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Original poster

Book suggestions for historical fiction, women's biographies and westerns

42 replies

Freshton · 13/05/2026 17:44

Please could I have some new book suggestions? I asked a couple of years ago and got some great ones

I love historical fiction and non fiction including biographies, particularly about women. I never seem to gel with the most popular authors in that genre. have tried a few Phillipa Gregory books over the years but not really enjoyed them. Also tried Alison Weir but not a fan. They are well researched but there's something about the writing style, I wish I could better articulate why I don't like certain books!

Last book I read was House at Rivington by Kate Morton which was alright but based on the reviews I expected to like it more.

I'm now reading the Handmaid's Tale and I really love it. Also read Witchcraft for Wayward Girls by Grady Hendrix and enjoyed that so maybe I need to switch to contemporary US fiction? I love Westerns too

OP posts:
ReignOfError · 15/05/2026 20:35

You might enjoy These Is My Words by Nancy Turner - based on the author’s grandmother’s diary of her journey as a teenager from Arizona to Texas in the 1880s.

Totally different, Dorothy Dunnett’s Lymond Saga (6 books) and King Hereafter (a retelling of Macbeth) are great - not a female lead, but strong female characters throughout.

InTheCludgie · 15/05/2026 20:26

Another vote for Lonesome Dove, I'm reading this just now and it's gripping

Original poster
Freshton · 15/05/2026 05:36

IgnoreIt · 14/05/2026 07:47

I’m assuming you’ve already read Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell trilogy, or didn’t get on with it?

For biographies, Hermione’s Lee’s Virginia Woolf, or Judith Thurman’s Isak Dinesen and Colette biographies.

I read bring up the bodies and enjoyed that

OP posts:
Timeforatincture · 14/05/2026 07:57

Western: Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurty.
Historical: The World is Not Enough by Zoe Oldenburgh. (Set in France at the time of the Crusades)

Both superbly written.

IgnoreIt · 14/05/2026 07:47

I’m assuming you’ve already read Hilary Mantel’s Cromwell trilogy, or didn’t get on with it?

For biographies, Hermione’s Lee’s Virginia Woolf, or Judith Thurman’s Isak Dinesen and Colette biographies.

Sausagenbacon · 14/05/2026 07:11

Philippa Gregory historical fiction based on fact. Wonderful reads.
Not really, IMO.
Norah Lofts was THE writer of historical fiction.

ArcticBells · 13/05/2026 21:19

Philippa Gregory historical fiction based on fact. Wonderful reads.

Blorengia · 13/05/2026 20:36

The best historical fiction novels I've read are by Sharon Kay Penman. So detailed, great research, nearly all the characters are real people from history. The Cicero Trilogy books by Robert Harris were great, I've no special interest in Roman history but he made the period come alive, I'd happily re-read them.
I think I've only read one Western-set novel, 'The Son' by Philipp Meyer, a Texan family saga from 1800s to early 20th century,

CookieDoughJoe · 13/05/2026 20:10

If you like Westerns and biographies about women you might enjoy Brave Hearted: The Dramatic Story of Women of the American West by Katie Hickman.

MyThreeWords · 13/05/2026 18:37

Your mention of Westerns makes me think of The Sisters Brothers, which I think is a great book (much better than the film). Very funny, strange, and poignant.

There was a webchat with the author on MN when it first came out, if you fancied digging around for it.

PrayForMyBum · 13/05/2026 18:36

If you like Westerns, I adored How Much of These Hills Is Gold by C Pam Zhang. Totally different twist on the genre and really powerful.

mambojambodothetango · 13/05/2026 18:34

You'd probably enjoy Whiskey When We're Dry by John Larison and maybe The Secret River by Kate Grenville.

eekwhatnow · 13/05/2026 18:31

Also agree with The Frozen River and books by Edward Rutherford

eekwhatnow · 13/05/2026 18:30

Books by Sally Magnusson! So good.

AudiobookListener · 13/05/2026 18:14

I like the historical novels of Edward Rutherfurd. My favourites are The Forest, Ruska and his two Ireland books.

I've only ever read one Western, but it was very good: The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt. Dark, violent and hilarious.

Hensintheskirting · 13/05/2026 17:52

The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon ticks a few of your boxes

JustWhatever · 13/05/2026 17:49

Have you read anything by Anya Seton? She wrote Katherine and I'm currently reading The Winthrop Woman.

Anya Seton - Wikipedia

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anya_Seton