{"id":68083,"date":"2026-10-25T05:21:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-24T23:51:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/historical-fiction\/"},"modified":"2026-10-25T14:49:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-25T09:19:18","slug":"historical-fiction","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/historical-fiction\/","title":{"rendered":"The 10 Best Historical Fiction Books of All Time"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"qbk qbk-fi\" style=\"--g:#A16207\"><nav class=\"qbk-sec\" aria-label=\"Fiction or nonfiction\"><a class=\"qbk-nf\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/#nonfiction\">&#128216; Nonfiction Books<\/a><a class=\"qbk-fi on\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/#fiction\">&#128213; Fiction Books<\/a><\/nav><div class=\"qbk-hero\"><p class=\"qbk-crumbs\"><span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/\">Home<\/a> &rsaquo; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/\">Best Books<\/a> &rsaquo; Historical &middot; Updated October 2026<\/span><span class=\"qbk-share\"><b>Share<\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/wa.me\/?text=The%2010%20Best%20Historical%20Fiction%20Books%20of%20All%20Time%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quickonlinetips.com%2Farchives%2Fbest-books%2Fhistorical-fiction%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" aria-label=\"Share on WhatsApp\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M17.472 14.382c-.297-.149-1.758-.867-2.03-.967-.273-.099-.471-.148-.67.15-.197.297-.767.966-.94 1.164-.173.199-.347.223-.644.075-.297-.15-1.255-.463-2.39-1.475-.883-.788-1.48-1.761-1.653-2.059-.173-.297-.018-.458.13-.606.134-.133.298-.347.446-.52.149-.174.198-.298.298-.497.099-.198.05-.371-.025-.52-.075-.149-.669-1.612-.916-2.207-.242-.579-.487-.5-.669-.51-.173-.008-.371-.01-.57-.01-.198 0-.52.074-.792.372-.272.297-1.04 1.016-1.04 2.479 0 1.462 1.065 2.875 1.213 3.074.149.198 2.096 3.2 5.077 4.487.709.306 1.262.489 1.694.625.712.227 1.36.195 1.871.118.571-.085 1.758-.719 2.006-1.413.248-.694.248-1.289.173-1.413-.074-.124-.272-.198-.57-.347m-5.421 7.403h-.004a9.87 9.87 0 01-5.031-1.378l-.361-.214-3.741.982.998-3.648-.235-.374a9.86 9.86 0 01-1.51-5.26c.001-5.45 4.436-9.884 9.888-9.884 2.64 0 5.122 1.03 6.988 2.898a9.825 9.825 0 012.893 6.994c-.003 5.45-4.437 9.884-9.885 9.884m8.413-18.297A11.815 11.815 0 0012.05 0C5.495 0 .16 5.335.157 11.892c0 2.096.547 4.142 1.588 5.945L.057 24l6.305-1.654a11.882 11.882 0 005.683 1.448h.005c6.554 0 11.89-5.335 11.893-11.893a11.821 11.821 0 00-3.48-8.413z\"\/><\/svg><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quickonlinetips.com%2Farchives%2Fbest-books%2Fhistorical-fiction%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" aria-label=\"Share on Facebook\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M22 12a10 10 0 10-11.5 9.87v-6.99H8.1V12h2.4V9.8c0-2.37 1.42-3.68 3.6-3.68 1.04 0 2.13.19 2.13.19v2.34h-1.2c-1.18 0-1.55.73-1.55 1.48V12h2.64l-.42 2.88h-2.22v6.99A10 10 0 0022 12z\"\/><\/svg><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quickonlinetips.com%2Farchives%2Fbest-books%2Fhistorical-fiction%2F&amp;text=The%2010%20Best%20Historical%20Fiction%20Books%20of%20All%20Time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" aria-label=\"Share on X\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M18.244 2H21l-6.56 7.49L22 22h-6.828l-5.345-6.993L3.5 22H.744l7.02-8.012L2 2h6.828l4.84 6.35L18.244 2zm-1.2 18h1.89L7.04 4H5.06l11.984 16z\"\/><\/svg><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quickonlinetips.com%2Farchives%2Fbest-books%2Fhistorical-fiction%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" aria-label=\"Share on LinkedIn\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M20.45 20.45h-3.56v-5.57c0-1.33-.02-3.04-1.85-3.04-1.85 0-2.14 1.45-2.14 2.94v5.67H9.35V9h3.41v1.56h.05c.48-.9 1.64-1.85 3.37-1.85 3.6 0 4.27 2.37 4.27 5.46v6.28zM5.34 7.43a2.06 2.06 0 110-4.13 2.06 2.06 0 010 4.13zM7.12 20.45H3.56V9h3.56v11.45zM22.22 0H1.77C.79 0 0 .77 0 1.73v20.54C0 23.23.79 24 1.77 24h20.45c.98 0 1.78-.77 1.78-1.73V1.73C24 .77 23.2 0 22.22 0z\"\/><\/svg><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/t.me\/share\/url?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.quickonlinetips.com%2Farchives%2Fbest-books%2Fhistorical-fiction%2F&amp;text=The%2010%20Best%20Historical%20Fiction%20Books%20of%20All%20Time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" aria-label=\"Share on Telegram\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M11.944 0A12 12 0 000 12a12 12 0 0012 12 12 12 0 0012-12A12 12 0 0012 0h-.056zm4.962 7.224c.1-.002.321.023.465.14a.506.506 0 01.171.325c.016.093.036.306.02.472-.18 1.898-.962 6.502-1.36 8.627-.168.9-.499 1.201-.82 1.23-.696.065-1.225-.46-1.9-.902-1.056-.693-1.653-1.124-2.678-1.8-1.185-.78-.417-1.21.258-1.91.177-.184 3.247-2.977 3.307-3.23.007-.032.014-.15-.056-.212s-.174-.041-.249-.024c-.106.024-1.793 1.14-5.061 3.345-.48.33-.913.49-1.302.48-.428-.008-1.252-.241-1.865-.44-.752-.245-1.349-.374-1.297-.789.027-.216.325-.437.893-.663 3.498-1.524 5.83-2.529 6.998-3.014 3.332-1.386 4.025-1.627 4.476-1.635z\"\/><\/svg><\/a><\/span><\/p><h1>The 10 Best Historical Fiction Books of All Time<\/h1><p>Historical fiction brings the past to life through the eyes of people who lived it. These ten novels, set from Tudor England to World War II, are the historical stories readers still choose most today. They are a moving way to learn about history while getting lost in a great story.