We know how you love to look back on the previous new releases, and the This Day in Literature feature has proved very popular. Each month we look back on five decades of new releases, and now it’s time to look back at 50 years of May releases.

So if you were wondering what books were hot in the past, we hope this offers some inspiration, or maybe even jogs your memory of loved reads long forgotten. Here is fifty years of May releases in the book world.

May 2006

The Blade Itself – Joe Abercrombie

If you’re a fan of fantasy then you may well have enjoyed the First Law series by Joe Abercrombie, the first book in that series, The Blade Itself was released on 4th May 2006, ten years ago!

The Blade Itself US
The Blade Itself UK

May 1996

The Runaway Jury – John Grisham

If you’re a fan of legal thrillers then there’s a good chance you’ve read at least something of John Grisham’s. He’s a pretty prolific author, and in May 1996 this seventh novel, The Runaway Jury was released.

The Runaway Jury US
The Runaway Jury UK

May 1986

Going Solo – Roald Dahl

It was this week in 1986 when Roald Dahl released Going Solo, an action packed sequel to Boy, the tale of Dahl’s exploits as a World War II pilot.

Going Solo US
Going Solo UK

May 1976

Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas – Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou is best known for her poetry, and for I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, but back in May 1976 she was releasing Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas.

Singin’ and Swingin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas US
Singin’ and Swinin’ and Gettin’ Merry Like Christmas UK