Historical Fiction Books About Books
I have always loved the idea of books about books. When I started going through my list, I realized I had too many to put on one list! So, I decided to put all my favorite historical fiction books about books in one place.
Jackie and I read a lot of books. Together, we read close to 300 books a year. I love a historical fiction book, and if it is a historical fiction book about books, it is like the cherry on my sundae. If historical fiction books are not your thing, you can check out fiction books about books.
I cannot necessarily pinpoint what it is about books about books that keeps me so captivated. There are books about classic authors, books about fictional authors, and books that are historical love letters to the art of the word.
The Best Historical Fiction Books About 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 Historical Fiction Book About Books
Liberty Island by Virginia Hume- Jump to Section
Best Historical Fiction Book About Librarians
The Personal Librarian by Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray- Jump to Section
The Best Historical Fiction Book About Bookstores
The Bookseller’s Secret by Michelle Gable- Jump to Section
The Best Historical Fiction Book About Writers
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell- 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.
Historical Fiction Books About Books
Liberty Island
Author: Virginia Hume
Release Date: May 5, 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Bestselling author of Haven Point
July 2026 Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 15+
Plot
Anna Bradley was 28 in 1900. She is looking for a way to be independent and make her own money. She is having trouble finishing the textbook she was writing with her father and has to find convincing arguments to get her employer to actually pay her. She spends her summers supervising three little girls, including her niece, as they run around off the coast of Haven Point, Maine. They became the inspiration for the book “Liberty Island” that Anna writes under a pen name. The Liberty Island stories are unlike anything else in that time. Rather than writing morals about how to be good wives and mothers, the children have adventures!
In 1922, Julia Demarast used to love her aunt’s book, but now, at university, she views the books as old-fashioned. Julia becomes involved in the suffragette movement and begins to move away from her family.
Why Jackie loves it
Kirsten and I loved Haven Point, so it was no surprise that I adored this book as well. I loved seeing Anna and Julia both fight for women’s rights in their own ways. The characters are rich and deep, and the story comes together in an unexpected way. This is everything I hoped for from Virginia. Thank you, Macmillan Audio
Find this book in: Beyond the Bookends Book Club / Books Set in Maine / Best Beach Reads 2026 / Historical Fiction Books About Books / Books About Books / Gilded Age Books
The Story She Left Behind
Author: Patti Callahan Henry
Year: 2025
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Beyond the Bookends Most Anticipated Book March 2025
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 14+
Plot
In 1927, When Clara Harrington was 8 years old, her mother disappeared off the coast of South Carolina. Bronwyn Newcastle Fordham was an author renowned for the book she wrote when she was 12 years old. The follow-up to the book, written in her mother’s made-up language, sat untranslated because the dictionary disappeared along with Bronwyn.
Now in 1952, Clara is a mother and illustrator. She is contacted by Charlie Johnson in London, who claims to have a handwritten dictionary in her mother’s lost language. Clara must travel to London to retrieve the dictionary and finally get some answers.
She travels with her asthmatic daughter by boat only to arrive at the start of The Great Smog.
Why Jackie loves it
This book was more than I could have hoped for. It was absolutely captivating from the first word to the last. I listened to and read this book at the same time because I could not get enough. I loved the story, but loved it even more when I found out that Bronwyn was based on the life and disappearance of Barbara Newhall Follett. There are also references to Beatrix Potter. This book is a must for any book lover. It reads like a love letter to language.
Find this book in: The Ultimate List of Books About Books / Beach Reads 2025 / Best Historical Fiction Books of 2025 / Best Books of 2025 / Best Historical Fiction Books About Books
The Lost Story of Eva Fuentes
Author: Chanel Cleeton
Release Date: September 30, 2025
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: Bestselling author
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range:16+
Plot
This is the story of a mysterious book that brings together three women and their stories. Eva Fuentes is a teacher who is sent to study at Harvard to promote a relationship between Cuba and the United States. She wrote a book that will affect everyone who reads it.
In Havana in 1966, Pilar Castillo goes to work every day in the library and waits to see the fate of her husband who has been arrested by Castro’s men. When her fleeing neighbor gives her a book, Pillar must risk everything to protect the book that was entrusted to her.
