What Were the Top Books The Year You Graduated?

1971

The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty was one of the most talked about books of 1971, with graphic descriptions of demonic possession and in turn became a pop culture legend when the book was made into a film.

1972

Jonathon Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach, spent most of the year at the top of the best-sellers in 1972. The WWII tale, The Winds of War by Herman Wouk was also popular in 1972.

1973

A sign of the times, Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut sold big in 1973, addressing themes of social and economic inequity.

1974

This historical fiction book, Burr by Gore Vidal, had readers riveted in 1974. Watership Down by Richard Adams earned a place in the hearts of many an adult and adolescent when it was published in the U.S. two years after it was published in the U.K.

1975

The history-novel, Centennial by James Michener, was a hit with readers and later became the basis for a television series.

1976

Trinity by Leon Uris tells the story of a young man looking for freedom for his Ireland.

1977

The wildly popular The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough, eventually became an equally popular TV miniseries. The Silmarillionby J.R.R. Tolkien posthumously and assembled by Christopher Tolkien, sold well, but with very mixed reviews.

1978

This dramatic tale had the hallmarks of a thriller and soap opera all rolled into one. Bloodline by Sidney Sheldon sold well in 1978.

1979

In Overload, Arthur Hailey explored the inner workings of a place most of us have never seen the inside of, with elements of danger and urgency from events that threaten the public’s supply of power.

1980

The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum, the first in the well-known trilogy series, was later turned into a series of films and remains one of the most well-received spy novels of all time.

1981

A complex and compelling storyline woven with the threads of a long list of characters made Noble House by James Clavell a best-seller, not unlike many of his works.

1982

Space is another history-laden novel that captivated audiences (then and now) from author James Michener.

1983

The Little Drummer Girl, by spy-novel-master, John le Carré, had audiences on edge with tales of romance, terrorism, and international intrigue.

1984

The Aquitaine Progression focused on stomping out a plot to create a new world order from esteemed spy novelist Robert Ludlum. The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub also tempted readers with a yarn of a parallel world crafted by two talented authors.

1985

Stephen King’s collection of short stories, Skeleton Crew, have readers a chance to read more from this established author.

Click “Next Page” for more top-selling books the year you graduated!