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Historical Fiction April 2026 |
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| Daughter of Egypt by Marie BenedictLady Evelyn Herbert defies societal expectations in 1919 and accompanies her father, Lord Carnarvon, and archeologist Howard Carter on digs in Egypt, where she seeks the tomb of Hatshepsut. In 1400s BCE, Hatshepsut becomes pharaoh against the odds. Following the lives of two women whom history almost forgot, this evocative novel is the latest from acclaimed author Marie Benedict. Read-alikes: Gill Paul's The Collector's Daughter; Saara El-Arifi's Cleopatra. |
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| Book of Forbidden Words by Louise FeinIn 1552 England, former nun Lysbette writes of a utopian world for women, but people find her words heretical and she's killed before her book can be printed. This leads Charlotte Guillard, a real-life Parisian publisher, to encode the work for posterity. In 1952 New York, bored housewife and World War II codebreaker Millie decodes the manuscript, but McCarthyism makes the centuries-old ideas inside still dangerous. Try these next: A.D. Bell's The Bookbinder's Secret; Chanel Cleeton's The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes. |
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| Autobiography of Cotton by Cristina Rivera GarzaReal-life 20-year-old activist and writer José Revueltas goes to Tamaulipas to support a 1934 Mexican cotton workers’ strike (which later forms the basis of his revolutionary novel Human Mourning). At the same time, a husband and wife travel to the fields to work. Weaving literary fiction with family history, political history, biography, analysis, and more, this is the intriguing latest by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Liliana's Invincible Summer: A Sister's Search for Justice. |
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| Mule Boy by Andrew KrivakIn 1929, 13-year-old Ondro Prach begins work as mule boy in the coal mines where his father died. When an accident kills everyone on his crew except him, he's left with trauma and survivor's guilt. He drinks, goes to prison as a conscientious objector during World War II, and is ready to talk years later when the miners' families ask him about the men who were lost that day. "This is flawless," raves Publishers Weekly. Try this next: Anne Michaels' Held; Nathaniel Ian Miller's The Memoirs of Stockholm Sven. |
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| White River Crossing by Ian McGuireIn the Canadian winter of 1766, news that there's gold further north leads the manager of a Hudson Bay Company outpost to send a secret group to investigate. Led by two Native couples, the party of three prospectors includes the manager's loathsome deputy, the intellectual first mate from the company's whaling sloop, and the manager's naive 19-year-old nephew. But an act of sexual violence will make a dangerous trip even more so in this atmospheric novel. Try this next: Kathleen Grissom's Crow Mary. |
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| A Far-Flung Life by M.L. StedmanOn a vast sheep station in 1958 Western Australia, a fatal accident changes the lives of the MacBrides. Left behind are injured teenager Matt, his older sister Rose, and his grief-stricken mom Lorna, who are eventually joined by a bright young boy. Exploring how loss and secrets reverberate for decades, this emotional family saga is the long-awaited sophomore novel from M.L. Stedman (The Light Between Oceans). Try these next: Heather Rose's A Great Act of Love; Michelle Huneven's Bug Hollow. |
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| The Sea Child by Linda WilgusAfter her husband dies in the Napoleonic Wars, Isabel leaves London to rent a seaside cottage in Cornwall. She was found in the area as a girl, alone and wet on the beach, and hopes to learn about her past, but all she discovers is that locals think she's a sea creature's child. When an injured smuggling ship's captain is brought to her, she secretly nurses him and they become close, but a visiting revenue man signals danger. This romantic, swashbuckling debut novel is full of adventure. |
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| A Beast Slinks Towards Beijing by Alice Evelyn YangThough she's busy with her New York job and boyfriend, Qianze takes in her estranged father, who seems to have dementia. The story moves to the past when he begins talking about his family, leading to stories from the Japanese occupation of Manchuria and the Chinese Cultural Revolution. With elements of magical realism, this emotionally intense debut novel ponders history, family relationships, and the effects of intergenerational trauma. Read-alikes: Wendy Chen's Their Divine Fires; Ali Araghi's The Immortals of Tehran. |
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Celebrate Excellence in Asian American and Pacific Islander Poetry
Wednesday, May 6,
5:30pm
Warr Acres
Have you always wanted to explore creative writing but never had the chance? Are you looking for a supportive community of writers with whom you can share your work? Join us every Wednesday where we'll be creating original work and sharing our works in progress. Join us for this special program where we'll read, discuss, and create original works influenced by the brilliance and legacy of Asian American and Pacific Islander poets past and present.