In London 2024, Margo Reynolds is searching for a rare antique book. There is only ever one copy known to exist. When a beloved friend and bookstore owner is murdered, Margo knows it has something to do with the book
Trigger Warnings
Communist regime, murder
Why Jackie loves it
I love these three brave women who know how to fight for themselves, for love, and for friendship. The three stories were woven together beautifully. I loved the multiple timelines as well. I never felt confused by the characters, the plot, or the timeline.
Find this book in: The Ultimate List of Books About Books / Best Historical Fiction Books About Books
Plot
This magical realism book is narrated by Death. Death tells the story of Liesel, a young girl in Nazi Germany in 1939. Liesel is living with her foster parents and learning to read from stolen books. She also shares these books with the Jewish man who is hiding in her basement.
Trigger Warnings
Death, Antisemitism, War
Why Kirsten loves it
This book is a brilliant, powerful, poignant, and unforgettable look at Nazi Germany. It’s becoming part of many school curricula for good reason. I’ve never read a story that encapsulates life for ordinary children during this harrowing time in history.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / YA Historical Fiction Books / Books about the Holocaust / Coming-of-age Books for Teens / The Best Queen Camilla Book Club Books / Historical Fiction Books About Books / Books About Books
The Thirteenth Tale
Author: Diane Setterfield
Year: 2006
Genre: Gothic Mystery
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
A young biographer is called to help a reclusive author of 12 books tell her life story. In the process, she learns there is a thirteenth tale after all. It’s a gothic romance, a mystery, and a story about family ties all in one.
Why Kirsten loves it
I adored this gothic story when I read it on vacation a few years back. The setting and gothic vibes make this book perfect for a chilly autumn day. I was swept into this story and read it to completion at 3 a.m.
Find this book in: Best Historical Mystery Books / Best Mystery Books of All Time / Ultimate List of Mysteries / Books With Numbers in the Title / Historical Fiction Books About Books
The Weight of Ink
Author: Rachel Kadish
Year: 1917
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: National Jewish Book Award
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
The story moves between two strong, intelligent women living centuries apart and the choices they must make to be true to themselves.
Ester Velasquez is a woman in 1660 who works as a scribe for a rabbi, just before the plague hits. In the present, Hele is working on a project to identify “Aleph”, a scribe in a set of newly discovered Jewish documents from the 17th century.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemetism
Why Jackie loves it
This book is worth every single one of its nearly 600 pages because it is such beautifully written historical fiction. The writing is so lyrical, which is usually too poetic for me. But, in this case, it was hard to put down.
Find this book in: Best Books by Jewish Writers / Best Historical Fiction Books About Books
Caroline: The Little House Revisited
Author: Sarah Miller
Year: 2017
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
In this book, the famed story behind Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House on the Prairie is retold from the perspective of Laura’s mother, Caroline. From their life in Wisconsin through the journey to their final home in Kansas, Caroline’s adult perspective adds depth to the classic pioneer tale.
Why Kirsten loves it
I read Little House on the Prairie for the first time earlier this year, mostly because I wanted the background for this exact book. The entire time I was reading the original series, I found myself wondering about the choices the parents were making.
I wanted to know why certain things were being done and I finally got my answers in Sarah Miller’s classic retelling of the story. I didn’t love Little House, but I ADORED Caroline. This fictionalized biography is better than the original series in my opinion.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Fiction Books about Writers / Classic Book Retellings / Best Historical Fiction Books About Books
Historical Fiction Books About Librarians
The Personal Librarian
Author: Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murphy
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: July 2021 Good Morning America Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
This fictionalized version of Belle de Costa Greene was wonderful! Greene was tycoon J.P. Morgan’s personal librarian and later the librarian for his heir. She was also a black woman passing as white. This biographical fiction story tells the story of her incredible rise to prominence and the sacrifices she had to make along the way.
Trigger Warnings
Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
It’s so upsetting to know that Belle couldn’t ever let anyone know about her real identity. It’s a blight on our country that such a remarkable woman had to keep her roots hidden to hold her job, but I’m glad her real truth is being told now.
Find this book in: Books set in Libraries / Biographical Fiction Novels / Gilded Age Books / GMA Book Club List 2021 / Best Historical Fiction Books About Books
The Librarian of Auschwitz
Author: Antonia Itrube
Year: 2017
Genre: Middle Grade Historical Fiction
Age Range: 11+
Plot
This is based on the story of Dita Kraus who was a 14-year-old girl when she went to Auschwitz. She worked as the “librarian” in the children’s block. The book gives an in-depth look at the day-to-day survival of people in the camp and is ultimately about bravery and real-life heroes.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, Genocide
Why Jackie loves it
The book is difficult to read because of the subject matter. The librarian in this book is completely unique because of her circumstances and age. I love that this powerful story is geared toward middle-grade readers; however, adult readers will love this books as well..
