Here are 100 books that Jane Steele fans have personally recommended if you like
Jane Steele.
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Iâve always been fascinated by books that explore the slow, painful unraveling of the human psyche. In part, I think because itâs something so many more of us either fear or experience (at least to some degree) than anyone really wants to admitâbut itâs also just such rich material for literary unpacking. I also love books with strong, angry female protagonists who fight back against oppression in all of its forms, so books about pissed-off madwomen are a natural go-to for me. Extra points if they teach me something I didnât know before-which is almost always the case with historical novels in this genre.
I love all of Sarah Watersâ works, but Fingersmith ranks among my most obsessively adored books of all time. I find it a near-perfect interweaving of meticulously researched historical fictionâpenned with Dickensian flair and graceâand compulsively page-turning thriller, marked by brilliant and utterly unforeseeable plot twists that will leave you slack-jawed.
It somehow manages to be wickedly funny, poignantly tragic, powerfully feminist, and gratifyingly steamy all at once. I also loved the Korean film adaptation of it, The Handmaiden, which not only embraces Fingersmithâs anti-patriarchal themes but ingeniously weaves anti-colonialist elements into the by setting it in Japan-occupied Korea in the 1930s. Â
âOliver Twist with a twistâŚWaters spins an absorbing tale that withholds as much as it discloses. A pulsating story.ââThe New York Times Book Review
Sue Trinder is an orphan, left as an infant in the care of Mrs. Sucksby, a "baby farmer," who raised her with unusual tenderness, as if Sue were her own. Mrs. Sucksbyâs household, with its fussy babies calmed with doses of gin, also hosts a transient family of petty thievesâfingersmithsâfor whom this house in the heart of a mean London slum is home.
One day, the most beloved thief of all arrivesâGentleman, an elegant con man,âŚ
In his father's jail, young Albert finds what he's always wanted: a teacher who understands him. But some lessons exact a terrible price. When brilliant murderer Edward Rulloff is imprisoned in Ithaca, he offers Albert an education most boys in 1846 could only dreamâŚ
Ever since I stumbled across the story of May Dugas, who the Pinkertons described as âthe most dangerous woman in the world,â Iâve been fascinated by women who were born into lowly circumstances and yearned to better themselves. How far were they willing to go to rise above their station? This question takes on added weight for women in earlier erasâwhen womenâs choices and opportunities were limited. So Iâve long been attracted to historical fiction that examines just these questions. And Iâve enjoyed hearing readersâ reactions to Mayâs story when I visit book clubs. What reader isnât fascinated by stories of transgression and daring?
Maybe itâs because of my working-class roots, but Mary Saunders, an obscure but very real historical figure, is the sort of woman I wanted to root for. After all, it takes initiative, ingenuity, and not a small dose of impetuosity to rise from a lower-class schoolgirl to, well, some higher station. I was saddened to see how Maryâs yearnings to free herself from the shackles of her class forced her into prostitution at a young age. But when she made a dangerous misstep that set her on the run and landed her a position of a household seamstress, I couldnât help but fear the worst for her. I was glued to the page in Emma Donoghueâs rich and provocative tale of this young girlâs quest for a better life.
Set in London and Monmouth in the late 1700s, this is an extraordinary novel about Mary Saunders, the young daughter of a poor seamstress. Mary hungers greedily for fine clothes and ribbons, as people of her class do for food and warmth. It's a hunger that lures her into prostitution at the age of thirteen. Mary is thrown out by her distraught mother when she gets pregnant and almost dies on the dangerous streets of London. Her saviour is Doll - a prostitute. Mary roams London freely with Doll, selling her body to all manner of 'cullies', dressed whorishly inâŚ
Iâm a former psychology professor, and I find that in both my reading and writing, I wonder about individualsâ backgrounds and motivations for their actions. I particularly enjoy novels that take a deep dive into what makes individuals behave as they do. And criminal behavior, with its violations of norms and laws, offers an especially rich opportunity for writers to delve into the reasons people resort to criminality. This is why I was drawn to the characters Celia and Ed Cooney and decided to write a novel about their crime spree.
I canât help myselfâIâm an author: I love an elegantly structured novel.
Ariel Lawhonâs novel is so entertaining and so well-paced that it was easy to lose myself in it. It all starts with the 1930 disappearance of Justice Joseph Crater.
Then we get chapters told from the points of view of his wife, maid, and mistress, with the chapters alternating and dovetailing in such a way as to provide a fascinating peek into the lives of the characters who revolve around the judge.
When I reached the final chapter, I felt like a big Rubikâs cube had clicked into place.Â
From the New York Times bestselling author of I Was Anastasia comes a âgenuinely surprising whodunitâ (USA Today)that tantalizingly reimagines a scandalous murder mystery that rocked the nation.
One summer night in 1930, Judge Joseph Crater steps into a New York City cab and is never heard from again. Behind this great man are three women, each with her own tale to tell: Stella, his fashionable wife, the picture of propriety; Maria, their steadfast maid, indebted to the judge; and Ritzi, his showgirl mistress, willing to seize any chance to break out of the chorus line.
