The Importance of Reading Historical Fiction and The Benefits of Buying Second Hand Books

History is broadly defined as “ the study of past events, particularly in human affairs”, and also mostly understood when presented in a chronological way. That’s why some also defined the subject as the ‘chronological record of the past’.

Knowing the past is extremely important for any society and human being. Past gives us insights into our evolving behaviour in matters of life, love, mutuality, war, diplomacy and peace. Here are some of the reasons why reading historical fiction is important and the benefits of buying second hand books.

Understanding history

Historical fiction can also put history into perspective for the reader. By the time I left elementary school, I had a basic understanding of the order of events that occurred in U.S. history. I knew the American Revolution came before the Civil War, pioneers lived in the 1800s, and the Great Depression was quickly followed by World War II. Having that background knowledge opened up so many educational doors to me. To this day I use information I learned from historical fiction books to create context when I read the news. 

History serves as a warning

When we don’t pay attention, history may repeat itself. We learn from the great mistakes of humanity in the past so as not to repeat.

Reading for pleasure

One of the great things about history lessons in schools is that they give children the extra information they need to fully grasp and understand historical fiction. To understand a novel, is to better enjoy it. We know that history lessons are supported by reading around the subject, and that historical fiction supports learning, but the same is also true the other way around. The child who loves the Romans can become an avid reader with the subtle classroom introduction of fictional texts such as Caroline Lawrence’s Roman Mysteries, or the extraordinary body of work left to us by Rosemary Sutcliff.

Putting the people back

Historical fiction puts the people back into history. Children often struggle to interpret historical events it is a time that is far removed from their own life experience. A young reader who has, perhaps, not long mastered reading, can often find themselves feeling excluded from the study of real historical events. Fiction places them firmly in the action, and can help them to understand how events came about in the first place.

With fiction we can see deeper into the human intricacies of the events of the past, and this gives us a more personal sense of understanding. Author Ruta Septys, in her acceptance speech for the 2017 Carnegie Medal, rightly said that “history teaches us the names of the villains, but historical fiction teaches us the names of the victims.”

When young people are able to see a period or moment in history from many different angles, it not only aids understanding, but also demonstrates that these many facets exist in the first place. Historical fiction can allow children to “meet” characters with which they share some similarity. Historical fiction can not only show them how different their lives are from those in the past, but also how similar they are.

Feeding curiosity

Children are inherently curious. Tell them of an interesting time or place and they want to know more, but they often struggle to understand the perspectives laid out in non-fiction. A child is understandably going to find it almost impossible to grasp the horrors of Nazi occupation, but a picture book such as Ian McEwan and Roberto Innocenti’s, Rose Blanche puts the reader into the child’s shoes. Books like this also provide us with discussion points for the classroom, and this feeds curiosity. A curious child is a child who will seek out more information, and great fiction can be the trail of breadcrumbs that a child follows to a place of greater knowledge. They want to ask questions, and they deserve answers, and the classroom is a good place to explore this.

Lifelong learning

If one of your reading priorities is to continue lifelong learning, historical fiction should be a part of your reading life. Retelling history from the perspective of fictional characters can create an emotional connection to past events. By experiencing history through the eyes of characters I care about, I gain a greater understanding of different time periods. Eastern European politics in the early 1990s might seem dull. But when you read through the eyes of a child soldier in Croatia, like in Sara Novic’s “Girl at War,” you gain a much better understanding of the political turmoil of the era.

Compare histories

History provides Comparative insights into histories of other civilizations. Without History there is no Politics. History is the Root and politics is the fruit.

Untold stories

As an adult, continuing to read historical fiction has opened my eyes to new time periods I knew nothing about. History class can only teach you so much. In the U.S. so much of our high school social studies focuses on American history and government. One author who has really opened my eyes to new history is Ruta Sepetys. Her novel “Salt to the Sea” taught me about the sinking of the Wilhelm Gustloff in 1945. More people died in that disaster than in the sinking of the Titanic, yet I had never heard of it. Her latest novel, “The Fountains of Silence,” takes place in 1950s Spain, when General Francisco Franco ruled as dictator. Because I knew nothing of Spanish history, this book forced me to do some background research to gain a better understanding of the time period.

Putting the people back

Historical fiction puts the people back into history. Children often struggle to interpret historical events it is a time that is far removed from their own life experience. A young reader who has, perhaps, not long mastered reading, can often find themselves feeling excluded from the study of real historical events. Fiction places them firmly in the action, and can help them to understand how events came about in the first place.

With fiction we can see deeper into the human intricacies of the events of the past, and this gives us a more personal sense of understanding. Author Ruta Septys, in her acceptance speech for the 2017 Carnegie Medal, rightly said that “history teaches us the names of the villains, but historical fiction teaches us the names of the victims.”

When young people are able to see a period or moment in history from many different angles, it not only aids understanding, but also demonstrates that these many facets exist in the first place. Historical fiction can allow children to “meet” characters with which they share some similarity. Historical fiction can not only show them how different their lives are from those in the past, but also how similar they are.

Second Hand Books Online 

"You can't buy happiness, but you can purchase a book, and that's kind of the same thing," says a quotation that any bookworm would agree with. That experience is amplified when you buy a used book; it's also more cheap and healthier for the environment. The following are some of the advantages of buying used books online, according to Gumtree: 

Why Buy Second Hand Books Online? 

Second hand books are cheaper than new books 

When compared to buying new books in a bookshop, buying second hand books online can save time, money, and effort. 

Satisfaction of second hand books 

Second hand books have a certain charm and magic about them that newer books may lack. Faded pages, unreadable notes, and the smell of used books all contribute to the allure of second hand books as a reading experience. 

Eco-friendly second hand books 

Second hand books are better for the environment since they save resources, trees, and raw materials. 

Buying second hand books enhances your library collection 

Buying old second hand books allows you to realize a lifelong desire of amassing your own collection or little library of books from all genres without breaking the budget. 

Broaden your horizons with second hand books. 

The trend in new bookstores is to stock the most popular books based on a bestsellers list, or books that everyone wants to read. However, you never know what you might find in a second hand bookstore — a first edition of a masterpiece or a long-lost treasure. 

We all understand the importance of reading and instilling the habit in our children. But how does it help in particular? According to Usedbooksfactory: 

• Enhances your creativity 
• Expands your lexicon and knowledge base 
• Provides more mental stimulation 
• It aids in the reduction of stress. 
• Memory and cognitive reasoning are enhanced. 
• Enhances analytical reasoning 
• Assists with concentration and focus. 

Now that you've learned about the benefits of buying second hand books, it's time to go shopping! Visit Usedbooksfactory to purchase discounted second hand books from the convenience of your own home.