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Centenary booklist

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As we celebrate 100 years of Gateshead Central Library, we've chosen an influential book from each of the past 100 years. Take a look at our picks!

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1926 to 1935 1936 to 1945 1946 to 1955 1956 to 1965 1966 to 1975 1976 to 1985 1986 to 1995 1996 to 2005 2006 to 2015 2016 to 2025
1926-1935

1926 to 1935

Our list of chosen books features notable works from 1926-1935, including Winnie the Pooh, To the Lighthouse, and All Quiet on the Western Front. Together, they offer a brief look at some of the key writing of the time.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1926 to 1935)
1936-1945

1936 to 1945

Look at our chosen titles from 1936-1945, including the much loved Ballet Shoes, the imaginative adventure of The Hobbit, and Orwell's sharp political tale Animal Farm.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1936 to 1945)
1946-1955

1946 to 1955

View our pick of books from 1946-1955, including the moving Diary of a Young Girl, the classic Charlotte's Web, and the influential novel The Catcher in the Rye. These books are some of the best known stories published in the decade after the war.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1946 to 1955)
1956-1965

1956 to 1965

See our list that features books from 1956-1965, including the imaginative sci fi epic Dune, the much admired novel To Kill a Mockingbird, and the atmospheric classic The Haunting of Hill House.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1956 to 1965)
1966-1975

1966 to 1975

Explore the list of chosen books from 1966-1975, which spans everything from the cultural phenomenon Valley of the Dolls to the coming of age story The Outsiders and the powerful memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1966 to 1975)
1976-1985

1976 to 1985

View our list of books from 1976-1985, a decade filled with memorable characters and bold storytelling. From the dark allure of Interview with the Vampire to the sharp humour of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and the high stakes tension of The Hunt for Red October.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1976 to 1985)
1986-1995

1986 to 1995

Journey through the books we have chosen from 1986-1995 - highlights include the enchanting Howl's Moving Castle, the real world survival story Touching the Void, and the compelling mystery at the heart of The Secret History.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1986 to 1995)
1996-2005

1996 to 2005

Explore our chosen books from 1996-2005, a decade filled with hugely popular stories and unforgettable characters. From the humour of Bridget Jones's Diary to the worldwide phenomenon of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and the moving drama of Atonement.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1996 to 2005)
2006-2015

2006 to 2015

From 2006-2015, our chosen books capture a wide span of styles, voices, and unforgettable stories. The decade opens with the atmospheric The House at Riverton and moves through powerful novels like A Thousand Splendid Suns, gripping thrillers such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and reflective works like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

View all 100 books  (Go to 2006 to 2015)
2016-2025

2016 to 2025

Covering 2016-2025, our list highlights standout reads such as The Underground Railroad, the Booker winning Girl, Woman, Other, and the recent fantasy hit Fourth Wing. Take a moment to look through the full list to explore more books from this period.

View all 100 books  (Go to 2016 to 2025)
1926 to 1935 1926 to 1935
1926-1935

1926 to 1935

Our list of chosen books features notable works from 1926-1935, including Winnie the Pooh, To the Lighthouse, and All Quiet on the Western Front. Together, they offer a brief look at some of the key writing of the time.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1926 to 1935)
1936 to 1945 1936 to 1945
1936-1945

1936 to 1945

Look at our chosen titles from 1936-1945, including the much loved Ballet Shoes, the imaginative adventure of The Hobbit, and Orwell's sharp political tale Animal Farm.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1936 to 1945)
1946 to 1955 1946 to 1955
1946-1955

1946 to 1955

View our pick of books from 1946-1955, including the moving Diary of a Young Girl, the classic Charlotte's Web, and the influential novel The Catcher in the Rye. These books are some of the best known stories published in the decade after the war.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1946 to 1955)
1956 to 1965 1956 to 1965
1956-1965

1956 to 1965

See our list that features books from 1956-1965, including the imaginative sci fi epic Dune, the much admired novel To Kill a Mockingbird, and the atmospheric classic The Haunting of Hill House.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1956 to 1965)
1966 to 1975 1966 to 1975
1966-1975

1966 to 1975

Explore the list of chosen books from 1966-1975, which spans everything from the cultural phenomenon Valley of the Dolls to the coming of age story The Outsiders and the powerful memoir I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1966 to 1975)
1976 to 1985 1976 to 1985
1976-1985

1976 to 1985

View our list of books from 1976-1985, a decade filled with memorable characters and bold storytelling. From the dark allure of Interview with the Vampire to the sharp humour of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole and the high stakes tension of The Hunt for Red October.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1976 to 1985)
1986 to 1995 1986 to 1995
1986-1995

1986 to 1995

Journey through the books we have chosen from 1986-1995 - highlights include the enchanting Howl's Moving Castle, the real world survival story Touching the Void, and the compelling mystery at the heart of The Secret History.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1986 to 1995)
1996 to 2005 1996 to 2005
1996-2005

1996 to 2005

Explore our chosen books from 1996-2005, a decade filled with hugely popular stories and unforgettable characters. From the humour of Bridget Jones's Diary to the worldwide phenomenon of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone and the moving drama of Atonement.

View all 100 books  (Go to 1996 to 2005)
2006 to 2015 2006 to 2015
2006-2015

2006 to 2015

From 2006-2015, our chosen books capture a wide span of styles, voices, and unforgettable stories. The decade opens with the atmospheric The House at Riverton and moves through powerful novels like A Thousand Splendid Suns, gripping thrillers such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, and reflective works like The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks.

View all 100 books  (Go to 2006 to 2015)
2016 to 2025 2016 to 2025
2016-2025

2016 to 2025

Covering 2016-2025, our list highlights standout reads such as The Underground Railroad, the Booker winning Girl, Woman, Other, and the recent fantasy hit Fourth Wing. Take a moment to look through the full list to explore more books from this period.

View all 100 books  (Go to 2016 to 2025)