<\/p><nav class=\"qbk-chips\" aria-label=\"Fiction genres\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/classics\/\">Classics<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/literary-fiction\/\">Literary Fiction<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/historical-fiction\/\" class=\"on\">Historical<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/romance\/\">Romance<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/childrens\/\">Children&#x27;s<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/mystery-thriller\/\">Mystery &amp; Thriller<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/science-fiction\/\">Sci-Fi<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/fantasy\/\">Fantasy<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/horror\/\">Horror<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/young-adult\/\">Young Adult<\/a><\/nav><\/div><div class=\"qbk-list\"><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-1\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-the-nightingale\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9781250080400-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"The Nightingale book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">The Nightingale<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#1<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-the-nightingale\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Nightingale<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Kristin Hannah &middot; first published 2015<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: Sold nearly half a million copies in 2025, a decade after release; a film is due in 2027.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">Two very different French sisters face the Nazi occupation of France in their own ways, one quietly protecting her family and one joining the Resistance. A gripping, emotional World War II story of courage and sisterhood.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>Sold nearly half a million copies in 2025, per Publishers Weekly&#x27;s year-end Circana data (RA for All, Jan 2026) (<a href=\"https:\/\/raforall.blogspot.com\/2026\/01\/2025-overall-book-sales-data.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Deluxe edition No. 8 on PW&#x27;s Circana BookScan top 10 for the week, 23,152 units (March 2025) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.publishersweekly.com\/pw\/nielsen\/top100\/20250303.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>More than 4.5 million copies sold worldwide as of 2021 (NYT\/Time, cited) (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Nightingale_(Hannah_novel)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>St. Martin&#x27;s Griffin edition ISBN 9781250080400 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9781250080400\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-the-nightingale\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-2\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-all-the-light-we-cannot-see\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9781501173219-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"All the Light We Cannot See book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">All the Light We Cannot See<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#2<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-all-the-light-we-cannot-see\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">All the Light We Cannot See<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Anthony Doerr &middot; first published 2014<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: Pulitzer winner that returned to bestseller lists with the 2023 Netflix series; ThriftBooks&#x27; top war-fiction seller.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">A blind French girl and a gifted German orphan boy are drawn toward each other in the years leading up to World War II&#x27;s siege of Saint-Malo. A beautifully written wartime story for fans of emotional historical fiction.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>Spent 8 weeks on the NYT combined fiction list and hit No. 1 on the Washington Post paperback list after the Nov 2023 Netflix series (Netflix) (<a href=\"https:\/\/about.netflix.com\/en\/news\/celebrating-world-book-day-how-netflix-adaptations-are-driving-bestseller\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Listed first in ThriftBooks&#x27; War Fiction &#x27;Bestsellers&#x27; (viewed Oct 2026) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thriftbooks.com\/b\/war-fiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Won the 2015 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Fiction\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Over 15 million copies sold (Variety\/Hollywood Reporter, cited) and over 200 weeks on NYT list (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/All_the_Light_We_Cannot_See\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Scribner edition ISBN 9781501173219 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9781501173219\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-all-the-light-we-cannot-see\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-3\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-the-book-thief\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9780375842207-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"The Book Thief book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">The Book Thief<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#3<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-the-book-thief\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Book Thief<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Markus Zusak &middot; first published 2005<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: Sold over 114,000 US print copies in 2025 alone; Printz Honor book with 17 million sold.