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Footnotes > Dig into those backlists?

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message 1: by Saorsa (new)
Dec 27, 2023 01:17AM

Saorsa Lykins | 98 comments Every year, I attempt the Birth of a Reader Challenge, generally with limited success. Because I’ve been doing it for so many years, books still in print (that I haven’t already read) from the early years of my life are getting tougher to come by. I follow publishers’ media regarding current releases and hear author interviews on podcasts, but that only helps for the current year. Most other book buzz spans about a decade — or hits the modern classics (fifty to one hundred years old), a category I’ve just entered (I turn 54 in January).

I’d love some suggestions! For those unfamiliar with Birth of a Reader, the challenge is to read one book published in every year you’ve been alive. Ergo, I need books published each year from 1970-2024. I read absolutely everything under the sun, so if your backlists or favorites include titles published during those years, especially during the 1970s and 1980s, I’d love to hear about them.


message 2: by Apple (new)
Dec 27, 2023 01:26AM

Apple Oh, that sounds like a good challenge! Normally I would have said I read older books, but in the last year I have been definitely reading new books. Let me consider this… 😉


message 3: by Sue (new)
Dec 27, 2023 07:05AM

Sue | 2719 comments You might consider some older series. If you like a specific author it can make it easier to run through a bunch of years.

Looking at the 70's and 80's in particular, I really enjoyed the series from these authors:
Susan Howatch - Starbridge series - 6 books published 1987-1995
Maya Angelou - her Autobiography series - 7 books published (5 of them published from 1969-1986) and all read like novels. She had some crazy experiences in her life!
Jean M. Auel - Earth's Children series - the first 3 books all published in the 1980's
Sue Grafton - Kinsey Millhone series - 25 books published 1982-2017


message 4: by NancyJ (last edited Dec 27, 2023 08:10AM) (new)
Dec 27, 2023 07:17AM

NancyJ (nancyjjj) | 11071 comments These were 5 star reads for me this year:
The Word for World Is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin, 1972
Abigail byMagda Szabó 1970 -
4 star for me this year
Too Loud a Solitude by Bohumil Hrabal, 1976

Some of my favorite authors in the 1970’s and ‘80’s:
Maeve Binchy (1980 - 2012) If did this challenge I would revisit a few of her books.
Jeffrey Archer
Ken Follett
Taylor Caldwell
Fannie Flagg
Lawrence Block

I didn’t stick with these authors as long
Thomas Tryon
Elizabeth Peters
Anne Rice
Richard Matheson


Individual books that stood out as possible rereads:
Time and Again by Jack Finney , 1970
The Milagro Beanfield War by John Nichols


message 5: by Amy (new)
Dec 27, 2023 08:34AM

Amy | 12916 comments Many of us just read for the birthday challenge for the year we turned 15. Since we’re all of different ages, that might be a quick place to start. Mine from 1983, was Heartburn by Nora Efron. And I listen to it and all and it was a short six hour. Listen from the illustrious and incredible Meryl Streep. Perhaps that will help for that year.


message 7: by Booknblues (new)
Dec 27, 2023 09:38AM

Booknblues | 12060 comments Saorse wrote: "Every year, I attempt the Birth of a Reader Challenge, generally with limited success. Because I’ve been doing it for so many years, books still in print (that I haven’t already read) from the earl..."

Are you trying to read all the years, every year or are you trying to fill in some years?

I did a quick search and I'm sure I have read a book published every year from 1970 until now. I started at 1970 and gave up mid 1990s. It was fun and nostalgic. I will try to come up with a list for you from the 70s & 80s. So many good books.


message 8: by Theresa (new)
Dec 27, 2023 10:29AM

Theresa | 15524 comments As Amy said many of us just read a book published in our 15th year - mine was 1970 - not a great publication year. I found and gave 5 stars to The Lion in the Lei Shop by Kaye Starbird - thanks to Nancy Pearl including it in one of her Book Lust lists, it is back in print - ebook at least and on Kindle Unlimited.


message 9: by Robin P (new)
Dec 27, 2023 01:31PM

Robin P | 5743 comments I did most of this challenge about 6 years ago and then I went through a period of quitting all challenges, but I can find what they were. Also you can just google Books Popular in 1970 or whatever.


message 10: by Shelly (new)
Dec 27, 2023 02:10PM

Shelly | 939 comments Here are some from my favorites shelf, published in the 20th century:

Angle of Repose - 1971
The Killer Angels - 1974
The Power of One - 1989
Birdsong - 1993
Angela's Ashes 1996


message 11: by Sue (new)
Dec 27, 2023 03:12PM

Sue | 2719 comments I went back to my Favorites shelf and some of my all-time favorite books are from the 1970s. Fair warning I had a thing for extra long books at the time.

