The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah (St. Martin’s: Macmillan; LJ starred review) is the top holds title of the week (2/1/21). Library Journal and LibraryReads offer read-alikes for patrons as they wait for this buzziest book.

“Elsa, abandoned by her husband, leaves Texas with her two children to save her young son from dust pneumonia. Beautifully written historical fiction about a mother’s love and strength holding a family together as they leave the Dust Bowl and head West to fulfill dreams of green lands, only to find themselves unwelcome and with conditions worse than what they left. For readers who enjoy historical fiction with unforgettable characters, and fans of The Giver of Stars and Cilka’s Journey.” —Michele Coleman, Iredell County Public Library, Statesville, NC

READ-ALIKES

The Tilted World by Tom Franklin & Beth Ann Fennelly (William Morrow)
Appeared on the October 2013 LibraryReads list 
“The Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 is the backdrop for one of my favorite historical novels of the last few years. Bootleggers, revenuers, an orphaned child, extreme weather, a disintegrating marriage and romance. There are no dull characters or moments in this beautifully-written story.” —Janet Lockhart, Wake County Public Libraries, Cary, NC

The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline (Custom House; LJ starred review)
Appeared on the August 2020 LibraryReads list
“In her extremely readable fashion, Christina Baker Kline has created another masterpiece of historical fiction. This time she takes readers on a journey from England to Australia, where prisoners were exiled in the nineteenth century.The riveting story becomes personal as Kline engages readers in the individual stories of the enslaved women and their experiences. Perfect for book groups and fans of Lisa Wingate and Kristin Hannah.”—Marilyn Sieb, L.D. Fargo Library, Lake Mills, WI

As Bright As Heaven by Susan Meissner (Berkley; LJ starred review)
Appeared on the February 2018 LibraryReads list
“Beautifully written, heartbreaking story of four women in Philadelphia in 1918 during the Spanish Flu. I loved this book, as I have other books by Meissner and would highly recommend to anyone who loves historical fiction.”—Cathy Branciforte, Ramsey Free Public Library, Ramsey, NJ

The Women in the Castle by Jessica Shattuck (William Morrow)
Appeared on the March 2017 LibraryReads list
“Three German women’s lives are abruptly changed when their husbands are executed for their part in an attempt to assassinate Hitler. They band together in a crumbling estate to raise their children and keep each other standing. Rich in character development, this book is narrated by each of the women, giving us a clear understanding of their sense of loss, inner strength and the love they have for each other. This story examines the human side of war where the lines are blurred between hero and victim.” —Kimberly McGee, Lake Travis Community Library, TX

The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve (Knopf; LJ starred review)
Appeared on the April 2017 LibraryReads list
“Grace, a young woman with two small children, lives by the coast of Maine in 1947. Her marriage isn’t very happy, but she’s dutiful and devoted to her children. After escaping a devastating fire that wiped out her town and nearby forests, Grace has to become braver, stronger, and more resourceful than she’s ever had to be before. She manages it, and it’s lovely to watch happen, until something unexpected makes her life contract once more. This was deeply engaging and opened a real window on what it would have been like to be a woman in a small town in the 1940s.” —Diana Armstrong, Multomah County Library