Markus Zusak Classics Historical Young Adult The Book Thief – Markus Zusak (2005) Set in Nazi Germany, young Liesel Meminger finds solace in books while Death narrates her story of survival, love, and the power of words.
Khaled Hosseini Classics Historical Psychological A Thousand Splendid Suns – Khaled Hosseini (2007) The lives of Mariam and Laila intertwine in war-torn Afghanistan, where love, sacrifice, and resilience shape their struggle for survival and freedom.
Homer Fantasy Historical The Iliad – Homer The Iliad by Homer is an ancient Greek epic focusing on the wrath of Achilles and the Trojan War, exploring themes of honor, fate, and heroism.
Leo Tolstoy Classics Historical War and Peace – Leo Tolstoy (1869) War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy follows Pierre Bezukhov, Prince Andrei, and Natasha Rostova as they navigate love, war, and destiny during Napoleon’s invasion of Russia.
Jojo Moyes Historical Romance The Girl You Left Behind – Jojo Moyes (2012) The Girl You Left Behind by Jojo Moyes follows Sophie Lefèvre, whose portrait by her husband Édouard sparks a legal and emotional battle a century later.
James Fenimore Cooper The Leatherstocking Tales Adventure Historical The Last of the Mohicans – James Fenimore Cooper (1826) The Last of the Mohicans by James Fenimore Cooper follows Hawkeye, Chingachgook, and Uncas as they navigate the French and Indian War while rescuing Cora and Alice Munro.
Sara Gruen Historical Romance At the Water’s Edge – Sara Gruen (2015) At the Water’s Edge by Sara Gruen follows a privileged woman’s journey to wartime Scotland, where she faces dark truths, love, and the realities of survival.
Miyamoto Musashi Non Fiction The Book of Five Rings – Musashi Miyamoto (1645) The Book of Five Rings by Musashi Miyamoto presents samurai strategies in five elemental sections, guiding warriors in combat, discipline, and tactical mastery.
Jojo Moyes Historical Romance The Ship of Brides – Jojo Moyes (2005) The Ship of Brides by Jojo Moyes follows Australian war brides in 1946 on a voyage to England aboard HMS Victorious, facing heartbreak, hope, and camaraderie.
John Steinbeck Classics Historical The Moon Is Down – John Steinbeck (1942) In an occupied town during World War II, resistance quietly builds as Steinbeck explores the psychological struggles of both invaders and the oppressed.
