Welcome to this week's edition of Top Ten Tuesday which is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week the theme is Books I HAD to Have Immediately but Still Haven’t Read (this is a throwback topic from 2022). However, given that this is the last Tuesday for me to do a Paris in July related Top Ten Tuesday I am going down that route instead.
During last year's Paris in July, I shared a TTT post which was Historical Fiction set in France. When I put that list together I specifically excluded WWII fiction, so this week my theme is Historical Fiction Set in France - the WWII Edition. I have started with two books that come to mind instantly and then the rest are more recent books I have read set in France during WWII.
A Farewell to France by Noel Barber - in the 1990s I read a lot of Noel Barber books and I have such fond memories of them. I am not sure they would stand up all that well to read now though.
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah - I am looking forward to seeing the movie of this one whenever it ends up actually getting made
The Resistance Knitting Club by Jenny O'Brien - I am just about to read the follow up to this book and can't wait! (review)
The Girl From Normandy by Rachel Sweasey - I really enjoyed this read (my review)
The Madamoiselle Alliance by Natasha Lester - What a fascinating this read was. It is based on a true story which makes it even more amazing! (my review)
The Librarian Spy by Madeline Martin - This one is set in both France and Portugal (my review)
The Paris Dancer by Nicola Rayner - I was nearly going to say WWII Paris, but then I remembered that the whole theme for this post is WWII which makes that kind of redundant! (my review)
The Resistance Bakery by Siobhan Curham - I love a book set in a French bakery so this was always going to be a winner for me! (my review)
The Last Train from Paris by Juliet Greenwood - I thought this was a really great read with an interesting story! (my review)
The Lost Sister of Fifth Avenue by Ella Carey - The title might make you think this one is not set in Paris, but the majority of the story is! (my review)
I feel like I read too much WWII for a while, and now I've backed away. A couple from your list sounded tempting, though!
ReplyDeleteThere are still some WWII gems out there but the market is pretty crowded!
DeleteThese are good titles ... I hear The Nightingale movie is coming out March 2027 ... but I thought it was out at Christmas. Darn. Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky is another good one set in WWII France.
ReplyDeleteThat was a good selection. Read it years ago!
DeleteThese look good. I forgot about Paris in July! I just haven't had the time 😭
ReplyDeleteHave a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2026/07/28/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-had-to-have-immediately-but-still-havent-read/
It's one of my favourite events in the blogging year!
DeleteIt’s cool that you found so many books to fit this niche!
ReplyDeleteI have a lot more!
DeleteFabulous!
ReplyDeleteI will link your post shortly.
Today, I had actually to do something very special alas, and far from France: https://wordsandpeace.com/2026/07/28/top-ten-books-by-keigo-higashino-1958-2026/
I saw that author had passed!
DeleteOoh I love me a good historical fiction! I may end up adding every single one of these to my TBR lol. I hope you enjoy them once you get to them!
ReplyDeleteMy Post:
https://thegentlechapter.blog/2026/07/28/top-ten-tuesday-books-i-have-not-read-yet-but-had-to-have/
I have already read all of these!
DeleteShe has haters, but I have loved each Kristin Hannah book I've listened to--especially the Nightingale. Yes there were a couple of....moments...but it was super compelling!
ReplyDeleteI have only read a couple of her books! I preferred The Women to The Nightingale
DeleteThe Resistance Knitting Club appeals, and this is the first time I have seen it.
ReplyDeleteIt's a fun read. I am reading the connected book now!
DeleteI still need to read The Nightingale!
ReplyDeleteSo many books so little time!
DeleteAnother great book set in France during WWII is Die Before Sundown by Mark Pryor. It's a historical mystery. I hope you enjoy them all when you get the chance to read them.
ReplyDeleteHere's my TTT for the week: https://readbakecreate.com/the-ten-holiday-reads-on-my-tbr-the-longest/
I haven't heard of that book before! Thanks for mentioning it!
DeleteI really want to read more books set in Paris. A few of these are on my wish list.
ReplyDeleteI always want to read more books set in Paris!
DeleteTHE NIGHTINGALE is one of my favorite novels of all time! It's SO good.
ReplyDeleteHappy TTT!
Looking forward to the movie Susan!
DeleteThe Librarian Spy sounds right up my alley. :)
ReplyDeleteLots of great titles here. I love Historical Fiction and also have a few of these on my shelf. I hope you love them if and when you finally get to them, Marg.
ReplyDelete