August 2026
August Read More Reading Challenge
This month’s Read More Reading Challenge is all about stepping into another era! Whether you’re a historical fiction devotee or simply curious about the past, this month’s challenge invites you to journey through time—from the early 1980s back to the 1800s and beyond.
Historical fiction isn’t just for history buffs. These immersive tales span every genre imaginable: sweeping romance, gripping crime, intimate relationship fiction, and more. Dive into Fiona Davis’s latest release, The Stolen Queen, or escape to Regency England with Martha Waters’s To Have and to Hoax. The possibilities are endless, and our library shelves are filled with stories waiting to transport you.
Best of all? No pop quizzes, no homework—just the pure pleasure of losing yourself in the past. So grab a book, a cup of tea, and let history come alive!
A Book That Takes Place in the Past
The Stolen Queen by Fiona Davis
Genre: Historical Fiction
Description: In 1978, as a valuable Egyptian artifact disappears during the Met Gala, Met curator Charlotte Cross and young assistant Annie Jenkins embark on a high-stakes search that leads them to Egypt, where Charlotte must confront an ancient curse and the haunting tragedy of her past.
To Have and to Hoax by Martha Waters
Genre: Romance
Description: After their marriage has become cold and detached, a Lady and Lord in Regency England each fake accidents and illness in an escalating game of manipulation that includes sanitariums, fake affairs, and possibly a rekindled flirtation.
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Genre: Fiction
Description: Joan Goodwin, a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University, dreams of going to space after seeing an ad for NASA’s space shuttle program. Selected in 1980, she trains at Johnson Space Center with fellow candidates, including Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond, scientist John Griffin, mission specialist Lydia Danes, warmhearted Donna Fitzgerald, and aeronautical engineer Vanessa Ford.
The Hymn to Dionysus by Natasha Pulley
Genre: Fantasy
Description: A timely reimagining of the story of Dionysus-Greek god of ecstasy, revelry, and ruin-and a captivating queer love story for readers of The Song of Achilles and Elektra.
Not sure where to start? Visit the library and let our staff help you find the perfect historical read that matches your interests. Pick a time period, a theme, or simply a cover that catches your eye.
Looking for even more recommendations? Check out novelist for look-alike reads or visit our staff picks! Please stop by the library or browse our online catalog.