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See also: [[Recently_Published#2022|2022]] | [[Recently_Published#2021|2021]] | [[Recently_Published#2020|2020]]
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See also: [[Recently_Published#2025|2025]] | [[Recently_Published#2024|2024]] | [[Recently_Published#2023|2023]] | [[Recently_Published#2022|2022]] | [[Recently_Published#2021|2021]] | [[Recently_Published#2020|2020]]
  
 
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! <h2 id="mp-otd-h2" style="margin:0; background:#cedff2; font-size:120%; font-weight:bold; border:1px solid #a3b0bf; text-align:left; color:#000; padding:0.2em 0.4em;">Featured Weekly Book Suggestion - 01/05/2026</h2>
 
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{| class="infobox bordered" style="font-size:95%; width:25em;"
! style="font-size:120%; background:lightblue; text-align:center; padding:5px 0;" | Industrial Age
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! style="font-size:120%; background:lightblue; text-align:center; padding:5px 0;" | Renaissance
 
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|-
| style="padding:15px;" | [[File:CityBeautiful.jpg|250px]]<br>
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| style="padding:15px;" | [[File:GracelessHeart.jpg|250px]]<br>
'''[[The City Beautiful]]'''<br>
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'''Graceless Heart'''<br>
'''Author:''' Polydoros, Aden<br>
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'''Author:''' Ibanez, Isabel<br>
'''[https://amzn.to/3oX7Xt7 Buy at Amazon] | [https://bookshop.org/a/15682/9781335402509 BookShop.org]<br><br>'''
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'''[https://amzn.to/4jt5hgW Buy at Amazon] | [https://bookshop.org/a/15682/9781250376695 BookShop.org]<br><br>'''
'''Time Period:''' Industrial Age <br>
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'''Time Period:''' Renaissance <br>
'''Time Frame:''' 1893<br>
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'''Time Frame:''' 1478<br>
'''Geographic Area:''' North America <br>
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'''Geographic Area:''' Europe <br>
'''Country:''' United States<br>
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'''Country:''' Italy<br>
'''Topics:''' Gilded Age, Jewish Immigration, Chicago World's Fair<br>
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'''Topics:'''Italian Renaissance, Medici Family<br>
'''Genre:''' Fiction <br>
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'''Genre:''' Historical Fantasy <br>
'''Reading Age:''' Young Adult, Adult<br>
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'''Reading Age:''' Adult<br>
 
'''Format:''' Novel<br>
 
'''Format:''' Novel<br>
'''Published:''' 2021
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'''Published:''' 2026
|}
 
{| class="infobox bordered" style="font-size:95%; width:25em;"
 
! style="font-size:120%; background:#fb607f; text-align:center; padding:5px 0;" | Content Warning
 
|-
 
| style="padding:15px;" | murder, antisemitism, homophobia, mentions of rape
 
 
|}
 
|}
  
'''''[[American History|American History]]''' > [[Industrial Age Booklist|Industrial Age]] ''
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'''''[[World History|World History]]''' > [[Renaissance Booklist|Renaissance]] ''
 +
 
 +
'''#1 New York Times bestselling author Isabel Ibañez makes her adult debut with a gorgeous, historical, and romantic fantasy perfect for fans of One Dark Window and Ever After. A lush tale full of enemies-to-lovers tension, whimsical magic, villain romance, and slow-burn desire, set in an enchanted, perilous Florence where forbidden power could ignite a war.'''
  
''' "An achingly rendered exploration of queer desire, grief, and the inexorable scars of the past." —Katy Rose Pool, author of There Will Come A Darkness'''
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'''“Truly radiant.” Rachel Gillig, New York Times bestselling author of One Dark Window'''
  
Death lurks around every corner in this unforgettable Jewish historical fantasy about a city, a boy, and the shadows of the past that bind them both together. 
+
LOVE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS MAGIC.
 
Chicago, 1893. For Alter Rosen, this is the land of opportunity, and he dreams of the day he’ll have enough money to bring his mother and sisters to America, freeing them from the oppression they face in his native Romania.
 
 
But when Alter’s best friend, Yakov, becomes the latest victim in a long line of murdered Jewish boys, his dream begins to slip away. While the rest of the city is busy celebrating the World’s Fair, Alter is now living a nightmare: possessed by Yakov’s dybbuk, he is plunged into a world of corruption and deceit, and thrown back into the arms of a dangerous boy from his past. A boy who means more to Alter than anyone knows.
 
 
Now, with only days to spare until the dybbuk takes over Alter’s body completely, the two boys must race to track down the killer—before the killer claims them next.
 
  
"Chillingly sinister, warmly familiar, and breathtakingly transportive, The City Beautiful is the haunting, queer Jewish historical thriller of my darkest dreams."—Dahlia Adler, creator of LGBTQreads and editor of That Way Madness Lies
+
As a sculptress, Ravenna Maffei has always shaped beauty from stone but she has a terrible secret. Desperate to save her brother, she enters a competition hosted by Florence’s most feared immortal family, revealing a dark power in a city where magic is forbidden.
  
