I’m so excited to kick off this series with Alexandra! Historical fiction is one of my favorite genres and I love that we’re sharing some of our top picks with you guys! Even if you’re not into h/f I’m hoping that some of our suggestions strike your fancy 😊
After you scroll through mine pop over to Alexandra’s blog and see what she recommends!
On the first Tuesday of the month, February through November, we’re highlighting books & films from/about specific eras that we recommend! (Television shows, too, sometimes!) There’s no commitment or link-up during those months on your end, but in December we’ll host a recap/link-up for the entire year!
Before I launch into some 1910s recommendations I wanted to share a conversation I had with K…
K: So… you’re sharing recommendations on your blog for each decade?
Me: Yeah.
K: As in… “Recommendation #1: Don’t get on the Titanic.” ?
Me: No, dear. As in book and film recommendations set in the decade.
He’s a total goof. Anyway, on to those recommendations.
Please note that the dates indicate the setting, not the publication.
B O O K S
(1900) The Magician’s Nephew [C.S. Lewis] kicks off The Chronicles of Narnia and is technically set in the 1900s. Potato Potato. (That phrase doesn’t translate well to text.) I think the Chronicles can get boring if you read them in a row without a break, but I really like this first book a lot.
(1911) While Peter Pan (J.M. Barrie) the play was written in 1904, the book wasn’t published until 1911, so it counts. I love diving into classic fantasies (Alice in Wonderland, The Chronicles of Narnia, anything Roald Dahl). I found this book to be fun and whimsical (although it didn’t age well p.c.-wise).
(1914) Last Christmas in Paris (Hazel Gaynor & Heather Webb) is written in letters and telegrams. It’s a slow historical fiction burn (with no sultry romance, lol), but it was enjoyable and quick to get through. Definitely recommended for those who enjoy war romances.
(1914) I’m 100 pages into Girl Waits with Gun (Amy Stewart) and it comes HIGHLY recommended by Jana. I will be finishing it soon because it keeps sucking me in.
(1915) Right now I’m reading Dead Wake (Erik Larson), a nonfiction microhistory on the events surrounding the sinking of the Lusitania. Sometimes nonfiction books bore me, but Larson writes the truth in a very dramatic and entertaining fashion. I love that I’m learning about sea life and the war and Europe (and how they tie together) all in one book!
M O V I E S
(1910) I doubt that I need to go into detail about the magical joy of Mary Poppins, right?
(The movies category is weak on my blog for this era. I don’t watch a ton of war movies, but obviously anything WWI would fall into this category. Do YOU have any suggestions for ME?)
B O N U S !
I’m a big ol’ fan of Downton Abbey. I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea (PUN INTENDED) but I think it has a great pace with plenty of ups and downs that keep you coming back for new episodes.
On the shelf…
I’ve heard great things about The Alice Network (by Kate Quinn). I bought it from Amazon months ago and I still need to read it. I know it’s set in the 40s, too, so if I read it by May & enjoy it I’ll bring it up again!
The Girls in the Picture (Melanie Benjamin) has been on my TBR shelf for a while. I actually think it’s all queued up on my Kindle. Anyone read it?
Admittedly, my post is light on recommendations for this era. (Alexandra‘s isn’t, though!)
Hopefully some of these selections appeal to your history-loving heart! In March we’ll be foxtrotting our way through the 1920s! We hope you’ll join us!!
But also… if ever transported back in time, don’t get on the Titanic.
Life as Louise 
Great suggestions and such a great idea! It’s not an era that is explored as much at all!
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Thank you! I agree. It was kind of hard to find suggestions but once I realized that I’d read a bunch of books from this decade it really took off for me.
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what a creative idea! i love it! also – that cup of tea pun was very solid. i need to experience more c.s. lewis so thanks for the reminder!
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I’ve only read the Chronicles from Lewis but my brother is a big fan of his religion-based books. I keep meaning to snag one off his shelf when I visit. I need to read more C.S. Lewis, too!
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I just finished watching the last episode of Downton Abbey!
Great recommendations 😀
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Oh man… allllll the feels. I LOVED that series so so so much! Glad you enjoyed it, too!
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I didnt think I would like anythign with this era – but Mary Poppins & Peter Pan & of course Downton Abby, you totally got me excited about this era…& I want to check out that Last Christmas in paris book now too.
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It was a very slowly built story, but I enjoyed it a lot. I hope you like it, too!
(Downton is seriously the best ever and I miss it so much!)
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I’m not the biggest nonfiction fan either but I’ve heard good things about Erik Larson’s books. I love history so I think that I’d really enjoy learning more by reading Dead Wake. And I still haven’t watched Downton Abbey but it’s on my list!
