best historical fiction books for book clubs

Best Historical Fiction Books for Book Clubs

Are you a member of a book club looking for captivating historical fiction novels to discuss? Look no further! In this article, we will explore some of the most highly recommended historical fiction books perfect for book club discussions. These novels offer a blend of intriguing stories, well-developed characters, and rich historical settings that will transport readers back in time and spark lively conversations.

1. "The Book Thief" by Markus Zusak
"The Book Thief" is a captivating novel that takes place during World War II in Germany. Told from the perspective of Death, this poignant story follows Liesel Meminger, a young girl with a deep love for books. Within its pages, readers will encounter the power of literature, the bonds of friendship, and the strength of the human spirit. Markus Zusak's exceptional writing style and unique narrative voice make this book a must-read for any historical fiction enthusiast.

2. "The Nightingale" by Kristin Hannah
Set in France during World War II, "The Nightingale" explores the lives of two sisters, Isabelle and Vianne, who find themselves tested and transformed by the horrors of war. Kristin Hannah masterfully weaves together the personal struggles of these brave women, highlighting their resilience, sacrifice, and determination in the face of adversity. This emotionally charged novel will keep readers captivated from beginning to end and ignite thought-provoking discussions about heroism, love, and the indomitable human spirit.

3. "All the Light We Cannot See" by Anthony Doerr
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize, "All the Light We Cannot See" is a beautifully crafted novel set in World War II. The story follows the lives of Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner, a German orphan recruited by the Nazi military. Anthony Doerr's exquisite prose and meticulous attention to detail vividly depict the realities of wartime Europe. This captivating tale of bravery, redemption, and the power of connection will leave readers spellbound and eager to delve into its intricate themes.

4. "The Help" by Kathryn Stockett
"The Help" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that confronts racial inequality and injustice in 1960s Mississippi. Kathryn Stockett's skillful storytelling transports readers into the lives of African American maids and white women seeking change. Through the perspectives of three courageous women, Stockett explores themes of friendship, courage, and the importance of standing up for what is right. This emotionally charged book will undoubtedly ignite passionate discussions within any book club.

5. "The Pillars of the Earth" by Ken Follett
"The Pillars of the Earth" is a captivating historical epic that takes readers back to 12th-century England. Ken Follett weaves together the lives of an ambitious master builder, a noblewoman, and a monk, all striving to construct a magnificent cathedral. This sweeping saga of love, betrayal, and ambition against the backdrop of medieval England offers a rich historical tapestry that will appeal to fans of intricate storytelling and immersive world-building.

To enhance your book club experience, consider exploring online resources such as Goodreads and Book Riot. These websites provide additional recommendations, author interviews, and discussion questions that can further enrich your historical fiction book club discussions.

In conclusion, the historical fiction books mentioned here are highly recommended for book clubs seeking enthralling stories set in different time periods. Whether you choose to read about World War II or delve into racial struggles in the United States, these novels will provoke thoughtful conversations and captivate book club members. Happy reading!
The Princess Chases Her Husband Gracefully. Fiction
The Princess Chases Her Husband Gracefully.

Princess Situ saw a graceful young man standing at the bridge when she was young. Since then, her heart has been captivated by his gentle smile. Situ has always dreamed of marrying Minister Wei Feng, who is resolute and composed in court. She has been proactive in trying to get his attention, even confessing her love in front of the court officials. However, she didn't expect that he already had a fiancée who got pregnant with his child. Sigh... The person she has loved for ten years...she won't pursue him anymore! She will find someone else to pursue instead. But unexpectedly, Minister Wei comes to force the marriage: to marry or not to marry? Princess Situ is stunned, what's going on? This is a short story, and updates will be irregular. I will try to update more frequently.

567.11 Million words | 2021-12-18 02:05Update

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Wild Tang Dynasty Fiction
Wild Tang Dynasty

Synopsis version 1: Zhuang Yi accidentally enters the late Tang Dynasty and appears in the chaotic old territory of Lu Long outside the fortress. Reluctant to be a mere follower, unwilling to become a walking corpse, he embarks on a journey of no return. In this era of declining national power and fierce competition among local powers, can he navigate the treacherous waters? Synopsis version 2: Born in turbulent times, a true man must rise up and face the challenges, riding the waves of fortune. With a mighty army in hand, he unleashes the thunderous might. Seizing opportunities, he becomes the manipulator of the world. Unleashing the wisdom of the four classes, he rules as a king and conquers as a warlord. Amassing wealth from all corners, he bestows blessings upon the four seas.

