I went through a phase earlier this year where I became fascinated by books that took place during WWII and sought out as many as I could find. These are some of those, as well as some previous reads that fit the theme.
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin
The Things We Cannot Say by Kelly Rimmer
The Postcard by Anne Berest
A House in the Country by Jocelyn Playfair
When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr
Small Island by Andrea Levy
Live After Life by Kate Atkinson
Mr. Churchill’s Secretary by Susan Elia MacNeal
Restless by William Boyd
Dear Mrs. Bird by AJ Pearce
Henrietta’s War by Joyce Dennys
Warlight by Michael Ondaatje
Most of these I’ve read and remember, a few I’ve read and only have a vague recollection of, and Warlight takes place, I believe, mostly right after WWII, so it’s stretching the theme slightly. But it also does a brilliant job of capturing post-Blitz London, and that’s something I’ve not experienced in another book I’ve read so far, so I wanted to include it.
What topic did you guys choose this week? Anyone else select a time period, or even WWII like me? Did any of my books make it onto your list?
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
I loved Life After Life and I’ve been eyeing The Librarian Spy . Great picks!
I enjoyed Life After Life as well! The Librarian Spy wasn’t as good of a book, just taken on its writing and plot, but it did focus on a part of Europe I knew nothing about during that time, so that part of it made it very interesting for me. Worth a go if you’re also intrigued!
I really love Life After life. I thought it was so clever. You made some really strong choices this week.
Thank you! I liked Life After Life as well, but wasn’t such a fan of the sequel, unfortunately!
I’ve read several of these and enjoyed them. I have Mr. Churchill’s Secretary on my TBR.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/visit-toronto-ten-books-set-in-the-greater-toronto-area/
I think it’s the beginning of a series, though I never got past the first book! Honestly I only have the vaguest of memories of it…
Great choice, definitely a lot with this setting.
I went to Paris: https://wordsandpeace.com/2025/07/22/top-ten-books-with-paris-in-the-title/
Thank you!
I’m reading a great one right now – The Collector of Burned Books by Roseanna M. White 🙂 https://readingismysuperpower.org/2025/07/21/top-ten-tuesday-books-set-in-a-big-city-summer-reading-challenge-giveaway/
Excellent! I don’t know why, but I do enjoy WWII books!
Ooh, I like Coventry’s cover. I also went with a war, but in my case I chose The American Civil War.
I read Coventry ages ago so it’s a little hazy, but I feel like it was as good as its cover! It’s a weird thing, I’m not usually that into reading about wars, but I do like personal stories that take place during them. I’ll pop over and see if you’ve got any like that in your list!