Historical Fiction
July 2025
Recent Releases
Zeal
by Morgan Jerkins

Opening at Ardelia and Oliver's engagement party in 2019 New York, this sweeping story flows back to 1865, where star-crossed enslaved lovers Harrison and Tirzah are separated by the American Civil War. They end up marrying others, and Zeal movingly depicts their paths and those of their descendants over the following decades. For fans of: Robert Jones, Jr.'s The Prophets; Honorée Fanonne Jeffers' The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois.
The Director
by Daniel Kehlmann; translated by Ross Benjamin

Austrian film director G.W. Pabst, who helped Greta Garbo and Louise Brooks become stars, goes to Hollywood but ends up back in 1930s Europe when his mother becomes ill. As the Nazis grow in power, he's forced to stay there and create films for them. This thought-provoking biographical novel melds art and history and serves up "a searing look at the mechanics of complicity" (Publishers Weekly). 
The Girls of Good Fortune
by Kristina McMorris

Facing anti-Chinese sentiment in 1880s Oregon, biracial Celia hides her heritage and works as a maid for Portland's mayor. His son, who knows Celia’s secret, loves her and proposes. But with him away at school, her father murdered, and her unexpectedly pregnant, Celia ends up housekeeping at a brothel, before other dangers surface. Recipes and an author's note add to this compelling tale. Read-alike: Jenny Tinghui Zhang's Four Treasures of the Sky.
Where the Rivers Merge
by Mary Alice Monroe

Independent Eliza Rivers, who was born in South Carolina's Lowcountry in 1900, lives through wars, family turmoil, sexism, business growth, and more. At 88, she draws two young women close, sharing her past and hoping they can keep her beloved land safe from her selfish son in this multigenerational novel, the 1st in the Mayfield duology. Read-alikes: Michael Christie's Greenwood; Dolen Perkins-Valdez's Happy Land.
The Red House
by Mary Morris

Leaving New Jersey and her troubled marriage, middle-aged Laura goes to Italy, hoping to learn more about her mother, Viola, who disappeared when Laura was a kid. Interspersed with Laura's efforts, readers see Viola as a child during World War II, when Italian Jewish people were imprisoned in detention centers. Exploring intergenerational trauma, this evocative read presents an "unusual and satisfying tale of family secrets" (Publishers Weekly).
Blonde Dust
by Tatiana de Rosnay

At Reno, Nevada's legendary Mapes Hotel, young maid Pauline is assigned to Suite 614 and it changes her life. A single mom with little free time, it takes her a bit to realize the sweet, fragile woman in 614 is Marilyn Monroe, in town filming The Misfits as her marriage to Arthur Miller is dying. Serving up a moving look at the Hollywood icon, Blonde Dust is also an ode to female friendship. Read-alike: Can't We Be Friends by Denny S. Bryce & Eliza Knight.
The Listeners
by Maggie Stiefvater

In January 1942, war comes to West Virginia when the United States government orders the luxury Avallon Hotel to house Axis Power diplomats. Balancing work, worry, and ethical questions, hotel manager June Porter Hudson also gets to know a handsome FBI agent. This atmospheric adult fiction debut by a bestselling YA fantasy novelist has hints of magic and is a "must-read for all historical fiction fans" (Library Journal). Read-alike: Melanie Benjamin's Mistress of the Ritz.
The Cardinal
by Alison Weir

Tracing Thomas Wolsey's rise from the young son of a village butcher to a wealthy cardinal and Henry VIII's closest advisor, this well-researched tale also depicts his falling in love and becoming a father to several children, despite church rules. But everything, including his life, is at risk when the king decides to divorce Catherine of Aragon in order to marry Anne Boleyn. Read this next: Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.
Library Events
Lost History, Arts Edition: Rediscovering Tales of Oklahoma's Past
Sunday, August 10, 2:00pm
Bethany
Rediscover tales of Oklahoma's past (and present!) in this exciting discussion series led by local Oklahoma historians and artists. Each week, we will rediscover a new aspect of Oklahoma history you probably didn't cover in your Oklahoma History classes.
Pour Painting Party
Thursday, August 14, 6:00pm
Ralph Ellison
Join us for an engaging and creative acrylic pour painting workshop at the library! This hands-on program invites guests of all skill levels to explore the vibrant world of fluid art. Participants will learn the basics of acrylic pour painting, a fun and mesmerizing technique that allows colors to flow and blend in unique ways. Discover the essential tools and materials needed for acrylic pour painting, including canvases, acrylic paints, pouring medium, and more. Unleash your inner artist and enjoy a fun, relaxing evening of creativity and community!
Community Fiber Arts Group
Saturday, August 16, 9:30am
Edmond
Do you enjoy knitting, crocheting or any other type of fiber arts? Then come join us every third Saturday of the month. Gather your works in progress and join with other crafters of all skill levels to share ideas and learn new skills from each other. ***Please note: This is not an instructional workshop. Crafters will need to bring their own supplies to the meetings.
SAIL: Staying Active and Independent For Life With OHAI
Monday, August 18, 10:00am
Village
Staying Active and Independent for Life (SAIL) is a fitness program for older adults, which can be done sitting or standing. Performing exercise that improves strength, balance and fitness is critical for staying active and reducing the risk of falls. The SAIL program was designed with these principals in mind. Each class includes warm-up, stretching, cardio, balance, and strengthening exercise, as well as a cool down.
Fast Friends At the Library
Saturday, August 23, 10:00am
Midwest City
Looking to meet new people and make real connections? Join us for a fun, fast-paced morning of making friends at the library! You'll rotate through short conversations designed to spark new friendships in a relaxed, welcoming space. Perfect for book lovers, introverts, and anyone ready to expand their social circle.
Library Resources
Consumer Health Complete
Designed to support the information needs of patients, Consumer Health Complete provides access to easily understandable health and medical information. You can search and browse medical encyclopedias, reference books, fact sheets and pamphlets, magazine articles, and more.
HelpNow
HelpNow is a homework help and skills building service that offers live online tutoring for students in elementary school up through college. HelpNow also offers a writing lab, practice tests, skills building lessons, a flashcard generator, and virtual study rooms.
JobNow
JobNow features job and career resources such as chatting with a live job coaching expert, resume and cover letter templates, interview tips, expert resume review, and more.
Little Pim
A language-learning resource for kids and babies that uses videos and other tools to help them learn a new language in a way they can enjoy and understand.
Signing Savvy
A sign language dictionary containing several thousand videos of American Sign Language (ASL) signs, fingerspelled words and other common signs used within the United States and Canada.
Contact your librarian for more great books!