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Books About The Holocaust / Best Books for 12-year-olds / Historical Fiction Books About Books
The Paris Library
Author: Janet Skesklien Charles
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller, Washington Post Bestseller, USA TODAY bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
In 1939, Odile is working at the American Library in Paris. There, she and her fellow librarians do everything in their power to try to save their patrons. But when the war is over, she faces a betrayal she didn’t anticipate.
In 1983 Montana, Lily is looking for an adventure, which she finds while investigating her neighbor’s past. But she was not expecting a dark secret to connect the two of them!
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, War
Why Kirsten loves it
WWII books felt a little been-there, done-that to me recently, but this book has me back to loving the sub-genre. What makes this story different is the setting – The American Library in Paris. I loved hearing about the librarians and how they tried to help their Jewish subscribers. The story sucked me in and had me thinking about the war in a new light.
Find this book in: Books Set in Paris / Books Set in France / Books About WWII / Books About Libraries / Historical Fiction Books About Books
The Giver of Stars
Author: Jojo Moyes
Year: 2019
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: November 2019 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
British-born Alice is finding life in rural Kentucky challenging, so she signs up to be a traveling librarian. Soon, Alice is working with the program runner, Margery, and 3 other women to deliver books on horseback to some of the most isolated and impoverished families in their community.
Forced to buck norms, these women are warriors for those in need despite male interference. In spite of all odds, these heroic women stopped at nothing to help those in need get the information they deserved.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Abuse, Racism
Why Kirsten loves it
I’m not usually a Jojo Moyes reader, but this story about a mobile library caught my eye. I’m so glad I ended up reading it because it was wonderful! I had no idea that women used to travel by horseback to deliver books in the Appalachian mountains.
These librarians were utterly badass as they thumbed their noses at societal norms for the betterment of their community. Each woman’s story was woven together in a tapestry of love, friendship, and sisterhood.
Find this book in: Books About Poverty / Books About Librarians / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2019 / Best Historical Fiction Books About Books
Historical Fiction Books About Bookstores
The Bookseller’s Secret
Author: Michelle Gable
Year: 2007
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: NY Times Bestselling Author
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range:16+
Plot
This dual-timeline historical fiction novel is set in both WWII London, where we see a floundering Nancy Mitford as a bookseller, getting inspired to write The Pursuit of Happiness, and the present day, where another floundering writer is looking to Mitford for inspiration.
Trigger Warnings
Infidelity
Why Kirsten loves it
Nancy is the character that shines in this pick from WWII books and I love that she’s such a dynamic force. This is a great pick in novels about writers.
Find this book in: Books With Secret in the Title / Best Books About WWII / Books About Writers / Historical Fiction Books About Books
The Last Bookshop in London: A Novel of World War II
Author: Madeline Martin
Year: 2021
Genre: Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Grace has always wanted to live in London and finds herself working at a bookshop as WWII looms on the horizon. Grace’s newfound love of books, the store, and the friends who have become family, become the glue that holds her together during air-raids, blitzes, and nights spent in darkness.
Why Jackie loves it
Wow, did I love this
Find this book in: Historical Fiction Books About Books
Historical Fiction Books about Writers
Hamnet
Author: Maggie O’Farrell
Year: 2020
Genre: Literary Historical Fiction
More info: New York Times Bestseller
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range:
Plot
This is the story of Shakespeare’s life, family, and extraordinary wife during the time of the plague. Shakespeare himself is never actually mentioned by name in this extraordinary and heartbreaking book that was so hard to put down.
Trigger Warnings
Child Death
Why Jackie loves it
I had this book on my TBR for so long and I am so happy that I finally had a chance to read it. I know why it made so many lists of top books for 2020. And if you are looking for biographical novels about writers, this one is a must-read.
Adaptation Information
Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal star in the movie adaptation of this bestseller. Chloé Zhao directed it and it’s expected to hit theaters Thanksgiving 2025.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Books About Books / Books Becoming Movies / The Best Queen Camilla Book Club Books / Historical Fiction Books About Books
The Story Keeper
Author: Kelly Rimmer
Year: 2026
Genre: Historical Fiction, Gothic Mystery
Spice Rating:💋
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Fiona Winslow has returned to her family estate, Wurimbirra, after a difficult year. She plans on restoring it when she discovers a curious book called The Midnight Estate. The story in the book is very similar to some of her own family’s lore, and it reveals secrets that shock her to her core.