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Animal CSI
Thursday, May 7,
3:00pm
Choctaw
Read the bones to discover the story written in them. Be introduced to the world of forensic science and learn how to identify pathologies (evidence of trauma and disease) found on a variety of animal bones. Discover the fascinating world of bones at Nature’s Open Book: a special exhibit from SKELETONS: Museum of Osteology! Visit the Downtown Library in April and May to explore a selection of incredible skeletal and taxidermy specimens. Visit metrolibrary.org/skeletons for more information about the exhibit and related events.
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Zine Canteen
Thursday, May 7,
6:30pm
Belle Isle
Join us for Zine Canteen, our monthly meet-up for zine enthusiasts of all ages, teens and adults alike! Whether you're a seasoned zinester or just curious about the zine-making world, this is the perfect space to share ideas, learn new techniques, and trade zines with fellow creatives. Come and enjoy a cozy atmosphere with coffee and tea provided. Bring your latest creations, your inspiration, and your curiosity. We look forward to seeing you there! Materials will be provided, but feel free to bring your own supplies. No prior experience necessary!
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Art Spark: Inspired by Japanese Notan
Thursday, May 14,
6:00pm
Northwest
Whether you’re brand-new to art or already creating masterpieces, spark your creativity with us! This month we’re exploring Notan, a Japanese design concept that plays with the balance between light and dark. You’ll learn how artists use simple shapes and bold contrasts to create striking, eye-catching compositions—then craft your own Notan-inspired artwork. Take your creation home to show it off, or leave it with us to shine in our Teen Art Exhibition for the month!
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Anne Frank, Contemporary Reflections on Her Diary Part II
Wednesday, May 20,
6:00pm
Belle Isle
Anne Frank, author of Diary of a Young Girl, was born 97 years ago in Frankfurt, Germany. The first American version of her diary, published in 1952, chronicled her time hiding in Amsterdam, during the occupation of Holland by Nazi Germany. The book was an immediate sensation. Praised for both her writing style and ability, the work offers an intimate and thorough picture of life under fascist Nazi Germany from the perspective of its victims. The book has remained in print across the globe to this day. Metropolitan Library System invites you to a two-part series of educational and enriching discussions about Diary of a Young Girl. Led by Sofia Thornblad, Chief Curator and Director of Holocaust Education of the Sherwin Miller Museum of Jewish Art in Tulsa, these programs offer perspective to guide your reading of Anne Frank's diary in our current day. This second session will delve into the historical impact of this book, and Anne Frank’s legacy and impact on Holocaust Education. The program will be conversational. Do not miss this important and timely discussion. Registration is suggested. There is no need to read the book before this event, but familiarity with the work is encouraged.
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Eid Adventure Day!
Wednesday, May 27,
4:00pm
Downtown
Get ready for a celebration full of color, creativity, and fun! Join us for an exciting Eid Adventure where kids can explore the world through hands‑on activities, crafts, and yummy pre‑packaged snacks. Kids will grab their very own Eid Passport and travel from station to station— ✨ building bright lanterns ✨ designing cool henna‑inspired art ✨ creating geometric bookmarks ✨ discovering awesome traditions from around the world ✨ and collecting stamps as they go! Finish your passport and earn a special surprise! This playful, drop‑in style event is perfect for curious kids who love to make things, try things, and explore new cultures. We can’t wait to celebrate with you—Eid Mubarak!
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Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
Includes articles from peer-reviewed journals and other scholarly sources. An essential tool for psychologists, counselors, researchers, and students, providing extensive coverage for a broad range of subjects in the fields of psychology, behavioral sciences, and related disciplines.
Note: Log in with your library card number and last name for access
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Mergent Intellect
Mergent Intellect contains comprehensive business information on hundreds of millions of U.S. and international businesses. It also provides residential search information for over 210 million U.S. consumers, demographic information based on the latest Census data, and job search information for career seekers.
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Health Source: Consumer Edition
This rich collection of consumer health information provides the full text of many consumer health magazines (including Better Nutrition, Harvard Health Letter, Men's Health, Muscle & Fitness, Prevention, Vegetarian Times, and others), health-related pamphlets and health reference books.
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Opposing Viewpoints in Context
Presents the points of view towards current social issues and provides essays, primary sources, statistics, and topic overviews to better inform you about the issues.
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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