Historical Fiction November 2025 |
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33 Place Brugmann
by Alice Austen
On the eve of the Nazi occupation, in the heart of Brussels, life for the residents of 33 Place Brugmann is about to change forever. Charlotte Sauvin, an art student knows all the details of the building and its
people. When confronted with a cruel choice--submit to the regime or
risk their lives to save one another--each learns the truth about what,
and who, matters to them the most. A propulsive and exquisitely written tour de force, 33 Place Brugmann champions the restorative power of love, courage, and art in times of great threat.
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| Venetian Vespers by John BanvilleIn Booker Prize winner John Banville's atmospheric latest, newlyweds Evelyn and Laura, who don't know each other very well, visit 1899 Venice. Struggling British writer Evelyn, who narrates the story, has been pulled to the city by his recently disinherited American wife. In Venice Evelyn meets a man claiming to know him. Though Evelyn doesn't remember the man, he quickly falls for the man's sister, which leads to violence and a disappearance. For another view of Venice, try Tracy Chevalier's The Glass Maker. |
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| Circle of Days by Ken FollettCircle of Days explores the creation of Stonehenge and follows Seft, a flint miner who's physically abused by his widowed father. When Seft falls for Neen, he is embraced by her herding family. He ends up helping Neen's priestess sister bring her vision for creating a massive stone circle to reality. They face weather issues, tribal conflicts, and logistical problems in this intricately plotted epic with a large cast of characters. You may also like Conn Iggulden's The Abbot's Tale. |
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| Amity by Nathan HarrisIn 1866 Louisiana, formerly enslaved siblings Coleman and June continue to work for the Harper family after the war. When Mr. Harper heads to Mexico hoping to get rich via silver mines, he takes June with him. Soon Mrs. Harper, her adult daughter, bookish Coleman, and a dog follow them, but no one's journey is smooth in this incisive, intricately plotted western. For fans of Paulette Jiles' Chenneville and Chris Bohjalian's The Jackal's Mistress. |
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| Bad Bad Girl by Gish JenBased on the life of the author’s mother, this “heartbreaking and stunning” (Library Journal) story follows Loo Shu-hsin from her privileged but abusive childhood in Shanghai to 1947 Chicago, where she studies for an advanced degree. She marries a fellow immigrant and settles in New York, but she isn’t happy and mistreats her eldest daughter. You may also like Wendy Chen’s Their Divine Fires. |
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| The Wayfinder by Adam JohnsonThis well-researched, richly layered historical saga from the author of
the Pulitzer Prize-winning The Orphan Master’s Son takes place in an evocative South Pacific setting. It depicts the survival and self-discovery of teenage Kōrero. She wants to be her small island’s storyteller, and
she experiences many changes when she meets two brothers--a navigator and a poet--who are part of the Tongan empire. Also try
Minsoo Kang’s The Melancholy of Untold History. |
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| Whatever Happened to Lori Lovely? by Sarah McCoyIn 1991, college student Lu Tibbott writes her senior thesis about her Aunt Lori, a 1960s movie starlet who left Hollywood to become a nun. While Lori has never discussed her abrupt decision before, she agrees
to be interviewed by Lu. This compelling dual timeline novel puts the spotlight on ambition, love, faith, and secrets as readers follow Lu and Lori's paths. For fans of Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo or Meg Waite Clayton's Typewriter Beach. |
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| One of Them by Kitty ZeldisJust after World War II, Anne Bishop attends Vassar, but she doesn't
tell her new friends she's Jewish, even when they make offensive comments. Fellow student Delia Goldhush is a Jewish girl with style and self-assurance who fled France during the war and faces antisemitism head-on. While Anne and Delia become secret friends, their connection is put to the test. Later, both women end up in Europe where they meet again. This novel is perfect for fans of thought-provoking books and novels that examine friendship, belonging, and identity. |
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Contact your librarian for more great books!
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