The Recommended Reading Path
As a relatively new but highly acclaimed voice in historical fiction, Dianna Rostad has focusing her talents on deeply researched, standalone historical dramas. Since she currently writes standalone novels, you can read her work in any order. The best place to start is with her breakout debut novel, which has captured the hearts of historical fiction fans and book clubs alike.
1. Start Here: You Belong Here Now (2021)
Your journey should begin with Dianna Rostad’s award-winning debut, You Belong Here Now. Set in 1925, this novel follows three orphans—Charles, Patrick, and Opal—who escape the harsh streets of New York City's Hell's Kitchen via an Orphan Train. They end up in the rugged landscape of Bull Mountain, Montana, where they seek a new beginning on a cattle ranch. It is a story about the true meaning of family, survival under the Big Sky, and finding hope in unexpected places. The novel was named a finalist for the 2022 WILLA Literary Award for Historical Fiction and was shortlisted for the Reading the West Debut Fiction Award.
2. What's Next: A Giant in the Mountains (Forthcoming)
For readers looking forward to Rostad's next project, she has been working on a historical novel titled A Giant in the Mountains. Set in 1933 against the backdrop of Western North Carolina during the Great Depression, this upcoming release promises another immersive, atmospheric look at American history and resilient characters finding their footing in challenging times.
Publication Order of Standalone Novels
Since Dianna Rostad writes standalone historical fiction, her publication order is straightforward. Here is the order of her published and announced standalone works:
- You Belong Here Now (2021)
- A Giant in the Mountains (Forthcoming / Work-in-Progress)
What to Know Before You Start
Before diving into Dianna Rostad’s writing, here are a few key details that will enrich your reading experience:
- The Orphan Train Movement: You Belong Here Now is heavily grounded in the real-world history of the Orphan Train Movement, which relocated over 200,000 orphaned, abandoned, or abused children from Eastern cities to rural areas in the West between 1854 and 1929.
- Personal Roots: The author draws deep inspiration from her own family history. Her grandfather was a Montana cowboy, and her family's ranching heritage in the Pacific Northwest and Montana helps bring the setting of her debut novel to life with vivid authenticity.
- Reading Recommendations: If you enjoy books like This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger or Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline, Rostad’s writing style—characterized by strong emotional depth, beautiful descriptions of nature, and resilient underdogs—will appeal directly to you.
Practical Reader Advice
Because Dianna Rostad's stories are independent standalones, there are no complicated reading orders, chronological timeline splits, or recurring character arcs to track. Her books are designed to be read as self-contained experiences. You Belong Here Now is also an excellent choice for book groups, as the author provides dedicated book club discussion questions on her official site and frequently participates in virtual discussions with reader groups.