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">In Nazi Germany, a foster girl steals books and shares them with neighbours and the Jewish man hidden in her family&#x27;s basement. Narrated by Death, it is a moving story about the power of words in dark times.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>Sold 114,249 print copies in 2025, No. 40 on PW&#x27;s Circana paperback backlist list (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.publishersweekly.com\/pw\/by-topic\/childrens\/childrens-industry-news\/article\/99672-2025-children-s-bestsellers-buzzy-series-additions-graphic-novel-retellings-and-beloved-picture-books.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Listed in ThriftBooks&#x27; Fiction &#x27;Bestsellers&#x27; (viewed Oct 2026) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thriftbooks.com\/b\/fiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Ranked No. 14 in The Great American Read (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/the-great-american-read\/results\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Michael L. Printz Honor Book (2007); 17 million copies sold (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/The_Book_Thief\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Alfred A. Knopf edition ISBN 9780375842207 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9780375842207\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-the-book-thief\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-4\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-hamnet\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9781984898876-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"Hamnet book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">Hamnet<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#4<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-hamnet\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Hamnet<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Maggie O&#x27;Farrell &middot; first published 2020<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: The 2025 film&#x27;s success sparked a new sales surge; Women&#x27;s Prize winner with 2 million copies sold.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">In 1580s Warwickshire, a gifted healer marries a young Latin tutor, and the loss of their son years later shapes one of the world&#x27;s most famous plays. An intimate, beautifully written portrait of Shakespeare&#x27;s family.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>The film&#x27;s box-office success led to a surge of sales for the book (Variety, Feb 2026, cited) (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hamnet_(novel)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Over 2 million copies sold by 2024 (Deadline, cited); won the 2020 Women&#x27;s Prize for Fiction and the National Book Critics Circle Award (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Hamnet_(novel)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Vintage edition ISBN 9781984898876 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9781984898876\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-hamnet\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-5\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-a-gentleman-in-moscow\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9780143110439-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"A Gentleman in Moscow book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">A Gentleman in Moscow<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#5<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-a-gentleman-in-moscow\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">A Gentleman in Moscow<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Amor Towles &middot; first published 2016<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: A 1.5-million-copy bestseller adapted in 2024 as a Paramount+\/Showtime series with Ewan McGregor.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">In 1922 a witty Russian count is sentenced to house arrest in a grand Moscow hotel, where he builds a rich life over decades of upheaval. A charming, elegant novel about friendship, purpose and making the most of small spaces.