The 6 Best Historical Fiction Picks from Book of the Month: Kristin Hannah to Taylor Jenkins Reid
These can't-miss reads span decades and continents and feature unforgettable characters
Key Takeaways
- ‘The Women’ by Kristin Hannah follows an Army nurse serving during the Vietnam War.
- ‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ explores a reclusive actress's rise to fame.
- ‘Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?' was also a Reese's Book Club pick.
Every few weeks the editors at Book of the Month choose five to seven new or upcoming books they determine to be must-reads, and members choose one—or more—of them to be delivered to their home in a vibrant blue box. It’s a great idea, and it’s a fun way for readers to discover new authors and genres. But we at Woman’s World love a good historical fiction read, so we’ve picked our favorite Book of the Month historical fiction books from the past few years that you can still purchase today—all of which will be new to you!! Learn more below
‘The Women’ by Kristin Hannah
If you love stories about courage, sacrifice and friendship, you won’t want to miss this 2024 novel. Set during the Vietnam War, the plot follows 20-year-old nursing student Frances “Frankie” McGrath after she follows in her brother’s footsteps and joins him to serve in Vietnam as part of the Army Nurse Corps. Amid the chaos of war, Frankie discovers power she never knew she had. But even after enduring the overwhelming horrors of war, the real challenge Frankie faces is coming home to a changed America—one that despises the Vietnam War and doesn’t know how to welcome her back.
What readers are saying: “I just finished reading The Women and all I can say is wow. What a magnificent book. You could still feel in your heart how horrible war was on those women, and even more heartbreaking was how hard it was for them to come home and try to fit back into a world that didn’t understand what they had seen or lived through. This book stayed with me long after I put it down. It made me hurt for them, admire them, and appreciate sacrifices that were too often overlooked. I could not put it down.”
‘The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo’ by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Fans of Audrey Hepburn and Marilyn Monroe will adore this 2017 novel by bestselling author Taylor Jenkins Reid. This dual-timeline story follows journalist Monique Grant after she’s asked to write a biography for Evelyn Hugo, one of the most reclusive actresses in Hollywood. But as the stories about Evelyn’s seven marriages, her rise to fame and her complicated friendship with actress Celia St. James come to light, Monique begins to wonder what she signed up for and who Evelyn really is. What follows is a page-turning story filled with twists readers won’t see coming.
What readers are saying: “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is a masterfully crafted story about love, ambition and the price of fame. Taylor Jenkins Reid creates a bold and unforgettable protagonist in Evelyn, a woman who is neither purely good nor evil but entirely human. The novel is both a glamorous Hollywood scandal and a deeply moving story about identity, sacrifice and regret.”
‘The Mayor of Maxwell Street’ by Avery Cunningham
Set in 1921 Chicago, this 2024 novel follows Nelly Sawyer, daughter of the wealthiest Black family in North America, after her brother’s death. Now, she’s the premiere debutante, but she has other goals. For the past year, Nelly has been an investigative journalist and now she is facing her biggest story yet: exposing the so-called Mayor of Maxwell Street. To do so, she will need the help of many people, including the handsome—albeit dangerous—speakeasy owner Jay Shorey. A perfect blend of mystery, love and drama.
What readers are saying: “A captivating debut novel from Avery Cunningham. This historical fiction, with its fair share of mystery and romance, captures 1920s Chicago and early 20th-century Black society beautifully. The story is a poignant commentary on race and class, and the intersection of both. Nelly’s determination to be more than her last name makes her a formidable, although flawed, heroine.”
‘Lessons in Chemistry’ by Bonnie Garmus
This 2022 novel takes place in the 1960s and follows chemist Elizabeth Zott, who is determined to succeed in her male-dominated field. But when an unexpected romance and unplanned pregnancy upend her career, things change. Now, desperate to support her daughter, Elizabeth reluctantly agrees to host a cooking show, but she is going to do it her way—with honesty, science and facts. A powerful tale of female strength, love and science, peppered with humor and wit.
What readers are saying: “Lessons in Chemistry is a brilliant blend of wit, heart, and thought-provoking commentary on gender roles in the workplace during the 1960s. I loved the overall story—especially how it highlighted the challenges women faced in science during that era, while showing how their perseverance helped pave the way for future generations.”
‘Did You Hear About Kitty Karr?’ by Crystal Smith Paul
This bestselling story, which was published in 2023 and was a Reese’s Book Club pick, begins after the St. John sisters inherit a multimillion-dollar estate from the late actress Kitty Karr. Soon after, Elise St. John discovers Kitty’s journal, and she learns the truth behind the actress’ rise to stardom, which could just threaten her entire legacy. A fun dual-timeline tale that will change the way readers look at Hollywood celebrities.
What readers are saying: “I loved this book! It surely opens one’s mind to the realities of life in the 30s up and through the current chaos going on in America. A beautifully written story of resilience and bravery by a group of women who risked everything in order to live a better life than those before them, while simultaneously trying to influence change for future generations.”
‘The Great Wherever’ by Shannon Sanders
This 2026 novel begins after 32-year-old Aubrey Lamb’s father’s death, which results in her inheriting his stake in a sprawling Tennessee farm. Desperate to escape her mounting debt, she moves there from Washington D.C.—only to discover the land is haunted by the ghosts of their ancestors, all demanding she uncover the truth about her great-grandfather Thomas, who purchased the property generations ago. Since then, drama has followed the Lamb family everywhere and only the secrets of the past can put a stop to it. A gripping tale that will keep readers turning pages late into the night.
What readers are saying: “The Great Wherever is touching, inspiring and deeply encouraging. It’s the kind of novel that invites reflection on purpose, identity, direction and the unseen ways our people carry us forward. I closed this book truly hoping that my family in the Great Wherever are proud and cheering me on.”
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