==Emily's Review==
+
Now a captive in the cutthroat city of Florence, Ravenna is forced into a dangerous task where failure meets certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the immortal family's mesmerizing but merciless heir. But as he draws her closer, Ravenna realizes the true threat lies beyond Florence’s walls.
I'm struggling to put my thoughts into words, so bear with me. Growing up, if I managed to find books with Jewish characters at all, they were inevitably set during the Holocaust. It wasn't until I was an adult that I found books with Jewish characters set in other places and times. So I resonate with what the author says in the Author's note about being frustrated by that and wanting to write the books that he needed growing up. I also loved that this story is about Jews fighting back against injustice. We need more of that.
 
  
This is a story about grief, longing, and acceptance. It is about a young man finding his way in an America that doesn't seem to want him. Alter is doing everything he can to save enough money to bring his mother and sisters to America. Romania is no longer safe for them, but he's discovering that America is only marginally safer. Jewish boys are being killed and when Yakov, Alter's roommate and friend, dies, his dybbuk takes hold of Alter. A dybbuk is the spirit of a dead person who has unfinished business. It can possess a person to try and make them do their will - in this case, Yakov needs Alter to find the man who is killing Jewish boys and stop him before anyone else dies.  
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The Pope’s war against magic is closing in, and Ravenna is no longer just a prisoner but a prize to be claimed. As trusting the wrong person becomes lethal, Ravenna must survive the treacherous line between a pope's obsession and the seductive immortal who might be the end of her ― or surrender her power to a city on the brink of war.
  
This book has a lot going for it - a creepy atmosphere, romance, and a murder mystery. The characters are compelling and well-written. This is an unabashedly Jewish story, from dybbuks to mikvahs, Yiddish, matchmaking, shul, and the challenges of being a Jewish immigrant in America. It is a very gritty novel, with lots of blood and gore. And again - love that it was set in 1893 Chicago and not the Holocaust or New York.
+
==Emily's Review==
  
While I really liked a lot of things about this story, I found the romance element a little bit bland. I didn't feel there was much chemistry between Alter and Frankie. I also thought there were a few things that happened a little too conveniently. But these were minor enough that I still found the story engaging. My favorite character by far was Raizel, the girl that the matchmaker wants to match Alter with - she is feisty and smart and I loved what she brought to the story.
+
This is my second book by Ibanez, and I clearly need to read more, because this was fantastic! I would never have expected to give a Romantasy novel five stars, but here we are!
  
Because of the content warnings, I recommend this book for ages 16+.
+
The writing and pacing were perfect, and pulled me in, but it was the intrigue and romance that sucked me into the story. I was so immersed in the setting; this book was so cinematic. I think it would make a great movie, like Ever After. It has strong fairytale vibes!
  
==Other Similar Books==
+
Saturnino's character arc and his relationship with Ravenna was gorgeously written. Ravenna was a fascinating protagonist in that she was never entirely sure of what was going on. She reminded me a lot of Katniss Everdeen, just charge ahead and hope for the best.
Other suggestions on the subject of the '''Gilded Age'''.
 
  
{{#ask: [[Category:Books]] [[Topic::Gilded Age]]
+
I appreciated the fact that I could never be sure of anyone's true allegiance. The intrigue between factions kept me on the edge of my seat! So many twists and turns. I must have gasped at least a dozen times.
| ?Author = by
 
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Other suggestions on the subject of the '''Chicago World's Fair'''.
+
The yearning, the magic, the intrigue - I couldn't put this book down!
  
{{#ask: [[Category:Books]] [[Topic::Chicago World's Fair]]
+
==Other Similar Books==
 +
Other suggestions on the subject of '''Renaissance Italy'''.
 +
{{#ask: [[Category:Books]] [[Time Period::Renaissance]][[Country::Italy]]
 
  | ?Author = by
 
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* [https://www.Twitter.com/History_BookByBook/ History_BookByBook on Twitter]
 
* [https://www.Twitter.com/History_BookByBook/ History_BookByBook on Twitter]
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/arrrghschooling/ Arrrghschooling on YouTube]
 
* [https://www.youtube.com/arrrghschooling/ Arrrghschooling on YouTube]
* [https://www.BuildYourLibrary.com/ BuildYourLibrary.com]
+
* [https://buildyourlibrary.com/ BuildYourLibrary.com]
 
* [https://www.facebook.com/BuildYourLibrary/ BuildYourLibrary on Facebook]
 
* [https://www.facebook.com/BuildYourLibrary/ BuildYourLibrary on Facebook]
  

Latest revision as of 18:12, 4 January 2026

History book by book logo.jpg
Welcome to History Book By Book,
Reading your way through history... one book at a time...