A collection of twelve Sherlock Holmes short stories which spans Holmes's entire career, from the early days in Baker Street to retirement on the South Downs.
Penned by masters of the genre, these Sherlock stories feature a woman haunted by the ghost of a rival actress, Moriarty's son looking forâŚ
Ever since I stumbled across the story of May Dugas, who the Pinkertons described as âthe most dangerous woman in the world,â Iâve been fascinated by women who were born into lowly circumstances and yearned to better themselves. How far were they willing to go to rise above their station? This question takes on added weight for women in earlier erasâwhen womenâs choices and opportunities were limited. So Iâve long been attracted to historical fiction that examines just these questions. And Iâve enjoyed hearing readersâ reactions to Mayâs story when I visit book clubs. What reader isnât fascinated by stories of transgression and daring?
This novel created a stir when it first came out in 2010; it seemed everyone was talking about it. After I read it, I had to agree it was worth the buzz. In 1909, Ralph Truitt, a successful businessman in rural Wisconsin, places a notice in a Chicago paper advertising for "a reliable wife." But when Catherine Land steps off the train from Chicago, she's not the "simple, honest woman" that Ralph is expecting. She is both complex and devious, haunted by a terrible past and motivated by greed. She plans to win his devotion, poison him, and leave a wealthy widow. But Truitt has his own secrets and plans, and soon theyâre both in over their heads. I love novels like this that take me on an unexpected journey.
COUNTRY BUSINESSMAN SEEKS RELIABLE WIFE. COMPELLED BY PRACTICAL REASONS. REPLY BY LETTER. Rural Wisconsin, 1907. In the bitter cold, Ralph Truitt, a successful industrialist, stands alone on a train platform waiting for the woman who answered his newspaper advertisement. But when Catherine steps of the train she's not the woman that Ralph is expecting. She is both complex and devious. And, haunted by a terrible past, she is motivated by greed. Catherine's plan is simple. She will win Ralph's devotion. Later, she will leave him as a wealthy woman. What Catherine has not counted on however is that Ralph mightâŚ
Before fan fiction was popular, I would often daydream about the lives of my favorite book characters. Did Jane Eyre gain more confidence from her inheritance? Did Ponyboy find a way to survive his tragic childhood? Decades later, I gravitate toward retellings, often picking them up simply because I like the source material. Still, when I started working on this list, I realized what a daunting task Iâd set myself. There are so many! And I havenât even read two recently lauded titles: Barbara Kingsolverâs Demon Copperhead and Percival Everettâs James. So hat in my hand, I present these favorites ranging from serious to light-hearted.
I am a sucker for Jane Austen retellings, and this one is my favorite. Kamalâs characters are as vivid as their original inspirations from Pride and Prejudice.
The Pakistani setting also adds a layer of complexity. Even as the novel sweeps charmingly along, moments of social commentary cut through the lightness. Perhaps most satisfying is how Charlotte Lucas, here Sherry Looclus, gets a happier ending.Â
âThis inventive retelling of Pride and Prejudice charms.ââPeople  âA fun, page-turning romp and a thought-provoking look at the class-obsessed strata of Pakistani society.ââNPR
Alys Binat has sworn never to marryâuntil an encounter with one Mr. Darsee at a wedding makes her reconsider.
A scandal and vicious rumor concerning the Binat family have destroyed their fortune and prospects for desirable marriages, but Alys, the second and most practical of the five Binat daughters, has found happiness teaching English literature to schoolgirls. Knowing that many of her students wonât make it to graduation before dropping out to marry and have children, AlysâŚ
Iâm a writer who grew up in the Midwest, moved away for a while, and has now raised my own kids here. I love reading other writers' takes on what kinds of stories they see unfolding here. As I get older, I realize that great stories can grow out of the ground anywhere, with the right amount of sunshine, darkness, and water.
I still remember reading this book, which takes place on a farm in Iowa. It was my first glimpse of the idea that something so epic could be set in a place that I thought of as so boring.
Smiley's retelling of King Lear is one for the ages and a good lesson that greatness is only limited by your imagination, not your geography.
This powerful twentieth-century reimagining of Shakespeare's King Lear centers on a wealthy Iowa farmer who decides to divide his farm among his three daughters. When the youngest objects, she is cut out of his will, which sets in motion a chain of events that brings dark truths to light. Ambitiously conceived and stunningly written, A Thousand Acres spins the most fundamental themes of truth, justice, love, and pride into a universally acclaimed masterpiece.
I have been dreaming of dragons since I was a little girl, but I can never be certain what exactly drew me inâmaybe it was Dragon Tales, a show from my childhood that haunts me to this day. They fascinate me more than anything in the world, and to be able to craft my own version of them has been my greatest joy. I have never wanted anything more than the ability to ride a dragon. To be connected to something so magical and powerful that there are legends about them throughout the world, to have even a glimpse of them. Theyâre everything to me.Â
What a story. The world-building! The characters! The plot! This was my first introduction to Asian folklore and mythology, and I have to say there is a specific magic to it that has me stumped when it comes to finding something like it. Itâs one of my biggest re-reads ever, and its sequel is just as grand as the first.
