Carnival Books
Carnivals are such an interesting part of history. I realized that carnival books are such an interesting subgenre of books that I wanted to make a list of my favorites in one place.
Kirsten and I have read a lot of circus books. After all, Kirsten did work with a circus for a while. But I wanted to make a list of carnival books as well. I included adult and YA picks on this list. There are some fantasy books that are much lighter picks while the historical fiction picks are heavier, must-read choices.
The Best Carnival Books
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
Best Carnival Book for Adults
Museum of Extraordinary Things by Alice Hoffman- Jump to Section
Best YA Carnival Book
Caraval by Stephanie Garber- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Carnival Books For Adults
Museum of Extraordinary Things
Author: Alice Hoffman
Year: 2014
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Coralie Sardien spends her days in a Coney Island freak show called the Museum of Extraordinary Things. There, she appears as the mermaid in the museum run by her father. She is one of many attractions in the show.
One night, Coralie meets Eddie Cohen who has run away from his Orthodox Jewish community. What follows is a love story during tumultuous times in New York history.
Why Jackie loves it
This historical fiction carnival book is a must-read and one of the best books set in New York I have read. Alice Hoffman writes some of the most compelling books on subjects that are so unique.
Find this book in: Best Carnival Books / Fantastic Books Set in New York / Alice Hoffman books in Order
The Immortalists
Author: Chloe Benjamin
Year: 2018
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: A “Best Book of the Year”: Washington Post
Instant New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
What would you do if you knew the day that you were going to die? Would want to know? The four Gold children find out the information that will shape their lives in this amazing family drama book. We follow the Gold children over the next 5 decades. Simon heads to the West Coast, Klara becomes a magician in Las Vegas, Daniel becomes an army doctor, and Varya seeks out the research of immortality.
Trigger Warnings
Suicide, Mental Illness
Why Jackie loves it
This book is beautifully written. Ms. Benjamin does a superb job of creating different voices for each of these characters. They are so vivid and unique.
Why Kirsten loves it
This family saga book about grief is un-putdownable and stays with you long after you have finished reading the last page.
Find this book in: Family Sagas / Carnival Books / Books About Mental Illness / Books Set in the 80s / Best Books About Siblings / Best Books of 2017 / Novels About Grief
Plot
The Montoya family are summoned to their grandmother’s house to collect their inheritance. They are hoping to obtain answers from her before she dies. They are used to living with secrets and unexplained phenomenon. But when Orquidea Divina is transformed into a tree before their eyes, they must seek the answers themselves.
Trigger Warnings
Death
Why Jackie loves it
I do not know how to begin to describe this wonderful and complex adult fantasy. The characters are deep and the magic from this story seeps from the pages
Find this book in: Carnival Books / Family Inheritance Novels
Geek Love
Author: Katherine Dunn
Year: 1989
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: National Book Award Finalist
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 15+
Plot
This is the story of the Bineweski family, a carny family that uses drugs, arsenic, and other poisons to create their own show of human oddities. One child has flippers for limbs, there are Siamese twins, and a hunchback. The only child that looks normal is Chick, and he is actually the family’s most precious creation.
This story follows the family and what they will do for money and fame.
Trigger Warnings
Harsh side of carnival side-shows
Why Jackie likes it
Be warned that this is not an uplifting book. I did not know what to expect, but I think I would have liked it better if I had known that going in. The characters are rich, and the story is so unique.
Plot
This historical novel is based on the real story of Sonora Webster, a woman who worked to became a famous horse diver. She traveled to state fairs, carnivals, and beaches to perform her death defying feat of diving bareback on a horse from high above a pool of water, after months of getting properly trained first.
In addition to learning about the art of horse diving, readers were treated to Sonora’s romance, her brushes with the animal care people trying to shut her down, and the hurdles of such a risky sport. It was a fascinating tale of a feat I’ll never see in real life.
Why Kirsten loves it
I had no idea the strength and training it would take to be a horse diver. These women were outstanding athletes and the horses were their babies. It was also hazardous and seeing that play out for Sonora had my heart racing throughout the story. #gifted by Harper Collins
Find this book in: Carnival Books / Books About Women in Sports
YA Carnival Books
Caraval
Author: Stephanie Garber
Year: 2017
Genre: YA Fantasy
More info: New York Times Bestselling Fantasy debut
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
When it comes to YA Fantasy books, this one is a classic. The story begins with letters from Scarlett to Legend, the leader of Caraval- a game played once a year in a far-off destination.
Every year, every time it is played, the game is different. Filled with magic and wonder, Scarlet plays this destination-based competition to win this year’s prize – her sister Tella – before anyone else can. This is a game filled with magic where the stakes become higher the longer Scarlet plays.
Why Jackie loves it
This is the first book in a three-part series that gets better and more complex with each new book. This series of YA fantasy romance books is a must-read.
Find this book in: Stephanie Garber Books / Books Like the Selection / Best Puzzle Books / Popular Fantasy Book Series for Young Adults / The Ultimate List of YA Fantasy Books /Books About Sisters and Bonds of Sisterhood / Best YA Romance Books / Books Like the Night Circus
Revelle
Author: Lyssa Mia Smith
Year: 2023
Genre: YA Historical Fantasy
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
This prohibition-era historical fantasy novel was inspired by Moulin Rouge! It’s filled with romance, carnival performers, and a magical community on an island near New York. Luxe (our Satine) can use her magic to create illusions to give people exactly what they want but what her family needs is money.
When Dewey, a time-traveling smuggler, asks her to help him become mayor by pretending to be his fiance, she thinks her prayers are answered.Until she meets Jamison, a poor commoner with no magic to speak of. They begin an illicit relationship that might spell doom for them all.
Why Kirsten loves it
This YA historical fantasy novel held me captive. It was so original! If you are looking for young adult fantasy romance books, this one should be on your TBR.
Find this book in: Jazz Age Novels /Carnival Books/ Books Like the Night Circus
Expert Tip
If you are looking for carnival books, this list is divided into two pretty distinct sections: Historical fiction and fantasy
- Carnivals were popular from the late 1800s to the early 1900s. There are many fantastic historical fiction books about carnivals on this list.
- The fantasy carnival books on this list are so unique. If you are looking for a carnival book and are not familiar with fantasy, these are the perfect books to start with.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a carnival book?
A carnival book is any book that features a carnival as a main setting in the story. There are some fantastic historical fiction picks along with some YA fantasy on this list.
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Epilogue
What is your favorite Carnival book? Is there a book I need to add to my TBR?