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>Limited series starring Ewan McGregor premiered on Paramount+\/Showtime, March to May 2024 (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/A_Gentleman_in_Moscow_(TV_series)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Over 1.5 million copies sold in all formats and 59 weeks as a NYT hardcover bestseller (Penguin Random House, 2019) (<a href=\"https:\/\/global.penguinrandomhouse.com\/announcements\/amor-towles-1-5-million-selling-a-gentleman-in-moscow-released-in-paperback\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Penguin Books edition ISBN 9780143110439 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9780143110439\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-a-gentleman-in-moscow\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-6\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-before-we-were-yours\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9780425284698-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"Before We Were Yours book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">Before We Were Yours<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#6<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-before-we-were-yours\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Before We Were Yours<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Lisa Wingate &middot; first published 2017<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: Still a ThriftBooks and Walmart bestseller; Goodreads Choice winner with over two million copies sold.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">In 1939 Memphis, five siblings are taken from their river shantyboat by a corrupt adoption agency; decades later, a lawyer uncovers her family&#x27;s link to their story. Inspired by a real scandal, it is a heartfelt family mystery.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>Listed in ThriftBooks&#x27; Historical Fiction &#x27;Bestsellers&#x27; (viewed Oct 2026) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thriftbooks.com\/b\/historical-fiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Listed in Walmart&#x27;s Adult Fiction Top 100 (viewed Oct 2026) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.walmart.com\/browse\/walmart-books-best-sellers\/adult-fiction-top-100\/3920_1057224_9885630\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>2017 Goodreads Choice Award winner for historical fiction; over two million copies sold; 54 weeks on the NYT list (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Lisa_Wingate\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Ballantine Books edition ISBN 9780425284698 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9780425284698\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-before-we-were-yours\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-7\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-wolf-hall\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9780312429980-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"Wolf Hall book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">Wolf Hall<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#7<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-wolf-hall\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Wolf Hall<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Hilary Mantel &middot; first published 2009<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: Booker winner ranked No. 3 in the NYT&#x27;s 2024 best books of the century; BBC\/PBS series concluded 2024-25.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">Thomas Cromwell, a blacksmith&#x27;s son, rises to become the most powerful adviser at the court of Henry VIII. A richly detailed political drama for readers who love Tudor history.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>Second TV series aired on BBC One (Nov-Dec 2024) and in the US (Mar-Apr 2025) (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wolf_Hall_(TV_series)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Ranked third in The New York Times&#x27; 2024 list of the best books of the 21st century (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wolf_Hall\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Won the 2009 Booker Prize (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Booker_Prize\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Won the National Book Critics Circle Award and the 2010 Walter Scott Prize; estimated 1.09 million copies sold (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Wolf_Hall\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Picador edition ISBN 9780312429980 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9780312429980\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-wolf-hall\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-8\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-all-quiet-on-the-western-front\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9780449213940-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"All Quiet on the Western Front book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">All Quiet on the Western Front<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#8<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-all-quiet-on-the-western-front\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">All Quiet on the Western Front<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Erich Maria Remarque &middot; first published 1929<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: The 2022 film won four Oscars in 2023, renewing interest in this 2.5-million-copy WWI classic.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">A young German soldier and his schoolmates go from patriotic classrooms to the trenches of World War I and learn what war really costs. A short, unforgettable anti-war novel still taught around the world.