Tuesday, June 10, 2025

This month’s best new historical fiction

 
Readworthy by BookBub
This Month's Best New Historical Fiction
 
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Book cover for The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly
Could a book club started by two sisters turn the tide of war?
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Kate Quinn, Lisa Wingate, Kristin Harmel, and many more are gushing about this sparkling novel inspired by true events
  • As Cadence and Briar find their lives upended by World War II, they turn to the power of storytelling. Decades later, Mari travels to Martha's Vineyard after her mother's death — and unravels old secrets
  • From the author of Lilac Girls, who's hailed as "one of the best historical fiction writers around" (Fiona Davis)
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Martha's Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall KellyMEDIA MENTIONS:People, The Boston Globe, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal
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Book cover for Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
The epic latest from the author of The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is out of this world
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • When Joan becomes one of the first women scientists to join NASA's space shuttle program, she finds love and unlikely friendship — but one shocking mission will change everything
  • Kristin Hannah guarantees that "you'll barrel through this electric novel" all the way to the "pitch-perfect ending"
  • A "gritty and glorious" Good Morning America Book Club pick that "challenges what it means to look at the universe from different vantage points" (Library Journal starred review)
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Media mentions for Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins ReidMEDIA MENTIONS:Good Morning America Book Club, Time Magazine, Good Morning America, New Scientist, Entertainment Weekly, People, The Wall Street Journal, Associated Press, Financial Times, USA Today, Town & Country, Good Housekeeping, Los Angeles Times, The Times, Rolling Stone, Variety, Reactor, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, BookPage
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Book cover for The Listeners by Maggie Stiefvater
'This luxurious novel is set to take the world by storm' (Kirkus Reviews)
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • In the aftermath of the Pearl Harbor attack, the Avallon Hotel in West Virginia is transformed into a detention center for enemy diplomats — and hotel manager June faces a moral dilemma
  • Based on a little-known true story from World War II
  • "Perfect for fans of complex emotional narratives like works by Kate Morton and Amor Towles" (Reader's Digest)
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Listeners by Maggie StiefvaterMEDIA MENTIONS:The New York Times/The New York Times Book Review, Oprah Daily, Harper's Bazaar, Indie Next List, Library Reads, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal, Booklist, BookPage
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Book cover for The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorris
In 1888 Oregon, Celia is kidnapped — and trapped in Portland's infamous tunnels…
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Fiona Davis, Marie Benedict, and Patti Callahan Henry are loving this gripping read from the author of Sold on a Monday
  • Drugged and disguised, Celia must piece together the events that led to her abduction. But can she escape before it's too late?
  • Inspired by Portland's history, "this poignant story of courage and defiance will please fans of Kristin Hannah and Lisa Wingate" (Library Journal)
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Media mentions for The Girls of Good Fortune by Kristina McMorrisMEDIA MENTIONS:The Washington Post, USA Today, Indie Next List, Library Journal, Booklist
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Book cover for Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie by James Lee Burke
Family drama, danger, and mystery collide in World War I–era Texas
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • From a New York Times bestselling author hailed as "one of the finest novelists in North America" (The Globe and Mail)
  • As 14-year-old Bessie comes of age at the start of the 20th century, she accidentally kills an unarmed man to protect her father — and is forced to escape to New York
  • "Vivid, atmospheric prose enhances Burke's wrenching portrayal of Bessie's hope for a better life… [A] winner" (Publishers Weekly starred review)
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Media mentions for Don't Forget Me, Little Bessie by James Lee BurkeMEDIA MENTIONS:Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews, Library Journal
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Book cover for The Great Mann by Kyra Davis Lurie
This masterful retelling of The Great Gatsby puts a fresh twist on a beloved classic
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • In 1945 Los Angeles, World War II veteran Charlie becomes captivated by enigmatic Reaper and his lavish parties as racial tensions simmer in their neighborhood
  • "A writer to watch" dazzles with "nuanced and sympathetic characters and stellar writing" (Library Journal starred review)
  • Explores themes of class, power, ambition, and identity
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Great Mann by Kyra Davis LurieMEDIA MENTIONS:Esquire, Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg Businessweek, Library Journal, Literary Hub
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AmazonSee other formats and retailers
Book cover for Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice Monroe
A sweeping family saga set against the backdrop of South Carolina's Lowcountry
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • A New York Times bestselling author delivers "book club fiction at its finest" (Lisa Wingate)
  • Across 80 years, Eliza defies societal norms, faces unexpected turmoil, and grapples with her family's legacy
  • "An entrancing, multigenerational tale brimming with characters so vivid and endearing that, to the reader, they quickly feel like longtime friends" (Kristina McMorris)
Learn more...
Media mentions for Where the Rivers Merge by Mary Alice MonroeMEDIA MENTIONS:People, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist
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Book cover for Blonde Dust by Tatiana de Rosnay
When a hotel maid befriends Marilyn Monroe, her life changes forever
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • From the New York Times bestselling author of Sarah's Key
  • Can Pauline help Marilyn navigate the breakdown of her marriage as she prepares to film what will be her last movie role?
  • "A lovely portrait of female friendship" that "reveals a version of the iconic actress we haven't seen before" (Kristin Hannah)
  • Set in the American West during the 1960s
Learn more...
Media mentions for Blonde Dust by Tatiana de RosnayMEDIA MENTIONS:Publishers Weekly, Library Journal
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Book cover for The Cardinal by Alison Weir
Follow the rise — and shocking fall — of King Henry VIII's chief adviser
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • "An immersive tale of Tudor intrigue" (Publishers Weekly) from the New York Times bestselling author of The Last White Rose
  • Cardinal Thomas Wolsey ascends to power in both the church and royal court — but an accusation of treason could bring everything crashing down
  • "Nobody brings historical characters to life like Alison Weir" (Tracy Borman, author of Anne Boleyn & Elizabeth I)
  • Perfect for fans of the Academy Award–winning film Conclave
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Cardinal by Alison WeirMEDIA MENTIONS:The Times, Publishers Weekly
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Book cover for The Devil Three Times by Rickey Fayne
Book clubs will love this critically acclaimed multigenerational epic
WHY IT'S READWORTHY:
  • Eight generations of a Tennessee family are visited by the Devil offering salvation… What will each of their decisions be?
  • "From the first page, I was spellbound, and was left devastated by the novel's end" (Nathan Harris, New York Times bestselling author of The Sweetness of Water)
  • "The Devil Three Times demands to be read over and over" (Minnesota Star-Tribune)
Learn more...
Media mentions for The Devil Three Times by Rickey FayneMEDIA MENTIONS:NPR, People, The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist
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AmazonSee other formats and retailers
 
  

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