Historical Fiction
March 2025
Recent Releases
Babylonia
by Costanza Casati

Mixing mythology with ancient history, this second novel by the author of Clytemnestra traces the path of Semiramis from poor orphan to Queen of Assyria. Raised by an abusive shepherd after her mother ran afoul of Aphrodite, clever Semiramis navigates her way to the city, where court intrigue and a love triangle don't stop her ambition in this evocative, gripping tale. Read-alike: A.D. Rhine's Horses of Fire.
Fagin the Thief
by Allison Epstein

Revisiting Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist and providing a more nuanced depiction of villainous Fagin, this "magnificent" (Publishers Weekly) novel begins in 1838 London when trouble arrives at the rundown house where Fagin lives with his group of young thieves. For retellings of other Dickens novels, try Jon Clinch's Marley or Barbara Kingsolver's 21st century-set Demon Copperhead.
The Queen of Fives
by Alex Hay

Destitute con artist Quinn Le Blanc, the current Queen of Fives, follows the old group's rulebook dictating she has five days to pull off five specific moves to complete a successful con. In 1898 London, she's impersonating an heiress to lure a wealthy duke into marriage, but she only has one helper left and there are mysterious plots against her. For fans of: Ashley Weaver's Electra McDonnell mysteries.
Let's Call Her Barbie
by Renée Rosen

Told from multiple viewpoints, this fun fictional take on Barbie's beginnings shows Mattel cofounder Ruth Handler, inspired by dolls in Europe, creating the revolutionary fashion icon. Though kids love her, Barbie faces in-house problems and consumer criticism on her way to success (and a dream house). For a more haunting, emotionally intense look at the power of dolls, try Mona Susan Power's A Council of Dolls.
The Unexpected Diva
by Tiffany L. Warren

This inspiring biographical novel depicts the life of Elizabeth Taylor Greenfield, who is born into slavery but freed as a child and raised in Philadelphia's Quaker community by an elderly white woman. With a voice compared to Jenny Lind's, she tours all over as an adult, even performing for Queen Victoria in England, all while facing prejudices. Read-alike: The Queen of Sugar Hill by ReShonda Tate.
Focus on: Women's Lives
The Personal Librarian
by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray

In 1905, Belle de Costa Greene is hired away from Princeton University to curate and run the personal library of banker J.P. Morgan. She shrewdly expands his collection of manuscripts, books, and artwork and becomes a powerful part of New York society, all the while hiding her Black family history. Read-alikes: Fiona Davis' The Lions of Fifth Avenue; Kuchenga Shenjé's The Library Thief.
The Women's March
by Jennifer Chiaverini

In 1913, not all American women have a right to vote. Determined to change that, suffragists such as Alice Paul, Maud Malone, and Ida B. Wells take part in a March on Washington, D.C., where angry men block their path. Blending fact and fiction, this powerful novel thoughtfully depicts the women's struggles and courage. For fans of: Stories from Suffragette City, edited by M.J. Rose and Fiona Davis.
Diva
by Daisy Goodwin

Well-researched and richly detailed, Diva fictionalizes the complex and scandalous extramarital affair between legendary opera singer Maria Callas and Greek shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis. For fans of: An Unofficial Marriage by Joie Davidow; the 2024 Angelina Jolie film Maria.
Island Queen
by Vanessa Riley

Born enslaved, Dorothy Kirwan Thomas, a real-life 18th- and 19th-century Caribbean woman, builds a business empire to buy freedom for herself and her family and rubs shoulders with the rich and powerful, including England's future King William IV. If you enjoyed Edward P. Jones' Pulitzer Prize-winning The Known World, try this engaging and richly detailed story.
The Engineer's Wife
by Tracey Enerson Wood

After her chief engineer husband becomes sick while working on his late father's massive Brooklyn Bridge project, Emily Warren Roebling becomes his messenger and then takes on ever more responsibilities. Despite political corruption and people from all levels of society underestimating her, she ushers the bridge to completion in 1883. For fans of: Beatrice Colin's To Capture What We Cannot Keep.
Library Events
Sunset Yoga
Tuesday, March 25, 6:30pm
Del City
Let the stress of the day melt away by joining us for sunset yoga. This class is a combination of meditation and gentle, restorative movements. No prior yoga experience is necessary.
SAIL- Staying Active and Independent For Life With OHAI
Wednesday, March 26, 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.
Elmer McCurdy: Oklahoma Outlaw Turned Mummy
Wednesday, March 26, 6:30pm
Edmond
From Failed Outlaw to Famous Mummy: The Bizarre Tale of Elmer McCurdy Join us for an extraordinary journey through one of American history's strangest stories. Learn how Elmer McCurdy went from being a spectacularly unsuccessful train robber to becoming an accidental celebrity – after his death! In 1911, McCurdy's career as an outlaw came to an end in a shootout with lawmen in Oklahoma. But his story was far from over. Through a series of bizarre twists, his mummified body became a traveling sideshow attraction, appearing in carnivals, haunted houses, and even a wax museum. For over 60 years, McCurdy's corpse journeyed across America, with many forgetting he was a real person – until his remains were surprisingly discovered on the set of "The Six Million Dollar Man" in 1976. Perfect for history buffs, true crime enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys learning about the peculiar corners of American culture. Join us for this fascinating look at a truly unique piece of Western history.
The Oklahoma Standard
Tuesday, April 1, 9:00am
Warr Acres
On April 19, 1995, the Oklahoma City bombing shook the heart of our community, leaving a deep mark on the lives of those directly impacted and the world beyond. As we commemorate this tragic event, our library offers a space for reflection, healing, and education through a curated collection of books, displays and take-home-kits. We honor the memory of the lives lost and the resilience that followed, exemplified by the Oklahoma Standard — a pledge to be kind, helpful, and compassionate in the face of adversity. Through our shared commitment to this standard, we continue to strengthen the bonds of our community and uphold the values that make us stronger together. Join us in remembering and embracing the enduring spirit of Oklahoma City. During this program's duration the Warr Acres Library will be collecting small stuffed animals or blankets (new or new handmade - Time to put those new skills you've learned to work!!) to be given to the Warr Acres Police and Fire Departments for distribution to people in distress that are being assisted by those departments.
Beekeeping Basics: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started
Friday, April 4, 10:00am
Southern Oaks
This program offers an introduction to the world of beekeeping, covering essential topics such as setting up your first hive, caring for bees throughout the seasons, and selecting the best flowers to maximize honey production. Participants will also learn about common pests and how to manage them, as well as gain insights into the fascinating world of native bees and their role in pollination. Whether you're a beginner or looking to expand your knowledge, this course provides the foundational skills needed to embark on your beekeeping journey. The workshop is provided by Mason Huddleston of the Oklahoma County/ OSU Extension.
Library Resources
MyHeritage
MyHeritage includes birth, death, and marriage records from 48 countries, the complete U.S. and U.K. censuses, immigration, military, and tombstone records and more than 3 billion family tree profiles.
Metro Grows
Metro Grows is a program that lends gardening tools from the library, provides library events geared towards gardening, and provides Discovery Backpacks for kids ages 4-12.
Home Improvement Source
Looking to do it yourself? The Home Improvement Source provides detailed, user-friendly “how-to” information covering a variety of home improvement and repair projects.
Summer Reading Program
Our Summer Reading Program (June 1-July 31) is open to ALL ages, from pre-readers to adults, so sign up today for a chance to win some great prizes this summer!
World History in Context
World History in Context provides an overview of world history that covers the most-studied events, periods, cultures, civilizations, religions, conflicts, wars, ideologies, cultural movements, and people.
Contact your librarian for more great books!