If you enjoy reading books by Ruta Sepetys then you might also like the following authors:
Elizabeth Wein is an author who writes emotional and intense stories set against historical backdrops. Her book “Code Name Verity” tells the story of two young women during World War II—one a pilot, the other a spy.
Captured by the Gestapo, the spy is forced to reveal information about the British war effort. The story explores friendship, loyalty, and the high stakes of war, all in a way that feels deeply personal.
Fans of Ruta Sepetys will find a similar focus on human connections shaped by history.
Kristin Hannah is an author known for writing deeply emotional and historical novels. One of her books, “The Nightingale”, is set during World War II and follows the lives of two sisters, Vianne and Isabelle, in occupied France.
Vianne faces unimaginable challenges as her home is taken over by a Nazi officer, while Isabelle joins the French Resistance, risking everything to fight against the enemy.
The story captures the harsh realities of war through the choices and sacrifices the sisters make, exploring themes of love, courage, and survival.
Anthony Doerr writes heartfelt and vivid stories that often explore human connections in difficult times. His book “All the Light We Cannot See” follows a blind French girl, Marie-Laure, and a German boy, Werner, during World War II.
The narrative shifts between their lives as war alters their paths. Marie-Laure treasures a miniature model of her town built by her father, while Werner’s talent with radios shapes his experiences.
Their stories eventually intertwine in a way that feels both unexpected and moving.
Pam Muñoz Ryan is a talented storyteller who writes books that often explore themes of resilience and identity. Her novel “Esperanza Rising” tells the story of Esperanza, a young girl who is forced to leave her comfortable life in Mexico after a sudden tragedy.
She and her mother move to California during the Great Depression to work in labor camps. The story follows Esperanza as she faces struggles, overcomes hardships, and learns what it means to rebuild her life from the ground up.
The rich historical backdrop and emotional depth make it a book that’s hard to forget.
Markus Zusak is an Australian author known for writing stories that explore deep emotions and human connections.
One of his most famous books, “The Book Thief,” is set in Nazi Germany and follows Liesel, a young girl who discovers her love for books while living with her foster family.
The story weaves through her relationships, her growing bond with a Jewish boy hiding in their basement, and her daring efforts to save the written word. The book captures the power of stories during dark times in a way that’s unforgettable.
Tatiana de Rosnay is a talented author with a knack for weaving emotional stories set against historical backdrops. Her novel, “Sarah’s Key,” tells the story of Julia Jarmond, an American journalist in Paris who uncovers a dark chapter of France’s past.
While researching the Vel' d’Hiv Roundup, Julia stumbles upon the story of Sarah, a young Jewish girl taken with her family in 1942. The book explores how Sarah’s heartbreaking decision during the raid connects to Julia’s own life decades later.
It’s a story that intertwines the past and present through family secrets, personal struggles, and the weight of history.
Jennifer Donnelly is an author who weaves history into her novels in a way that feels immediate and personal. Her book “A Northern Light” is a mix of fiction and real events, set in 1906 in the Adirondacks.
It follows Mattie Gokey, a young girl working at a hotel who dreams of becoming a writer. When a guest drowns under strange circumstances, Mattie finds herself caught between a hard life on the farm and her longing for something bigger.
The book brings you into Mattie’s struggles and shows the choices women faced in that era. It’s perfect if you enjoy historical stories with strong female leads.
Martha Hall Kelly is an author who explores historical events through the eyes of brave and resilient women. Her novel “Lilac Girls” is based on real people and follows three women during World War II.
Caroline works in New York helping French orphans, Kasia is a young girl in Poland drawn into the resistance, and Herta is a German doctor who becomes involved at a concentration camp. Their stories eventually intertwine, showing the impact of the war on each of their lives.
The book paints a vivid picture of courage, sacrifice, and hope during a dark time in history.
Julie Berry writes historical fiction with heart and emotion. Her book “The Passion of Dolssa” is set in 13th-century France. It tells the story of Dolssa, a young woman accused of heresy because of her deep, personal connection to God.
As she flees for her life, she crosses paths with Botille, an innkeeper who helps her hide. The book weaves themes of faith, friendship, and survival. Fans of Ruta Sepetys will find it rich in its sense of time and place, with characters who feel alive in their struggles.
Laura Hillenbrand is known for writing stories that uncover extraordinary tales of resilience and determination. Her book, “Unbroken,” tells the true story of Louis Zamperini, a former Olympic runner who survived a plane crash during World War II.
After drifting on a raft in the Pacific, he endured brutal years as a prisoner of war in Japan. The book brings to life the journey of a man who faced unthinkable odds, highlighting moments of survival and the human spirit.
It’s the sort of story that sticks with you, showing how people can rise above unimaginable challenges.
Lisa Wingate is an author known for stories that bring history to life through deeply human experiences.
Her book “Before We Were Strangers” is about an investigative reporter, who discovers a connection between her family’s past and a forgotten chapter of history in a Texas town. The story weaves between the 1980s and the present, exploring buried secrets and their impact.
Fans of Ruta Sepetys might appreciate how Wingate uncovers personal histories against larger social events.
Heather Morris writes stories based on real historical events, focusing on moments that reveal resilience and hope in the face of tragedy.
Her book “The Tattooist of Auschwitz” tells the story of Lale Sokolov, a Jewish man who is forced to tattoo numbers onto the arms of fellow prisoners in Auschwitz. While surviving the horrors of the concentration camp, Lale meets a woman named Gita.
Their connection grows into a love that gives them a reason to keep going. What makes the story stand out is the way it captures both the cruelty of the Holocaust and the humanity that manages to emerge in even the darkest times.
Timothy Snyder is a historian who writes about history in a way that’s both accessible and deeply meaningful. His book, “Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin,” looks at the horrors that took place in Eastern Europe during the Second World War.
It focuses on the policies of Hitler and Stalin and the unimaginable suffering faced by people caught between these two regimes.
Snyder uncovers personal stories and tragic events, giving readers a clearer picture of a time when millions of lives were lost to violence, starvation, and terror.
Ben Macintyre writes nonfiction that feels as vivid as a story, focusing on real people and secret histories. His book “The Spy and the Traitor” tells the story of Oleg Gordievsky, a KGB officer who became a British spy during the Cold War.
Gordievsky’s work exposed secrets that shifted the balance between the East and West. The book follows his double life and the dangerous escape he had to make when the KGB discovered his betrayal.
It’s the kind of story that reveals the human side of history, showing personal risks behind major events.
Erika Robuck writes historical fiction that brings real-life figures and events into focus. One of her standout books is “The Invisible Woman,” which tells the story of Virginia Hall, an American spy working for the British during World War II.
Hall is a bold and resourceful woman who navigates enemy territory, gathering intelligence and aiding the French Resistance. The book highlights her courage, as well as the dangers she faced behind enemy lines.
Readers who appreciate layered characters and vivid wartime settings will find it an engaging read.