Catching Up With the Classics: 10 Books Turning 50 in 2024

The 1970s seem like only yesterday, with times feeling not so far from where we are now. 

By the 70s, nearly every home had a television set, movies like Blazing Saddles and Young Frankenstein had become hits, and home media ownership was on the rise. 

However, although many people were consuming new media, books still held an important place in society. In fact, between 1973 and 1974 publishing sales actually rose 10% and book sales topped $3.5 billion. 

With this list of classics, it's no mystery as to why. Many of the books turning 50 in 2024 are still beloved today. 

Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein

This whimsical book of poetry is still enjoyed by children and adults alike. The drawings and poems are timeless and ageless. The comedy can be enjoyed by all ages and is a must read. 

Carrie by Stephen King

Carrie, Stephen King's debut novel has been consistently in print for 50 years. A novel King initially had apathy towards and threw away, it became a best-seller after the 1976 movie adaptation. It has often been credited for the resurgence of horror writing. 

Jaws by Peter Benchley

We can't hear the two notes of the Jaws movie score without immediately being transported, which wouldn't be possible without Petr Benchley's novel. A bestseller for 44 weeks, Jaws was immediately turned into the classic film that still makes us afraid to go into the water. 

Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values by Robert M. Pirsig

Although Pirsig received 121 rejections when first trying to get this published, Zen has sold over 5 million copies and remains thought of as a must-read philosophical text. A fictionalized autobiography of a motorcycle trip Pirsig took with his son, Zen dives into the concepts of "pure truths," the self and relationships, and gumption traps. 

The Last of the Really Great Whangdoodles by Julie Andrews Edwards

I was today years old when I learned that Mary Poppins herself wrote this beloved children's novel. Although this book was not well-received upon initial publication, it is still a children's book that sticks with so many of us years later. 

If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin

James Baldwin's fifth novel, and his only told from the viewpoint of a woman, If Beale Street Could Talk remains a classic love story that explores not only romantic love, but familial love. Although it was considered a flop when it was released, the movie adaptation in 2018 earned an Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Regina King, and proves that it is a story that still resonates with us today. 

The Dispossessed by Ursula K. Le Guin

Often considered an extraordinary work, The Dispossessed is one of the few novels to win Hugo, Locus, and Nebula Awards in science fiction. Inspired by the Vietnam War, Le Guin's novel explores themes of capitalism, utopianism, and anarchism. 

Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry

Now, true crime books and movies are everywhere, but in the 1970s, books like Helter Skelter rocked the nation. In fact, even today Helter Skelter is the best-selling true crime book in history, having sold over seven million copies. 

The Worst Witch by Jill Murphy

When first published in 1974, the first printing sold out in 2 months. A classic series centering on Mildred Hubble, the worst witch at her school, this series has been made into a well known made-for-tv movie in the 80s, and was most recently made into a television series for Netflix. 

Tinker, Tailor, Solder, Spy by John Le Carre

Often considered one of the best spy novels ever written, Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy is known for being one of the most realistic takes on the spy profession. It has been made into a BBC miniseries and a 2011 film that was nominated for 3 Oscars.