Every month we do a flashback over the past 5 decades of new releases, looking what the hot new books were of the past. We’re half way through 2017 already and so today it’s 50 years of June releases, one from each of the last five decades.

You may well have waited in anticipation for many of these upon their release, in which case we can trigger some happy memories, if not then maybe some of them will offer reading suggestions for the future.

Here’s June’s 50 years of Literature flashback:

June 2007

Sarah’s Key – Tatania de Rosnay

Sarah’s Key is a heartbreaking tale split between two times, France 1942, and the current day and it’s guaranteed to break your heart. This fictional tale set around the very real Vel’ d’Hiv round up was first published on June 4th 2007.

Sarah’s Key US
Sarah’s Key UK

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June 1997

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone – J. K Rowling

Originally just printed on a small run, the children’s book about a wizard that seemed to innocuous but brought an entire generation to reading. The very first Harry Potter was first published twenty years ago this month, back in June 1997.

HP & The Philosopher’s Stone US
HP & The Philosopher’s Stone UK

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June 1987

Misery – Stephen King

It’s hard to believe that it’s thirty years since the release of Misery by Stephen King introducing us to the most psychotic nurse of all, Annie Wilkes, and first published in June 1987

Misery US
Misery UK

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June 1977

The Thorn Birds – Colleen McCullough

This much loved family saga set in Australia is an old favourite of many and often makes it into our polls lists, a beautiful read first published in June 1977.

The Thorn Birds US
The Thorn Birds UK

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June 1967

One Hundred Years of Solitude – Gabriel Garcia Marquez

An instant success upon release, and still considered a classic work of magical realism today, One Hundred Years of Solitude was first published in the June of 1967.

One Hundred Years of Solitude US
One Hundred Years of Solitude UK

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Clearly some very well known books have been published throughout the Junes! We hope you enjoyed this month’s selections and we’ll be back in a month with a new flashback!