Books Set in the 1970s

by Kelly Rimmer
Setting: 1970 France
First Published 2023

Noah was a British operative in France during WW2, but a head injury has left him with memory gaps. Most of all, he wants to remember who saved his life during his final mission. Now in 1970, his daughter Charlotte is determined to find answers for her father.

She finds Chloe and Fleur, two formerly ordinary women who risked everything to become spies during the war. But as Charlotte learns more, she discovers that a double agent may be hiding in plain sight too close to home.

The Book Girls Say…We have both enjoyed Kelly Rimmer’s historical fiction since reading The Things We Cannot Say and can’t wait to pick up this summer 2023 release!

by Jessica Anya Blau
Setting: 1970s, Baltimore
First published 2021

Mary Jane tells the story of two very different family lifestyles and the 14-year-old girl trying to decide who she really is. Mary Jane is a quiet, book-loving girl from a traditional, conservative family in 1970s Baltimore. When she is offered a job nannying for a local doctor, her mom assumes their home is equally tidy and respectable.

However, the house is a huge mess and it's about to get crazier. The doctor has welcomed a rock star and his wife to stay at the home while he tries to get sober. Mary Jane has a lot to teach them about tidiness and schedules, and they open her eyes to a wild world outside her bubble. By the end of the summer, she has a better understanding of who she wants to be.

The Book Girls Say... Melissa loved this one from the first chapter, and immediately missed Mary Jane, Izzy, and the rest of the characters as soon as the book was over. The author hit the perfect mix of innocence and having Mary Jane's eyes opened to different ways of life. Then on her own, Mary Jane figures out how her eyes should be open in other ways.

It's everything a coming-of-age novel should be and a real gem showing both positives and negatives of suburban life in the 1970s.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
95% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Ash Davidson
Setting: 1977, Northern California
First published 2021

This novel, by debut author Ash Davidson, transports you back to 1977 in the Northern California logging town of Klamath.

Rich Gunderson comes from a long line of loggers. For generations, his family has made their living off of the Redwood trees, but now his way of life is threatened as the National Park Service is expanding to protect tens of thousands of acres of trees. Additionally, environmentalists are protesting the logging operations on the remaining private lands, raising concerns about water contamination. In an effort to secure his family’s future, Rich secretly spends their savings on a grove of ancient Redwoods that he hopes to harvest.

Rich’s wife, Colleen, is an amateur midwife who hopes for a second child of her own. She has suffered a long string of miscarriages and has begun to see a disturbing number of birth defects and fetal deaths throughout her small community. She begins to suspect that the herbicides used by the logging company that employs her husband might be to blame.

The Book Girls Say... Angela picked this book up immediately after returning from a family vacation to the Redwoods, so she was instantly drawn to the story about the towns she had just visited. But it was the dual perspectives of this story that kept her hooked. We see the story unfold from the point of view of both Rich and Colleen, as well as a few chapters from their eight-year-old son.

In a world where people often seem increasingly unwilling to listen to opposing viewpoints, the storytelling format of this environmental novel compassionately shines a light on all the shades of gray that exist for the families and communities caught in the middle.

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of 7/10/23.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Setting: 1973, Alabama
First Published 2022

Civil is fresh out of nursing school and has dreams of making a big difference in her post-segregation African American community. She works for the Montgomery Family Planning Clinic, and she’s sent to a rural cabin during her first week on the job. When she arrives, Civil is shocked to find that her patients are children, only 11 and 13 years old.

The girls, Erica and India, are innocent and not even thinking of boys. However, because they are poor and black, those handling their benefits have requested the children be on birth control. Civil struggles with this unexpected aspect of her new career. Despite the shocking reason for meeting the girls, Civil is endeared to them and their family. However, one day when she arrives for her visit, the unthinkable has happened.

You’ll also see Civil at the end of her career, with a daughter of her own, as she tries to find peace without forgetting those she encountered along the way.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Setting: 1970s, Los Angeles
First published 2019

This novel chronicles the meteoric rise of a fictional, iconic 1970s rock band - The Six - and their heedlessly beautiful lead singer, Daisy Jones.

The story is told through a series of "behind the music" style interviews that will make you feel like you are right there with them in the hard-partying, 70s music scene.