> We are currently recommending a total of (1,100) books, divided into (65) specific booklists on this website.

First Time Here? Check Out: Frequently Asked Questions | How Do I Use History Book By Book (HBBB)?

General Outline

Prehistory Booklist (4,500,000,000-6000 BCE)

  • Stone Age (2,600,000-3300 BCE)

Early Civilization Booklist (6000-3000 BCE)

  • Ancient China (6000-220 CE)
  • Mesopotamian Civilization (3500–500 BCE)
  • Indus Valley Civilization (3300–1900 BCE)
  • Bronze Age (3300-1200 BCE)
  • Ancient Egypt (3100-30 BCE)

Classical Age Booklist (3000 BCE-400 CE)

Early Medieval Booklist (400–699 CE)

High Middle Ages Booklist (700-1399 CE)

  • Vikings (790–1100)
  • Aztec Civilization (1345–1521)

Renaissance Booklist (1400-1599 CE)

Enlightenment Booklist (1600-1699 CE)

Age of Revolutions Booklist (1700-1839 CE)

Industrial Age Booklist (1840-1899 CE)

Modern Age Booklist (1900 CE - present)


See also: American History | African American History | Indigenous American History | Jewish History


List of All Booklists

Other Booklists

Why is HBBB a thing?

I am a list maker. I love organizing booklists, to-do lists, checklists of all kinds. I spend a great deal of my time researching books for my job and I’ve often found it frustrating that there isn’t one reliable resource where I can find an organized timeline of literature. So I’ve created one. I’ve set out to create a resource that will guide you on a literary adventure through history.

You can find books here on just about every time period or historical topic and for any age level. I’ve done my best to research and vet each title to ensure that this list is filled with living books. I’ve noted content warnings when necessary and my daughters and I have reviewed many of the titles recommended. This has been and will continue to be a labor of love, as we continue to build this website and update these book suggestions. I hope you find it helpful!

Thanks and Happy Reading, Emily

Emily's Favorites

History book by book.jpg

Book Suggestions Published in 2026


See also: 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020

Featured Weekly Book Suggestion - 01/05/2026

Renaissance
GracelessHeart.jpg

Graceless Heart
Author: Ibanez, Isabel
Buy at Amazon | BookShop.org

Time Period: Renaissance
Time Frame: 1478
Geographic Area: Europe
Country: Italy
Topics:Italian Renaissance, Medici Family
Genre: Historical Fantasy
Reading Age: Adult
Format: Novel
Published: 2026

World History > Renaissance

#1 New York Times bestselling author Isabel Ibañez makes her adult debut with a gorgeous, historical, and romantic fantasy perfect for fans of One Dark Window and Ever After. A lush tale full of enemies-to-lovers tension, whimsical magic, villain romance, and slow-burn desire, set in an enchanted, perilous Florence where forbidden power could ignite a war.

“Truly radiant.” Rachel Gillig, New York Times bestselling author of One Dark Window

LOVE IS THE MOST DANGEROUS MAGIC.

As a sculptress, Ravenna Maffei has always shaped beauty from stone but she has a terrible secret. Desperate to save her brother, she enters a competition hosted by Florence’s most feared immortal family, revealing a dark power in a city where magic is forbidden.

Now a captive in the cutthroat city of Florence, Ravenna is forced into a dangerous task where failure meets certain death at the hands of Saturnino dei Luni, the immortal family's mesmerizing but merciless heir. But as he draws her closer, Ravenna realizes the true threat lies beyond Florence’s walls.

The Pope’s war against magic is closing in, and Ravenna is no longer just a prisoner but a prize to be claimed. As trusting the wrong person becomes lethal, Ravenna must survive the treacherous line between a pope's obsession and the seductive immortal who might be the end of her ― or surrender her power to a city on the brink of war.

Emily's Review

This is my second book by Ibanez, and I clearly need to read more, because this was fantastic! I would never have expected to give a Romantasy novel five stars, but here we are!

The writing and pacing were perfect, and pulled me in, but it was the intrigue and romance that sucked me into the story. I was so immersed in the setting; this book was so cinematic. I think it would make a great movie, like Ever After. It has strong fairytale vibes!

Saturnino's character arc and his relationship with Ravenna was gorgeously written. Ravenna was a fascinating protagonist in that she was never entirely sure of what was going on. She reminded me a lot of Katniss Everdeen, just charge ahead and hope for the best.

I appreciated the fact that I could never be sure of anyone's true allegiance. The intrigue between factions kept me on the edge of my seat! So many twists and turns. I must have gasped at least a dozen times.

The yearning, the magic, the intrigue - I couldn't put this book down!

Other Similar Books

Other suggestions on the subject of Renaissance Italy.

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Books. Lots of Books.

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