1970s Books

The 1970s saw a diverse range of bestselling books, reflecting the era's cultural shifts and literary innovations. Among the best books of the 1970s, some stand out for their enduring appeal and impact on generations of readers.
Stephen King's The Shining introduced readers to a world of spine-chilling terror and psychological thrills, solidifying his status as a master storyteller.
Sophie's Choice by William Styron offered a heart-wrenching portrayal of love, guilt, and survival set against the backdrop of the Holocaust, leaving an indelible mark on all who read it.
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume. This coming-of-age novel explores themes of adolescence and identity, resonating with young readers.
Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee by Dee Brown. This historical account of the American Indian experience during the 19th century reshaped perceptions of American history.
Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye, a powerful exploration of race and beauty standards, has become a touchstone in modern literature.
These examples represent just a fraction of the exceptional works that defined the era, demonstrating the rich tapestry of stories and emotions found among 70s books.
Again, most of the lists I can find are extremely USA-centric. I’ve tried to compromise by considering a stack of different sources, but the final choice is my own, based on books I’ve read, or have heard of. The USA list gives Publishers Weekly list of bestselling novels in the United States for that year.

1970

Great lion of God Taylor Caldwell 1970
The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison 1970
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl 1970
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart 1970
If Only They Could Talk by James Herriot 1970
My Sisters' Keeper by L.P. Hartley 1970
USA in 1970
Love Story by Erich Segal
The French Lieutenant's Woman by John Fowles
Islands in the Stream by Ernest Hemingway
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
Great Lion of God by Taylor Caldwell
QB VII by Leon Uris
The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight by Jimmy Breslin
The Secret Woman by Victoria Holt
Travels with My Aunt by Graham Greene
Rich Man, Poor Man by Irwin Shaw


1971

That Was Then, This Is Now by S. E. Hinton 1971
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss 1971
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth 1971
Adolf Hitler: My Part in his Downfall by Spike Milligan 1971
The Impossible Virgin (Modesty Blaise) by Peter O'Donnell 1971
Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas by Hunter S. Thompson 1971
The Diamond Hunters by Wilbur Smith1971
Maurice by E. M. Forster 1971
Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont by Elizabeth Taylor 1971
USA in 1971
Wheels by Arthur Hailey
The Exorcist by William P. Blatty
The Passions of the Mind by Irving Stone
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
The Betsy by Harold Robbins
Message from Malaga by Helen MacInnes
The Winds of War by Herman Wouk
The Drifters by James A. Michener
The Other by Tom Tryon
Rabbit Redux by John Updike


1972

The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth 1972
August 1914 Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn 1972
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach 1972
Watership Down by Richard Adams 1972
An Unsuitable Job for a Woman by P.D. James 1972
All Creatures Great and Small by James Herriot 1972
It Shouldn't Happen to a Vet by James Herriot 1972
USA in 1972
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
August 1914 by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn
The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
The Word by Irving Wallace
The Winds of War by Herman Wouk
Captains and the Kings by Taylor Caldwell
Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes
My Name is Asher Lev by Chaim Potok
Semi-Tough by Dan Jenkins


1973

Let Sleeping Vets Lie by James Herriot 1973
Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator by Roald Dahl 1973
Fear of Flying by Erica Jong 1973
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut 1973
The Silver Mistress (Modesty Blaise) by Peter O'Donnell 1973
Burr by Gore Vidal 1973
Evening in Byzantium Irwin Shaw 1973
Captains and the Kings Taylor Caldwell 1973
USA in 1973
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
Once Is Not Enough by Jacqueline Susann
Breakfast of Champions by Kurt Vonnegut
The Odessa File by Frederick Forsyth
Burr by Gore Vidal
The Hollow Hills by Mary Stewart
Evening in Byzantium by Irwin Shaw
The Matlock Paper by Robert Ludlum
The Billion Dollar Sure Thing by Paul E. Erdman
The Honorary Consul by Graham Greene


1974

All the President’s Men by Carl Bernstein 1974
Vet in Harness by James Herriot 1974
All Things Bright and Beautiful by James Herriot 1974
Lovehead by Jackie Collins
Carrie by Stephen King 1974
USA in 1974
Centennial by James A. Michener
Watership Down by Richard Adams
Jaws by Peter Benchley
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John le Carré
Something Happened by Joseph Heller
The Dogs of War by Frederick Forsyth
The Pirate by Harold Robbins
I Heard the Owl Call My Name by Margaret Craven
The Seven-Per-Cent Solution by Nicholas Meyer
The Fan Club by Irving Wallace


1975

‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King 1975
Danny the Champion of the World by Roald Dahl 1975
Curtain Agatha Christie 1975
The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins 1975
The World Is Full Of Divorced Women by Jackie Collins
Shōgun by James Clavell 1975
Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow 1975
The Moneychangers by Arthur Hailey 1975
The Eye of the Tiger by Wilbur Smith 1975
USA in 1975
Ragtime by E. L. Doctorow
The Moneychangers by Arthur Hailey
Curtain by Agatha Christie
Looking for Mr. Goodbar by Judith Rossner
The Choirboys by Joseph Wambaugh
The Eagle Has Landed by Jack Higgins
The Greek Treasure by Irving Stone
The Great Train Robbery by Michael Crichton
Shōgun by James Clavell
Humboldt's Gift by Saul Bellow


