I'd highly recommend 'Gates of Fire' by Steven Pressfield. It's about the Battle of Thermopylae and the Spartan warriors. It's a great read for those interested in ancient warfare. 'The Killer Angels' by Michael Shaara is another one. It focuses on the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War and is known for its well - developed characters. And 'Birdsong' by Sebastian Faulks, which tells a story of love and war during World War I.
Well, 'Red Storm Rising' by Tom Clancy is a good one. It's a fictional account of a possible World War III scenario. It's full of military action and strategy. 'The Steel Wave' by Jeff Shaara is also worth reading. It continues the story from 'The Killer Angels' and focuses on the Allied invasion of Sicily in World War II. And 'Suite Française' by Irène Némirovsky, which was written during World War II and gives a unique view of the German occupation of France.
Definitely 'Fatherland' by Robert Harris. It's a fascinating alternative history where Hitler won the war. The world it creates is both chilling and thought - provoking. 'The Nightingale' by Kristin Hannah is also a wonderful novel. It focuses on two sisters in France during the war and their different paths of resistance. 'Maus' by Art Spiegelman is a unique graphic novel that tells the story of the Holocaust in a very powerful way.
I highly recommend 'The Red Badge of Courage' by Stephen Crane. It's a classic that explores the psychological aspects of a young soldier in the Civil War. It shows his fear, his search for courage, and his growth throughout the war.
I'd recommend 'Alice Isn't Dead'. It has a great story about a truck driver searching for her missing wife. The atmosphere it creates is both eerie and captivating. There are elements of mystery and the supernatural that keep you hooked from start to finish.
I highly recommend 'The Vanishing Half'. It has a really engaging plot about race and identity. The characters are well - developed and the story keeps you hooked from start to finish.
I highly recommend 'The Underground Railroad'. It's not only a great work of historical fiction but also a powerful exploration of race in America. The way Colson Whitehead uses the concept of the railroad is both imaginative and thought - provoking.
Well, 'The Calculating Stars' is a must - read from 2018. It's got a strong female lead who is trying to make a difference in a world that has been turned upside down. 'Record of a Spaceborn Few' is also a wonderful novel. It paints a vivid picture of life in space for ordinary people, their daily routines, and their hopes and dreams. And 'Annihilation' is a great choice too. The way it describes Area X and the strange things that happen there is really captivating.
Definitely 'The Poppy War' by R.F. Kuang. While it has elements of historical and military fiction, it also has a strong science - fiction - like magic system. It's a brutal and captivating story set in a fictional world inspired by Chinese history. It shows the consequences of war and power - hungry individuals in a very engaging way.
I highly recommend 'The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle' by Stuart Turton. It's a mystery - thriller with a unique time - loop concept that keeps you on your toes. 'A Column of Fire' by Ken Follett is also great. It's a historical fiction that continues the Kingsbridge series and is full of political intrigue and complex characters. And 'The Alice Network' by Kate Quinn, which is set during World War I and II and tells the story of female spies.
Definitely 'Sherlock Holmes' stories by Arthur Conan Doyle. Holmes' brilliant deductive reasoning in solving various crimes has made these stories timeless. 'Crime and Punishment' by Fyodor Dostoevsky can also be considered. Although it's more of a psychological exploration of a crime, it's still a very important work in the crime - related literature genre. Raskolnikov's inner turmoil and his actions are deeply analyzed in this novel.
Some highly recommended young adult historical fiction books are 'The Giver' by Lois Lowry. It's set in a dystopian future but has roots in our understanding of history and how society could be shaped. 'Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry' by Mildred D. Taylor is set in the American South during the Great Depression and segregation. It shows the life of a black family and their struggles. 'The Watsons Go to Birmingham - 1963' by Christopher Paul Curtis is about a family's journey to Birmingham during the civil rights movement.