307.07 Million words | 2020-08-18 02:44Update

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The Great Qin Empire Fiction
The Great Qin Empire

"The Great Qin Empire" is a long historical novel that depicts the rise and fall of the Qin dynasty. The Qin Empire emerged during a time of fierce competition among powerful contenders, establishing a unified and powerful empire and pioneering a new iron civilization. However, it only had a lifespan of fifteen years, fleeting like a shooting star, roaring and then perishing. Within this immense historical upheaval and dramatic fate of the empire, countless miraculous stories and the joys and sorrows of great figures are hidden. Their individual destinies, whether delicate or magnificent, righteous or wicked, heroic or mediocre, compose this symphony of history. The societal framework and cultural traditions woven by the empire still regulate our lives today, serving as a monumental spiritual pillar of the Chinese nation."

558.67 Million words | 2020-12-12 06:23Update

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Dragon King of the Mad Warriors Fiction
Dragon King of the Mad Warriors

【Hot New Book】 Chen Xuanwu, who was on vacation, was urgently called back to the army in the middle of the night, only to protect a girl. And this girl surprisingly possesses a system that is coveted by mercenaries all over the world. Chen Xuanwu scratches his head - I don't like being a bodyguard! So, let's just bring this girl into the action team! This is the passionate story of Chen Xuanwu using his blood and youth to educate Mu Nianxue into a sharp member of the team! They are the ultimate weapons, the reapers, hovering between life and death, holding the lives of others in their hands! Bathed in blood, relentless in battle, they are the sharpest blades! Book

559.20 Million words | 2021-05-25 11:26Update

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System Dominates the World Fiction
System Dominates the World

In life, one should strive to become a remarkable person. Even in death, one should become a heroic spirit. Liu Sheng said so. "Go to hell," Chen Kun said irritably. "I just want to make money, you know, the kind of millionaire. What do generals, high-ranking officials, and dukes have to do with me?"

342.16 Million words | 2023-06-17 11:14Update

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Northward Fiction
Northward

"Northward" is a long novel written by the renowned author Xu Zechen after four years of dedicated work. The book is vast in scope, profound in its depiction, and intertwines the historical and contemporary narratives to tell a century-long "secret history" among several families over the Grand Canal. One of the main characters, Xie Pingyao, acts as an interpreter accompanying little Marco Polo on his visit. Xie Pingyao gathers various grassroots individuals from Chinese society, such as the porter Shao Changlai, the ship captain Xia family, and the righteous fist fighters Sun brothers, to travel along the Grand Canal from Hangzhou to Wuxi, heading northward. This journey serves as both an academic expedition and a reflection on the intellectual identity and destiny, while also exploring their roots. When they finally reach the northernmost end of the canal in Tongzhou, little Marco Polo tragically passes away. Simultaneously, the Qing government orders the cessation of canal transport, marking the beginning of the canal's substantial decline...

264.47 Million words | 2022-12-02 03:08Update

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Drunken Linglong Fiction
Drunken Linglong

"Drunken Linglong" is a masterpiece by Fourteen Nights, a Chinese-American author on Jinjiang Net, and one of the classic representative works of time-traveling novels. With exquisite writing and a historical background, it depicts a beautiful picture with a sense of ancient charm. Ideal for reading by the lamplight, with endless aftertaste when held in hand. It involves the mystery of an emperor's death, the chaotic bloodline of a royal family, an ancient treasure of the witch clan, and the conflicts between the martial world and the imperial court, as well as the entanglement of love and hatred. The story revolves around the transformation of a modern woman who is separated by millions of years. "You are no one, you are only my woman," he said, gazing at her, as if she had fallen into the reincarnation of destiny, step by step. If she exists for him in this lifetime, then he exists to wait for her. Meeting after a thousand years, knowing each other with a glance, they walk hand in hand on the highest path of power in the mortal world, pointing the way to a picturesque country. In the vast universe, throughout endless time, when they reach the pinnacle of this life, how will they choose and decide? "If we could choose only one thing in this world, I would choose your smile. Even if you suffer, what use is the whole world to me?" In this life, there are always some people worth trusting with our lives. There is always one person who has gone through hardships just to be with you...

75.88 Million words | 2023-04-03 12:10Update

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Shu Han of The Three Kingdoms, I call the shots. Fiction
Shu Han of The Three Kingdoms, I call the shots.

