Author’s Note –
Hello SHC! My name is Simone Cohen. I am a sophomore and a huge reader! One of my closest friends and fellow book lovers, Lily Cardenas, and I are proud to be the authors of this new SHC book column. Books have been our sanctuary for as long as we can remember. To boost SHC’s literary enthusiasm, we hope to share unique and extraordinary book genres with our student body. In order to do this, we’ll dissect what types of books lie within each genre. I’ll offer a few book recommendations, and Lily will talk to SHC’s faculty and students about their favorite books as well.
Historical Fiction Book Recommendations by Simone Cohen:
This month’s genre is Historical Fiction! Historical Fiction is a great genre not only for history buffs but for readers of all interests. It delves into historical events, capturing a personal and unique perspective to describe the event itself. Experiencing life through the fictional character, you will be immersed within the time period and the political atmosphere, and feel deeply connected to each battle the character faces. If you’re looking for some incredible Historical Fiction reads, try these:
The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini: This is one of my personal favorites because it touches on a recent historical event. The book takes place in Kabul, Afghanistan, and illustrates the numerous political, religious, and economic hardships people were facing in the 1960s and 70s. The story is conveyed through the eyes of a man named Amir. We see how Amir’s cushioned lifestyle is drastically different from that of his best friend, Hassan, a servant’s son. Hearing Amir’s story and getting a sense of life in Kabul illuminates the depth of the economic divide in Afghanistan. The author takes your run-of-the-mill coming-of-age story and transforms it into a powerful and inspirational novel about fear, forgiveness, and the true value of friendship. If you’re looking for a heartbreaking, genuine, and transformative Historical Fiction read, then this should be the book you pull off the shelf.
The Women by Kristin Hannah: The Women is a heart-wrenching and empowering read. It is the story of a nurse during the Vietnam War and all of the trials and tribulations she endured throughout her time at home and on the battlefield. The book illustrates the struggles that women have had to endure to receive recognition. The book also tells the love story of its main protagonist, Frankie. Kristen Hannah’s use of vivid imagery places you within the narrative, making you feel as if you are the one stitching up wounded soldiers, assisting in complex surgeries, and overcoming the pitfalls of heartbreak. If you’re looking for an intense, riveting, and enlightening book that paints a true picture of one of America’s most difficult stages in history, then you must read Kristin Hannah’s The Women.
Simone’s Standout Read:
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee: Pachinko is one of my most memorable Historical Fiction reads. The book is a Korean perspective of life in 20th-century Japan, a multi-generational recital of how age, gender, religion, and culture affect families and the challenges they must overcome. With each generation comes a new layer to this incredibly moving story, and with each new layer, a new epiphany is revealed. Its unparalleled perspective sheds light on cultural ideals and aspects of Japanese life during this time. Pachinko begins with the soon-to-be matriarch of the story, Sunja. Spanning from 1910 to the 1980s, Pachinko allows readers to watch as children grow up, overcome barriers, and fight both internal and external battles. Sara Hwang ‘26, told the Emerald, “I enjoyed the book because it introduced me to a new side of a culture I was unfamiliar with and because it felt honest and raw, a lens into a less idealistic family history.” By shedding light on both Japanese and Korean culture, lifestyle, and history, Pachinko delves into a predominantly untapped realm of literature. If you are looking for a book that steps outside of your habitual Historical Fiction choice while still allowing you to experience love, pain, and regret, then this is the book for you.
More SHC Student Picks:
All the Pretty Horses by Cormac McCarthy, chosen by Rei Dimatulac ‘25, is a challenging and complex read, but will leave you stunned. The author, Cormac McCarthy, is known for his many captivating and life-changing novels, like The Passenger and The Road. His prolific and unworldly writing style can be easily seen in All The Pretty Horses through the writing itself and the wonderfully complex storyline. Readers will be immersed in Western life and see just how easily childhood innocence is lost when we have to face challenges.
The Boleyn Inheritance: A Novel by Phillipa Gregory, chosen by Avalyn Preston ‘28, is a great period piece. It showcases the height of English society while also working in many political innuendos and historically accurate events. It is the perfect read for anyone looking to step into the world of King Henry VIII’s wives and see the harsh realities of love, power, and deceit within the British monarchy.
The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah, chosen by Alejandra Taylor ‘25, is written by one of my favorite authors. Kristen Hannah’s words practically fly off the page of every novel she writes, and this book is no different. Taking place in the 1920s, The Four Winds illustrates one of the most financially fragile times of our world. It takes readers on a journey of love, family, and perseverance.
Social Studies Department’s Historical Fiction Picks of the Month by Lily Cardenas:
*quotes edited for clarity*
The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara, chosen by Mr. Rocha, is a riveting piece. Taking place during the American Civil War, it paints a picture of the four-day battle of Gettysburg through a handful of characters, each with their own complex stories and emotions. Mr. Rocha loved how Shaara expertly details the historical aspects of the book, through meticulously researching “characters, movements, and strategies so they are historically accurate.” With this book diving deep into the military world of the American Civil War, Mr. Rocha tells us this book is definitely “for anyone who enjoys military history, emotionally complex characters, and seeing the consequences of decisions made by those characters on the battlefield.”
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, also chosen by Mr. Rocha, is a heart-wrenching read about the smaller stories of World War II. All the Light We Cannot See is about a young blind girl who goes to live with her great uncle, Etienne, after her home is destroyed and a German boy who attends a military academy for his radio skills who we eventually see are connected. Mr. Rocha points out that Doerr focuses on “shared humanity in one of history’s darkest hours,” a moving theme for the period. He tells us this book is for anyone who is in the mood for a cry and wants to “explore themes of courage, kindness, and the value of human life on a personal level.”
James by Percival Everett, chosen by Mr. Wilson, is a gorgeous retelling of the classic Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Written from the perspective of Jim, the enslaved man from the novel, it retells the original story in a way that “flips the perspective of the narrative to represent the perspective of an enslaved person who is much more sophisticated and intelligent than typically portrayed and “critiques the American Experiment.” Everett gives us a view into the difficulties of American slave society. Mr. Wilson says that the book beautifully “pays homage to philosophers and the inherent intelligence, agency, and compassion of humanity.” This book is for those who are looking to see various perspectives and how history can be retold.
We hope you all are having a great school year and remember that, in the words of Toni Morrison, “books are a form of political action. Books are knowledge. Books are reflections. Books change your mind.”
