Hello, everyone, it’s me again, and today I’ll be sharing with you three of my favorite books of the historical fiction genre. Alongside realistic fiction, fantasy, mystery, and graphic novels, just to name a few, historical fiction is one of my favorite book genres, if not my favorite.

Anyhow, on to the recommendations.

1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

Set during the Great Depression in a fictional sleepy old town in Southern Alabama, Lee’s novel covers several years out of the childhood of Jean Louise “Scout” Finch, a little girl living with her elder brother, Jem, Atticus, Scout and Jem’s father as they call him, Calpurnia, the family’s black housekeeper, and later, Alexandra, Atticus’s judgmental and outspoken sister.

The story focuses on several themes, many of which relate to the human condition and similar concepts, such as morality, life and death, empathy, and, most prominently, the social construct of race.

I LOVE this book. I first read this book in my first year of middle school and have been re-reading it ever since then. It gives a beautiful snapshot of life in the American South during the Great Depression. The author does a wonderful job of making the characters come alive through realistic dialogue and relatable experiences. Overall, I wholeheartedly recommend this book.

2. The Hiding Place by Corrie Ten Boom with John and Elizabeth Sherill

Co-authored by the Netherlands’ first licensed female watchmaker and later itinerant evangelist CorrieTen Boom and the Sherill couple, this book takes place during the WWll era, a time period that I, simply put, have an overinterest in, The novel primarily covers Corrie’s work in the Dutch underground, hiding Jews hunted by the Nazis inside a secret room in her funny-looking home, called the Beje (pronounced bay-yay), with the help of her elder sister and fellow spinster, Betsie, their father, Casper, an elderly watchmaker, and a whole network of underground workers including other members of the Ten Boom family.

As a Christian, I can fully relate to several challenges that Corrie faces even though the circumstances are quite different. Many times during the novel, Corrie’s faith and values are tested, yet she prevails. Another thing that I like about this book is the way it explores how life was during the WWll era in the Netherlands, although predominantly in Haarlem, Corrie’s hometown and where a good chunk of the beginning and the middle of the novel takes place. Overall, I give this novel a complete 10/10. It is written in a beautifully descriptive and informative style and is a wonderful read for Christians and non-Christians alike.

3. Jip, His Story by Katherine Paterson

Written by the author of the Newbery Medal-winning novel Bridge to Terabithia, this book takes place primarily on the poor farm of a small town located in rural Vermont during the 1850s and focuses on Jip, a twelve-year old orphan and resident of the aforementioned town poor farm.

Abandoned as a young child and thought to be of Romani descent (in actuality called the more commonly known racial slur), Jip spends most of his time caring for the animals and doing chores, that is, until one day, when a madman is brought to the farm. While taking care of Putnam “Put” (the aforementioned madman), Jip strikes up a friendship with the man and frequently enjoys Put’s wonderful singing during periods of lucidity.

Honestly, there are a lot of events that take place in this novel, but I feel it would take too long to explain all of them. All in all, I really enjoyed the experience and reading and re-reading this book!