As you hear from each member of the band, the story of these complex characters unfolds, ultimately revealing the mystery behind the band's infamous breakup.

The Book Girls Say... Even if you aren't normally an audiobook fan, this one is a must LISTEN. Each member of the band is read by a different narrator, which fits perfectly with the rockumentary, interview style of the novel.

MORE BOOKS LIKE DAISY JONES... If you loved Daisy Jones & The Six, we've got a list of similar books we think you'll love.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
96% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Thrity Umrigar
Setting: India, 1970s and modern-day
First published 2012

This novel is about four women who began their friendship during college in Bombay in the 1970s. Initially drawn together by their revolutionary fervor, the friends drift apart over the next 30 years as their lives take very different paths. One married an American, while another was caught in a repressive marriage forced to wear a burka.

Through their stories, the author paints a portrait of India in the 1970s and through modern day. Ultimately, the four friends are reunited when one of them falls gravely ill and requests to see her friends together one last time.

The Book Girls Say... When Angela finished this book, she couldn't stop talking about it for months. These women and their stories stick with you long after the last page!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Susan Azim Boyer
Setting: 1979, Southern California
First published 2023

Jasmine is tired of her California high school and ready to start her real life studying journalism at NYU. Except, she had a tiny lapse in judgment and called herself the student body president on her NYU application before the election. She was a shoo-in, with her only competition, Gerald, campaigning to reinstate a dress code.

But then the real world infiltrates school politics. The Iran Hostage Crisis becomes the top story every night, and Gerald embraces the anti-Iranian hysteria spreading across the country. As an Iranian-American, Jasmine is caught in the middle. To make matters worse, her brother is becoming more outspoken as she tries to downplay her heritage.

The Book Girls Say…This YA novel explores themes of identity and ancestry without being too heavy. Some readers say that Jasmine is a realistically flawed young character like Devi from Never Have I Ever. Don’t expect her to make all the same choices you would.

by Dawnie Walton
Setting: Detroit & New York City, early 70s
First Published: 2021

Independent Opal can’t imagine settling into a real career. She believes she was made to be a star. Opal leans into her Afro-punk style as she tries to find her niche within rock music. When she meets another aspiring artist, British singer/songwriter Neville, the unlikely duo begins making music together for the fledgling Rivington Records.

As Opal & Nev establish themselves in the early 70s New York music scene, everything changes when a fellow band from their label brandishes a Confederate flag. Opal boldly protests, which sets off a wave of violence and unfortunate repercussions.

Decades later, in 2016, a music journalist digs deeper into the events of the 70s. Her discoveries and a nasty new allegation threaten to tear apart Opal and Nev’s planned reunion.

The Book Girls Say…In addition to being shortlisted for several historical fiction and debut novel awards, this book won an Audie award, so it should be excellent in audio form!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
90% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Khaled Hosseini
Setting: Early 1970s, Kabul, Afghanistan
First published 2003

Set against the devastating history of Afghanistan, The Kite Runner tells the story of an unlikely friendship between a wealthy boy, Amir, and the son of his father's servant, Hassan. The two become as close as brothers until a traumatic event begins to pull them apart and down two very different paths in life.

The Book Girls Say... Angela's in-person book club - a group that often has wildly different opinions about books - unanimously gave The Kite Runner five stars!

Heads Up: This book deals with challenging issues, including rape and public executions.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
95% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Alka Joshi
Setting: 1974, Paris & India
First published 2023

The final installment in the Henna Artist trilogy takes us to 1970s Paris. Thirty-two-year-old Radha now lives in Paris with her husband, Pierre, and their two daughters. Ten years ago, she discovered that she had a great talent for scents and could find the perfect fragrance for any customer who walked in the door of her friend’s grandfather’s parfumerie. Now, she’s a master perfumer designing new fragrances of her own.

Pierre doesn’t understand her need to work, but she perseveres, even traveling back to India to meet with her sister Lakshmi and the courtesans of Agra, who use scents to seduce men. However, while doing research in India, she discovers that the son she gave up is on his way to Paris to find her. Pierre doesn’t know about this difficult part of Radha’s past, and this revelation may end their vulnerable marriage.

