I am listening to a book about the end of the 1st Century in Rome. So far, the author and narrator have taken me to the Great Fire of Rome of 80 A.D. just following the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79.
Very good writing by Lindsey Davis that takes you back into Rome of that period.
http://www.lindseydavis.co.uk/master&god.htm
I like historical novels and well as history non-fiction books.
I cannot see heavy readers though as leading boring lives. It beats reality programs on the TV. A very good writer can almost take you to that foreign city in that far away time period like with the Rome of Emperor Titus.