If you like reading novels set in times gone by you might find something interesting on this list. Also included are some war books (many and varied wars! Including the American Civil War, World War II, the Iraq War). Obviously some are more historical than others!

Last updated September 2021

• The Weight of Our Sky / Alkaf, Hanna (1960s Malaysia)
• The Calling / Beale, Fleur (1890s New Zealand)
• A Great and Terrible Beauty / Bray, Libba (1890s England)
• Earth Dragon, Fire Hare / Catran, Ken (1940s New Zealand/Malaya)
• Muse / Cavallaro, Brittany (1800s USA, alternate history)
• Freedom Swimmer / Chim, Wai (Maoist China)
• Alex and Eliza : A Love Story (series) / De la Cruz, Melissa (1770s USA)
• A Northern Light / Donnelly, Jennifer (1900s USA)
• The Count of Monte Cristo / Dumas, Alexandre (1800s France)
• The Secret Life of Kitty Granger / Falksen, G. D. (1960s London)
• These Violent Delights / Gong, Chloe (1920s Shanghai, NZ author)
• Enemy Camp / Hill, David (WWII Japan, New Zealand)
• The Forest of Stolen Girls / Hur, Jane (1420s Korea)
• The Librarian of Auschwitz / Iturbe, Antonio (WWII, Auschwitz)
• The Raging Quiet / Jordan, Sherryl (Medieval Britain, NZ author)
• In Our Own Backyard / Kayes, Anne (Springbok tour, NZ author)
• Courting Darkness / LaFevers, Robin (1400s France)
• Grave Mercy (series) / LaFevers, Robin (1400s France)
• Butterfly Yellow / Lai, Thanhha (1970s Vietnam)
• Dreamland Burning / Latham, Jennifer (1920s USA)
• The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue / Lee, Mackenzi (1900s England, Europe)
• Luck of the Titanic / Lee, Stacey (1912 North Atlantic)
• Last Night at the Telegraph Club / Lo, Malinda (1950s USA)
• Mr. Godley’s Phantom / Peet, Mal (1950s UK)
• Dodger / Pratchett, Terry (Victorian London)
• The Ruby in the Smoke (series) / Pullman, Philip (1800s England)
• Banquo’s Son (series) / Roxborogh, T. K. (900s – 1000s Scotland, NZ author)
• The Fountains of Silence / Sepetys, Ruta (1950s Spain)
• Between Shades of Gray / Sepetys, Ruta (WWII Lithuania)
• Flygirl / Smith, Sherri L. (WWII USA)
• Milkweed / Spinelli, Jerry (WWII Poland)
• Jo & Laurie / Stohl, Margaret (1860s USA)
• Kiwis at War (series) / Various (WWI New Zealand)
• Code Name Verity / Wein, Elizabeth (WWII England)
• Black Dove, White Raven / Wein, Elizabeth (WWII Ethiopia)
• The Telegram / Werry, Philippa (WWI New Zealand)
• White Rose / Wilson, Kip (WWII Germany)
• The Book Thief / Zusak, Markus (WWII Germany)