1976

A Stranger in the Mirror by Sidney Sheldon 1976
Dolores by Jacqueline Susann 1976
Not a Penny More, Not a Penny Less by Jeffrey Archer 1976
Vets Might Fly by James Herriot 1976
All Things Wise and Wonderful by James Herriot 1976
Last Day in Limbo (Modesty Blaise) by Peter O'Donnell 1976
USA in 1976
Trinity by Leon Uris
Sleeping Murder by Agatha Christie
Dolores by Jacqueline Susann
Storm Warning by Jack Higgins
The Deep by Peter Benchley
1876 by Gore Vidal
Slapstick or Lonesome No More! by Kurt Vonnegut
The Lonely Lady by Harold Robbins
Touch Not the Cat by Mary Stewart
A Stranger in the Mirror by Sidney Sheldon


1977

The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough 1977
The Shining by Stephen King 1977
Fluke by James Herbert 1977
Shall we Tell the President? by Jeffrey Archer 1977
Sun Horse, Moon Horse by Rosemary Sutcliffe 1977
Dreams die first by Harold Robbins 1977
Beggarman, Thief by Irwin Shaw 1977
Delta of Venus by Anaïs Nin 1977
Daniel Martin by John Fowles 1977
USA in 1977
The Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
The Honourable Schoolboy by John le Carré
Oliver's Story by Erich Segal
Dreams Die First by Harold Robbins
Beggarman, Thief by Irwin Shaw
How to Save Your Own Life by Erica Jong
Delta of Venus by Anaïs Nin
Daniel Martin by John Fowles


1978

Bloodline by Sidney Sheldon 1978
Scruples by Judith Krantz 1978
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett 1978
One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters 1978
SS-GB by Len Deighton 1978
Fools Die by Mario Puzo 1978
The Stand by Stephen King 1978
The World According to Garp by John Irving 1978
Dragon's Claw (Modesty Blaise) by Peter O'Donnell 1978
USA in 1978
Chesapeake by James A. Michener
War and Remembrance by Herman Wouk
Fools Die by Mario Puzo
Bloodline by Sidney Sheldon
Scruples by Judith Krantz
Evergreen by Belva Plain
Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah by Richard Bach
The Holcroft Covenant by Robert Ludlum
Second Generation by Howard Fast
Eye of the Needle by Ken Follett


1979

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams 1979
Jailbird by Kurt Vonnegut 1979
Sophie’s Choice by William Styron 1979
The Dead Zone by Stephen King 1979
Kane & Abel by Jeffrey Archer 1979
Smiley's People by John le Carré 1979
The Bitch by Jackie Collins 1979
The Last Enchantment by Mary Stewart 1979
A Woman of Substance by Barbara Taylor Bradford 1979
USA in 1979
The Matarese Circle by Robert Ludlum
Sophie's Choice by William Styron
Overload by Arthur Hailey
Memories of Another Day by Harold Robbins
Jailbird by Kurt Vonnegut
The Dead Zone by Stephen King
The Last Enchantment by Mary Stewart
The Establishment by Howard Fast
The Third World War: August 1985 by John Hackett
Smiley's People by John le Carré

1970s Men’s Magazines

During the 1970s, men's magazines played a crucial role in shaping perceptions of masculinity, evolving to reflect changing societal norms and interests. Many featured a mix of articles on fashion, grooming, fitness, and relationships, alongside more risqué content. This decade saw the rise of several influential publications that shaped the landscape of men's media. They often addressed contemporary issues such as gender roles, sexuality, and personal style, reflecting the broader cultural shifts of the time. The content was not only entertaining but also served as a commentary on the evolving identity of men in society.

Notable Titles

1. Playboy: Perhaps the most iconic men's magazine, "Playboy" continued to dominate the market in the 1970s, known for its provocative content, interviews with celebrities, and articles on culture and lifestyle.
2. Esquire: This magazine focused on men's fashion, culture, and politics, offering a sophisticated take on masculinity and style. It featured in-depth articles and high-quality photography.
3. Gentlemen's Quarterly (GQ): Launched in the 1970s, GQ quickly became a staple for men's fashion and lifestyle, providing insights into trends, grooming, and etiquette.
4. Top Shelf: Men Only, Mayfair, Penthouse

5. Car Mags: Autocar, Car, Car Mechanics, Motor, Motor Sport, Autosport
Autocar, first published in 1895, is the world's oldest car magazine, featuring brief road tests of new models, analysis of how a model compares relative to rivals and summaries of current racing news, especially F1 and rally.|
Car is a monthly automotive enthusiast magazine including 'newcomer' first drives of new cars, interviews with significant figures in the motor industry and a regular group test under the 'Giant Test' name.
Motor was considered more informative and more conservative than its big rival, Cae. It included two car reviews, both 2 pages long with specifications and impressions, very detailed road tests and scoops of the latest cars.

