The Best Books About Old Hollywood to Get Swept Away

We must start this book list by including the star of today’s show, The Sunshine Girls.

This captivating historical fiction novel follows three friends in nursing school during the Vietnam War. The story's most surprising element is how a nursing career collides with a job on a Hollywood set.

The story begins in Greensboro, Iowa, with the funeral of BettyKay Beecher, a beloved nurse and mother. Clara and Abby, her daughters, face tense moments due to their contrasting lives and approach to settling her estate.

However, things take an unexpected turn when Kitty Deveraux, a famous Hollywood actress, appears at their mother's funeral.

Listen to Molly's interview as she discusses the overlap with her mother's career in nursing and how other nurses have found a profound connection to her work through this book.

This new debut explores the captivating world of golden age Hollywood, when a character actress, Edie O'Dare, finds herself at a career crossroads. 

Working as a columnist, Edie discovers a scandalous assault claim against a famous actor.

When she publishes the story, it sets off a chain of life-altering events for everyone involved.

This story explores the darker side of fame, forcing us to confront who holds the reins in telling women's stories.

If you want the best reviews on new release books, join my Patreon for the FULLY BOOKED show that gives you a monthly reading guide and podcast on all the buzziest books of the year.

When Kitty Karr Tate, a beloved white silver screen icon, bequeaths her multimillionaire dollar estate to three Black women, it makes headline news.

Long-held secrets begin to surface in Kitty's journal as the siblings become the unexpected heirs to Kitty's estate. 

Debut novelist, Crystal Smith Paul, explores themes of race, identity, and the complexities of family dynamics. Readers witness the discrimination of Jim Crow era as it clashes with the  hope of Hollywood.

Crystal Smith Paul was also a Book Gang guest discussing her writing process and the best historical fiction books for summer. You can read excerpts from our interview on the site.

A Hollywood list is only complete with the first book in Reid's series on famous fictional women. I've read every book from Taylor Jenkins Reid and count this among my favorites.

Aging actress Evelyn Hugo handpicks a virtually unknown reporter, Monique Grant, to pen her multimillion-dollar biography. 

Evelyn reveals the truth about her intriguing love life and the sacrifices she made, offering readers an insider look.

Take advantage of my exclusive interview with Taylor Jenkins Reid, where we discuss her writing process.

This historical fiction novel introduces readers to Maud and Frank Baum, the real-life couple who brought us the beloved story of Oz.

Follow their remarkable journey as Maud forsakes her Ivy League education to embark on a life with the enchanting Frank.

Later, Maud strives to preserve the essence of her late husband's masterpiece during the filming of The Wizard of Oz. Get ready for some beautiful cameos with Judy Garland!

This meticulously researched dual-timeline novel takes you behind the scenes, offering fascinating insights into one of Hollywood's most iconic films.

Molly described this as a juicy Hollywood drama that is also a great introduction to the classic film Cleopatra.

In a small coastal town in Italy, the filming of Cleopatra brings Hollywood's golden couple, Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, to its shores.

Readers experience the tumultuous drama through the unique lens of the son of an innkeeper, who dreams of escaping the island.

This dual timeline story intertwines love and Hollywood glamour. We also discover the enduring power of a decades-long fateful connection.

If you have struggled to connect to this novel, many readers shared that the audiobook experience created a wholly immersive experience.

This was an Audie Award Nominee for Fiction and Best Solo Narration in 2013, narrated by Edoardo Ballerini.

Molly highly recommends this mesmerizing science fiction novel that makes Old Hollywood studio heads actual monsters. 

Luli Wei, a Chinese-American aspiring actress, has three rules: "No maids, no funny talking, no fainting flowers.” 

As she embraces this spotlight, she embarks on a thrilling journey of self-discovery. She also begins to challenge the conventions of Hollywood.

Molly highly recommends this mesmerizing science fiction novel that makes Old Hollywood studio heads actual monsters. 

This mesmerizing and scandalous love affair between two legendary figures in Hollywood is told in alternating voices.

Follow the passionate journey of Hollywood beauty Ava Gardner and iconic crooner Frank Sinatra as they navigate fame, infidelity, and their careers. Readers describe this as an immersive experience that will send you on a Google fact-finding mission when you are done. 

This novel features a star-studded cast with Mickey Rooney, Ingrid Bergman, and Grace Kelly.  It also vividly portrays an unforgettable love story that spanned decades.

This Hollywood-adjacent story explores the life of Marjorie Post, heiress to the Post company fortune.

Following her father's early days in the cereal industry, Marjorie's innovative business decisions propelled the Post brand to household fame.

Throughout her life, she rubs elbows with Presidents, government officials, and Hollywood stars as her wealth and fortune grow.

Be prepared for party scenes that are reminiscent of The Great Gatsby on the infamous Mar-a-Lago property.

This genre-bending book is set in 1950s Hollywood. Kate Morgan embarks on a quest to fulfill her grandfather's plea: seek out the mysterious figure known as "the beautiful stranger."

As she immerses herself in the glamourous Hotel del Coronado, where Some Like It Hot is being filmed, Kate meets a ghost who shares her same name.

This storyline weaves the perspectives of both Kate and the ghost, blending two generations and delivering a riveting narrative filled with secrets, romance, and the allure of old Hollywood.

The audiobook is available as part of the Scribd catalog. Learn how to use the Scribd app with my beginner's tutorial.

I couldn't add this to my cart fast enough after Molly described this novel set in America's only leper colony.

Follow Mirielle's journey from a glamorous socialite married to a silent film producer to a quarantined patient.

Readers are taken on an unforgettable journey as she navigates isolation, stigma, and a fight for self-worth in the face of an incurable disease.

Skenandore is a registered nurse, shedding light on a forgotten health crisis that mirrors many moments in these parallel times.

This novel is available for FREE in the Prime library right now. If you love book deals, don't miss the free Amazon First Reads book you get every single month.

I discovered this influential memoir while preparing for today's show. Taylor Jenkins Reid credited it as the most impactful novel that shaped her writing in The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo.

In 1950s Hollywood, a remarkably handsome teenager named Tab Hunter soared to stardom. It wasn’t without challenges.

Tab's poignant memoir unveils his journey to becoming a Hollywood heartthrob as he grapples with his identity as a gay man.

This theme resonated with Reid in her fictional exploration that now is Booktok famous. Many readers describe this as an eye-opening on the early days of Hollywood.

In this acclaimed biography, Mallory O'Meara unveils the hidden story of Milicent Patrick, the talented woman behind the iconic monster design in Creature from the Black Lagoon. 

As O'Meara delves into the depths of Hollywood's past, she uncovers the injustices faced by Patrick, whose contributions were overshadowed and her career cut short. 

This remarkable true-life detective story pays tribute to a forgotten feminist trailblazer, shedding light on the challenges faced by women in the industry.