It is also a book-within-a-book, as readers get to read the story of the book alongside Fiona’s life in the crumbling, possibly haunted, mansion.
Trigger Warnings
Domestic Violence
Why Kirsten likes it
This story felt like reading a Kate Morton book, which is high praise from me, since Morton is one of my all-time favorite authors. The gothic vibes in this one really kept me flipping the pages as the suspense built. I loved the book-within-a-book angle to the story too. I was thinking of it for far longer than I expected. Gifted by Mira.
Find this book in: Historical Fiction Books About Books
The Christie Affair
Author: Nina de Gramont
Year: 2022
Genre: Historical Mystery
More info: February 2022 Reese Witherspoon Book Club Pick, February 2026 Beyond the Bookends Book Club Pick
Age Range: 16+
Plot
I adored this mystery novel set during the 11 days of Agatha Christie’s disappearance. It’s told from the perspective of Christie’s husband’s mistress and it is utterly absorbing.
This biographical fiction novel is totally fictional because there is no account of what actually happened to Agatha Christie during her missing days. There are layers of mystery throughout, with a side of a love story.
Why Kirsten loves it
I never felt I would be able to sympathize with a mistress but I was cheering for her by the end. I was also enchanted by the setting of the small hotel. If you love historical mystery books, this is a must-read.
Find this book in: Biographical Fiction Novels / Historical Mystery Books / Hotel Novels / Ultimate List of Mystery Books / Mystery Novels About Writers / Best Reese Witherspoon Books / Reese Witherspoon Book Club List 2022 / Beach Reads 2022 / Historical Fiction Books About Books
The Mystery of Mrs. Christie
Author: Marie Benedict
Year: 2020
Genre: Historical Mystery
Age Range: 16+
Plot
Marie Benedict is the master of bringing women back to life in her historical fiction novels. The Mystery of Mrs. Christie is my favorite to date and I found it hard to put down. In December 1926, Agatha Christie went missing for 11 days. She re-emerged as mysteriously as she disappeared and more questions than answers persist.
Why Jackie loves it
Benedict does a wonderful job of building the mystery using her brilliant imagination and bringing us into the world of Agatha Christie. It is the perfect blend of fiction and mystery and is an absolute delight.
Find this book in: Historical Mystery Books / Books about Writers / Books About Books / Biographical Fiction Novel / 1920s Novels / Best Historical Fiction Books About Books
Bronte’s Mistress
Author: Finola Austin
Year: 2020
Genre: Historical Fiction
Spice Rating:💋💋
Age Range: 18+
Plot
This story was fascinating to me because while I don’t condone modern-day infidelity, I understand how women back in the day had limited options. It’s 1843, and Lydia Robinson’s teenage daughters are rebelling against her. Then Branwell Bront shows up to tutor her son, and Lydia begins a passionate love affair with him. I loved Lydia and her (selfish) views of the world around her, and I felt how hard it must be to be a woman in historic times.
Why Kirsten loves it
I’m a sucker for the classics, but I don’t know much about the authors of the classics I love. Of course, I knew of the Bronte sisters, but I had no idea that they had a brother or that he was a naughty one 😉. Lydia’s antics were utterly entertaining, as were the antics of her children. I was rooting for her the entire time, even when I wanted to slap her and tell her to come to her senses.
Find this book in: Books Like Bridgerton / Fiction Books About Writers / Biographical Fiction Novels / Best Historical Fiction Books About Books
Expert Tip
If you love reading, then you will love these historical books about books.
- Have a look at the book description. There are some great descriptions of the plot and why we liked these books. This can be a great way to help you pick a book you will love.
- Did Kirsten or Jackie read the book? This may be a good way for you to determine if you are going to like it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best historical fiction book about books?
There are too many fantastic books on this list to choose just one best book. These are our favorite books on this list.
1. The Story She Left Behind by Patti Callahan Henry
2. Liberty Island by Virginia Hume
3. The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak
4. Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
5. The Weight of Ink by Rachel Kadish
Related Content
Epilogue
What is your favorite Historical Fiction Book About Books?
