It’s the 1970 Club! This week, we’re reading and reviewing any books published in 1970.
Please share your links to 1970 Club reviews in the comments, wherever you write them – blog, instagram, GoodReads etc. If you don’t have anywhere to post a review, please feel free to put your thoughts in the comments.
Tau Zero by Poul Anderson
Words and Peace
Scrambled Egg for Christmas by Verily Anderson
The Captive Reader
Trespasses by Paul Bailey
Stuck in a Book
The Lime Works by Thomas Bernhard
Winston’s Dad
Are you there, God? It’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Sidonie Maroon
Literary Heir Hunter
‘Brodie’ by Jorge Luis Borges
Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings
McGillahee’s Brat by Ray Bradbury
This Reading Life
Rommel Drives on Deep into Egypt by Richard Brautigan
Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings
Language and Learning by James Britton
Rattlebag and Rhubarb
Family Pictures by Gwendolyn Brooks
Typings
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
Hopewell’s Library of Life
Last Summer in the City by Gianfranco Calligarich
Winston’s Dad
Difficult Loves by Italo Calvino
Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings
Passenger to Frankfurt by Agatha Christie
Just Reading a Book
She Reads Novels
What Me Read
Places by Colette
Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings
Fantastic Mr Fox by Roald Dahl
Literary Potpourri
Calmgrove
Literary Heir Hunter
Fifth Business by Robertson Davies
Somewhere Boy
What Me Read
God is an Englishman by R.F. Delderfield
She Reads Novels
Our Friends from Frolix 8 by Philip K. Dick
Typings
The Listeners by Monica Dickens
Somewhere Boy
Stuck in a Book
Play It as It Lays by Joan Didion
Somewhere Boy
Tamara by Geoffrey Dutton
ANZ LitLovers
Troubles by J.G. Farrell
Hopewell’s Library of Life
Typings
Book Around the Corner
Time and Again by Jack Finney
Words and Peace
Desperate Characters by Paula Fox
Bookish Beck
Rat Race by Dick Francis
Literary Potpourri
Don’t Go To Sleep in the Dark by Celia Fremlin
She Reads Novels
New Year’s Eve by Mavis Gallant
This Reading Life
A Fairly Good Time by Mavis Gallant
Buried in Print
White Dog by Romain Gary
1st Reading
The Woods in Winter by Stella Gibbons
Adventures in reading, running and working from home
Sarah Matthews
Read Warbler
The Amazing Mrs Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman
Fanda Classiclit
Doctor on the Boil by Richard Gordon
Somewhere Boy
Count Julian by Juan Goytisolo
Winston’s Dad
The Female Eunuch by Germaine Greer
Rattlebag and Rhubarb
Eden, Eden, Eden by Pierre Guyotat
Winston’s Dad
84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
A Hot Cup of Pleasure
David’s Book World
Wicked Witch’s Blog
Fadeout by Joseph Hansen
Beatnik Loner
The Honours Board by Pamela Hansford Johnson
Somewhere Boy
My Sister’s Keeper by L.P. Hartley
Somewhere Boy
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot
buchpost
Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer
Wicked Witch’s Blog
What Me Read
I’m the King of the Castle by Susan Hill
Bookish Beck
Books Please
A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban
Staircase Wit
Crow by Ted Hughes
746 Books
Metropole by Ferenc Karinthy
Words and Peace
Mog the Forgetful Cat by Judith Kerr
Rattlebag and Rhubarb
Being There by Jerzy Kosiński
746 Books
The Man Called Noon by Louis L’Amour
Love Books, Read Books
Swords and Deviltry by Fritz Leiber
Sweet Freedom
Astercote by Penelope Lively
Pining for the West
Hope Against Hope by Nadezhda Mandelstam
Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings
When in Rome by Ngaio Marsh
Book Word
Daddy Was a Number Runner by Louise Meriwether
Madame Bibi Lophile
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
Volatile Rune
A Fairly Honourable Defeat by Iris Murdoch
Somewhere Boy
Calmgrove
The Dead Sea Cipher by Elizabeth Peters
Staircase Wit
Alhambra by Madeleine Polland
Staircase Wit
Indoctrinaire by Christopher Priest
1st Reading
Barnabas, Quentin and the Crystal Coffin by Marilyn Ross
The Dusty Bookcase
