My top 50 historical books. Part 2 #HistoricalFiction #Reading.

In these difficult times we all need something to focus on, positives in our lives and for me one of those things is books and book blogging. So I’m going to press ahead and allow books to help me cope in the weeks ahead.
Today I’m looking at some of my all time favourite historical fiction novels, with a list of my top 50 favourite books in this genre. I’m going to break it down into five separate blog posts, so you don’t get bored before you reach the bottom.

So here we go with part 2 of my favourite historical fiction novels.

As with part 1 they are not listed in any particular order!

1 Circe by Madeline Miller 

I was very nervous about reading this the second novel by Madeline Miller, because I love The Song of Achilles so much. I need not have been, it was powerful and stunning.

2 Wake by Madeline Miller

For me this is one of the most emotive books about the effects WW1 had on those on the home front.  

3 Washington Black by Esi Edugyan 

This was another book club choice and a resounding success. It is at it’s heart a utterly fabulous historical adventure story, peppered with wonderful characters and just a tiny hint of fantasy. 

4 The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry

I am a sucker for a bit of gothic historical fiction and this is one of the best. Full of oodles of tension that flows off the page like fog rolling over the landscape.  

5 Those Who Are Loved by Victoria Hislop

I love all this authors books and so I was thrilled to be asked to review this one! I thought the story was powerful, emotional and full of stunning historical details. 

6 Goldon Hill by Francis Spufford 

This book takes you back to colonial America and is full of wonderful characters and a compelling mystery. 

7 Once Upon A River by Diane Setterfield

This book is simply stunning! The story winds gently just like the river in the book, but the mystery at it’s heart feels as dangerous as the undercurrents of the waterway around which the story is centred.

8 The Photographer of the Lost by Caroline Scott

Just like Wake, The Photographer of the Lost looks at the effect of WW1 had on survivors and those on the home front. It is a masterful piece of story telling and deeply moving.  If you have any interest in novels set during this time, than this book should be on your list of must read books. 

9 The Conviction of Cora Burns by Carolyn Kirby  

There are many things to love about this novel, the main one being Cora herself, troubled, disturbed even, your not sure if you meant like her or not, but you will never forget her, for she is intriguing and utterly absorbing in every way. 

10 The Muse by Jessie Burton 

I had that nervous feeling again on reading The Muse by Jessie Burton as with Circe, having loved the Miniaturist so much! Again there was no reason to worry, this was an exhilarating read and a superb second book by this incredibly talented writer.