A modern person named Liu Feng became the adopted son of Liu Bei, the founding emperor of Shu Han. This identity was originally honorable, as Liu Bei did not yet have a son of his own, especially one named Adou. However, as a modern person, Liu Feng knew that in the near future, Liu Bei's biological son Adou would be born, and he, as the adopted son, would become a thorn in Liu Bei's side. In the end, he was condemned to death. As a man, he couldn't passively accept his fate and silently await death. He wanted to take control of his own destiny and the fate of Shu Han and its courtiers. Shu Han, I shall take charge. When it comes to reading online literature, use the magnificent Bambook. Official website, direct sales only!

313.54 Million words | 2023-01-30 16:11Update

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Teacher Song Fiction
Teacher Song

"Encounter once in a millennium, meet once in a millennium. Thoughts of spring in a night, blossoming in a night!" Joining the military, seizing power, and supporting the imperial cause, navigating amidst numerous beauties, fulfilling one wish after another, leaving behind countless beautiful stories... [Book Club:] New book "Fatal Beauty" has been released, click the link below to enter.

4.29 Million words | 2020-07-15 15:41Update

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The Beggar's World Hero in the War of Resistance. Fiction
The Beggar's World Hero in the War of Resistance.

Those who are humble dare not forget their country's worries. Even when the mountains and rivers are lost, the nation is destroyed, even the lowliest of citizens will do their part, seeking revenge and justice! A group of lions led by a sheep is no match for a group of sheep led by a lion. Transplanted into a war-torn era, Ren Ziqiang, accompanied by a group of beggars, uses every means possible against the invading enemy, leaving them terrified and defeated!

431.07 Million words | 2023-05-13 01:39Update

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The Royal Family of Great Jin Fiction
The Royal Family of Great Jin

In the second year of the Great Jin Dynasty, Prince Dai, who had just recovered from a serious illness, arrived in Chang'an City. He flipped through history books and finally came to a conclusion: this was a dynasty unfamiliar to him, but possibly a dynasty he was familiar with. With the emperor's order to conquer Goguryeo, Baekje, and Korea, and the construction of the Grand Canal, as well as a series of national policies to pacify the south, he seemed to grasp something... an alternative history! Please don't take it as fact, thank you all! Regular group.

169.21 Million words | 2022-11-14 04:27Update

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The Inhumane Life of the Scholar-Officials in the Northern Song Dynasty Fiction
The Inhumane Life of the Scholar-Officials in the Northern Song Dynasty

This is the era that literati yearn for the most. In this dynasty, literati live an unconventional life without worrying about losing their heads. You can challenge the emperor, spitting on his face, and attend court with disheveled attire without consequences. You don't have to constantly call yourself a servant and sobbingly say, "If the ruler wants the servant to die, the servant has no choice but to die." Instead, you confidently answer the emperor's question, "What is the greatest thing in the world?" with "Principle is the greatest." You also have a group of colleagues who are considered loyal for speaking their minds to the ruler. In this wonderful era, Zheng Lang, who accidentally time-traveled due to an electric shock from a faulty laptop, found himself in a rather unfortunate situation...

203.66 Million words | 2022-09-30 02:03Update

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Wolf King of Special Forces Fiction
Wolf King of Special Forces

Iron-blooded Blade, Jungle War God, Special Operations Wolf King, who can contend with them. Jungle boy Wu Fei possesses unmatched throwing knives, wolf-driving techniques, and formidable martial arts skills. In a fortuitous event, he is pursued by his enemies, resulting in the death of his grandfather. Without hesitation, Wu Fei enters the military camp. Through intense training and his unique skills, he rises as the Wolf King of the Special Operations world. Amidst the generational vendetta, Wu Fei's love affairs, the tender and ruthless nature of soldiers, the intertwining of life and death on the battlefield, cruelty and bloodshed forge him into an indomitable warrior of steel. The Special Operations Wolf King leads his team, traversing every obstacle and crafting magnificent stories of steel-hearted warriors. Special Operations Wolf King Reader Group ( ) QQ Communication Group.

382.36 Million words | 2022-06-23 11:39Update

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Transcendental Divine Physician Fiction
Transcendental Divine Physician

At the end of the Eastern Han Dynasty, there was great chaos in the world. Cao Cao, under the guise of the Han Emperor, embarked on expeditions to conquer all four corners. Just as his dominance was about to be established, he suddenly fell ill. The divine physician Hua Tuo, in his attempt to treat Cao Cao, found himself imprisoned and met his tragic demise. Before his death, he entrusted his extraordinary medical book, the "Blue Pouch Classic," to his dear friend Ye Huairen. Unexpectedly, Ye Huairen's wife accidentally burned the book, leaving only half of it preserved in the mortal realm. Relying solely on this half-copy medical book, Ye Huairen travelled the rivers and lakes, healing the sick and helping the needy. Everyone revered him as the "Divine Physician Ye," and his renowned reputation spread throughout the world.

