astra, Central Library’s scifi book group. Our December title is “The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook for Surviving Medieval England” by Brandon Sanderson.
- 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.