The historical fiction genre has so many modern classics and yet, many novels get overlooked. There’s just too many amazing books to read. That is why we will be sharing three new historical fiction novels that you need to read. Keep reading to find out which books you need to add to your reading list!
We are being spoiled with so many amazing new historical fiction books. Trying to keep track feels impossible but that doesn’t mean we won’t try to. Nothing beats finding an amazing new book to read and we have some recommendations that you need to read.
One of the best ways to find out must read novels is to check which ones won an award. These novels go through a long process and see fierce competition. The novels that do win usually live up to all the hype. And the three novels we chose all won a few awards.
But awards aren’t everything. The novels were chosen because we loved them from the first page to the last. All three books have an important story to tell that you need to be read. These are novels that once you read them, you won’t be stop thinking about them. You can see the full list below!
These 3 New Historical Fiction Books Are Modern Classics in the Making
James
It has been less than a year since I read James by Percival Everett and I still can’t stop raving about it. Few novels can claim to be this good and stay with you one after you read it. James went on to win the National Book Award for Fiction, and the 2025 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction award. Those are the two biggest awards in literature and that should tell you jut how good the novel is.
The novel did have some controversy surrounding the Pulitzer Prize award but I am happy that it did end up winning the award. After seeing this novel everywhere, I knew I had to read it no matter what. And it still surpassed all of my expectations. This is one of those novels that you will hate yourself for not reading it earlier.
The novel is a retelling of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain and gives James the voice he has always deserved. Everett tells us of James’ story from his point of view, giving the classic novel a new take.
James is a slave in Hannibal, Missouri and tries to take care of all the slaves at the plantation. But one day, James discovers that he is going to be sold soon and separated from his family. He has no plans to go along with this and instead runs away. But he is discovered by Huckleberry Finn who is also planning to run away.
I really loved this book and it is one of the best books I read last year. Novels like these are why I love historical fiction books and why I am always eager to read new books.
Demon Copperhead
When I read the book blurb for Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingslover, I knew I had to read it as soon as possible. The novel was inspired by Charles Dickens’ David Copperhead and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction as well as the Andrew Carnegie Medal Longlist. And after reading it, you can see why it won the big one.
The novel tells the story of Damon Fields, better known as Demon, and his single mother. They live in a trailer home in Lee, County, located in the Appalachian Mountains of Virginia. Demon’s life is difficult takes a turn for the worse when his mom starts dating a guy who abuses Demon.
Things go from bad to worse as Demon navigates through his teenage years and into adulthood. He faces issues such as poverty, addiction, adoption. The system in place constantly fails to protect Demon and others in his situation. And to put it all behind him, Demon has to face his own demons to be able to move on.
The novel tackles a ton of issues and one of them is drug epidemic that has affected millions of Americans over the past few decades. Kingsolver’s anger towards the epidemic can be felt with every word and you can’t blame her.
Many places have been hit hard and communities are being torn apart because of it. This novel reminds us that capitalism comes at a hefty price and it is destroying America slowly from within.
The Women
It was impossible to escape The Women by Kristin Hannah in 2024 because it was everywhere. The novel went on to become the best selling novel of the year and I am glad. I loved this novel a lot and loved seeing Hannah becoming a household name because of this book.
It was impossible to escape The Women by Kristin Hannah in 2024 because it was everywhere. The novel went on to become the best selling novel of the year and I am glad. I loved this novel a lot and loved seeing Hannah becoming a household name because of this book.
Hannah has been one of my favorite authors for a decade ever since I read The Nightingale. All her novels are incredible and I recommend her to anyone who enjoys reading books that resonate with your soil.
The Women tells the story about the women who served in Vietnam but their service was neglected and ignored and their trauma was belittled by the public and by men who served in Vietnam. Hannah does a beautiful job of telling this heart-wrenching story and it is one that she has wanted to tell for a long time.
“For years, I wanted to write about the turbulence and chaos and division of the times, but it wasn’t until the pandemic, when I was on lockdown in Seattle, confined to my home essentially, and watching our nurses and doctors serving on the front lines of the pandemic, becoming exhausted amid the political division of the time that it all came together for me,” Hannah said in an interview with LibraryThing. “That’s when I knew I was ready to write about the women who served in the war and were forgotten at home.”
I have to admit, I haven’t read many books about the Vietnam War. It is a war that many Americans want to forget but for many people, it is a part of their identity and experience. I recommend people to check out The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen to learn even more about this horrible war and its impact.
Conclusion
These are just three of the many new best historical fiction novels that you need to read. I can’t stop talking about these books and I know I will revisit these books down the line.
The historical fiction genre is having a moment and we have to appreciate it while we can. Every month, there is a new incredible novel that makes us rethink what we knew about history. This list could have been much longer because I can still of a bunch more new historical fiction books from the top of my head.
How many of these books have you read or plan to read? What other new historical fiction books would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!
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