6. DIY Mags: How it Works, Handyman, Do it yourself
How It Works magazine is a haven for the curious, offering enlightenment, engagement, and education across diverse topics. From captivating science to thrilling technology, intriguing transport, cosmic space, and rich history, each issue delivers instant intrigue with vivid imagery and fascinating facts.
Family Handyman: This American magazine, published monthly(ish), is run by passionate DIYers and includes helpful DIY projects, tips and repairs and how-to instructions for improving homes, yards and vehicles.
Do it yourself magazine, published in London since the 50s, and features articles on house repairs, renovation and construction.

7. Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone was founded in 1967 in San Francisco by Jann Wenner and Ralph J. Gleason, with its first issue covering the Monterey Pop Festival. The magazine became renowned for focusing on music, culture, and politics, featuring legendary journalists like Hunter S. Thompson, and covering major artists including Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, and David Bowie.

1970’s Boys Comics

Boys comics of the 1950s and 60s presented a world of constant, dependable friends and reliable traditions. Easter always brought loads of adventures involving eggs. In August, the sun always shone on the sands, the cliffs, the lighthouses, the sparkling sea and the crabs. In November, the pages and the title whirled with sparks and whooshing rockets. And at Christmas – apart from slap-up feasts of spherical puds and cigars – there would always be snow on the lettering and a cascade of presents and overflowing stockings, often distributed from the open cockpit of a plane by a genial Santa Claus. Reading them required, of course, a complete acceptance of people rolling downhill engulfed in a monster snowball; of dogs, snakes, horses, bears and ostriches being able to talk; and of lightbulbs hovering over people’s heads containing the word “Idea”.

Many boys' comics of the 1970s focused on adventure, humour, and action, often featuring relatable characters and exciting storylines. This era saw a continuation of themes from previous decades, with a strong emphasis on friendship, bravery, and fun. A variety of boys' adventure comics, with titles like Valiant and Tiger gained popularity, featuring new adventure heroes as they continued to adapt to the changing tastes of the audience.
The rise of television and the introduction of colour television in the UK also influenced the comics industry, leading to a shift in focus towards television-related characters. comics began to adapt by incorporating more dynamic and engaging narratives, often reflecting contemporary issues and interests of young readers. The mid 1970s saw a mix of traditional and new styles, as well as a growing interest in science fiction and superhero comics in such titles as Action and 2000AD. These are some I remember perusing in my folks' newsagent shop.

The Dandy

A British children's comic magazine published by the Dundee based publisher DC Thomson whose first issue was printed in December 1937. The most notable difference between this and other comics of the day was the use of speech balloons instead of captions under the frame. The comic has had a number of different cover stars (comic strips appearing on the front cover), firstly Korky the Cat, who was on the cover from 1937 to 1984. Desperate Dan, long since the comic's most popular character, then took over the cover until 1999. Some of the most popular characters include:
  •   Desperate Dan – A wild west character, the world’s strongest man who can lift a cow with one hand. His beard is so tough he shaves with a blowtorch.
  •   Korky the Cat – A black, male talking cat who behaves like a human and is accepted in a world of humans
  •   Hungry Horace – The adventures of a boy who thought of nothing but eating.
  •   Beryl the Peril – Originally in The Topper, she devilishly tormented her parents and other members of her community, causing chaos through menacing her neighbours, parents and school teachers – a female Dennis the Menace (created by the same artist).

The Beano
Anxious to repeat the success of their comic, The Dandy, Scottish publishing house DC Thomson introduced The Beano just 35 weeks later in July 1938. It was practically a replica of the first comic and, again, proved a great success. It is now the longest-running British children’s comic. During World War II, The Beano switched to fortnightly publication to save paper, alternating weekly with The Dandy. Illustrating the great British ability to laugh in the face of adversity, The Beano continued to serve up jokes and stories, laced with a large helping of patriotism as the comic’s characters tackled the Nazis in highly-imaginative ways. Documents found after the war revealed that, along with the editors of some national British newspapers, the editors of The Beano and The Dandy would have been arrested had Hitler’s forces invaded Britain. Some of the most popular characters include:
  •   The Bash Street Kids – Smiffy, Plug, Danny and the other ageless reprobates of Bash Street High School
  •   Dennis the Menace – The crown prince of British comicdom. Lumbered with his lifelong foe Walter the Softy, Dennis arrived on 17 March 1951 and later joined by his pet dog, Gnasher (an Abyssinian wire-haired tripe hound)
  •   Lord Snooty and his Pals – The adventures of Lord Marmaduke Bunkerton (aka Lord Snooty) who wore a Lord Fauntleroy suit without explanation
  •   Minnie The Minx – A feisty, energetic tomboy, preferring mischievous and violent antics over those that would be normal for a typical ten-year-old girl.
  •   Pansy Potter the Strong Man’s Daughter – The strong-arm girl who became a household name

