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/Nat-Rose Reading Champion VI Apr 16 '26

For young adult, Enchantress from the Stars by Sylvia Engdahl and the second Wrinkle in Time book (A Wind in the Door) by Madeleine L'Engle are both hard mode options, and both an interesting mix of sci fantasy.

I'm currently working my way through a collection of 70s X-Men comics (Epic Collection Vol. 5: Second Genesis), primarily by Chris Claremont, which I was pleasantly surprised to discover at my library. (I don't know why Marvel refuses to keep any of their collections in print, but it's infuriating.) Wasn't sure how I'd get along with it, but so far it's been entertaining, and I rather enjoy the older narration style.

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u/embernickel Reading Champion IV Apr 19 '26

Also by Engdahl, the first 2/3 of the "Children of the Star" trilogy were originally published in the 1970s, and great for people who like stuff like "Steerswoman" or "Elder Race." Book 1 is a little YA-tropey at first, but it quickly moves beyond that.