Best Historical Fiction Short Stories Books of 2025

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald is a classic novel set in the Jazz Age on Long Island. Narrator Nick Carraway's encounters with the mysterious millionaire Jay Gatsby and his obsession with reuniting with his former lover, Daisy Buchanan, form the plot. Fitzgerald's youthful romance with socialite Ginevra King and the lively parties he attended on Long Island's North Shore in 1922 motivated the novel. The Great Gatsby is a literary masterpiece and a contender for the title of the Great American Novel. A Best Seller Classic that belongs on everyone's library shelf.

The Private Life of Spies and The Exquisite Art of Getting Even is a collection of short stories by Alexander McCall Smith. The book is divided into two parts, with the first half dedicated to spy stories and the second half to tales of revenge. McCall Smith's trademark humor and warmth shine through in these inventive and entertaining stories. Each story offers a unique cast of characters and a different plot, making for a massively entertaining and thought-provoking read. Overall, this book is a delightful addition to McCall Smith's already glittering library and is sure to please fans of his previous works.

Seven Stones to Stand or Fall: A Collection of Outlander Fiction is a captivating biographical historical fiction book by Diana Gabaldon. This book features seven spellbinding pieces, including two never-before-published novellas, that follow the lives of beloved characters from the Outlander series, such as Jamie Fraser and Lord John Grey. Gabaldon's exceptional storytelling and attention to detail are on full display in this must-have collection, weaving together characters' lives and connecting plot points. The book offers tantalizing glimpses of the larger Outlander world, making it an enjoyable read for fans of the series and newcomers alike.

Dubliners by James Joyce is a collection of 15 short stories that offer a vivid and unflinching portrait of Dublin at the turn of the twentieth century. The stories capture the cadences of Dubliners’ speech and portray their outer and inner lives with an almost brute realism. This definitive edition, authorized by the Joyce estate, is collated from all known proofs, manuscripts, and impressions to reflect the author’s original wishes. Penguin Classics has done an excellent job of presenting this masterpiece of English literature, making it accessible to readers. Overall, Dubliners is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human experience.

The Shoemaker's Wife by Adriana Trigiani is a captivating family saga that spans two continents, two World Wars, and the quest of two star-crossed lovers to find each other again. Trigiani's exquisite writing and attention to detail create a gloriously romantic yet sensible world built around the staggering cultural and social changes the war years brought. This epic novel tells the story of the women and men who built America dream by dream, making it a must-read for fans of sweeping family dramas. The book is a pure pleasure and a great addition to any family saga fiction collection.

"Uhtred's Feast: Inside the World of The Last Kingdom" offers a fascinating insight into the world of The Last Kingdom, the hit Netflix series based on Bernard Cornwell's acclaimed Saxon Tales. This book provides a deep dive into the historical and cultural background of the show's characters, locations, and events. As a military historical fiction book, it offers a unique perspective on the genre.

The Ways of White Folks: Stories is a collection of vibrant and poignant short stories that depict the interactions between Black people and white people in America in the 1920s and ‘30s. Langston Hughes, one of the most important writers of the Harlem Renaissance, showcases his talent as a lively storyteller, blending elements of blues and jazz, speech and song, into a wholly original idiom. The stories are powerful, polemical and offer a unique perspective on the collision between black and white cultures. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in American literature and history.

This book is an unparalleled resource for anyone looking to improve their spoken Spanish. With 101 real-world conversations in everyday Spanish, learners will become confident in the words, phrases, and expressions they need to communicate like a local. The story follows two friends on a vacation in Madrid, where they stumble upon some valuable paintings in an antique market. The book features situational dialogues from typical daily circumstances, preparing readers to survive realistic Spanish encounters in shops and cafés. Overall, this book is an excellent choice for those looking to improve their spoken Spanish skills.

The Collected Short Stories of Louis L'Amour, Volume 1: Frontier Stories is a must-read for fans of western fiction. This paperback edition features thirty-five action-packed Frontier Stories that showcase L'Amour's exceptional storytelling abilities. The author's all-time bestselling short fiction, which rivals that of Jack London and Robert Louis Stevenson, is now available to readers worldwide. The Gift of Cochise, one of the featured stories, is a tense and gripping tale that will leave readers on the edge of their seats. Overall, this collection is a testament to L'Amour's legacy as one of America's greatest authors.

The City of Mist: Stories is a posthumous collection of eleven stories by Carlos Ruiz Zafón, the bestselling author of The Shadow of the Wind and The Labyrinth of the Spirits. The stories are mysterious, imbued with a sense of menace, and told with Zafón's inimitable voice. Each story summons up the mesmerizing magic of their brilliant creator, inviting readers to dream along with him. The book offers compelling characters, unique situations, and a gothic atmosphere reminiscent of Zafón's beloved Cemetery of Forgotten Books quartet. Overall, The City of Mist is an imaginative and beguiling collection of stories that taps into a sense of ethereal mystery and otherworldliness.