Michael J. Cooper, Award-Winning Author, Reflects on Why Historical Fiction Is the Perfect Holiday Read
Michael J. Cooper
At year’s end, when the holidays slow time, readers turn to historical fiction for meaning, perspective, and a deeper connection to the past
LOS ANGELES, CA, UNITED STATES, December 19, 2025 /EINPresswire.com/ -- The holidays are one of the few times of year when people genuinely slow down. With routines paused and daily demands softened, readers finally have the space to engage deeply with books rather than rushing through them. It is during this quieter, reflective season that historical fiction matters most; a space in which award-winning author Michael J. Cooper and his historically grounded novels are uniquely positioned to explore.
“Historical fiction isn’t meant to be rushed,” Cooper says. “It asks readers to slow down, to inhabit another time, and to consider how people before us faced moral choices, hardship, and hope. The holidays create the rare conditions where that kind of reading becomes possible.”
To purchase copies of Cooper's extraordinary books, follow this link: https://michaeljcooper.net/books.php
Beyond cultural traditions, the holiday season carries a deeper spiritual dimension centered on reflection, meaning, and continuity. Whether approached through faith, personal belief, or quiet introspection, this time of year invites people to look beyond the present moment and consider larger questions of purpose, legacy, and human experience. Historical fiction naturally occupies that reflective space.
“As the year draws to a close, readers tend to look past novelty and toward meaning,” Cooper notes. “Historical fiction offers context rather than noise, grounding individual lives within larger historical and moral frameworks. Themes like resilience, sacrifice, faith, family, identity, and moral choice rise naturally during the holidays, when people are already reflecting on what truly matters.”
Historical fiction also has a unique ability to connect generations at a time when families gather and stories are shared. Narratives rooted in real historical eras often spark conversations about ancestry, memory, and shared values. In this way, historical fiction becomes more than private entertainment; it becomes a shared experience that bridges past and present.
“The past is never abstract,” Cooper adds. “It’s lived, remembered, and passed down. When readers engage with historical fiction during the holidays, they’re often reflecting on their own lives, their values, and the year they’ve just lived, as much as the era on the page.”
For Cooper, writing historical fiction is itself a reflective practice. Research becomes a dialogue with the past, revealing how ordinary lives intersect with moments of moral and spiritual consequence. That process mirrors the rhythm of the holiday season — a pause in forward motion and an opportunity to look back before moving ahead.
“Historical fiction stays with you,” Cooper concludes. “That’s why it feels especially right during the holidays. These are stories that don’t end when the season is over.”
Michael J. Cooper’s Books
-- The Rabbi’s Knight: https://bit.ly/494dXWa
-- Wages of Empire: https://bit.ly/3YHkKAc
-- Crossroads of Empire: https://bit.ly/4pM5ga3
-- Foxes in the Vineyard
About the Author
Michael J. Cooper is a retired pediatric cardiologist turned award-winning historical fiction author whose novels explore the Middle East’s rich and turbulent history. His works, Wages of Empire, Crossroads of Empire, and his latest book in the series, The Rabbi’s Knight, are praised for historical depth and emotional resonance. Cooper’s storytelling bridges cultures, examines identity, and invites reflection on shared humanity, legacy, and the enduring lessons of the past.
To learn more about Cooper and his trendsetting work, and to purchase copies of his books, please click here: https://michaeljcooper.net/
Amanda Kent
Boundless Media USA
+1 313-403-5636
email us here
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
