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Quick answer: If you like Kristin Harmel, read The Nightingale, Sarah's Key, The Alice Network and The Paris Library. All are moving historical novels about women in the Second World War and the secrets they carry.
Kristin Harmel writes historical fiction such as The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker's Wife and The Paris Daughter, usually about women who show courage during the Second World War. Her books are emotional, readable and based on true history. The books below offer similar wartime stories and dual timelines.
Table of Contents
Quick Picks at a Glance
| Book | Author | Ages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Nightingale | Kristin Hannah | Adult | sisters in wartime France |
| Sarah's Key | Tatiana de Rosnay | Adult | secrets of the past |
| The Alice Network | Kate Quinn | Adult | spies and survivors |
| The Paris Library | Janet Skeslien Charles | Adult | American Library in Paris |
| The Rose Code | Kate Quinn | Adult | Bletchley Park |
| The Huntress | Kate Quinn | Adult | war crimes hunt |
| Lilac Girls | Martha Hall Kelly | Adult | women in the camps |
| The Tattooist of Auschwitz | Heather Morris | Adult | love in the camp |
| All the Light We Cannot See | Anthony Doerr | Adult | World War II |
| The Book Thief | Markus Zusak | Adult | narrated by Death |
| The Light Between Oceans | M. L. Stedman | Adult | marriage and moral choice |
| The Orphan Train | Christina Baker Kline | Adult | children on the rails |
| Code Name Verity | Elizabeth Wein | Teen | friendship in war |
| The Diamond Eye | Kate Quinn | Adult | sniper heroine |
| The Last Letter from Your Lover | Jojo Moyes | Adult | dual timeline romance |
1. The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
Two sisters resist the Nazi occupation in different ways. Sweeping and moving.
Best for: sisters in wartime France.
2. Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
A journalist investigates the Vel d'Hiv roundup in Paris. Poignant and haunting.
Best for: secrets of the past.
3. The Alice Network by Kate Quinn
A female spy and a young American search for a missing cousin. Gripping.
Best for: spies and survivors.
4. The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles
A librarian in occupied Paris protects books and people. Warm and moving.
Best for: American Library in Paris.
5. The Rose Code by Kate Quinn
Three women work as codebreakers. Tense and warm.
Best for: Bletchley Park.
6. The Huntress by Kate Quinn
A Nazi hunter and a young photographer track a killer. Dark and fast.
Best for: war crimes hunt.
7. Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly
Three women's stories converge in Ravensbruck. Heartbreaking.
Best for: women in the camps.
8. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris
A prisoner tattoos numbers and falls in love. Controversial and widely read.
Best for: love in the camp.
9. All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
A blind French girl and a German boy cross paths in wartime. Lyrical.
Best for: World War II.
10. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
A girl in Nazi Germany steals books and shares them. Moving and widely loved.
Best for: narrated by Death.
11. The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman
A lighthouse keeper and his wife find a baby in a boat. Moving.
Best for: marriage and moral choice.
12. The Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
An elderly woman recalls her time on an orphan train. Moving and historical.
Best for: children on the rails.
13. Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein
Two young women, a pilot and a spy, are caught in the Second World War. Devastating.
Best for: friendship in war.
14. The Diamond Eye by Kate Quinn
A Soviet sniper becomes a hero and a diplomat. Fast and emotional.
Best for: sniper heroine.
15. The Last Letter from Your Lover by Jojo Moyes
A woman finds old love letters and searches for the story. Romantic and sweeping.
Best for: dual timeline romance.
How to Choose
For more Harmel read The Book of Lost Names, The Winemaker's Wife or The Paris Daughter. For spies and codebreakers choose The Alice Network, The Rose Code or The Diamond Eye. For occupied France read The Nightingale, Sarah's Key or The Paris Library. For camp stories pick Lilac Girls or The Tattooist of Auschwitz. Harmel's novels are emotional, so these picks suit readers who love history with heart. Harmel often researches the real events behind her novels and includes author's notes. Her books are popular in book clubs, and many have discussion guides.
Related: Which Kristin Hannah Book Should You Read First? · The Women by Kristin Hannah Book Club Discussion Questions (With Summary and Themes)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kristin Harmel known for?
Historical novels set during the Second World War.
Where should I start?
With The Book of Lost Names.
Are her books true stories?
They are fiction based on real history.
Are they sad?
They are emotional but hopeful.
Is she Jewish?
Yes, and her heritage informs some of her work.
Are they good for book clubs?
Yes, with discussion guides.
Are there audiobooks?
Yes.
What should I read next?
Try The Nightingale or The Alice Network.
Which book here is best for American Library in Paris?
Try The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles, which suits readers looking for American Library in Paris.
Which book here is best for women in the camps?
Try Lilac Girls by Martha Hall Kelly, which suits readers looking for women in the camps.
Which book here is best for narrated by Death?
Try The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, which suits readers looking for narrated by Death.
Which book here is best for friendship in war?
Try Code Name Verity by Elizabeth Wein, which suits readers looking for friendship in war.