Hi historical fiction fans!
Can you believe it’s finally spring? I’m so ready for some warm, breezy weather and the beginning of gardening season. Plus, the nicer weather means it’s going to be prime time for some outside reading. The buzzy new releases we’ve got for you this week would be perfect to take outside on a nice, spring day.
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Bookish Goods
Books & Coffee Mug from Cuute Cups
Who doesn’t love a good coffee mug, especially one that shows off your love of books? $11
New Releases
Beyond That, the Sea by Laura Spence-Ash (March 21, 2023)
In this tender novel about family, war, and belonging, a young girl is sent to live with a family in America to escape the Blitz in London. Soon, life in Boston with the Gregorys and their two boys begins to feel more real than anything back home. But when the war ends, Bea is called back to London, and, always the dutiful daughter, she obeys. With her heart pulled between two worlds, Bea must try to move on and create a life of her own in this post-war world.
Lone Women by Victor LaValle (March 28, 2023)
The author of The Ballad of Black Tom is back with another alternate history novel, this time set in the American West. Equipped with only a mysterious steamer trunk, Adelaide Henry is on her way to Montana as a homesteader after a terrible secret killed her parents and forced her to flee. She’s taking up the government’s offer for “lone women” to cultivate the land. But Adelaide isn’t alone — not really. And the secret she’s hiding in the trunk, the one that destroyed her life, also might be the only thing keeping her alive.
For a more comprehensive list, check out our New Books newsletter!
Riot Recommendations
As I was deciding what books I wanted to feature this week, I looked into some of the new releases being most tagged as “historical fiction,” this week on Goodreads. Talking about the recent historical fiction books readers are most excited about seemed like a great topic, so here we are. Enjoy these two buzzy books getting lots of tags on Goodreads.
The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Heywood
In mythology, the tale of Perseus, killer of Medusa, is one you might be well aware of. But his story would’ve been nothing without the women in his life — three women in particular. His mother, Danae, lives in exile due to a prophecy foretelling the death of her father at the hands of her son. Medusa, a gorgon who eschewed all outside contact until she met Perseus, meets a deadly end at his hands. And Andromeda, his future wife, who was prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice to appease the gods and save her people. Perseus ruined their lives. But that doesn’t mean it’s too late to reclaim them.
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
Two very different women in 1950s Philadelphia and D.C. face the turmoil of finding love in all the wrong places when they fall for someone, only to have their families disapprove of the relationship. For Ruby Pearsall, this could mean being pulled back into the life of poverty she’s worked so hard to escape. For Eleanor Quarles, it means trying to impress one of the elite Black families of Washington D.C. before they decide not to accept her into their fold.
Check out more new releases being tagged as historical fiction on Goodreads here.
That’s it for now, folks! Stay subscribed for more stories of yesteryear.
If you want to talk books, historical or otherwise, you can find me @rachelsbrittain on Instagram, Goodreads, Litsy, and occasionally Twitter.
Right now I’m reading The Ballad of Perilous Graves by Alex Jennings. What about you?