402.73 Million words | 2023-06-14 18:32Update

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The Origin of Smoking Fiction
The Origin of Smoking

The origin of smoking is a mystery in the history of our country and the world. Many historians and scholars around the world are studying and exploring this question. This book revolves around the theme of "The Origin of Smoking," conducting research, logical reasoning, and revealing fifteen world "firsts" through historical anecdotes: Who was the first person to smoke? Who was the first person to eat fish? Who was the first person to eat crabs? Who was the first person to eat roasted meat? Who was the first person to light a fire? Who was the first person to use "medicine" to treat injuries and illnesses? Who was the first person to sew clothes with needles? Who was the first person to invent traps? Who was the first person to go fishing? Who was the

6.44 Million words | 2023-05-11 09:16Update

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Set Sail, Great Ming Fiction
Set Sail, Great Ming

Shen Chongming, a fallen second-generation rich, rises to power and assumes the central position in just a few years. He is the commander of the Imperial Guard, leading a formidable army to deal with ambitious individuals who harbor ulterior motives and manipulate conspiracies. He is also the god of wealth in the mortal world, serving as the governor of the Maritime Office, breaking the maritime trade ban and amassing vast amounts of wealth. Furthermore, he is entangled with a skilled martial artist junior sister, an arrogant and spoiled young lady, an understanding Qingguan man, and a female assassin seeking revenge for her father... Some say he is a deep and cunning villain who manipulates political power, while others say he is a loyal and dedicated minister who wholeheartedly serves the country. Shen Chongming smiles and says, "No, I am just a straightforward person who believes in repaying kindness with kindness, repaying grudges with revenge, enjoys counting money, and loves flirting with beautiful women." In

74.84 Million words | 2022-11-07 02:18Update

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After transmigrating into the birth mother of a villain's cub, she effortlessly Fiction
After transmigrating into the birth mother of a villain's cub, she effortlessly

"Meng Bao Fun: Luo Jiaozhao is a mercenary from the 25th century. Unexpectedly, she died in a car accident and transmigrated into the body of a weak woman in a different world with the same name, along with two obedient little cubs. Skipping the stage of falling in love with men, she directly obtained two incredibly adorable and obedient little cubs. Luo Jiaozhao expresses that she has reached the pinnacle of life! The only downside is that her family is relatively poor, but it doesn't matter because Luo Jiaozhao is extremely skilled at making money. She runs restaurants, food stalls, and various businesses to earn money. One day, a man suddenly appears and claims to be her husband. Luo Jiaozhao loudly exclaims-"

311.01 Million words | 2020-11-29 20:45Update

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The era of not relying on family connections Fiction
The era of not relying on family connections

Wu Wei, a college student majoring in landscape design, unexpectedly passed away and reincarnated into the body of a farmer's child in the Iron Age. In order to change his fate, he joined the military as a common soldier. Starting from the bottom, he never shrank back in the face of various difficulties, knowing that no matter the era, one could only rely on oneself.

153.21 Million words | 2023-01-20 21:56Update

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White-Haired Empress Fiction
White-Haired Empress

Inside the scarlet brocade tent, she was forced to feign pleasure, her three thousand dark strands turning into snow in the eyes of the impassioned man. Outside the scarlet brocade tent, her husband indulged in revelry with another beauty, both smiling as they watched a vivid portrayal of the real world's erotic display... As the red light tore apart, falling piece by piece in the wind. She struggled to step out, the silvery strands dancing in the breeze, ultimately piercing the heart of whom? "How... How could it be you?" An incredulous exclamation, he, once boasting of being cold-hearted, tumbled into an endless abyss from that moment, experiencing a lifetime of painful regret...

189.20 Million words | 2022-06-30 18:00Update

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The Dominance of Tianfeng Fiction
The Dominance of Tianfeng

Ambition, treachery, cunning, loyalty, martial prowess, strategic genius, beauty. In a chaotic era, Pang Tong devoted himself to the cultivation of both literary and martial arts. From securing the first city to plotting his path of domination, he desired to explore the mysteries of the ancient land. He ventured into the land of the "Mountain God Worshippers," delving into the ruins of a lost kingdom. He unraveled the secret of the divine pearl, staining the blood of the foreign tribe with a curse. He conquered Ma Teng, inventing the "Phoenix Roar Cannon" to crush the iron cavalry of the Western Liang. He formed an alliance with Cao Cao, accompanied by a tiger, biding his time for the ultimate battle. He engaged in

426.43 Million words | 2020-08-13 19:12Update

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