logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2023
23m 18s

105: Let's Talk About Historical Fiction

SARAH HARTLEY
About this episode

Show notes:

Let’s just be real with it: we’re very nosy people. It’s why we’ve always been interested in other people’s stories and why we love books so much. And it’s why we’re both drawn to the historical fiction genre. We get to dive into the past in a beautiful way, beyond the facts and figures and dry history textbooks. Also, we promise that there will be at least a few books that aren’t set in the WWII time period. Let’s talk about historical fiction together!

 

Click here to join us on Patreon to get an exclusive bookish goodie every single Friday. With fun bonus episode series like: Monthly Overflow Books, Backlist Book Club, The New Books in Our Lives plus a private community for RTL Book Nerds only, you’re going to love being a part of our Patreon. Not only that, but you’re helping to support our show by saying I LOVE WHAT YOU DO. 

 

Find the time stamped show notes below with links to all of the fun things we mentioned.

 

Something Bookish:

[1:59] S: The Monstrous Adventures of Mummy Man and Waffles by Steve Behling (Aug 2024)

[3:32] M: Lit Chicks Read podcast, Episode 1: The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

 

Our Favorite Historical Fiction Books:

[6:58] M: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

[8:27] S: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas by John Boyne

[9:42] M: Mary, Called Magdalene by Margaret George

[10:58] S: A Splendid Ruin by Megan Chance

[12:07] M: The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom

[13:29] S: The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris

[15:07] M: The Alice Network by Kate Quinn

[16:34] S: A Brilliant Night of Stars and Ice by Rebecca Connelly

[18:09] M: Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline

[19:28] S: The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer

 

Our Bonus Historical Fiction Picks: 

[20:55] M:


[21:17] S: 



Follow RTL on Instagram: @readingthroughlifepod

Follow Sarah on Instagram: @sarahhartleyco 

Follow Mia on Instagram: @fastlifeinslowlane + @miamanagementco 

 

* The books noted above contain affiliate links. This means that we may get a small kickback if you purchase through our links, at no additional cost to you.



This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com/subscribe
Up next
Nov 10
137: October 2025 Book Reviews
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com*Want to add our podcast directly to your podcast feed? CLICK HERE for all the details.*Hi, book nerds! We’re really excited to bring these monthly episodes to our paid subscribers. We’re ... Show More
4m 52s
Oct 10
136: September 2025 Book Reviews
*Want to add our podcast directly to your podcast feed? CLICK HERE for all the details.*Hi, book nerds! We’re really excited to bring these monthly episodes to our paid subscribers. We’re back in your ears again and excited to talk September books with you.We’ll be sharing what w ... Show More
39m 9s
Sep 5
135: August 2025 Book Reviews
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit readingthroughlife.substack.com*Want to add our podcast directly to your podcast feed? CLICK HERE for all the details.*Hi, book nerds! We’re really excited to bring these monthly episodes to our paid subscribers. We’re ... Show More
3m 51s
Recommended Episodes
Nov 2023
Tea or Books? #122: Mary Lawson novels w/ Mary Lawson!
Mary Lawson joins us to talk about all her novels – welcome to episode 122! I can’t quite believe I’m writing this, but THE Mary Lawson – Canadian author of Crow Lake, The Other Side of the Bridge, Road Ends, and A Town Called 
1h 24m
Jan 2024
Tea or Books? #124: Our Favourite Reads of 2023
Our favourite books from 2023 – or reads, because of course we mostly read ‘backlisted’ titles. Always a fun one to record – this time with the added bonus that we were each going to choose one from the other’s 
1h 19m
Nov 2021
Nonfiction in November : Fascinating Book Recs & Why We Love True Stories, True Crime and More
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1749254/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>In Episode 27 of Book Talk, Etc. Tina and Renee are sharing a few of their recent nonfiction favorites. They share what they&apos;re loving lately, their latest ... Show More
1h 17m
May 2024
Ep. 168: 2024 Summer Reading Special with Susie (@NovelVisits)
<p><strong>Susie Boutry (<a href= "https://www.instagram.com/novelvisits/">@NovelVisits</a>) and I share our favorite books that missed last year's Summer Reading Guide, some shorter books we think are great for summer reading, and our #1 picks for each category featured in my <a ... Show More
1h 9m
Jan 2023
Season 5, Episode 26: Library Wins + Novels About Raging Feminism
<p class="" data-pm-slice="0 0 []">On this week's episode of Currently Reading, Kaytee and Mary are discussing:</p> <ul data-rte-list="default"> <li> <p class=""><strong>Bookish Moments</strong>: a great library newsletter and a reading milestone</p> </li> <li> <p class=""><stron ... Show More
57m 40s
Mar 2023
Ep. 136: Winter 2023 Circle Back with Catherine (@GilmoreGuide)
<p><strong>In today's episode, Catherine (<a href= "https://gilmoreguidetobooks.com/">Gilmore Guide to Books</a>) and I circle back to the 16 books we featured in the <a href= "https://www.sarahsbookshelves.com/podcast-episode-130-winter-2023-book-preview-with-catherine-gilmoregu ... Show More
56m 13s
Dec 2019
#8 - Queer Women, Mysteries, and Retellings!
Raeleen finished a book and got deja vu, Ariel hasn't finished anything, but we both get excited to recommend books about queer women, a mystery, some retellings, a book with dual timelines, and essays about women! Submit your book requests to booksunboundpodcast@gmail.com and su ... Show More
49m 27s
May 2024
Book Store Owners Present Their Top Summer Reads
We love the summer because it means trips the bookstore! We have some of our favorite bookstores recommending their favorite summer titles. If you are in need of a laugh, a thrill or just a great story to read on the beach, this is an episode of The Book Case you don't want to mi ... Show More
41m 34s
Dec 2023
Tea or Books? #123: Critical or Charitable Reading? and Sheep’s Clothing vs Harriet Said…
Beryl Bainbridge, Celia Dale, critical and charitable reading &#8211; welcome to episode 123! In the first half of the episode we use a suggestion from Susannah &#8211; do we read charitably or critically? In the second half we compare too 
56m 56s
Dec 2023
Best Books of the Year - Our 20 Favorite Books of 2023
<p><a target="_blank" href="https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/1749254/open_sms">Send us a text</a></p><p>In Episode 131 of Book Talk, Etc. Tina and Renee share their top 10 books of 2023. They also share what they&apos;ve been loving lately, their latest reads, and ... Show More
1h 14m