Buster

Launched in the 1960s, "Buster" continued to be a significant boys' comic in the 1970s. It featured humour and adventure stories, appealing to a wide audience of young readers. The comic was known for its engaging characters and entertaining plots, making it a staple in many households. The title character, whose strip usually appeared on the front cover, was Buster himself, originally billed as Buster: Son of Andy Capp. Andy Capp is the lead character of the eponymous Daily Mirror newspaper strip, and Buster wore a similar flat cap to reinforce the connection. In early issues, Buster often referred to his father, and Andy was seen in the comic attempting to find a gas leak in three frames of the 18 June 1960 issue. Buster's mum was often referred to by name, and was consistently drawn to resemble Andy's wife Flo. The decade saw the incorporation of new characters and stories, such as the mad German scientist in "Von Hoffman's Invasion" and the Sludgemouth Sloggers. Buster's popularity was evident as it celebrated its tenth birthday and continued to be a staple in the UK comic scene. Some popular characters include:
  •   Faceache: A young boy with the ability to change colour at will, known for his mischievous and humorous antics.
  •   Johnny Samson: A young mad inventor with a penchant for creating inventions that often lead to trouble.
  •   Crabbe's Crusaders: A group of young adventurers who embark on various quests and adventures.
  •   The Toys of Doom: A collection of toys that come to life and embark on their own adventures.
  •   The Leopard of Lime Street: A story featuring Billy Farmer, a boy who discovers he has the strength of a leopard after being scratched by one.

Victor
The Victor was a British comic paper published weekly by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd. The Victor ran for 1,657 issues from 25 January 1961 until it ceased publication on 21 November 1992. Many of The Victor's stories focused on the exploits of the British military in World War II and each week the front cover carried a story of how a medal had been won by British or Commonwealth forces during the Great War or the Second World War. In addition to these, the comic also featured science fiction stories, adventure stories and sports stories. The emphasis was on the ordinary man or boy involved in action adventures. Stories involved decent, upstanding British or Commonwealth men and boys fighting in wars, or competing on the sporting field or in general adventures, including sci-fiction yarns. Well known characters such as Alf Tupper, the runner; Sergeant Matt Braddock, World War Two pilot; Morgyn the Mighty, the strong man and Gorgeous Gus, the rich owner/sometime football player, who had all appeared in other D.C. Thomson comics, were dusted off and given a new lease of life in The Victor. These four characters were the backbone of the comic and one or all of them appeared almost in every issue for the first twenty years.

Whizzer and Chips

A British comics magazine that ran from 18 October 1969 to 27 October 1990, when it merged with the comic Buster. As with most comics of the time, Whizzer and Chips was dated one week ahead of the day it actually appeared on newsstands in Great Britain. The format of Whizzer and Chips presented the comic as being divided into two separate parts—a novel idea at the time. One part was called Whizzer and the other was called Chips, with Chips existing as a separate pull-out section in the middle. The slogan "Two comics in one, double the fun!" was used. In the offices of publisher Fleetway, Whizzer and Chips was always regarded as one comic. One ongoing concept was that the two comics were fierce rivals. A guest appearance by a character from one of the comic strips in the story of one in the other magazine would be described as a "raid", and the other comic would seek its revenge with a raid of its own the following week.
Readers were encouraged to become either a "Whizz-Kid" or a "Chip-ite", depending on which section they preferred. The leader of the Whizz-Kids was a boy called Sid and his snake Slippy, from the Sid's Snake comic strip. The leader of the Chip-ites was a boy called Shiner from the comic strip of the same name, who had aspirations to become a boxer and always ended up with a black eye (the eponymous "shiner").

Action
Launched in 1976, "Action" was known for its controversial and gritty content, which included stories about war, crime, and adventure. It pushed the boundaries of what was acceptable in children's comics at the time, leading to both popularity and criticism. While initially a sales success, the comic quickly received media criticism for its violent content, causing a moral panic that ultimately saw it withdrawn from sale by IPC in October 1976, amid rumours it was to be banned. Action returned two months later in a much-sanitised form, quickly losing readers and being cancelled the following year. The comic was eventually merged with "Battle" but left a lasting impact on the genre.

2000AD

This comic debuted in 1977 and quickly became a landmark publication in British comics. It introduced readers to a darker, more mature style of storytelling, with iconic characters like Judge Dredd, a law enforcement and judicial officer in the dystopian future city of Mega-City One, which covers most of the east coast of North America. He is a "street judge", empowered to summarily arrest, convict, sentence, and execute criminals. Judge Dredd stories often satirise American and British culture, with a focus on authoritarianism and police brutality. The comic's blend of science fiction and social commentary resonated with older boys and teenagers, setting a new standard for comic storytelling. Other series in 2000 AD include Rogue Trooper, Sláine, The Ballad of Halo Jones, Strontium Dog, ABC Warriors, Nemesis the Warlock and Nikolai Dante.

1970s Women’s Magazines

The 1970s was a decade marked by significant social change, including the feminist movement, which influenced a significant evolution in women's magazines, reflecting cultural shifts, feminist movements, and changing societal norms. The revolution in fashion magazines saw some begin to reflect the eclectic styles of the era, for example Vogue and Harper's Bazaar. These publications not only showcased fashion trends but also served as cultural barometers, introducing readers to new designers and political commentary intertwined with fashion.
Key publications began to address women's rights, sexuality, and personal empowerment more openly, reflecting the evolving roles of women in society. Magazines became platforms for discussing issues that were previously considered taboo, contributing to a broader cultural dialogue about gender equality and women's liberation. They played a crucial role in shaping public perceptions of women's issues, offering a mix of lifestyle content, feminist discourse, and cultural commentary that resonated with readers during a time of significant change.