The Books Girls Say… If you’ve already read The Henna Artist & The Secret Keeper of Jaipur, this is the perfect excuse to move The Perfumist of Paris to the top of your list! Each book features a different lead character, so you can read this novel as a stand-alone. However, the books are in chronological order, so if you plan to read all three, going in order is ideal.

by Jill Wine-Banks
Setting: 1970s Washington DC
First published 2020

During Watergate, only one woman was on the prosecutor's team, Jill Wine Volner. She was a young lawyer who had just turned 30 when she found herself in the center of this unprecedented time in US history. In the press, she was referred to as “the mini-skirted lawyer.” While her male counterparts were automatically respected, she had to work much harder to earn the same respect.

In this memoir, Jill Wine-Banks shares what it was like to be at the crossroads of the Women’s Movement & Watergate. And if those major events weren’t enough, she was struggling in a failing marriage behind the scenes.

The Book Girls Say…Another great Watergate option is ALL THE PRESIDENT'S MEN by Woodward & Bernstein, the journalists who uncovered the scandal. Keep in mind that it is on the long side at 480 pages and that while some readers love it and feel that it is a complete picture, other readers wish they had known more going into the book to help them follow all the key players.

by Kristin Hannah
Setting: 1974, Alaska
First published 2018

Returning home from Vietnam after being held as a POW, Ernt is not the same person he was before he left. When he impulsively decides to move his family to Alaska to live off the grid, his 13-year-old daughter Leni is hopeful that it will be the fresh start the family needs for a better future.

But when the harsh reality of an Alaskan winter without proper preparation begins to set in, Leni and her mother realize there is no one to save them but themselves.

The Book Girls Say... We both loved this book despite it being a bit of a tear-jerker. It's devasting to read one account of how a soldier's return from Vietnam affected those around him. We know this fiction is very much based on reality for too many families.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger
Setting: 1970, mission to the Moon
First published as Lost Moon in 1994

During the glory days of NASA's Apollo space program, in April of 1970, Captain Jim Lovell and two other astronauts launched America's fifth mission to the moon. But just hours into the flight of Apollo 13, an explosion rocked the ship. The astronauts began to lose oxygen and power.

This book, written by Lovell and a co-author, details the entire story that unfolded over the following days. The narrative shifts perspectives between the astronauts on the ship trying desperately to find a way home, NASA Mission Control, and Captain Lovell's family praying for his return.

by Fiona Davis
Setting: New York, 1928 and 1974
First published 2018

For most New Yorkers, Grand Central Terminal is a masterpiece of architectural design, but for Clara and Virginia, it represents something entirely different.

For Clara, in 1928, teaching at the Grand Central School of Art in New York's crown jewel train station was the stepping stone to her future. But she and her friends will soon be blindsided by the Great Depression, which may destroy the entire art scene.

In 1974, Grand Central declined to a dangerous place full of pickpockets and drug dealers. The station is at the center of a lawsuit that will decide if the terminal should be preserved or demolished. Virginia, who has recently taken a job in the Grand Central information booth, stumbles upon an abandoned art school within the terminal and discovers a striking watercolor that opens her eyes to the elegance beneath the decay. She sets out to find the artist and finds herself drawn into the battle to save Grand Central.

The Book Girls say... We both LOVE New York City, the beauty of Grand Central Station, and art, so it's like Fiona Davis wrote this book for us. We both enjoyed the combination of history, mystery, and even a little romance. Having only ever visited the restored Grand Central Station, it was fascinating to learn about its decline and just how close it came to demolition in the 1970s.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by T. Greenwood
Setting: 1977 New York City + Present Day
First published 2022

Former child actress Ryan Flannigan is now living in Vermont as an adult when she gets a disturbing call from a friend. A controversial photo of pre-teen Ryan, taken in 1977, has become headline news when it was found in the possession of a wealthy and now-infamous pedophile. And worse, Ryan’s mother, Fiona, inscribed the photo to him.

The photographer, Henri, was like a father to Fiona. When he dies, she returns to NYC for the funeral and begins re-examining her childhood, starting when they moved to the West Village in 1976. As Ryan gets more attention as an actress, the safety she longs for is replaced by auditions, paparazzi, and unwanted attention from men of all ages, culminating with the 1977 New York City Blackout.

