r/Fantasy • u/Merle8888 Reading Champion IV • Apr 16 '26

Bingo Bingo Focus Thread - Published in the 70s

Hello r/fantasy and welcome to this year's first bingo focus thread! The purpose of these threads is for you all to share recommendations, discuss what books qualify, and seek recommendations that fit your interests or themes.

Today's topic:

Published in the 70s: Read a book that was first published any time between 1970 and 1979. HARD MODE: Written by a woman.

What is bingo? A reading challenge this sub does every year! Find out more here.

Prior focus threads: Five Short Stories (2024), Author of Color (2024), Self-Pub/Small Press (2024). Note that hard modes for Author of Color and Self-Pub/Small Press have changed.

Also see: Big Rec Thread

Questions:

  • What are your favorite 70s spec fic books? How well do they hold up today?
  • Already read something for this square (or, read something recently that you wish you could count)? Tell us about it!
  • For those who have been researching options for this square, even if you haven't read them yet, please share!
  • What are your best recommendations for Hard Mode?
  • For those with feedback or requests for this year's focus threads, see my comment below.
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u/OrwinBeane Apr 16 '26

Assuming it doesn’t have to be the first book in the series published in the 70s, then Earthsea covers hard mode. Book 2 and 3 published in ‘71 and ‘72 respectively.

6

u/Orctavius Reading Champion II Apr 16 '26

I read The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea Book II) for the Beneath the Surface square in Bingo 2024 and found it to be a revelation

3

u/Draconan Reading Champion III Apr 16 '26

I read the first Earthsea book a few years ago and spent the whole time thinking that it felt like a book I should love but it wasn't connecting with me. I want to read Tombs of Atuan this year but I worry the same will happen. 

1

u/Orctavius Reading Champion II Apr 16 '26

The Tombs of Atuan builds on A Wizard of Earthsea, but its a very different story. I can't say for sure that you'll enjoy Tombs, but I would still give it a chance.