Cosmopolitan (stylized in all caps) is an American quarterly women’s fashion magazine for entertainment first published based in New York City in March 1886 as a family magazine. Known for its frank approach to sex and relationships, Cosmopolitan became a leading women's magazine during the 1970s. It offered practical advice on careers and relationships, blending accessible feminism with lifestyle content. The magazine's bold editorials and features helped shape the discourse around women's rights and empowerment during this transformative decade. The magazine’s circulation continued to decline for another decade until Helen Gurley Brown became chief editor in 1965 and radically changed the magazine. Brown remodelled and re-invented it as a magazine for modern single career women, completely transforming the magazine into a racy, contentious, and successful magazine. As the editor for 32 years, Brown spent this time using the magazine as an outlet to erase stigma around unmarried women not only having sex, but also enjoying it. Known as a "devout feminist", Brown was often attacked by critics due to her progressive views on women and sex. The magazine eventually adopted a cover format consisting of a usually young female model (or prominent female celebrity), typically in a low cut dress, bikini, or some other revealing outfit. The magazine set itself apart by frankly discussing sexuality from the point of view that women could and should enjoy sex without guilt or shame in all cases. The first issue under Helen Gurley Brown, July 1965, featured an article on the birth control pill, which had gone on the market exactly five years earlier.

British Vogue (stylised in all caps) is the British edition of the American fashion magazine Vogue. The magazine was launched in 1916 by Condé Nast, linking together fashion and high society. British Vogue is the third most profitable edition of Vogue worldwide (other than the American and Chinese editions). The magazine is published monthly twelve times per year. Within the United Kingdom copies of the magazine come without the 'British' in the 'O' in the publications logo.

Elle (stylized in all caps) is a worldwide magazine of French origin that offers a mix of fashion and beauty content, and society and lifestyle. The title Elle means She in French. Hélène, Elle's pioneering founder, returned to Paris from New York City to create a unique publication that grappled with the many forces shaping women's lives in France in 1945 Women won the right to vote in 1944, and Elle dove immediately into long-form "newspaper-like" features on women's role in national politics and the growing feminist movement. Elle would "celebrate a new type of woman: independent, modern, active, comfortable in her own skin and her time". On 2 April 1956, Grace Kelly appeared on the cover of Elle France, a few days before her marriage to Rainier III, Prince of Monaco. On 16 July 1956, Elle France featured Marilyn Monroe on the cover. By the 1960s, Elle had a readership of 800,000 across France and was said to "not so much reflect fashion as decree it." This dominance was reflected in the famous slogan: "Si elle lit elle lit Elle (If she reads, she reads Elle)" Beverly Johnson became the first Black woman on the cover of Elle when she appeared in the 1970s. Lagardère Group subsidiary, Hachette Filipacchi Médias began pushing Elle outside of France in 1985, launching Elle in the UK and the United States.

Nova: This British magazine ran from 1965 to 1975 and was notable for its focus on current affairs, fashion, and taboo subjects like homosexuality and abortion. Nova challenged traditional women's magazine norms by avoiding recipes and knitting patterns, instead showcasing high-quality photography and serious journalism. It became a platform for discussing women's issues in a more progressive context.

For the more mature woman
People's Friend: a British weekly magazine founded by John Leng on 13 January 1869 as an offshoot of The People's Journal. The magazine is principally aimed at older women.[6] Each issue contains at least seven self-contained short stories and two serials (frequently more), a craft project (usually knitting or sewing) and various factual articles, one of which is a piece on a particular town. Pets, family and traditions are also common themes. During World War 1, the focus of the magazine shifted to women. The magazine's geographical location in Dundee is reflected in a general bias toward Scottish subjects. The main front cover image is invariably a painting of a picturesque location somewhere in Britain or Ireland, and readers can also buy prints of these pictures.

Woman's Weekly magazine was launched in 1911, focusing on the home, family and lives of grown-up women, providing them with health advice and hints on how to feel good.

My Weekly: a magazine for women published by D. C. Thomson & Co. Ltd of Dundee, Scotland. It tends to consist of short stories, reader contributions, knitting or sewing patterns, and celebrity gossip. There are no real life horror stories. My Weekly is a warm and welcoming women’s magazine. We’re proud to be your feel-good read. Every issue provides an inspiring mix of celebrity interviews, specially-commissioned cookery features, down-to-earth advice from expert columnists, and exclusive contemporary fiction. The publication originated as a newspaper. It was purchased by the Thomson brothers early in the twentieth century, and was relaunched as a magazine in 1910.

Woman & Home: founded in the UK in 1926, this magazine is published 12 times per year, in print and digital formats. Its mission is to allow women to celebrate, inspire and support each other, offering thought-provoking, informative and joyful reads. we celebrate and empower women in their 40s and older from all walks of life, with a rich collection of articles on fashion, beauty, celebrities, real life stories, inspirational women, homes, gardens, recipes, books, travel and more.

Woman's Own: British lifestyle magazine aimed at women was first published in 1932, and in its early years it placed women's rights and social problems firmly in the foreground. It includes articles on celebrity gossip, real-life stories, fashion, beauty, shopping deals, wellbeing, food, and travel.

Woman: an English weekly magazine launched in 1937. Its target audience is 30-to 40-year-old women. It encompasses a mix of celebrity gossip and TV news, real-life stories, and fashion and beauty tips. Its lifestyle section offers ideas on homes, interiors and food, product reviews, and advice.