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>The 2022 film adaptation won four Oscars and seven BAFTAs (95th Academy Awards, March 2023) (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/All_Quiet_on_the_Western_Front\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Sold 2.5 million copies in 22 languages in its first 18 months (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/All_Quiet_on_the_Western_Front\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Ballantine Books edition ISBN 9780449213940 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9780449213940\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-all-quiet-on-the-western-front\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-9\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-gone-with-the-wind\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9781451635621-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"Gone with the Wind book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">Gone with the Wind<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#9<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-gone-with-the-wind\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Gone with the Wind<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Margaret Mitchell &middot; first published 1936<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: Pulitzer winner, PBS&#x27;s No. 6 favourite, and still on ThriftBooks&#x27; romance bestseller shelves.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">Headstrong Scarlett O&#x27;Hara fights to survive and hold on to her Georgia plantation through the Civil War and Reconstruction. A sweeping, dramatic saga for readers who like strong-willed heroines and epic scale.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>Listed in ThriftBooks&#x27; Historical Romance &#x27;Bestsellers&#x27; (viewed Oct 2026) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thriftbooks.com\/b\/historical-romance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Listed in ThriftBooks&#x27; Contemporary Romance &#x27;Bestsellers&#x27; (viewed Oct 2026) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thriftbooks.com\/b\/contemporary-romance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Won the 1937 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Fiction\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Over 30 million copies printed; set in the Civil War and Reconstruction (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Gone_with_the_Wind_(novel)\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Ranked No. 6 in The Great American Read (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pbs.org\/the-great-american-read\/results\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Included in TIME&#x27;s All-TIME 100 Novels (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.rosecityreader.com\/2009_01_09_archive.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Included in Library of Congress Books That Shaped America (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.loc.gov\/item\/prn-12-123\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Scribner edition ISBN 9781451635621 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9781451635621\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-gone-with-the-wind\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><article class=\"qbk-card\" id=\"book-10\"><a class=\"qbk-cv\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-kristin-lavransdatter\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><img src=\"https:\/\/covers.openlibrary.org\/b\/isbn\/9780143039167-M.jpg?default=false\" alt=\"Kristin Lavransdatter book cover\" width=\"180\" height=\"270\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" onerror=\"this.style.display='none';this.nextElementSibling.style.display='flex'\"><span class=\"qbk-ph\">Kristin Lavransdatter<\/span><\/a><div class=\"qbk-body\"><h3><span class=\"qbk-rank\">#10<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-kristin-lavransdatter\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kristin Lavransdatter<\/a><\/h3><p class=\"qbk-by\">by Sigrid Undset &middot; first published 1922<\/p><p class=\"qbk-why\">Why it is on the list: On Penguin Random House&#x27;s current Classics bestseller list; the trilogy behind Undset&#x27;s 1928 Nobel Prize.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-sum\">In 14th-century Norway, a strong-willed farmer&#x27;s daughter defies her family to marry the man she loves and lives with the consequences through a long, eventful life. An immersive medieval family saga.<\/p><details class=\"qbk-ev\"><summary>Evidence and sources<\/summary><ul><li>On Penguin Random House&#x27;s Classics Best Sellers list (viewed Oct 2026) (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.penguinrandomhouse.com\/books\/best-sellers-classics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>The trilogy was the main basis for Undset&#x27;s 1928 Nobel Prize in Literature; Tiina Nunnally&#x27;s translation won the PEN Translation Prize (<a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Kristin_Lavransdatter\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><li>Penguin Classics Deluxe edition ISBN 9780143039167 (<a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/isbn\/9780143039167\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">source<\/a>)<\/li><\/ul><\/details><a class=\"qbk-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/go\/book-kristin-lavransdatter\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">See it on Amazon<\/a><\/div><\/article><\/div><section class=\"qbk-box\" id=\"faq\"><h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2><h3>What is the best historical fiction book of all time?