Time travel to bygone eras with historical fiction

I never loved history classes, but as I've aged I've discovered a passion for reading historical fiction. The blending of fact with fiction helps bring to life events that seem dry and dull to me when read from a textbook. Some of my favorite historical novels are those based on real people who defied societal conventions to form their own paths. Below are a few of my recommendations, but there are many more available. If you contact your local library branch, any of our librarians would be happy to help you pick out a book sure to please you.

Loosely based on the life of Margaret Mead, "Euphoria," by Lily King follows three anthropologists while studying tribes in Papua, New Guinea, in the 1930s. Andrew Bankson, a linguist, is recovering from a failed suicide attempt when he meets American Nell Stone and her tempestuous Australian husband, Fen, who have both recently finished studying the violent Mumbanyo tribe and are settling in to study the unique, female-dominated Tam tribe. Bankson is fascinated by the couple, Nell in particular, and the three quickly become entangled emotionally and professionally. This novel is full of drama, intrigue, passion, and is set in a richly described and atmospheric setting.

If you are one of the millions of people who read "Eat, Pray, Love," by Elizabeth Gilbert, be prepared to be taken by surprise by "The Signature of All Things," her first novel following the enormous success of "Eat, Pray, Love" and her subsequent nonfiction works. It is hard to believe the same person wrote both works, because their tone and scope are so different. "The Signature of All Things" has the feel of a sprawling 19th century English novel, examining the life of scholar Alma Whittaker, who is raised in a wealthy Philadelphia family and is intelligent, curious and determined. She is drawn to studying and exploring Botany, one of the few scientific fields available to women in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. She is not solely focused on learning and scientific discovery, though; she also longs for a romantic partner and what follows is a poignant story of love and loss. While it is not based on one particular person, but rather an amalgamation of several women were involved in scientific exploration of the time, Gilbert's portrayal of Alma's life is thoroughly believable and beautifully written.

In the ninth century, there was very little that women could do beyond get married and raise a family, but in Donna Woolfolk Cross's "Pope Joan," Joan of Ingelheim aspires to be much more. Learning to read in secret as a young girl, Joan longs to pursue her love of learning and ultimately borrows her brother's identity in order to enter a monastery. Her healing skills become renowned and eventually catch the attention of the pope and she is drawn into his inner circle. Constantly in fear that her true identity will be discovered, Joan is torn between a life that is intellectually fulfilling and one that allows her to be with the man she loves.

In addition to the many books we offer, the Beaufort County Library is taking part in National Readathon Day on Jan. 24. To prepare for the big day, visit or call to join our team (of staff and patrons alike) to raise funds for the National Book Foundation. Donations help efforts to educate, tutor and create and sustain a lifelong love of reading. The community marathon reading session will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Jan 24 at the Hilton Head Island library.

Halle Eisenman is a reference manager at Hilton Head Island library.

This story was originally published January 17, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Time travel to bygone eras with historical fiction ."