Category: Historical Fiction
Books vs Movies: Ben-Hur (2016)
I hereby rate Ben-Hur (the movie) one out of five stars; obviously, the book wins. No chariot race is needed to verify.
Masquerade by O.O. Sangoyomi
O.O. Sangoyomi’s debut novel is a compelling historical fiction that examines feminism through the eyes of one of the genre’s most divisive MCs.
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Carol Wallace
Ben Hur reflected themes of betrayal, injustice, brutality, conviction, and redemption, with a revenge plot leading to love and compassion.
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
The Beekeeper of Aleppo is a story about finding hope in the hopeless and holding on to hope when it seems all is lost.
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul
I recommend Did You Hear About Kitty Karr to anyone interested in books about deception, family secrets, old Hollywood glamor, and black history.
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
I’ll be singing the praises of Lessons in Chemistry for a while. It made me laugh, not smile, but laugh out loud in public places.
The Usurper’s Dream (A Weaving of The First Gods #) by Yeayi Kobina
Yeayi Kobina’s storytelling is top-notch, and The Usurper’s Dream is just the beginning of what promises to be an outstanding series.
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant
I think Diamant meant this book to empower women and showcase the strength and bond between mothers and daughters and their will to thrive, even through secret traditions, but it was a hard miss.
A Woman Is No Man by Etaf Rum
A Woman is No Man is an expertly penned novel that explores immigration, religion, culture, gender roles, and personal freedom.
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak
Elif is so, so good! Sooo good and underrated. In fact, I’m going on an Elif Shafak readathon because what an author!
The Help By Kathryn Stockett
The whites had a lifestyle, community and culture different from the blacks, and the two groups lived in two separate worlds
An Echo in the Darkness (Mark of the Lion #2) by Francine Rivers
If you think Christian books are boring, my darling, think again. You’ve clearly not picked up the Mark of the Lion series from Francine Rivers.
Afonja: The Rise (Oyo Empire Histories #1) by Tunde Leye
This book is rich in tradition and customs, from ritual suicide to honor killings and you’ll get more than a glimpse into proper African society.
A Lineage of Grace by Francine Rivers
Five outstanding women, five amazing paths that’ll eventually lead to the coming of Jesus Christ…
The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honorée Fanonne Jeffers
I also loved that, at every turn, it sought to advocate for intersectional feminism in African-American communities and within the academia.
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
The author serves the whole book in bite-sized morsels, allowing you to digest each moment without feeling overwhelmed.
Books vs. Movies: Enola
The movie added more depth to the book and gave us time to appreciate the characters, and I got to understand the mother’s reasons for leaving her.
Pachinko by Lee Min-jin
If you enjoy knowing your characters intimately, history, a well-written story and Asian culture, I recommend you pick up this book.