Calamity Chicks 4.3

Meet the cast

Helen Jackson
“I try not to treat you like a little girl, but sometimes I forget how quickly you’re growing up.” A sigh. “But you’ve always had an old head on your shoulders. Just now you sounded more like a sister than a daughter.”
Helen buried her head in Mum’s shoulder, squeezing tightly. She desperately wanted to confide about the things Dad did which made her uncomfortable, but she was too afraid of the consequences. And it wasn’t just him.
Helen rarely questioned her lot in life – it was what it was. From what she could tell, her mum had to put up with a darn sight more, so she felt it her duty to support her every way she could.

Nikos

Dark, enigmatic and initially  hostile, she soon discovered hidden depths.
In halting English, he explained how the girl’s faithless boyfriend had left her for another woman, but snapped his fingers and she went running back.
She nodded. “A total rat. “I bet he’s still seeing other women.”
He nodded vigorously. “I think this, too. But Eleni has no senses about him. She is stupid.”
“Women in love rarely have any sense. Or dignity.”
“Yes. You speak right. She has no dignity about him. Like most girls. Ruled by their …” He used a Greek word which sounded like moon, but his hand gesture made the meaning clear and the curled lip showed his distaste.
She glanced out of the window, trying to hide her involuntary shiver – he was every bit as arrogant as her father.

Janet Jackson
Even though Helen repeated the words exactly as her sister had, he obviously didn’t believe her. Then Janet peeked round the door, taking great pleasure in dobbing her in. “She’s got her fingers crossed behind her back.” Her smug smirk turned into a squeal as he morphed into the daddy monster and chased her out, saying she had five minutes to hide before he came to gobble her all up.
Over breakfast, Janet point blank refused to help. “I’m not a slave, I’m only nine. Far too young.”
“Janet. I didn’t bring you up to be so rude. You apologise right now.” Mum looked mortified.
“It’s alright.” Aggie’s face wobbled. “The last thing I want is to make anyone feel like this is the Victorian age when they sent children up chimneys.”

Stella Brent
Helen watched her mum’s face desperately trying not to crumple into despair. But the anger which fuelled Mum’s every waking moment rose to the surface and she gripped Helen’s arm, the jagged edges of her bitten-to-the-quick nails digging into the soft flesh, seeking blood
Mum didn't understand why Janet called her a fat, ugly old cow, so Helen tried to explain.
“Janet’s too young to know any better. When she moaned that you never let us have any fun, he said you’re jealous of us because we’re young, slim and pretty – everything you’re not.” She gulped as mum’s face went all wobbly. “It’s not true. You’re dead slim and gorgeous– ”

Jax (Sean Jackson)

Helen stared at the scruffy man whose beard and unkempt hair gave the appearance of a tramp.
He caught on, smoothing a dark lock which refused to be flattened. “Here’s me talking, I probably look in a far worse state. I came straight from the airport, but I probably should have had a haircut and shave first.”
“The Wild Man of Borneo motif suits you.” With a wink, Aggie returned to tea-making activities.
Jax was unlike any man she’d ever met – somehow she knew instantly he was worthy of her trust. For starters, he didn’t ogle her with the dark, greedy smiles of Dad’s creepy mates, nor cower behind anxious expressions like the timid characters she saw on TV. He seemed serious and sincere, suggesting strength like Sean Connery’s James Bond.

Auntie A (Aggie)
Aggie – nobody called her Agatha, despite her stern face – had recently bought a three-storey house overlooking the sea. The view out of their bedroom showed a long structure Aggie called a pier: one of two in Brighton.
“It’s a tourist attraction with a theatre at the end where famous comedians go to perform. I’ve booked us in for a show so you’ll see for yourself.”
After the weekend exploring the busy seaside town, Aggie explained her plans for restoring the house to its former glory and opening it as a guesthouse. “There’s an awful lot of work to clear all the bedrooms, and strip off the old wallpaper, and I’d appreciate any help. Otherwise, I’d have to pay a lot of money to a decorating firm.”

Penny
Helen met more of Jax’s family, discovering she had several cousins, including Clive’s daughter Penny, a year younger than Janet. On Penny’s first day, Janet brought her to the library after eating lunch, and Helen was surprised how much the younger girl’s studious attitude influenced her sister.

Chloe
Vaguely aware of a third girl joining Janet and Penny, she was struck by the girl’s ethereal fragility – far too insubstantial and naïve to survive in the tough school. The word fairy sprang to mind, and she couldn’t help but smile when she spotted her with a skinny lad who gave off a distinctly effeminate air. Truly a well-matched pair.

Charlie Evans

“Hey, Charlie. I thought I told ya to sort that so’s we can get some peace.”
A short, thickset girl with an almost military crewcut snorted. “I did. You know I did. He must’ve fixed it.” As the alarm clanged, she swore. “Shit. He’s rigged it with an alarm. The place will be swarming with staff any second.”
As the others fled, she jumped down, staring at Helen’s head. “Bloody hell, girl. What happened to you?”
“A psycho with a pair of scissors.” Helen caught sight of herself in the mirror, the scars showing prominently against the dark stubble.
Charlie bent down to pick up the wig, in a sorry state after being trampled by several pairs of uncaring feet. “Looks like the wig bought it.” She tried to straighten the knotted strands.
The door burst open and a tall man in a beige overall loomed over them. “Gotcha.”