Love Story by Erich Segal
Literary Heir Hunter
Rich Man, Poor Man by Irwin Shaw
A Hot Cup of Pleasure
The Naked Face by Sidney Sheldon
Mr Kaggsy
Tower of Glass by Robert Silverberg
Wicked Witch’s Blog
Pining for the West
Maigret and the Wine Merchant by Georges Simenon
Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings
AnnaBookBel
Maigret’s Madwoman by Georges Simenon
Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings
The Rich Man by Georges Simenon
1st Reading
The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark
Book Word
Just Reading a Book
A Hot Cup of Pleasure
MsLizReads
Pear Jelly
Around the World in 800 Books
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
Lizzy’s Literary Life
Tales from the Reading Room
Elle Thinks
Thursday’s Child by Noel Streatfeild
Fanda Classiclit
The Dead Mountaineer’s Inn by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
Fanda Classiclit
Winston’s Dad
Finding Time to Write
A Hot Cup of Pleasure
Words and Peace
Island in Moonlight by Kathleen Sully
Stuck in a Book
Abigail by Magda Szabó
Staircase Wit
All the Vintage Ladies
Find a Crooked Sixpence by Estelle Thompson
My Reader’s Block
The Strange Last Voyage of Donald Crowhurst by Nicholas Tomalin & Ron Hall
Somewhere Boy
The Mystery of the Coughing Dragon by Nick West
My Reader’s Block
The Man of Slow Feeling by Michael Wilding
Whispering Gums
Really looking forward to this week Simon! Here’s my review: https://madamebibilophilerecommends.co.uk/2024/10/14/i-loved-all-of-harlem-gently-louise-meriwether-daddy-was-a-number-runner/
My first review: https://klasikfanda.blogspot.com/2024/10/thursdays-child-by-noel-streatfeild.html
Here’s mine: Tamara by Geoffrey Dutton. It’s about a doomed romance between a Russian poet and an Australian in Moscow for a conference, during the Cold War.
https://anzlitlovers.com/2024/10/13/tamara-1970-by-geoffrey-dutton/
Here’s my first review: Don’t Go to Sleep in the Dark by Celia Fremlin
https://shereadsnovels.com/2024/10/14/dont-go-to-sleep-in-the-dark-by-celia-fremlin-1970club/
Here’s my one – Stella Gibbons’ “The Woods in Winter” which I thoroughly enjoyed https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2024/10/14/a-book-for-1970club-stella-gibbons-the-woods-in-winter/
Here’s my first: 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. A delightful read.
https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpress.com/2024/10/13/1970-club-84-charing-cross-road-by-helene-hanff/
This is not a review, but I just wanted to share about 1970 books I had not read years ago. Some have reviews, but this doesn’t count for the challenge:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/10/14/the-1970-club-older-reads/
I will share on Wednesdays 4 reviews of books I just finished for this challenge
Here’s one! Troubles by J. G. Farrell
https://reesewarner.blogspot.com/2024/10/j-g-farrells-troubles-1970club.html
Thanks for hosting!
Here’s my post about the books published in 1970 that I’ve reviewed in the past. I’m currently reading I’m the King of the Castle and hope I’ll post my review of it later this week.
https://booksplease.org/2024/10/14/the-1970-club/
Review One: Rat Race by Dick Francis went up way early. https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2024/09/09/review-rat-race-by-dick-francis/
Review two: Troubles by J.G. Farrell went up today
https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2024/10/14/1970s-club-review-troubles-by-j-g-farrell/
Here’s my first review, Charity Girl by Georgette Heyer: https://whatmeread.com/2024/10/14/review-2488-1970club-charity-girl/
The Crystal Cave – Mary Stewart
OOPS – Here’s the link to my review of The Crystal Cave
https://lizzysiddal2.wordpress.com/2024/10/14/the-crystal-cave-mary-stewart-1970club/
Here’s my review of Fifth Business by Robertson Davies: https://whatmeread.com/2024/10/15/review-2489-1970club-fifth-business/
A second from me. Philip K. Dick’s Our Friends From Frolix 8
https://reesewarner.blogspot.com/2024/10/philip-k-dicks-our-friends-from-frolix.html
Better than I expected!
