Lily Koppel writes engaging nonfiction, focusing on historical figures and events. Her bestselling book, The Astronaut Wives Club, highlights the personal stories behind America's space program.
If you enjoy reading books by Lily Koppel then you might also like the following authors:
If you enjoy Lily Koppel’s narratives about overlooked historical events and remarkable yet forgotten figures, you might appreciate Margot Lee Shetterly’s Hidden Figures.
Shetterly sheds light on the fascinating true stories of African American women mathematicians at NASA during the Space Race. Despite facing discrimination and challenges, these women played a crucial role in groundbreaking space missions.
The book weaves personal details, historical context, and a vivid portrayal of the women’s determination and brilliance. It’s an inspiring read that highlights the experiences of women who changed history but whose contributions went largely unnoticed for decades.
Nathalia Holt is an author known for bringing hidden women’s histories into the spotlight. In her book Rise of the Rocket Girls, Holt highlights the story of women who played a major role in America’s early space program.
She introduces readers to a talented group of female mathematicians at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. These trailblazing women, nicknamed rocket girls, worked behind the scenes with pencil, paper, and sheer determination to help make space exploration possible.
Holt’s writing reveals the untold stories of their incredible contributions during a time when women often remained unrecognized, giving readers a fascinating viewpoint into history that’s accessible and engaging.
Fans of Lily Koppel’s The Astronaut Wives Club will appreciate Holt’s ability to vividly portray women’s lives within the fascinating world of space exploration.
Liza Mundy is an author known for bringing hidden historical stories to life through engaging narratives based on true events. In her book Code Girls, she shares the fascinating but little-known experiences of women codebreakers during World War II.
Mundy highlights how their intelligence and grit contributed significantly to deciphering enemy messages. The book shows readers the quiet courage of these remarkable women, whose groundbreaking work was crucial yet remained secret for decades.
If you enjoyed Lily Koppel’s The Astronaut Wives Club for its vivid portrayal of inspiring women whose stories were overshadowed by history, Code Girls offers another moving exploration of female strength and determination.
Readers who enjoy Lily Koppel’s engaging biographies may find Sonia Purnell equally captivating. Sonia Purnell is a journalist and author known for bringing to life remarkable, yet overlooked historical figures.
In her book A Woman of No Importance, she vividly portrays the story of Virginia Hall, a daring American spy who worked undercover in occupied France during World War II.
The book reveals Hall’s courage, resourcefulness, and the extraordinary risks she took to fight the Nazis, all while facing personal hardships and discrimination.
With rich detail and narrative skill, Purnell sheds light on an inspiring figure whose story deserves to be widely known.
Kate Moore is an author who brings forgotten historical moments vividly back to life, focusing on stories of brave women whose experiences shaped history.
In her book The Radium Girls, she shares the tragic yet powerful true tale of young women in the early 20th century who worked painting watch dials with luminous radium paint.
They believed they were lucky to land such a glamorous job, unaware radium was silently poisoning their bodies. When illness struck, these courageous women decided to fight back, taking on powerful corporations in a battle for justice.
Fans of Lily Koppel’s The Astronaut Wives Club might enjoy Moore’s careful attention to ordinary yet extraordinary women whose struggles and triumphs deserve to be remembered.
Readers who enjoy Lily Koppel’s vivid storytelling may also appreciate Denise Kiernan’s thoughtful exploration of history. Her book The Girls of Atomic City reveals the hidden lives of young women secretly recruited during World War II to work on the Manhattan Project.
Kiernan’s engaging narrative uncovers personal experiences, mysteries, and challenges these women faced. Through friendships, secrecy, and astonishing sacrifices, the women of Oak Ridge, Tennessee became instrumental in history’s defining moments.
Kiernan captures their determination and captures an era filled with uncertainty yet immense significance.
Readers who enjoyed Lily Koppel’s narrative nonfiction might also appreciate Rebecca Skloot. She is known for bringing compelling true stories to life with vivid detail and empathy.
In her book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Skloot explores the life of Henrietta Lacks, a woman whose cancer cells were unknowingly used in groundbreaking medical research.
Though these cells revolutionized science worldwide, Henrietta’s own family had no idea about their use for decades.
Skloot weaves the history of medical ethics and racial injustice, along with the personal story of Henrietta and her family—creating a narrative that is both eye-opening and deeply moving.
Readers who enjoy Lily Koppel’s vivid storytelling about fascinating real-life events might also appreciate Susan Orlean. Orlean has a talent for bringing to life hidden corners of history and unusual tales.
Her book The Library Book explores the mysterious 1986 fire at the Los Angeles Public Library. She weaves the history of libraries into an engaging narrative of the fire investigation.