As Ryan remembers her past, she must reconcile her relationship with her mother both during her time as a child and in the present day.

by Robin Givhan
Setting: 1973, Paris, France
First published 2015

This non-fiction book by a Pulitizer-Prize winning fashion journalist recounts an international defining moment in the history of high fashion.

On November 28, 1973, the world's social elite gathered at the Palace of Versailles for an international fashion show. The Americans at the Battle of Versailles included names you may recognize, like Anne Klein and Oscar de la Renta. They showed their work against the five French designers considered the best in the world, including Yves Saint Laurent.

Against all odds, including tiny budgets and dangerously large egos, the American energy wowed the audience. Their fearless models (ten of whom, in a groundbreaking move, were African American), dominated the runway.

By the end of the evening, the Americans had officially taken their place on the world's stage, prompting a major shift in the way race, gender, sexuality, and economics would be treated in fashion for decades to come.

by Stephen King
Setting: 1979, Maine
First Published: 1974

Although Carrie was released in 1974, this horror novel is primarily set in the fictional future year 1979. Carrie is a bullied high school student with a secret - she has telekinetic powers. She's not only tortured at school, she's from an abusive religious household. Her powers are the perfect way to get revenge on those who have caused her so much pain.

If you love horror, consider reading or re-reading this 1970s classic book.

The Book Girls Say…Carrie was Stephen King's debut novel, and it launched a career that is still going strong over four decades later. If you prefer a more recently written King work, try Joyland, which is set in 1973, but was written in 2013. It's also a better choice if you want more of a mystery vs. the scarier horror genre of Carrie.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
75% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Boo Walker
Setting: 1969-1970s, New England
First Published: 2021

While this book starts in 2019, it soon goes back to 1969 and chronologically tells the story of Annalisa’s life from 1969 to the end of the 70s. She is a passionate and talented young artist trying to find her voice as the country is affected by the Vietnam War.

Annalisa leaves her grandma and small town and moves to the thriving art scene in Portland, Maine. While her primary pursuit is art, she meets Thomas, an Ivy-league student with a much different background than her own. He up-ends her quest to become a museum artist in ways she didn’t expect. But her unexpected love may be unraveled by an unforgivable lie.

The Book Girls Say… Readers say that this coming-of-age book is both heartbreaking and uplifting. The fashion and food will transport you back in time to the Northeast of the 1970s. The author started his career as a songwriter, which becomes clear through lyrical writing and the inclusion of references to the musicians of the era.

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of 7/10/23.

by Eldonna Edwards
Setting: 1970s, Northern California
First published 2019

Twelve-year-old Clover Blue isn't sure of his birthday, who is parents are, or what his name used to be. He does know that he's happy living among the Saffron Freedom Community - the commune into which he was adopted. On the commune, everyone is family, but when Clover (urged on by his funny best friend, Harmony) begins to ask questions, his search for identity will bring upheaval to the community.

This novel will introduce you to a unique group of characters who paint a portrait of the decade. They include the commune's guru, a Grateful Dead groupie, a Vietnam deserter, a surfer, and even a midwife, just to name a few.

This book is included with Kindle Unlimited as of 7/10/23.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Mohja Kahf
Setting: 1970s, Indiana and Syria
First published 2006

Khadra's devoutly Muslim family immigrated from Syria, and she's growing up in 1970s Indiana "at the crossroads of bad polyester and Islamic dress codes."

Capturing what it's like to grow up Muslim in middle America, the fictional story follows Khadra's struggle to balance her parents' beliefs and histories with her own experiences in American culture.

By Elin Hilderbrand
Setting: 1979, Nantucket
First Published: 2020

If you read Summer of ‘69 last month, be sure to read the short novella follow-up Summer of ‘79 to see what the 70s brought to the Foley-Levin family! Elin Hilderbrand shows us what Blair, Jessie, and Kirby are up to as they return to Nantucket after the death of Exalta. Despite the short length, this story is full of 70’s cultural references.

The Book Girls Say... Because this novella is only 64 pages and was created as a limited-time offering, it’s not available as a stand-alone book from the library.

