7 Best Period Fiction Books to Read in 2025
If you love period fiction books, this list covers the best reads on Amazon. Historical drama, love, and mystery—there’s something for everyone!
If you love slipping into another time and pretending you actually understand how to churn butter, then you’ll want to stick around for our list of the best period fiction books. We picked these seven gems because they’re packed with great characters, a setting so real you’ll practically hear the cobblestones, and writing that kept us up way past our bedtime. We made sure these period fiction books brought us both thrills and a wee bit of history—without a pop quiz at the end. Whether you’re into epic castles, war-time drama, or just like your fiction with a little powdered wig action, there’s something here for you.
On this list:
7 The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
We picked this one because it nails what period fiction books are all about. Set in Nazi Germany, you get to see WWII through the eyes of a girl who really loves books. There’s death, friendship, and more drama than our last family board game night. The writing feels fresh too, with Death as the narrator. Be warned though, you’ll cry, unless you’re a robot.
6 Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
If you like your period fiction books with a healthy dose of power-grabbing and Tudor drama, this one’s for you. Mantel lets us hang out with Thomas Cromwell, Henry VIII’s right hand man. Sometimes it’s a bit heavy, but hey, so was Henry after all those feasts.
5 A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles
This is one of those period fiction books that makes being stuck in a hotel sound oddly fun. Count Rostov is sentenced to live in a hotel for life, but he manages to keep his charm and style. It’s witty, and the setting is so lush, we almost packed our bags for Moscow.
4 The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
We chose this because it’s the kind of book that makes you call your sibling after reading. Set in WWII France, it tells the story of two sisters trying to survive. It’s emotional but not too much, and the plot keeps you hooked. Bring snacks and tissues.
3 The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
This is the epic of all period fiction books. It’s about building a cathedral in 12th-century England, but trust us, it’s not as boring as it sounds. There’s action, love triangles, and enough drama to fill ten soap operas. It’s huge though, so clear your calendar.
2 The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory
We picked this one for its sheer juicy drama. Tudor court intrigue, sibling rivalry, and a love triangle that makes high school look tame. You’ll learn about Anne Boleyn’s less-famous sister while judging everyone’s decisions. Forget reality TV, just read this!
1 All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
This is our top pick for period fiction books, hands down. Why? Well, it takes two kids—one French, one German—thrown into the chaos of WWII, and brings their worlds so close you can almost hear the ticking of their fate. The writing is clear but beautiful, and if you ever wanted to feel smart while gripping your seat, this is your book. We played literary bingo and this one scored for clever imagery, deep characters, and not once did we feel lost in the plot. Plus, it lets us see hope in hard times without slapping us over the head with it. The chapters are short, so you can sneak in reading during lunch or even while waiting for your dog to finally finish sniffing that one bush. A true must-read.
