Bestsellers with a Historical Twist

Try these books if you're looking for:

• Bestsellers
• Historical elements (although not necessarily historical fiction)

The Kite Runner
By Khaled Hosseini
F HOSSEINI
Amir, the privileged son of a wealthy businessman in Kabul, and Hassan, the son of Amir's father's servant, spend their childhood as inseparable friends. They run kites and tell stories, enjoying their life until an unspeakable event changes the nature of their relationship forever.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time
By Mark Haddon
F HADDON
Christopher Boone, a fifteen-year-old with autism, decides to imitate Sherlock Holmes, one of his favorite characters, when his neighbor’s dog is murdered.

The Thirteenth Tale
By Diane Setterfield
F SETTERFIELD
Margaret Lea is contacted by aging author Vida Winter, who to tell her life story. Margaret travels to Yorkshire to undertake a task more daunting than it may appear, as Vida has given many versions of her life and Margaret has to sort through fiction to find the facts of Vida’s life.

Water for Elephants
By Sara Gruen
F GRUEN
Jacob Jankowski, now in his nineties, is spending his days in a nursing home, quite a contrast to his earlier days in a circus. Serving as a quasi-vet, he has an up-close view of the schizophrenic animal trainer, the wife-beating circus boss—and the beautiful wife in question, as well as the animals, including Rosie, an elephant who seems untrainable.