The Map of Love by Ahdaf Soueif
This tale of two women told in dual timelines—the turn of the twentieth and twenty-first centuries—is interwoven with the history of modern Egypt in a breathtaking blend of culture, politics, and passion. Brimming with gorgeous prose, a vivid setting, and two captivating love stories, this is one of my all-time favorite books.
The Bronze Horseman by Paullina Simons
A sweeping love story and engrossing coming-of-age saga set against the backdrop of World War II and the German siege on Leningrad. Filled with rich detail and packing an emotional punch, this is one of those books that will stay with you long after you have finished reading.
Fortune’s Rocks by Anita Shreve
Set at a beach house in New Hampshire at the end of the nineteenth century, this novel is a tour de force—equal parts coming-of-age tale and forbidden love story—with fascinating insight into the time period and the role of women. Emotional, compelling, and vividly depicted, Shreve’s prose is masterful and her characters leap off the page.
Along the Infinite Sea by Beatriz Williams
Alternating between 1960s Palm Beach and Europe during World War II, this is the story of two glamorous and daring women bound by a mystery wrapped up in a vintage Mercedes and an epic tale of star-crossed lovers. Poignant and powerful, this is a book you won’t want to put down and one I’ve reread many, many times.
The Memoirs of Cleopatra by Margaret George
The breadth and scope of George’s novel is extraordinary in this lush epic of ancient Egypt that brings Cleopatra back to life and honors her cunning and courage. Meticulously researched and thoroughly immersive, this is a fascinating depiction of the life of one of history’s most interesting women.