Justin Palmer
She couldn't decide if he were a glib, “love ’em and leave ’em” type with a well-notched bedpost, a thief, or the worst kind of troublemaker. Basically a reprobate who reeked of dodgy dealings.
“Are you buying? Otherwise clear off.” The barman’s demeanour spoke of weary irritation.
“A Coke please.” He glanced at her. “Would you like ice in that?”
She nodded, not wanting to add to the man’s woes by challenging Justin’s arrogant assumption.
“Make that two cokes, both with ice.”
His grin suggested he’d read her thoughts, but he honestly looked the type who would be drinking beer despite being underage. For once, she couldn’t quite get a reading on him, but she would have put money on there being something dodgy, albeit buried deeply.

Calamity Chicks 4.2

Who doesn't love a Greek island? Here's one of Helen's first experiences on one - not what you might expect.

   “Looks like it’s only you and me for the windsurfing.” Jax winked at Helen.
   She groaned. It looked quite technical, something she suspected Janet would have been much better at. But the idea of spending the day with her dad, doing something he enjoyed, appealed to her.
   Surprisingly, she managed quite well, once she understood it was mostly a matter of balance, and going with the flow. He suggested most people failed because they were afraid to fall in the water. “Once you realise a dunking is inevitable, you stop fighting it.”
   She wasn’t kidding when she said Janet was much better suited to sporting activities, but for some reason this one worked for her. Despite his forebodings, she didn’t fall off once. The half hour was over far too soon, but he hired a pedalo and they pedalled their way over to the other part of the beach to explore the cliff.

   When they reached the top, he asked if everything was okay with boys.
   “How do you mean, okay?”
   A scowl. “I don’t want to pry, but I definitely got a bad vibe off that Jason character.”
   “Jason?” A beat. “You mean Justin. That was ages ago – we finished at Easter.”
   He nodded. “Good. I got the impression it was all over, but you never mentioned it and, as I’ve said many times, I don’t like to pry.” His expression, however, said prying was exactly what he wanted to do. Or at least getting a feel for how the relationship had gone.
   She took pity on him. “I know you're desperate to ask but worried about what I might reveal.”
   His face scrunched up. “Really? I’m that obvious?”
   “You have no idea. I’m guessing all fathers go through this at some point with their daughters.”
   He deadpanned. “You have no idea.”
   She chuckled. “I haven’t actually gone out with that many boys, because I find the majority to be far too immature. Most of them are only interested in the one thing I’m not prepared to give.”
   His eyebrows rose. “Pleased to hear it.”
   A sigh. “And I guess my experience with men has been somewhat tainted.”
   “Of course. Stella, I mean your mother, has been reluctant to shed too much light on what happened. But there are a number of things I wish she’d known about.”

   Helen was caught completely unawares as he grabbed her from behind. “What the heck?”
   “What would you do if someone did this to you?”
   Trying to get past the shock gripping her brain, she focused on how he was holding her captive, looking for the weakest link. His obvious strength meant there was little point in struggling against the grip on her wrists. At the very least, it would result in bruising.
   “Come on. If you don’t do something he could have you half-naked by now.”
   Helen knew one of the best strategies for a woman was to aim for her assailant’s genitals, but that only worked if the guy was face to face. She had no chance of kneeing him in the testicles with her back to him. And a head-butt was out of the question, although she doubted that particular tactic was something she would ever dream of using. Particularly on her beloved dad.
   The only weapons available were her feet, and she tossed up between stamping on his foot and kicking his shin. However, she couldn’t imagine practising on her dad because of the whole hurting thing.
   “Don’t worry about hurting me. I promise, you won’t do that.”
   She went for the foot stamp, figuring it would be easier to manage and less likely to overbalance her. But somehow he knew, moving his foot away so she only stamped the ground.
   “Good attempt, and it would have worked on most attackers, as long as they weren’t army trained.”
   But she was banking on the fact he didn’t know she’d watched several films featuring self-defence techniques. She followed up the manoeuvre with an elbow-jab aimed at his midriff, figuring his attention would be diverted enough to give some slack on his grip of her wrist.
   Unfortunately, she hadn’t reckoned on him being well versed in anticipating any moves she might make. He dodged her elbow, catching her arms behind her back, and capturing both wrists with one hand.
   “Good try. What will you do now?”
   She tried flexing her wrists, but his tight grip gave no room for manoeuvre. The part of her brain which registered pain stuck up a tentative hand, muttering about the level of discomfort, but what she understood as the fight-or-flight instincts shouted it down, needing full power to focus on an escape strategy.
   “Come on, girl. Every second counts. What are your instincts telling you to do?”
   She wanted to snarl at him to shut up and let her think, but she understood he was deliberately raising the stakes so the appropriate parts of her natural defence mechanism would kick in. Without the benefit of the sort of training he obviously received during his military career, she instinctively knew the only way she could best him would be with speed and something unexpected.
   Figuring most women would merely struggle against the grip holding them captive, she quickly dismissed this as a waste of energy. The whole superior strength thing. A couple of moves sprang to mind, but she wouldn’t feel at all comfortable doing them to her dad.
   “Stop analysing, just act. Whatever comes to–”
   He didn’t get a chance to finish as she sprang back, simultaneously twisting half a turn and jerking her shoulder into whatever part of his body was closest. Using the shock of the unexpected move and the momentum of her body against him, she managed to free her wrists and shoved hard, sprinting down the path, panting for breath.

