2026 is National Year of Reading and we are going all in here at Norwich School! We know reading expands worlds, sharpens minds, and fuels creativity, so let's get inspired! Every month we are focusing on a different genre and hearing from a member of staff about what they like to read, why, when and where! We are kicking off in January with Historical Fiction and one of the school's biggest fans of this genre has to be Mrs Morgan. Let's find out more about why Mrs Morgan loves historical fiction...

Tell us a little bit about the genre; what common themes or elements do you particularly enjoy?

I love the characters who reflect the beliefs, limitations and social pressures of their era. Stories that weave real historical events with imaginative elements showing how ordinary people experience extraordinary moments such as in ‘The Help’ by Kathryn Stockett.

What was the book that introduced you to historical fiction? Was there a particular book or author that made you fall in love with this genre?

I have always loved reading historical fiction even as a child and this is possibly why I went on to study History at university. When I was growing up I loved reading books based on historical events such as Little House on the Prairie, Goodnight Mr Tom, the Hornblower series, classics like The Secret Garden and books by Phillipa Gregory.

Has your taste in this genre changed over time?

I think in recent years I have focused more on the stories of people who lived through tumultuous times, but who had a story that hasn’t been told like Heather Morris’ The Tattooist of Auschwitz.

Would you recommend this genre to someone who doesn’t usually read it? Why?

I think historical fiction gives readers something unique: the opportunity to experience the past not as a list of dates but as a living world full of people who feel real. It helps us understand how individuals living at that time navigated the forces that shaped their lives – war, inequality, migration, discovering, and in doing so it deepens our understanding of how those same forces echo today.

Do you tend to reread favourites from this genre or always look for something new?

I never re-read books as I feel like there are so many books available, I don’t want to waste my time re-reading one, even if I loved it!

When was the last time a book from this genre really surprised you?

I really enjoyed There are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafak, as it follows the life of a drop of water as it travels through different time periods and locations, intertwining the stories of the three main characters across various time periods and countries.

Do you prefer classic or modern books within this genre, and why?

Both – I’m happy to read anything! Obviously one of the joys of my job is that I get to read many new children’s books so that I can recommend them to Lower School pupils such as Tom Palmer’s ‘Resist’ and ‘After the War’.

What do you enjoy most about reading, whether historical fiction or anything else?

The spotlight it shines on parts of history or everyday life that might otherwise go unnoticed. I have just finished reading a few books by Francis Quinn which focus on the lives of people who did not become famous, but who had a vital role to play within the societies in which they lived. The Smallest Man, That Bonesetter Woman and The Lost Passenger all use real historical events as a backdrop for highlighting the ordinary people that have been caught in extraordinary circumstances. I have also recently enjoyed The Eights by Joanna Miller which documents the experience of the first women to study at Oxford University.

When and where is your favourite time and place to read?/ Do you have a favourite reading spot or routine for diving into books?

I usually only have time to read a few pages a night during term time, but I love to spend more time reading in the school holidays. In winter I love to sit on the sofa, in front of the wood burner with my dog snoring next to me and a cup of tea nearby! In the summer I enjoy reading outdoors, either in the garden or on the beach.

Which fictional character would you most like to have a cup of tea with?

I think I would like to share a cup of tea with Paddington bear as he would almost certainly bring marmalade sandwiches too!

 If you could step into the world of any book, which would it be and why?

I would love to visit the Faraway Tree in The Enchanted Wood! I would be so excited to explore the magical lands and meet Moonface and Silky, although I would do my best to avoid Dame Wash-a-lot’s water! There is a film coming out later this year and I can’t wait to watch it.

Click here to see Mrs Morgan's reading list!