Also apparently I have no "favorites" from the 1980s. But that decade was high school, college, marriage, and first "real" job all crammed into that 10 years. I know I read during that time, but it's a blur. I may do a mini version of your challenge just for the 80s.

The Thornbirds - 1977
Chesapeake - 1978
The Stand - 1978
The Far Pavillions Vol's 1 & 2 - 1978


message 13: by Theresa (new)
Dec 27, 2023 03:17PM

Theresa | 15524 comments I can't think of a single 80s favorite either - that was law school, studying for the bar, starting my first job as a lawyer, a real estate lawyer, just as the tax code changes of 1986 sent the NYC coop and condo market and conversions into a tailspin. Who had time to read for pleasure? I spent summer vacays just catching up on my favorite mystery and romance series.


message 15: by Joanne (new)
Dec 27, 2023 03:55PM

Joanne (joabroda1) | 12569 comments I also read for my birth year (1971) The Winds of War-also a chunkster-885 pages, was a re-read for me but held up to 5 stars


message 16: by Robin P (new)
Dec 27, 2023 08:14PM

Robin P | 5743 comments Sue wrote: "You might consider some older series. If you like a specific author it can make it easier to run through a bunch of years.

Looking at the 70's and 80's in particular, I really enjoyed the series f..."

I love the Starbridge series, which I ran across totally by accident in a paperback swap store back in the '90's. They are so brilliantly done, with some unreliable narrators and a distinct view on religion. I would never have thought I would like books centered in a church community.


message 18: by Saorsa (new)
Dec 28, 2023 03:21AM

Saorsa Lykins | 98 comments Thank you, everyone, for taking the time to share all your suggestions! In answer to your questions, I start the challenge fresh each year; although I’ve only finished it twice, I have come very close multiple times. I’ve been doing it for at least a decade; so many of the books that turn up on search lists I’ve read by this point. Another rule I have for myself, both for challenges and just my annual reading count, is that I only count adult books or YA/adult crossover books that lean more adult; this rules out books that frequent those search lists such as Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret as well as a couple by my much beloved S.E. Hinton. I have a homeschool business writing book-based curricula for middle and high schoolers; my numbers would just be insane. I also have a hard and fast rule about not rereading books. (I’m looking at you, Far Pavilions!) There are just so many great unread ones out there; sometimes they are just gathering dust, waiting to be rediscovered. I will reread a modern classic (a book that is between fifty and a hundred years old) or a standard classic (a book over a hundred years old) only if: I’m writing it into a curriculum, I’m putting it on one of my kids’ reading lists, it’s for a book club selection, or it is a classic and ten years have passed since I last read it. I love the idea of series. Sometimes those are a bit lighter between heavier books, too. Robin: I love your lists! I have read many of them, but I enjoyed them, so I know I’ll likely enjoy your suggestions I’ve not read.


message 19: by Saorsa (new)
Jan 06, 2024 06:36AM

Saorsa Lykins | 98 comments Sue wrote: "You might consider some older series. If you like a specific author it can make it easier to run through a bunch of years.

Looking at the 70's and 80's in particular, I really enjoyed the series f..."

I don’t know why I didn’t think of series! I listen to a lot of romance series while doing mindless tasks, but I don’t count them towards my reading goals unless I feel they meet a certain standard. Most are indie published and produced; most are brain candy, but every now and then I find a real gem. On the flip side, I’ve read a couple from major publishers that are terrible, and I don’t count those either. I’m so glad I saw your suggestion before I went looking for this month’s tag, because I’m discovering it is rife with series. One of my first books was What Angels Fear by C. S. Harris. It is the first book in the Sebastian St. Cyr series. Davina Porter narrates the audiobooks. It was great! I’ve never really listened to this genre, so I’m looking forward to checking out the Sue Grafton modern mysteries you suggested. I remember reading Clan of the Cave Bear way back when, but I never read further. I think I might start the series again, as I enjoyed it; those were just the years where my career meant not a lot of reading for fun and a whole lot of memorizing libretti.


message 20: by Robin P (last edited Jan 06, 2024 06:47AM) (new)
Jan 06, 2024 06:47AM

Robin P | 5743 comments Saorse wrote: "Sue wrote: "You might consider some older series. If you like a specific author it can make it easier to run through a bunch of years.

