Reading Recommendations

If You Like Historical Fiction

08/17/25 If You Like

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.

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:

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!

NoveList Plus

Use your Library card to login to NoveList Plus to find recommendations, read-alikes, series lists, reviews, and lists of award-winning books.

There are several historical fiction categories to choose from including:

NextReads

You can choose to receive recommendations via email from categories including mysteries, audiobooks, urban fiction, graphic novels, biographies, history, kids’ books, Spanish, and so much more. Sign up for as many collection newsletters as you want. It’s FREE! Subscribe to the categories you’d like on NextReads today!

Historical Fiction Authors

Author Talks & Book Discussions

Event: Storytime at College Avenue – Toddler & Preschool
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 21, 10:30am
Location: College Avenue Branch
Description: Children aged 3-5, and their families, are invited to a half-hour of stories, songs, and rhymes, followed by playtime, art, and social time with other families!
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Garfield Park
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 21, 10:30am
Location: Garfield Park Branch
Description: Babies, toddlers, preschoolers, and their parents/caregivers are invited for stories, songs, and movement activities.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at West Perry – Preschool
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 21, 10:30am
Location: West Perry Branch
Description: Children ages 3-5 and a caregiver are invited for stories, songs, crafts, and more! No registration is required.
No Registration Required.

Event: Storytime at Pike
Date & Time: Wednesday, October 21, 10:30am
Location: Pike Branch
Description: Babies, toddlers, preschoolers and an adult are invited for stories, songs, fingerplays and play time.
No Registration Required.

Need 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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