What Were the Top Books The Year You Graduated?

1986

It by Stephen King sold big and was the basis for the film that would become a cultural touchstone. No doubt that not only his writing style, but his previous best-sellers helped this book become a horror classic.

1987

Fine Things from the queen of romance novels, Danielle Steel, sold many a copy with the intense character interactions and dramatic plot.

1988

The Cardinal of the Kremlin by Tom Clancy, the second book in his literary empire was another bit hit with readers and in all he wrote 17 best-selling novels.

1989

Clear and Present Danger by Tom Clancy gave his excited fans yet another chance to be a part of the suspense they craved.

1990

The Burden of Proof by Scott Turrow, with its intertwined personalities and legal drama made this book a winner with readers. The Bourne Ultimatum, the follow-up novel by Robert Ludlum, also sold well in 1990.

1991

Scarlett by Alexandra Ripley picks up where Gone With The Wind leaves off, but this book left readers with extremely mixed reviews despite selling big.

1992

The Pelican Briefby John Grisham delivered legal thrills and suspense and added yet another jewel in his book-to-film crown.

1993

The Bridges of Madison County and Slow Waltz in Cedar Bend both by Robert James Waller gave us emotional counterpoints to the thriller and mystery novels.

1994

The Celestine Prophecyby James Redfield filled a niche for new age fiction and sold like hot cakes.

1995

It is arguable that John Grisham dominated the 1990s in te best-seller department! The Rainmaker sold well and again was the basis fora film. In 1995, The Celestine Prophecyand The Bridges of Madison County were still making the best-seller list.

1996

No doubt the fact that this book was initially anonymously helped to sell more copies. Joe Klein argued that his initial deception that Primary Colors was his work was to help protect himself since he didn’t know if his book would be received well or not.

1997

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier has often been compared to Homer’s Odyssey and gave readers a peak into the hardships of the Civil War.

1998

The Street Lawyer by John Grisham highlighted the plight of the homeless while containing a suspenseful conspiracy plot within.

1999

With a lag in between being published in the U.K. and then later being published in the U.S., J.K. Rowling’s young adult books had a huge impact on how we perceive children’s fiction. The fact that they were all released closely in time and to great anticipation explains why Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban were all best-sellers in 1999.

2000

The Brethren by John Grisham again promised intrigue and thrills, continuing a long pattern of success for this established author. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets was again a best-seller in 2000.

Did any of your favorites make the list? Let us know in the comments!

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