<\/h3><p>On our list it is <strong>The Nightingale<\/strong> by Kristin Hannah. Sold nearly half a million copies in 2025, a decade after release; a film is due in 2027.<\/p><h3>Which historical fiction book should I read first?<\/h3><p>Start with the top three: The Nightingale, All the Light We Cannot See and The Book Thief. They are the most popular books in this genre right now, and each one is a good way into the rest of the list.<\/p><h3>Are these books still popular today?<\/h3><p>Yes. Every book here has evidence of strong sales or readership from the last few years, which you can see under &#8220;Evidence and sources&#8221; on each book. That is the main difference between this list and lists that only look back at history.<\/p><h3>How often is this list updated?<\/h3><p>We review it about once a month against current bestseller charts and change a book only when the evidence clearly changes.<\/p><\/section><div class=\"qbk-fav\"><span style=\"font-size:30px\">&#10084;&#65039;<\/span><span><b>Our personal favourites<\/b><p>Apart from this list, see the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/favorite-books\/\" style=\"color:#B45309;text-decoration:underline;font-weight:700\">books we love most<\/a>, hand-picked by QuickOnlineTips.<\/p><\/span><\/div><section class=\"qbk-box\" id=\"how-we-chose\"><h2>How we chose these books<\/h2><h3>1. Still selling and read today<\/h3><p>Every book shows current demand from roughly the last three years: Audible best-seller charts (Audible is owned by Amazon), US independent bookstore bestseller lists from the American Booksellers Association, Publishers Weekly and Circana BookScan sales figures, and similar charts. Old books that nobody buys any more do not make the cut.<\/p><h3>2. Stood the test of time<\/h3><p>Every book was first published at least five years ago and has a lasting credential: a major award (such as the Pulitzer, Booker, Newbery or Hugo), a place on a respected all-time list (such as the Modern Library 100, TIME 100 or the BBC Big Read), or very large total sales.<\/p><h3>3. Suitable for most readers<\/h3><p>We leave out books built around explicit sexual content or graphic abuse, and books best known for being banned. Some books on the list deal with hard themes such as war, crime or loss, and the summaries say so.<\/p><p>Within each genre, books are ranked with current popularity weighted most, then lasting reputation. We review the list about once a month and swap a book only when the evidence clearly changes.<\/p><p class=\"qbk-small\">Book covers: <a href=\"https:\/\/openlibrary.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Open Library<\/a>. Links to each book go to Amazon. Last reviewed: October 2026.<\/p><\/section><section class=\"qbk-box\"><h2>More of the best books of all time<\/h2><p>See the full <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/\">200 best books of all time<\/a> list, or explore more fiction genres: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/classics\/\">Classic Novels<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/literary-fiction\/\">Literary Fiction Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/romance\/\">Romance Novels<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/childrens\/\">Children&#x27;s Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/mystery-thriller\/\">Mystery and Thriller Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/science-fiction\/\">Science Fiction Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/fantasy\/\">Fantasy Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/horror\/\">Horror Books<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/best-books\/young-adult\/\">Young Adult Books<\/a>.<\/p><\/section><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, QuickOnlineTips earns from qualifying purchases.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#128216; Nonfiction Books&#128213; Fiction Books Home &rsaquo; Best Books &rsaquo; Historical &middot; Updated October 2026Share The 10 Best Historical Fiction Books of All Time Historical fiction brings the past to life through the eyes of people who lived it. These ten novels, set from Tudor England to World War II, are the historical stories readers&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":68070,"parent":8246,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"hide","_kad_post_layout":"normal","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"none","_kad_post_content_style":"unboxed","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-68083","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68083","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=68083"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68083\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":68200,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/68083\/revisions\/68200"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/8246"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/68070"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.quickonlinetips.com\/archives\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=68083"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}