Looking at the 70's and 80's in particular, I really enjoyed ..."

Saorse, I have to send you a friend request! I love the Sebastian St. Cyr series. I listened to the first one, but I was impatient to have more and I read the rest in print from the library, back to back, at least those that were out at the time. Then I had to wait each year for a new one. I heard an interview with her where she said she has the whole series mapped out and an ending prepared.

I also love The Far Pavilions. I remember vividly how I sat outside my workplace stretching my break because I got to The Cave Scene. The audiobook was on sale very cheap a year or so again and I bought it, but I haven't yet been able to justify all those hours on a reread/listen.


message 21: by Saorsa (new)
Jan 06, 2024 06:53AM

Saorsa Lykins | 98 comments NancyJ wrote: "These were 5 star reads for me this year:
The Word for World Is Forest by Ursula K. Le Guin, 1972
Abigail byMagda Szabó 1970 -
4 st..."

Abigail looks so good I immediately bought a copy (and I never do that) because our library system doesn’t have it. It is listed as being YA in some places, and I’m always looking for great crossover books to list on my website.

Too Loud a Solitude is so timely. It’s amazing — and terrifically sad — how a societal warning written in 1976 could be read today without the reader realizing that the book didn’t debut just last week. My university library has this one; I look forward to reading it.

Can you believe I’ve never read a Maeve Binchey? I’m looking up a couple of her highest rated ones that sound the best to me. I love Ken Follett. Because I am a Medievalist, that is the series of his I’ve read. I heard his research wasn’t as accurate in his world war series, so I haven’t read those. I’m going to explore the other others you suggested (and pass on those others).

Thank you!


message 22: by Amy (new)
Jan 06, 2024 07:37AM

Amy | 12916 comments We all loved Abigail! Holly, Joy, Nancy, and I.


message 23: by Saorsa (new)
Jan 06, 2024 07:54AM

Saorsa Lykins | 98 comments Amy wrote: "Many of us just read for the birthday challenge for the year we turned 15. Since we’re all of different ages, that might be a quick place to start. Mine from 1983, was Heartburn by Nora Efron. And ..."

I don’t have a book for ‘83, and this looks fun! My library also has the audiobook, so that’s a win. I’ll check out the birthday challenge page for other ideas, too. Thanks for the idea!


message 24: by Theresa (last edited Jan 06, 2024 10:41AM) (new)
Jan 06, 2024 10:40AM

Theresa | 15524 comments The first thing I do when I have a challenge that relates to a specific year from 1950s on is go to the Fantastic Fiction site and check authors of series or popular books that were being written at the time. Romance and mystery were my 'go tos' then and still. 70s and 80s were education and starting work decades for me Barnard College in mid 70s and law school, bar exam, young associate in mid to end 80s - fun light reading ruled. My suggestions of authors I still love - mostly for 70s and 80s but first couple even start in 60s. Some have multiple series.

Mystery
Ellis Peters
Elizabeth Peters
Martha Grimes
Joan Hess
Carolyn Hart
Sue Grafton
Agatha Christie
Marian Babson

Romantic suspense, mystery, gothic, espionage
Phyllis A. Whitney
Helen MacInnes
Victoria Holt - also wrote historical fiction as Jean Plaidy
Mary Stewart - also known for her Arthurian Saga
Sidney Sheldon

Romance
Judith Krantz
Kathleen Woodiwiss - very popular in the dorms at Barnard in the 70s and truly bodice rippers - probably invented the term
Judith Michael - H/W writing team

Last - surely James Michener can provide - his earlier works I liked best


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Books mentioned in this topic

The Word for World Is Forest (other topics)
Abigail (other topics)
What Angels Fear (other topics)
North of Hope (other topics)
A Thousand Acres (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic

Magda Szabó (other topics)
Ursula K. Le Guin (other topics)
Kaye Starbird (other topics)
Ursula K. Le Guin (other topics)
Bohumil Hrabal (other topics)
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