5OnMyTBR: Historical

Thanks to @LocalBeeHuntersNook for #5OnMyTBR – a weekly bookish meme where we share 5 books on our TBR list from prompts (which you can find here).  The prompt this week is historical!

I know a lot of people don’t like historical fiction, but I love it! It’s good that I do, because I want to study history at university next year. I love how historical fiction is a gateway to other time periods and cultures, and it always encourages me to research more into whatever historical time is being explored.

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The Weight of Our Sky

✿ young adult

✿ content warnings: racism, graphic violence, on-page death, OCD and anxiety triggers.

The Weight of Our Sky is set in the 1969 race riots of Kuala Lumpur. When the riots break out and she gets separated from her mother, Melati, with the help of Vincent, has to make it back.

This is a time I know very little about so I would love to read more about it. There is also mental illness rep since Melati has OCD, which is another thing I haven’t seen much of.

Ring Shout

✿ fantasy, horror

✿ publication date: 13th October

Set in 1920s Georgia, Ring Shout follows Marsye. She is hunting down and fighting ‘Ku Kluxes’, Klan members who have become monsters by feeding off hatred.

I think it will be really interesting to see how the Klu Klux Klan and white supremacy is explored through a dark fantasy, and I’ve heard a lot of great reviews about this new release.

The Pillars of the Earth

✿ 976 pages!!

✿ content warnings: rape, violence (check for more)

The Pillars of the Earth is basically a long book about the building of a medieval cathedral, but it’s more about the wide range of characters who come into contact with the town and cathedral.

I probably wouldn’t have given this much thought either, but it has high ratings and I love books centring around lots of characters and medieval England! So this probably isn’t for everyone but I’m excited for it anyway.

Gods of Jade and Shadow

✿ fantasy

✿ content warning: domestic abuse, violence, self-harm

Set in Mexico, 1927, Casiopea accidently frees the spirit of the Mayan god of death, who asks her to recover his throne from his treacherous brother. Agreeing will make her dreams of escaping her small town come true.

I love mythology and historical fiction so the two combined is my dream book!

The Nickel Boys

The Nickel Boys explores the horrors of 1960s America. After being in the wrong place at the wrong time Elwood is sentenced to a violent ‘reform school’ in segregated Florida and meets his opposite Turner.

I really want to read Colson Whitehead, especially this and The Underground Railroad, which both include the periods I am studying at college.

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Thanks for reading! Do you like historical fiction?

—ella♥