I'd recommend 'A Tale of Two Cities' by Charles Dickens. It's a historical fiction masterpiece that vividly depicts the French Revolution. Then there's 'Cold Mountain' by Charles Frazier, which tells a story of a Confederate soldier's journey home during the American Civil War. Also, 'Alias Grace' by Margaret Atwood is a great read. It's based on a real - life 19th - century Canadian murder case and explores themes of gender, class, and power through a fictionalized account.
One great one is 'To Kill a Mockingbird' by Harper Lee. It's a classic that realistically portrays the racial issues in the American South during the 1930s. Another is 'The Book Thief' by Markus Zusak, which is set during World War II and tells the story from the perspective of a young girl in Nazi Germany. And 'The Color Purple' by Alice Walker is also excellent, dealing with the life of African - American women in the early 20th century through very realistic and moving storytelling.
Some good ones are 'The Kite Runner' by Khaled Hosseini. It combines elements of realism and historical fiction as it shows the life in Afghanistan before and during the Taliban regime. 'The Underground Railroad' by Colson Whitehead is another. It uses a fictionalized version of the Underground Railroad during the slavery era in the United States to tell a powerful story. And 'War and Peace' by Leo Tolstoy is a classic historical fiction that gives a detailed account of Russian society during the Napoleonic Wars.
Some great realistic fiction books include 'A Tree Grows in Brooklyn' by Betty Smith. This book beautifully depicts the life of a young girl in a poor neighborhood in Brooklyn. 'The Grapes of Wrath' by John Steinbeck is a masterpiece that shows the struggles of a family during the Great Depression. And 'Anne of Green Gables' by L.M. Montgomery, which is about an orphan girl's adventures in rural Canada.
One great realistic contemporary fiction book is 'The Fault in Our Stars' by John Green. It tells the story of two teenagers with cancer and their journey of love and self - discovery. Another is 'Educated' by Tara Westover, which is a memoir that reads like a fictional tale of her escape from a strict and uneducated upbringing in a survivalist family to pursue education. Also, 'Where the Crawdads Sing' by Delia Owens is a popular choice. It has a beautiful setting in the marshlands and a mystery at its core, exploring themes of isolation, love, and the power of nature.
One great book is 'Because of Winn - Dixie' by Kate DiCamillo. It tells the story of a girl who befriends a dog and through that friendship, she builds connections with the people in her community. Another is 'Ramona Quimby, Age 8' by Beverly Cleary. Ramona is a relatable character with her everyday adventures and misadventures at school and home. And 'The One and Only Ivan' by Katherine Applegate is also a wonderful choice. It's about a gorilla in a shopping mall enclosure who has a unique view of the world around him.
Some excellent realistic fiction books for teens are 'The Hate U Give' by Angie Thomas. It's a powerful story about a girl who witnesses the shooting of her unarmed friend by a police officer and her fight for justice. 'Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda' by Becky Albertalli is another wonderful choice. It follows a closeted gay teen's story of coming out and finding love. And 'I'll Give You the Sun' by Jandy Nelson is a beautifully written book about family, art, and first love.
There are many excellent realistic fiction kids books. 'Ramona Quimby, Age 8' is a classic. It follows the adventures and misadventures of Ramona, a spunky little girl. 'Stargirl' is also very popular. It's about a unique girl who stands out in her school. And 'Bridge to Terabithia' is a moving story of friendship between two children.
There are several excellent realistic fiction kid books. For instance, 'Holes' is a book where the main character Stanley is sent to a juvenile detention center and has to dig holes. It has a complex plot with elements of mystery and character growth. 'Walk Two Moons' is another wonderful one that delves into family relationships and self - discovery. Also, 'Love, Ruby Lavender' which shows the life of a young girl and her experiences in a small town.
One great example is 'The Pillars of the Earth' by Ken Follett. It offers a vivid portrayal of medieval England, with detailed descriptions of architecture, society, and the lives of people from different classes. Another is 'Ivanhoe' by Sir Walter Scott, which is set in 12th - century England and features knights, tournaments, and complex relationships. Also, 'Katherine' by Anya Seton is a well - loved clean medieval historical fiction novel that tells a love story against the backdrop of 14th - century England.
Realistic historical fiction books typically blend historical facts with fictional elements in a seamless way. The characters' emotions and relationships are developed in a way that is believable for the time period. For instance, in 'A Tale of Two Cities', the complex relationships between the characters are set against the backdrop of the French Revolution. They also help readers understand historical events from a more personal, character - driven perspective.
One characteristic is that they bring history to life through characters. These characters are usually fictional but are placed in real historical situations. For instance, in 'The Pillars of the Earth', the characters' lives are intertwined with the building of a cathedral in 12th - century England. Also, they may explore historical events from different perspectives, not just the mainstream ones.
Some 2023 historical fiction books worth mentioning are 'Birnam Wood' by Eleanor Catton. It's a story that combines elements of politics, environmentalism, and New Zealand's history. 'Chain - Gang All - Stars' by Nana Kwame Adjei - Brenyah is also notable. It presents a dystopian view of a future prison system that has its roots in the historical treatment of prisoners in the United States.