Hi historical fiction fans!
Can you believe it’s March already? It seems like February just flew right by. This week in the world of historical fiction, I have two gorgeous new historical novels about Black women making a place for themselves in an unforgiving society as well as a few of the historical fiction books that are at the top of my TBR. Let’s get into them, shall we?
Bookish Goods
Ban Bigots Not Books Shirt from First Amendment Merch
I think I might need to wear this shirt every day with book bans becoming ever more increasing. $22
New Releases
Time’s Undoing by Cheryl A. Head (February 28, 2023)
In 2019, a young Black journalist for the Detroit Free Press investigates a longstanding family mystery: the murder of her grandfather in 1920s Birmingham. With its booming steel industry and vibrant nightlife, Birmingham is the place to be in 1929. But as the Klan’s presence grows, master carpenter Robert Lee Harrington worries that his fancy car and beautiful, light skinned wife might be drawing the wrong sort of attention.
Wild, Beautiful, and Free by Sophfronia Scott (March 1, 2023)
Born to an enslaved woman and a plantation owner, Jeannette Bébinn is raised in the house alongside her white half sister until her father dies. Sold into slavery by her vindictive step-mother, Jeanette must find her way back to freedom, eventually finding safe haven at the Fortitude Mansion. But as much as she connects with the Mansion’s white proprietor, Christian Robichaud Colchester, Jeannette doesn’t know where she fits anymore in a society that tells her she doesn’t belong anywhere.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead
I know I’m a bit late to the game on this one — Oprah Winfrey, Obama, and the Pulitzer all beat me to it — but I was reminded recently of just how much I want to read this book after discussing it in an article on alternate history. I’m fascinated by the idea of a version of the Underground Railroad involving actual underground trains to help transport escaped enslaved people.
All the Blood We Share by Camilla Bruce
After reading Lady Killers, a nonfiction book about female serial killers which mentions the Bender family of Kansas, I was reminded of this book. I’m not usually big into true crime (not good for my sleep or mental health), but when it has a more historical bent I sometimes find it interesting. And a family of killers running an inn in 1800s Kansas is certainly that.