Hi historical fiction friends!
Fall has finally brought—gasp—cool weather to my neck of the woods. Not quite *sweater weather* but, hey, we’re getting there. And in the meantime I intend to enjoy the feeling of a cool, autumn breeze for as long as it’s here!
And speaking of autumn, this time of year is the perfect time to curl up with a great read and get cozy—whatever your version of cozy looks like. Whether it’s romance, creepy reads, modern classics, or escapist reads you crave, TBR can help you find the perfect books for your fall reading, with options curated to your specific reading tastes. As a former bibliologist, I can confirm that a lot of time and effort is put into finding the perfect reads just for you. So why not sign up today as a little fall treat for yourself or a loved one?
Bookish Goods
Ghost Houseplant Bookmarks from Bloom and Bewilder
Okay, I’m obsessed with these ghost houseplant bookmarks. I need them in my life. $6
New Releases
Queen Hereafter by Isabelle Schuler (October 10, 2023)
Based on the medieval Scottish woman who inspired Shakespeare’s Lady Macbeth, Queen Hereafter paints a vivid portrait of Gruoch, the daughter of an overthrown king and descendant of ancient druids. She has always known she will one day become queen and reclaim her Pictish lands. Her betrothal to Duncan, heir to the throne, confirms this. But when violence and betrayal force her to flee, she must decide whether to slip quietly away or seek the vengeance—and throne—she knows she deserves.
Homeward by Angela Jackson-Brown
In 1962, Rose Perkins Bourdon returns home to Georgia alone and pregnant with a baby that isn’t her husband’s. As she scrambles to pick up the pieces of her life, her sister introduces her to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, a group fighting the types of battles to change the nation that Rose has only ever seen on TV. Rose becomes increasingly involved in the burgeoning Civil Right’s Movement, and for the first time in a long time, she really feels alive.
For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter.
Riot Recommendations
And now for some ghosts in historical fiction!
Briefly, a Delicious Life by Nell Stevens
Since the 15th century, Blanca has been keeping watch over the hilltop monastery in Mallorca where she died. She’s created trouble for corrupt monks and fallen in love a few times, but never has she set eyes upon anyone like the writer George Sand. George defies convention with her children and lover Frederic Chopin in tow. Blanca could watch her forever. But the conservative people of Mallorca don’t appreciate the author’s presence. Will Blanca be able to stop tragedy before it strikes this time around?
The Ghost Bride by Yangsze Choo
Li Lan is the daughter of a once-wealthy merchant family in colonial Malaysia with few hopes of making a respectable marriage match. But the offer of becoming the ghost bride to the recently deceased heir to a rich family is untenable to her. Unfortunately, his ghost is hell-bent on having her one way or another. A journey to the spirit world where he resides might help her uncover why he is so obsessed with her—but it could also condemn her to an afterlife by his side forever.
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 Goodreads, Instagram, and Litsy, my favorite bookish social media.
Right now I’m reading Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova. What about you?