06/24/2026
West with Giraffes is a historical fiction novel inspired by the true story of two young giraffes transported across America during the Great Depression era. This book was published back in 2021, and I’m pretty sure my friend Morgan recommended it to me then… Better late than never!
Historical fiction is my favorite genre, and I loved being immersed in late-1930s America, with the Dust Bowl, the Great Depression, and WWII looming on the horizon. Probably a timeframe I haven’t visited since AP US History class.
This book made me laugh, cry, get a little angry, and keep turning pages. I especially loved learning more about giraffes, the “Okies”, and the Texas Panhandle, while also reading about the joy animals bring to people and the ways they often seem to accurately judge a person’s character.
I’ve loved several of Kristin Hannah’s novels, but I still haven’t read The Four Winds. After finishing this one, I think I need to add it to my ever-growing TBR list for another Dust Bowl perspective.
Any other historical fiction lovers? What are your all-time favorites?