   Half-way down she stopped, surprised he hadn’t appeared. Her first thought was she’d injured him in some way, and this quickly gave way to an image of the scene. Surely he wouldn’t have overbalanced and fallen down the cliff? Unable to bear the thought he could be suffering, she ran back, but he was nowhere to be seen. Was this even the right place? She scouted around for some indication, finally spotting an unusual cluster of rocks which reminded her of a badly-formed big cat. More of a tiger than a lion.
   “Of course, if you were really being attacked, you would never return to see if you’d injured your assailant.”
   She jumped as he appeared from behind a tree. “I thought you’d fallen over the cliff or something.”
   “Sorry. Badly-timed call of nature.” A chuckle. “And I had to search for some water to wash my hands.”
   “Did I hurt you? I heard a thump, but I was doing what you said and obeying my instinct to run.”
   “Not at all. More importantly, did I hurt you? I was trying to be gentle, but the instructor was clear that if we took it easy on the girls, they’d never be able to defend themselves against a real attacker.”
   “My wrists may be sore later on, otherwise I’m okay. A little warning would have been nice.”
   “That would have defeated the object. I wanted to assess your reflexes, and I have to say, they’re way better than I could ever have hoped. Your first instinct should always be to run, and that’s what you did, the moment you could.”
   “Except I came back.” She grinned.
   “Because you don’t realise how tough your old man is. I meant it when I said you couldn’t do anything to hurt me.”
   “You think?” She described one of the tactics which had run through her mind, and he winced.
   “Ouch. I pity the guy who tries to take you on.”
   “Am I right? Would it hurt more if I dug my nails in or twisted really hard?”
   His face screwed up. “Depends what he’s wearing. You won’t be able to do much through thick denim.”
   “But if he takes them off, it only leaves thin cotton.”
   “And you can be pretty sure of his intention if he’s down to his underwear. But would you have the nerve to grab hold of a stranger’s privates?”
   “If it was that or be raped, there’s no question. Nails or twist?”
   “Both if you can.” A shudder. “I consider it my duty to arm both you girls with some rudimentary self-defence techniques. It’s just a shame I couldn’t have taught Stella before I left. Then maybe the three of you wouldn’t have suffered so much.”
   “No point crying over spilt milk. If you had, then maybe we wouldn’t have Janet.”
   “True. I love the way you always look on the bright side, no matter what.”
   “That’s all down to Mum. Despite what she thinks, she’s really strong and brave and resourceful.”
   “You don’t need to tell me that, I promise you.”

Calamity Chicks 4.1

The fourth book in the series is Helen’s Hazard – here’s a little more about it.

What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
Helen figures she must’ve done something really bad in a former life to end up with her family: a sneaky sister dobbing her in to their deranged dad who delights in administering his twisted punishment ritual. Her mousey mum is too busy dodging punches to notice, and probably couldn’t do anything if she did.

Her Cinderella lifestyle takes a dark turn when Dad’s slimy mate babysits. He and his creepy girlfriend have strange ideas about games suitable for pre-teens, and she’s forced to swear a blood oath not to tell Mum. Those capricious fates have a few tricks - like a fairy godmother who reveals her true dad. But is it too late to save her from the monster?

As for handsome princes - they’re decidedly thin on the ground in her small English hometown, and inevitably turn into frogs when she kisses them. She never expected her first true love to be a Greek island, but she loses her heart to their way of life. Returning to work the summer before starting college, the first Greek man she encounters reeks of pride and arrogance. And she’s had way more than her fill of that.

A moonlit kiss gives her hope — but what’s the secret her sister won’t share, and will it destroy everything?

A modern Cinderella story with a flavour of Shirly Valentine and Mamma Mia
This cheeky piece of 70s British nostalgia features a courageous Cinderella, girl-powered escapes from hairy situations, a couple of unlikely heroes and the nastiest of villains. Feel free to boo and hiss.

Calamity Chicks:
Endearing, coming-of-age romances with lashings of adventure and a hint of spicy danger. Set in 70's Britain, they provide an immersive experience of growing up in a world without mobile phones and computers, but with the best soundtrack everrr!
#1 Tina's Torment - Ugly Duckling
#2 Chloe's Chaos - Goldilocks
#3 Linda's Lament - Reluctant Rock Star
#4 Helen's Hazard - Cinderella








And the answers from last week
A. Brenda Lee – Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree 62
B. Wizzard – I Wish It Could Be Christmas Every Day 73
C. Greg Lake – I Believe In Father Christmas 75
D. Perry Como – It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas 1951 (Michael Bublé 2012)
E. John Lennon/Yoko Ono – Merry Christmas (War Is Over) 72
F. Slade – Merry Xmas Everybody 73
G. Jackson 5– Santa Claus is Coming to Town 70 (Bruce Springsteen 85)
H. Elton John - Step Into Christmas 73