Historical fiction is a great way to capture an era, whether it is the elegant Victorian era or the swinging pace and sizzle of the Jazz era. Unlike contemporary novels of even fantasy, where all a writer needs is their imagination, historical fiction requires meticulous research and often the options are overwhelming. Here are five research titles to discover the world of the 1920s.

The Damned and the Beautiful by Paula S Fass

Taking its title from the F Scott Fitzgerald novel of a similar name, The Damned and the Beautiful by Paula S Fass is perfect for authors of young adult fiction who are looking to get into the mindset of teens during the time period. Using many primary source documents, she reveals the emergence of youth culture, a period where media and society began to acknowledge the period between adolescence and adulthood. She also explores the previous generations' reaction to this newly independent youth; a common theme that appears with each passing generation.

The Harlem Renaissance by Steven Watson

Focusing on Harlem and the artistic renaissance that swept the area during the 1920s, Steven Watson crafts a highly readable body of research. With chapters dedicated to the lives of such luminaries as Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, Watson also showcases the clubs and nightlife of the era. The margins of each page are filled with anecdotes of period slang and excerpts from letters during the time period. Spanning from the first spark of the movement to its eventual embers ten years later, Watson enables the modern reader to be taken on a journey of scandal and hope.

Women of the Klan: Racism and Gender in the 1920s by Kathleen M Blee

With a much darker entry, Kathleen M Blee explores the WKKK, a women's auxiliary branch of the KKK. Showcasing a reality far different from the glitz and glam the era is known for, this is a body of research on how aspects of the post suffragette movement blended with fears sparked by the film Birth of a Nation, which saw a massive resurgence in Klan attendance. A difficult read, but a much needed work for those willing to take their historical fiction in a different direction.

Only Yesterday: An Informal History of the 1920s by Frederick Lewis Allen

One of the more unique books in the list, Only Yesterday has the distinction of being written in 1930 and published in 1931. A look back on the previous ten years and a great way to research firsthand views on the Jazz era. While hinting at a bit of nostalgia, Allen rightfully sees how important the Jazz age was in its ability to capture the consciousness of American society then and in the decades since.

When Paris Sizzled: The 1920s Paris of Hemingway, Chanel, Cocteau, Cole Porter, Josephine Baker, and Their Friends by Mary McAuliffe PhD

Detailing the interactions between several of the Jazz age's most recognizable thinkers and celebrities, When Paris Sizzled also highlights the importance of people like Coco Chanel and L'Oreal, bringing to light what made creatives flock to the city and, eventually, what made them leave. A great starting point for anyone researching a more international flair to their work.