You can either purchase the Kindle version or pick up the Endless Summer anthology, which includes Summer of ‘79, as well as Summer of '89.

by Bonnie Sue Hitchcock
Setting: 1970, Alaska
First published 2016

This YA historical fiction novel, set in Alaska, is told from the perspective of four different teenagers living in the same isolated community. They come from very different backgrounds and lead very different lives.

Their stories become unexpectedly intertwined as they deal with difficult issues. This short, but moving, novel is about family, friendship, forgiveness, and hope.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Celeste Ng
Setting: 1977, Ohio
First Published 2014

Lydia Lee was growing up in 1970's small-town Ohio. As the favorite daughter in a Chinese American family, her parents have high expectations that she will fulfill all the dreams they were unable to pursue.

The Lee family is torn apart when Lydia's body is found in the local lake. This historical fiction mystery examines the distinctly different impact of Lydia's death on each family member and deals with race and gender identity issues.

The Book Girls Say... Like Celeste Ng's other novel, Little Fires Everywhere, this novel mixes some mystery and literary fiction into a family drama. Before picking up this book, be aware that it is sad from start to finish

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
75% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Jeanette Walls
Setting: 1970s, Virginia
First published 2013

Author Jeanette Walls is well known for her memoir, The Glass Castle, and the tale of her incredible grandmother in Half Broke Horses. Unlike these two books, Silver Star is a work of fiction, although her life experiences undoubtedly influenced it.

This novel tells the story of two sisters, 12-year-old Bean (a spunky girl along the lines of Scout Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird) and her older sister, Liz. After being abandoned by their mother in California, the sisters take a bus to a mill town in Virginia, where their widowed uncle lives alone in a decaying mansion that's been in the family for years.

The Book Girls Say... If you've read Jeanette Wall's memoir, The Glass Castle, you won't be surprised by her ability to write vividly about the struggles and triumphs of dysfunctional families. Her first foray into fiction doesn't quite live up to her memoir, but it's very well written and worthy of a read!

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Antonio Mendez and Matt Baglio
Setting: 1979, Tehran, Iran
First published 2012

Argo tells the true story of the 1979 rescue of six Americans who escaped hostage capture in Iran. They were left hiding, hoping for escape.

To get them out, CIA agent Antonio Mendez came up with an ingenious, but risky, plan. He would go undercover as a Hollywood producer scouting locations for a made-up science fiction film called "Argo." Under this guise, Mendez and his colleagues were able to successfully smuggle the six escapees out of Iran.

The Book Girls Say... If you enjoyed the Oscar-winning film Argo, this book provides more background information, including context regarding the Iranian revolution, the embassy takeover, and the Iranian hostage crisis. The audiobook is highly recommended.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐
90% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Judy Blume
Setting: 1970, New Jersey
First published 1970

Published in 1970, this young adult novel broke all the rules by talking to pre-teen girls about sex and religion without being prim or scolding. It's been read by generation after generation, despite being a commonly banned book.

Margaret is almost twelve and just moved from New York City to New Jersey. She's relieved to have made new friends and even be included in the secret club where they can talk about boys, bras, and periods. However, the other girls are confused by her lack of structured religion.

The Book Girls Say... If you somehow missed reading this book in your younger years, now might be the time to pick it up. Or if like Angela, you read it several decades ago, but you now have kids approaching Margaret's age, this book could serve as a good reminder of what it's like to be young with so many questions and confusing emotions.

Book Girls' Readers Rate This Book ⭐⭐⭐⭐1/2
100% Would Recommend to a Friend

by Lisa Napoli
Setting: 1970s, United States
First published 2021

After the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the influx of women into male jobs during WW2,, it was challenging for women to be considered for any workplace roles beyond the secretarial pool. This was especially true in journalism, where women were lucky to even find writing jobs for the “women’s pages”.

Four women changed this tradition when the non-profit National Public Radio (NPR) was launched in the 1970s. Despite their different backgrounds, Cokie Roberts, Susan Stamberg, Linda Wertheimer, and Nina Totenberg, launched the primetime All Things Considered and NPR itself into a lasting new source.

The Book Girls Say…Some readers find the disjointed nature of this non-fiction read disappointing. While you’ll hear the important stories of the four women and NPR itself, readers wish it had more depth, however, it does excel in the important stories of how each of these women broke the glass ceiling. It’s also on the shorter side at 288 pages.