A short story by Mavis Gallant first published in The New Yorker in 1970 – New Year’s Eve
https://bronasbooks.com/2024/10/15/new-years-eve-mavis-gallant-shortstory/
Young Adult Fiction by Judy Blume, 1970 “Are you there God? It’s me Margaret”.
I was eager to reread this title because my last encounter with it was in 1976 when I was eleven. I remember it was shocking at the time, as no one wrote about menstruation or the tensions between religion and a personal relationship with God back then. Do they now? Probably more about menstruation than God. Judy Blume has such a natural voice for the concerns of adolescence, and notably, there isn’t any preaching. Girl bullying, social ostracism, sexual harassment, and religious intolerance are all depicted, with our protagonist even participating. She feels some remorse but mainly experiences the desperate desire to fit in and to be perceived as mature at all cost. This contrasts with today’s tendency to relate every situation to political correctness immediately and overtly, without allowing young readers to come to their own conclusions.
Our protagonist, Margaret, is also allowed to navigate her insecurity and indecision about where she belongs between her non-practicing Jewish father and Christian mother. She never fully resolves which religion to join. The grace of this book is that she’s allowed a very personal and age-appropriate relationship with her inner God. I remember how important this was to me at eleven because I also had a personal relationship with God, but weekly church going was a different and more humanly social experience.
The book’s exploration of personal growth, identity, and faith remains relevant, offering young readers a safe space to explore their own beliefs and insecurities without judgment. Blume’s ability to address complex issues with honesty and sensitivity continues to resonate, making this novel as impactful today as it was when I first read it. It serves as a reminder of the importance of allowing young people the freedom to question, explore, and ultimately, find their own path.
2nd review: The Dead Mountaineer’s Inn by Arkady & Boris Strugatsky https://klasikfanda.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-dead-mountaineers-inn-by-arkady.html
I was surprised to realise that I had no books at all on my shelves dating from 1970, but luckily I came across the Strugatsky brothers’ Dead Mountaineer’s Inn that Karen kindly sent along to me, just in time for a review this week. Yay, so glad I could participate after all!
https://findingtimetowrite.wordpress.com/2024/10/16/1970club-an-anti-murder-mystery-by-the-strugatsky-brothers/
Here is my 1st review on
Time and Again, scifi by Jack Finney:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/10/16/book-review-for-the-1970-club-time-and-again/
3 more reviews to come!
Here are two from Staircase Wit:
Abigail by Magda Szabó
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2024/10/abigail-by-magda-szabo-for-1970club.html
Alhambra by Madeleine Polland
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2024/10/alhambra-by-madeleine-polland.html
The Driver’s Seat by Muriel Spark
https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpress.com/2024/10/16/1970-club-the-drivers-seat-by-muriel-spark/
Here’s mine! It’s of Mary Stewart’s The Crystal Cave, which I absolutely loved: https://ellethinks.wordpress.com/2024/10/16/1970club-the-crystal-cave-by-mary-stewart/
wow, so cool to see already so many review!
Today:
Tau Zero, by Poul Anderson:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/10/17/book-review-for-the-1970-club-tau-zero/
Two more tomorrow
Here’s my review of Passenger to Frankfurt by Agatha Christie:
https://shereadsnovels.com/2024/10/17/passenger-to-frankfurt-by-agatha-christie-1970club/
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown
https://hopewellslibraryoflife.wordpress.com/2024/10/17/1970-club-review-the-one-i-wasnt-going-to-read-bury-my-heart-at-wounded-knee-by-dee-brown/
Here’s my review of Passenger to Frankfurt by Agatha Christie: https://whatmeread.com/2024/10/17/review-2490-1970club-and-ripxix-passenger-to-frankfurt/
Some poetry: Gwendolyn Brooks’ Family Pictures.
http://reesewarner.blogspot.com/2024/10/gwendolyn-brooks-family-pictures.html
My next and last one: The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman https://klasikfanda.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-amazing-mrs-pollifax-by-dorothy.html
My first one: The Mystery of the Coughing Dragon by Nick West
https://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-mystery-of-coughing-dragon.html
Here are my last 2 reviews:
The Dead Mountaineer’s Inn, by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky (yes, this one again!)
