198019811982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

1981 Books

From bestselling novels to critically acclaimed works, 1981 was filled with captivating stories that have stood the test of time. In this list, we highlight the most popular books of 1981, celebrating the titles that topped the charts and won the hearts of book lovers everywhere.

Congo
Written by: Michael Crichton
Outline: This adventure took place in the Congolese jungle, and included a scientific breakthrough, the search for diamonds, and the mythical ruins of a city. Karen Ross is the leader of the American expedition, determined to find her husband and retrieve …
Firestarter
Written by: Stephen King
Outline: Master storyteller Stephen King presents the classic "terrifying...gripping" (Miami Herald) #1 New York Times bestseller--"his highest farenheit reading yet" (Time)!Andy McGee and Vicky Tomlinson were once college students looking to make some extra cash, volunteering as test subjects for an …
Cosmos
Written by: Carl Sagan
Outline: One of the most popular science books ever is RETURNING to Television as an All-New Miniseries on FOXCosmos. Sagan presents a blue-blue world that is jewel-like in clear-eyed prose.
The Hotel New Hampshire
Written by: John Irving
Outline: "The first illusion of my father was that bears could live with human beings. The second was that humans could survive living in hotels."
A Light In The Attic
Written by: Shel Silverstein
Outline: While I was thinking here last night, Some Whatifs crawled into my ear. They danced and partied all night. And sang the same old Whatif song: What if I fail that test?
The Witches
Written by: Roald Dahl
Outline: Witches are not the fantastical creatures depicted in fairy tales, but rather vile, cunning, and detestable beings who disguise themselves as ordinary ladies. To identify a witch, one must be vigilant, as they possess formidable powers and harbor a strong …
The One Minute Manager
Written by: Kenneth H. Blanchard
Outline: The book "One Minute Manager" has been widely adopted by managers across various organizations, leading to increased productivity, job satisfaction, and personal prosperity. The book outlines three practical techniques - One Minute Goals, One Minute Praisings, and One Minute Reprimands …
Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In
Written by: Roger Fisher
Outline: The book "Getting to Yes" presents a proven, step-by-step method for negotiating personal and professional disputes effectively, focusing on isolating problems, addressing interests, creating new options, and using objective criteria to help parties reach mutually acceptable agreements, making it a …
Chronicle of a Death Foretold
Written by: Gabriel García Márquez
Outline: A man returns to the town where a murder occurred decades earlier, determined to uncover the truth. Despite everyone's knowledge of the impending murder, no one intervened, leading to an examination of an entire society's culpability in the tragic events.
What We Talk About When We Talk About Love
Written by: Raymond Carver
Outline: Carver's second collection solidified his status as one of the most acclaimed and cherished short-story authors in American literature, offering a poignant exploration of love, loss, and the search for meaning amidst life's challenges.
Women, Race & Class
Written by: Angela Y. Davis
Outline: Angela Davis offers a comprehensive historical analysis of the racist and elitist biases that have permeated the feminist movement, from its abolitionist roots to the present day, highlighting how these biases have hindered collective progress. She also examines the complex …
George's Marvellous Medicine
Written by: Roald Dahl
Outline: George's grandmother is an unpleasant, elderly woman with poor dental hygiene and a sour disposition. Despite her frequent medication, her temperament remains consistently unpleasant. When George is tasked with caring for her, it presents an opportunity for him.
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark
Written by: Alvin Schwartz
Outline: This spooky collection of American folklore tales by Alvin Schwartz features eerie horror and dark revenge stories that will thrill readers. The book includes a diverse range of chilling tales, from restless skeletons to ghostly revenge and haunted houses, all …
Ain't I a Woman: Black Women and Feminism
Written by: bell hooks
Outline: The text analyzes the intricate connections between different forms of oppression, particularly the impact of sexism on Black women during slavery, the historic devaluation of Black womanhood, Black male sexism, racism within the women's movement, and Black women's involvement with …