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I’m not getting through Dead Wake very quickly, but that’s normal for me when reading nonfiction (and when real life is kicking my butt, lol). That said, I love the writing. I’ve heard good things about Larson, too!
Oh mannn- check out Downton Abbey soon!!
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i love K’s sense of humor so much!! i also realized from your list that i love this era. (also i owe you an email!)
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He’s such a smartass. Lol. He makes me laugh all the time, though.
I feel like the 1900s/10s were America’s last few years before we got into wars and depressions and conflict. They were years of “the American dream” and revolution and engineering. Well…. up until the last few years when we jumped in WWI.
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Kathy recommended The Alice Network a few weeks ago to me, I need to get on that. Honestly, I am not a huge historical fiction fan. I loved The Nightingale and a few other WWII books I have read, but tend to stay away. Maybe you will convert me with this series!
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I own The Alice Network and I haven’t cracked it open yet. Hopefully I will by the time we get to the 40s.
I enjoy historical fiction from the 1800s and older. This is kind of new territory for me, but I’m realizing that I’ve read more stuff from this century than I thought!
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Hah! I will stay off anything named the Titanic. Good recommendation. 🙂 Thanks for sharing all of these. I have no ideas off the top of my head. LOL
-Lauren
http://www.shootingstarsmag.net
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I kind of wonder if I would’ve stayed off the Titanic. Hahahaha. I feel like (knowing what I know) I’d have gotten on, done the glamorous stuff, then just chilled in a lifeboat when I knew the sinking hour was near. Lol
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It’s so weird to go back and read certain classics that are SO very un-PC and often downright offensive.
I love Peter Pan and Mary Poppins. And Downton, of course!
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Man… I tried to ignore it in Peter Pan but they were SOOO sexist back then and they had a very negative outlook on Native Americans.
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Tell K I appreciate his recommendation to NOT get on the Titanic and will keep it in mind. 😀 Girl Waits with Gun is fantastic. Love it so much. The subsequent books are good but Waits with Gun is the very best. I’m not a non-fiction fan either but agree Larson makes them come alive. And Mary Poppins? Hands down one of my favorite movies and I LOVE the songs. I was a little worried about the remake but Emily Blunt is great and Lin-Manual Miranda sealed the deal for me, otherwise I’d tell them to Go Fly a Kite!
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He just thinks he sooooo funny. Lol
I’m very excited to see the remake/sequel for Mary Poppins. I feel like they’ve included the right people 🙂
I tabled Girl Waits with Gun because of travel and work chaos, but I need to pick it up and finish it!
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I still miss Downton like it’s a friend that’s died.
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YES. Perfect description of the Downton size hole in my life 😦
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This is such a fun idea for a series. I love the book Peter Pan and I have been wanting to read Dead Wake. I wasn’t a huge fan of Devil in the White City, but I have heard great things about Dead Wake. And I need to watch Downtown Abbey! Thanks for the recommendations!!
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I’m really loving Dead Wake. I love history but it’s tough to find books that keep my interest. This one has been great so far! Definitely check out Downton Abbey! It’s one of my all time favorite TV series!
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K cracks me up! LOL. Do not get on the Titanic. LOLOL Oh gosh, I have Devil in the White City and want to read it. Isn’t Dead Wake about the same thing as Salt to the Sea? Maybe I am mixing it up with something else… it’s tragedy and war.. and boats… and that’s all I remember now. I need to read it! I only have so many because I included the 1900s and also looked up a ton on my “on deck” list. I want to read last christmas in paris!! and Peter Pan. It is such a bummer about old classics that have become so terribly out of the times as far as PC things go. Sometimes I want to vomit and throw them out, other times i’m like “but it’s a classic! Can’t I just say times have changed?!” Ugh. It’s tough! So loving this project!! XO – Alexandra
Simply Alexandra: My Favorite Things
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He is such a goon.
I think Salt to the Sea is about refugees during one of the wars… Dead Wake is about the sinking of the Lusitania. I think you’d really like Last Christmas in Paris! And Peter Pan is great & whimsical, but it has allllll the sexism (and racism) of the 1900s/1920s. Bleh.
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Haha I am cracking up at “Don’t get on the Titanic!” LOL!!! I love Mary Poppins so much. I was her for Halloween so many times and my parents got me tickets to see the show on Broadway! It was amazing.
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He asked me that and I was like, “Ok, that’s going in the post even though it’s not *those kind* of recommendations” lol.
I bet Mary Poppins on Broadway is an awesome experience!!
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Oh my, I need to re-read the Magicians Nephew. LOVE that book.
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Me, too! It’s so whimsical and it has a great message about kindness and honesty!
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