Metropole, by Ferenc Karinthy
Both reviews are here:
https://wordsandpeace.com/2024/10/18/two-short-book-reviews-for-the-1970-club/
Thanks so much for hosting, I had a great time with your event, as usual
My second review: Find a Crooked Sixpence by Estelle Thompson
https://myreadersblock.blogspot.com/2024/10/find-crooked-sixpence.html
My third one: The Dead Mountaineer’s Inn by Arkady and Boris Strugatsky
https://ahotcupofpleasureagain.wordpress.com/2024/10/18/1970-club-the-dead-mountaineers-inn-by-arkady-and-boris-strugatsky/?_gl=1*j7d238*_gcl_au*MTM4MDY4OTcyMS4xNzIyNDMwMjg5
Hello!
Here’s the link to my billet about Troubles by JG Farrell
https://bookaroundthecorner.com/2024/10/15/troubles-by-j-g-farrell-the-1970club/
Another short story from 1970 – this time from Ray Bradbury
https://bronasbooks.com/2024/10/19/mcgillahees-brat-ray-bradbury-shortstory/
My final review for 1970: God is an Englishman by RF Delderfield
https://shereadsnovels.com/2024/10/19/god-is-an-englishman-by-rf-delderfield-1970club/
My review of The Woods in Winter by Stella Gibbons is here: https://read-warbler.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-woods-in-winter-by-stella-gibbons.html
Here’s my contribution :) Desperate Characters by Paula Fox & I’m the King of the Castle by Susan Hill (I’m really surprised no one else has reviewed these so far this week!).
https://bookishbeck.com/2024/10/19/1970club-desperate-characters-im-the-king-of-the-castle/
This started out as my general 1970 book list, then morphed into comments about things I started and didn’t or couldn’t finish, for one reason or another. https://marketgardenreader.wordpress.com/2024/10/19/1970-book-club-if-at-first-you-dont-succeed-plenty-of-fish-in-the-sea
I read Abigail by Magda Szabo. Review is here:
https://allthevintageladies.com/2024/10/19/abigail-by-magda-szabo-1970-club/
Here are my last two:
A Bargain for Frances by Russell Hoban (I’d been thinking about him since you reviewed Amaryllis Night and Day)
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2024/10/a-bargain-for-frances-by-russell-hoban.html &
The Dead Sea Cipher by Elizabeth Peters
https://perfectretort.blogspot.com/2024/10/the-dead-sea-cipher-by-elizabeth-peters.html
Thanks – I so enjoy reading everyone’s contributions.
Here’s my review of I’m the King of the Castle by Susan Hill – https://booksplease.org/2024/10/20/im-the-king-of-the-castle-by-susan-hill/
When I was a child, the television series of „All Creatures Great and Small“ was very popular in Germany and as an adult I loved the books by James Herriot, so I hope you don‘t mind if I put a link to a German blog here:
https://buchpost.wordpress.com/2014/11/20/james-herriot-all-creatures-great-and-small-1970/
Just in time! https://thecaptivereader.com/2024/10/20/scrambled-egg-for-christmas-verily-anderson/
I was unexpectedly inspired to write about Bury Your Heart at Wounded Knee updating Columbus Day and similar celebrations from an indigenous point of view.
https://marketgardenreader.wordpress.com/2024/10/20/bury-my-heart-at-wounded-knee-rebranding-columbus-day-1970club
One last post with two short stories by Anna Kavan. Who? you may well ask. I certainly did and found a tragic tale to match her short stories.
https://bronasbooks.com/2024/10/21/a-visit-and-obsessional-anna-kavan-shortstory/
Rather late but my last read for the 1970 Club
https://lovebooksreadbooks.com/2024/10/30/the-woods-in-winter-by-stella-gibbons-furrowedmiddle-deanstpress-1970club/