Goodreads 10 Most Popular Historical Fiction Novels of the Past Decade

One of my favorite genre is the historical fiction genre and a lot of that is do the recent novels published in the past decade or so. That is why we will be looking at Goodreads 10 most popular historical fiction novels of the past decade. Keep reading to find out which novels made their list!

The past decade will be hard to top especially for the historical fiction genre. There have been so many incredible novels and we are still trying to get to reading them. It is a good thing that we can easily see what users loved on Goodreads.

The list was made by looking at which novels users marked as Read, Currently Reading, or Want to Read. And with millions of users using Goodreads monthly, it gives us a good idea of what the general public is reading. You can see the full list below!

Goodreads 10 Most Popular Historical Fiction Novels of the Past Decade

• Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
• The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
• Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
• Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid
• Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
• The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
• The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett
• The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Many readers will not be surprised to see Where the Crawdads Sing top the list as the most popular historical fiction novel of the past decade. When it came out, this novel was everywhere and even two years later, it was still most sold novel since it was released. Few novels connect this strongly with readers. The novel did cause a controversy as readers dug up a similar case involving Owens and her stepson and a murder.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

This novel follows the life of reclusive Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo as she finally reveals the truth about her glamorous and scandal-filled past to an unknown journalist. Through her seven marriages, Evelyn’s story explores love, ambition, sacrifice, and the cost of fame, all while uncovering a deeply emotional and unexpected connection between her and the interviewer.

All the Light We Cannot See

A novel that has gone down as a modern classic has to be All the Light We Cannot See. Few novels have been able move readers like this novel. And if you had to read one historical fiction novel from the past decade, then this is the one that most readers would recommend.

Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Told in an oral history format, this novel chronicles the rise and fall of a fictional 1970s rock band led by the magnetic Daisy Jones and the talented Billy Dunne. As fame, creative differences, and personal struggles collide, the story captures the chaos of the music industry and the complicated relationships that ultimately led to the band’s dramatic breakup.

This is the second of three books by Reid that made the list. She has become a must read and all of her books seem to resonate strongly with a global audience.

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

Coming in at fifth is one of my favorite historical fiction novel of the past decade. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah is an amazingly well written novel about two sisters during WW2 and the choices they made during the Nazi’s occupation of France. This is a modern classic in my opinion and a must read for anyone that loves historical fiction novels.

Malibu Rising by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Set over the course of one unforgettable night, Malibu Rising follows the four famous Riva siblings as they host their annual end-of-summer party. As the night spirals out of control, long-held secrets, family tensions, and past traumas come to the surface, revealing the true cost of fame and the strength it takes to break free from it.

Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus

Set in the 1960s, this novel tells the story of Elizabeth Zott, a brilliant chemist who defies societal expectations after being forced out of her career. She unexpectedly becomes the host of a cooking show, where she teaches women far more than recipes—encouraging them to challenge norms and pursue independence in a male-dominated world.

The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

Based on a true story, this novel follows Lale Sokolov, a Jewish man imprisoned in Auschwitz who is tasked with tattooing identification numbers on fellow prisoners. Amid the horrors of the concentration camp, he finds love with a woman named Gita, and their relationship becomes a powerful symbol of hope and resilience in the darkest of times.

The Vanishing Half by Brit Bennett

This novel traces the lives of twin sisters who choose to live very different lives—one embracing her Black identity and the other passing as white. Spanning decades, the story explores themes of identity, family, race, and the lasting impact of the choices we make, as their lives remain deeply connected despite their separation

The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah

Another novel by Hannah to make the top ten is The Great Alone. This novel highlights Hannah’s incredible writing ability and the way she puts sentences together. She makes you see Alaska as her characters do as well as setting the tone of the novel. Not many authors are skilled enough this amazing feat off.

Conclusion

These are the ten most popular historical fiction novels of the past decade according to Goodreads. The list is dominated by some of the most popular novels and that shoudln’t be much of a surprise. We saw Taylor Jenkins Reid make the list three times and we can’t even blame the readers because her books are jist that good.

I am curious how the list will look in a decade from now. Will these same authors make an appearance or will new authors rise to the top. Only time will tell.

How many of these books have you read or plan to read? What other historical fiction novels from the past decade comes to mind? Let us know in the comments below. Until next time, happy reading!

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