It’s the start of a new month and as we move into August we’re dipping into our regular 50 years of Literature feature! It’s always fun to look back over the releases of previous years. Maybe you remember some of them from the first time around, maybe you can remember waiting patiently for their release. It’s time for some nostalgia as we look back over five decades of August releases.
Every month we pick a book from the past five decades; that’s five books featured, giving a snapshot of the last 50 years of Literature. So without further ado, here are this month’s selections.
August 2006
Three Days to Never – Tim Powers
Three Days to Never was released 10 years ago today, and follows a secret history where prominent historical figures have been involved in supernatural or occult activities. It was shortlisted for both the Locus Fantasy Award and the Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Adult Literature the following year
August 1996
A Game of Thrones – George R. R. Martin
While everyone is not so patiently awaiting the latest book, we’re looking back to 1996 when the very first book in the series, A Game of Thrones was released. The hardback version came out in August 1996 with the paperback following in October.
August 1986
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jnr
Martin Luther King jnr was a Baptist minister and activist, best known for leading the American Civil Rights Movement. His autobiography was released thirty years ago this week.
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jnr US
The Autobiography of Martin Luther King Jnr UK
August 1976
Roots: The Saga of an American Family – Alex Haley
In Roots, Alex Haley traces his family from America, back to the slave ships of Africa in this astonishing, award winning genealogical tale that spans hundreds of years of African/American history.
August 1966
Valley of the Dolls – Jacqueline Susann
New York Times bestseller on the month of release, Valley of the Dolls was an overnight success! The dolls in the title represent the reliance the protagonist has to stimulants, depressants and sleeping pills and it covers an issue with prescription drugs that still exists today.
There are some great books on this month’s list, many of them as relevant today as they were when they were released! How many have you read, and did you read them eagerly on release?
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