World War II fiction is super popular right now from sweeping stories of resistance fighters to home front dramas.
While so many of these books have become bestsellers with huge amounts of praise, some equally amazing books may not get the same recognition.
Here are 5 hidden gems to read if you love World War II fiction.
1. Dear Mrs. Bird
In 1941 London, Emmy Lake dreams of becoming a war correspondent. But when a misunderstanding lands her a job as a typist at women’s magazine instead of a newspaper, she finds herself working for editress and advice columnist, Mrs. Bird who refuses to publish anything with “unpleasantness”. When Emmy realizes how many women write in for help and don’t get it, she secretly begins answering herself.
This book is truly wonderful. Emmy is the kind of character you want to root for because her personality is infectious.
2. The Warsaw Sisters
As tanks roll into 1939 Poland, sisters Antonina and Helena watch their beloved Warsaw fall. The Nazis hold over the country grows tighter and both must make the choice to protect their country and its people.
This was a recent read for me. It was a beautiful but heartbreaking book that follows the sisters through the hardships of war.
3. Salt to the Sea
Told from four different perspectives, Salt to the Sea is the tragic story of the Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945.
This book is one of Ruta Sepetys’ best. Her ability to take a little known part of history and turn into a fascinating story is one of the many reasons that I love her books.
4. The Blackout Book Club
In the sleepy coastal town of Derby, Maine World War II feels a little too close to home.
It’s 1942 and the U.S. has just entered the war. Thousands of men are leaving to go fight far away. One of these men is Avis Montgomery’s brother.
Anthony, Avis’s brother, is the head librarian of The Cavendish Association Library. But when he enlists, he makes Avis promise to take over as librarian.
While Avis has never loved books the way Anthony does, she commits to keeping the library running while he’s gone. But when the owner decides to shut down the library to turn it into a nursery for the children of war workers, Avis makes up a book club to keeps doors open.
Though this book club may have started on a whim, it becomes a place of hope and belonging for the community.
This was one of my favorite books of 2023. This book isn’t as heavy as other World War II books so it makes it a good book to start with if you’re new to reading about World War II.
5. Prisoner of Night and Fog
In 1930’s Germany, Gretchen Mueller has grown up as the poster girl for the National Socialist Party, after all, her father saved Adolf Hitler’s life and died in the process.
But when she meets a Jewish reporter who tells that her father’s death was not as heroic as she was led to believe, everything she’s ever believed about her world begins to fall apart.
While not actually set during World War II, Prisoner of Night and Fog shows Hitler’s rise to power and the volatility of 1930’s Germany.
Final Thoughts
World War II was important time in history full of hardships but also hope. These books highlight those times and bring to light one of the greatest struggles in history.
Are there any other World War II novels you think are hidden gems? Let me know in the comments.