Through interviews with colorful characters, rich historical context, and thoughtful reflection, Orlean not only captures the drama surrounding the fire but celebrates the essential role libraries play in our communities.
Candice Millard is an author known for captivating historical narratives that explore lesser-known stories of courage and resilience. Her book, The River of Doubt, chronicles Theodore Roosevelt’s perilous expedition through an uncharted river in the Amazon rainforest.
The journey tests Roosevelt and his crew against dangerous rapids, disease, hostile wildlife, and the constant threat of death. Millard brings to life Roosevelt’s relentless spirit and determination, providing a revealing look at a pivotal moment in his later life.
Readers who enjoyed Lily Koppel’s gripping stories of historical adventure and human tenacity may find Millard’s detailed storytelling equally rewarding.
Books by Lynne Olson offer vivid stories of remarkable people from history, especially women whose bravery and intelligence often went unnoticed.
In her nonfiction work Citizens of London, Olson tells the lively story of three fascinating Americans—Edward R. Murrow, Averell Harriman, and John Gilbert Winant—who played crucial roles in building support for Britain during World War II.
Through personal details and little-known events, Olson shows readers how these men shaped history behind the scenes, alongside influential women who also navigated challenges of diplomacy, wartime tensions, and changing society.
Readers who enjoy Lily Koppel’s focus on untold female experiences in The Astronaut Wives Club may find similar satisfaction in Olson’s thoughtful portrayal of overlooked yet influential historical figures.
If you enjoy Lily Koppel’s blend of intimate storytelling and revealing narratives, you’ll likely appreciate the work of Elizabeth Gilbert. Her memoir, Eat, Pray, Love, takes readers on a personal journey through Italy, India, and Indonesia.
Gilbert candidly shares her experiences after a difficult divorce as she seeks pleasure, spirituality, and balance.
Her descriptions of vibrant Italian meals, reflective moments in an Indian ashram, and the warmth of friendships made in Bali offer an authentic glimpse into her life. This book invites you to join her as she searches for meaning, self-discovery, and joy.
If you enjoy Lily Koppel’s vivid storytelling and strong female voices, Paula McLain may be a great author to explore next. In her novel The Paris Wife, McLain brings to life the bittersweet romance between Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley Richardson.
Set against the vibrant backdrop of Paris in the 1920s, the story traces their passionate love affair through its highs and heartbreaking lows.
We witness Hadley’s struggle with her husband’s rising fame, her search for personal identity, and the intense atmosphere of a bohemian community filled with notable literary figures.
McLain writes with empathy and detail, giving a fresh voice to Hadley, a woman often overshadowed by the legend of Hemingway himself. If intimate portrayals of historical figures appeal to you, Paula McLain’s The Paris Wife provides both depth and rich emotional insight.
Readers who enjoy Lily Koppel’s lively portraits of historical figures might also appreciate Melanie Benjamin. Benjamin writes historical novels that bring fascinating real women to life.
In The Aviator’s Wife, she explores the life of Anne Morrow Lindbergh, married to the famous pilot Charles Lindbergh. The story follows Anne from her quiet youth to her marriage with the world-famous flyer.
It reveals not only the glamour and excitement of those early aviation years but also the deep personal struggles Anne faced behind closed doors.
Benjamin’s storytelling creates a rich picture of Anne that goes beyond her husband’s shadow and shows the strength of a woman who found her own voice.
Readers who enjoy Lily Koppel’s blend of history, vivid characters, and intriguing settings might appreciate Fiona Davis. Davis often sets captivating narratives against the backdrop of iconic New York City landmarks.
In her novel The Dollhouse, she explores the famous Barbizon Hotel for Women, a place known for sheltering aspiring models, secretaries, and editors in its glamorous heyday.
Through two parallel stories set decades apart, The Dollhouse reveals the secrets and dreams hidden behind the hotel’s doors, bringing to life the hopes and heartbreaks of women navigating ambition and love in different eras.
Fiona Davis’s emphasis on strong female characters and fascinating historical settings makes her books memorable additions to the reading list of history fans.
Erika Robuck writes historical novels that shine a spotlight on fascinating women from the past. Her book The Invisible Woman tells the story of Virginia Hall, an American spy operating behind enemy lines during World War II.
Virginia is brave and determined despite personal hardships and the constant risk of discovery by Nazi forces.
Through intense scenes and authentic historical details, Robuck creates a story that feels vivid and real, similar to the way Lily Koppel brings history to life in The Astronaut Wives Club. Robuck’s writing captures the heart and courage of women often overlooked by history.