My favourite historical and realistic fiction novels. Warning: these books tend to be emotionally charged
One of the most heart-wrenching books I have read, with a journey through time and place, complex characters and beautiful quotes
The Kite Runner (Essential Edition) by Khaled Hosseini, Paperback
“Learn this now and learn it well. Like a compass facing north, a man’s accusing finger always finds a woman. Always." Brilliant writing - a must read
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini
Brilliant book which weaves stories through time and place together seamlessly
Honor by Elif Shafak
A historical fiction told over many many years, realistic and heart wrenching with complex characters
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
“Nora had always believed herself to be a good woman. A kind woman. But perhaps, she thought, we are good only when life makes it easy for us to be so. Maybe the heart hardens when good fortune is not there to soften it”
Historical fiction filled with complex characters and folklore
The Good People
Poignant and heart wrenching
The Beekeeper of Aleppo by Christy Lefteri
Despite the very valid criticisms of this book, it would be a lie to say it is not an incredible novel
Memoirs Of A Geisha
A brilliant read - makes you feel like you are in 1950's India
The Henna Artist
“You see, when you clump people together and don’t understand their personal stories, you can make up any bullsh-t and convince yourself it’s the truth.”
Songbirds by Christy Lefteri
One of the first realistic fiction novels I read - emotional and jarring
I Am Change by Suzy Zail
Incredibly beautiful writing and storytelling
“And the air was full of Thoughts and Things to Say. But at times like these, only the Small Things are ever said. Big Things lurk unsaid inside.”
The God of Small Things
Emotional and raw - a story not often told and often ignored
Son of Sin
An emotionally charged book told through the perspective of a child
A Thousand Perfect Notes
A gripping book with complex characters and difficult themes including religion, t-rrorism, prejudice and duty. Interestingly, it is based on Sophocles's play, Antigone
Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie
This recommendation is somewhat of an outlier theme-wise: a thriller, mystery. However, it deserves a place for its gripping nature and incredibly smart writing