A princess in exile, a shapeshifting dragon, six enchanted cranes, and an unspeakable curse... Drawing from 'The Wild Swans' and East Asian folklore, this breathtakingly original fantasy from the author of Spin the Dawn is perfect for fans of Leigh Bardugo or Tomi Adeyemi.
Shiori'anma, the only princess of Kiata, has a secret. Forbidden magic runs through her veins. Normally she conceals it well, but on the morning of her betrothal ceremony, Shiori loses control. At first, her mistake seems like a stroke of luck, forestalling the wedding she never wanted. But it also catches the attention of Raikama, herâŚ
Before fan fiction was popular, I would often daydream about the lives of my favorite book characters. Did Jane Eyre gain more confidence from her inheritance? Did Ponyboy find a way to survive his tragic childhood? Decades later, I gravitate toward retellings, often picking them up simply because I like the source material. Still, when I started working on this list, I realized what a daunting task Iâd set myself. There are so many! And I havenât even read two recently lauded titles: Barbara Kingsolverâs Demon Copperhead and Percival Everettâs James. So hat in my hand, I present these favorites ranging from serious to light-hearted.
I saw Alice Oswald recite this entire collection after accidentally getting locked into the Carlos Museum at Emory University (a story for another day). To say that I was moved is an understatement.
This book-length poem memorializes the two hundred soldiers mentioned in Homerâs Iliad. Its unflinching portraits of the warâs sacrificed men are in Oswaldâs singularly sharp, melodic style.Â
In this daring new work, the poet Alice Oswald strips away the narrative of the Iliad-the anger of Achilles, the story of Helen-in favor of attending to its atmospheres: the extended similes that bring so much of the natural order into the poem and the corresponding litany of the war-dead, most of whom are little more than names but each of whom lives and dies unforgettably and unforgotten in the copious retrospect of Homer's glance. The resulting poem is a war memorial and a profoundly responsive work that gives new voice to Homer's level-voiced version of the world. Through aâŚ
Iâm a writer who grew up in Massachusetts and now lives in Austin, Texas. Though I havenât lived in Massachusetts for over a decade now, I find myself drawn back to the stateâs coast in my fiction. My novel, Women and Children First, takes place in a fictional town south of Boston called Nashquitten. Iâm obsessed with how where weâre from shapes who we become and the ways we use narrative to try and exert control over our lives.
I first fell in love with Emily Ruskovichâs short fiction, and this novel, which takes place near a fictionalized version of Mt. Hoodoo, captures the same uncanniness of the ordinary that first drew me to her work.
She captures the landscapeâs strange darkness and stark beauty in such detail that I actually dreamt about it. And if youâre obsessed with memory like I am, youâll be drawn to the way she exposes the shakiness of what we remember as âtruth.âÂ
LOS ANGELES TIMES BESTSELLER ⢠A stunning debut novel about love and forgiveness, about the violence of memory and the equal violence of its lossâfrom O. Henry Prizeâwinning author Emily Ruskovich
WINNER OF THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST BOOK AWARD ⢠WINNER OF THE DUBLIN LITERARY AWARD ⢠NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BUZZFEED
Ann and Wade have carved out a life for themselves from a rugged landscape in northern Idaho, where they are bound together by more than love. With her husbandâs memory fading, Ann attempts to piece together the truth of what happened to WadeâsâŚ
I have always had a love for the YA Fantasy genre. Something about the fast pacing and the themes that are explored have a way of resonating with me more than any other. I think itâs because theyâre centered around that weird but pivotal time in your life when youâre no longer a child but not quite an adult. Itâs what keeps bringing me back, and I love immersing myself in that mindset.
This was the book that I brought on vacation with me, and then it forced me to ignore my entire family.Â
Itâs a dark and gothic medieval murder mystery with Criminal Minds vibes but in a YA Fantasy setting. A rare moon magic gives our protagonist Catrin, the ability to see through the eyes of victims as theyâre claimed by a serial killer, and the suspect may be closer to her than she thinks.Â
This book kept me up late into the night, trying to figure out who the culprit was and leaving me to suspect almost the entire cast. Itâs incredibly unique, and Iâm not sure Iâve come across another book like it. It was just as riveting the second time through.
Rising above the city of Collis is the holy Sanctum. And watching over its spires is Catrin, an orphan with unique skills-for she alone can spot the building's flaws in construction before they turn deadly.
But when Catrin witnesses a murderer escaping the scene of his crime, she's pulled into the web of a dangerous man who will definitely strike again. Assigned to capture the culprit is the mysterious, brilliant, and enigmatic Simon, whose insights into the mind of a killer are frighteningly accurate.
As the grisly crimes continue, Catrin finds herself caught between murderer and detective while hiding herâŚ
