Top Ten Tuesday- They've Got Issues

This Top Ten Tuesday is brought yo you buy The Broke and the Bookish, the letter C, and the number three (speaking of Sesame Street, I really love the movie Follow that Bird. Big Bird turning blue is one of the saddest, most emotional movie moments ever).

Issues- you've got 'em, I've got 'em, and so do many of the books we love. I've tried to go for some I haven't mentioned before-

1. Tortilla Curtain by TC Boyle
Issue: Illegal immigration, class, overall treatment of minorities
Read it Now: I've recommended this book a few times on this blog because I am such a huge fan of it. While I do believe in legal process and the need for immigration reform, I also believe in humanity, sympathy and kindness.

2. The Evolution of Bruno Littlemore by Benjamin Hale
Issue: Treatment of animals in captivity, and, um, well bestiality
Read it Now: This book is for the patient and liberal minded, as it describes how a monkey basically evolves into a creature very similar to a human. He also develops a very intimate relationship with a woman. Bowchickabowwow.

3. The Imperfectionists by Tom Racchman
Issue: The decline of the newspaper industry
Read it Now: A great novel that comments on the changes that are happening to how we acquire information as technology takes over our lives. Nostalgic yet realistic.

4. Solar by Ian McEwan
Issue: Global warming
Read it Now: This is not McEwan's strongest novel, but it is an interesting look at global warming and finding alternative sources of energy before it is too late. Humorous with a protagonist (well, technically, that's what he is) that you'll love to hate.

5. State of Wonder by Ann Patchett
Issue: Fertility, the role of business in medicine
Read it Now: Patchett is a beautiful writer, and her novel dealing with science in the Amazon explores the future of fertility and the pharmacological influences that may change it.

6. Miles from Nowhere by Nami Mun
Issue: Youth homelessness, runaways, drug use
Read it Now: This book will break your heart while offering a different perspective on runaways. Being independent and alone in the world is not glamorized in the slightest- the novel is bleak but honest.

7. Rules by Cynthia Lord
Issue: Autism
Read it Now: This is actually a children's novel (it's a Newbury Honor book), but I really appreciate the message behind it. The narrator's brother is autistic, and she must deal with the struggles this brings to her family. She creates "rules" to help him function in society.

8. The Abstinence Teacher by Tom Perotta
Issues: sex education, separation of church and state
Read it Now: As a high school teacher (and a liberal, pro-choice kind of girl) I find sex education a fascinating topic. This novel explores what happens when people disagree over what teenagers should learn, and also the role of church in sports and school.

9. The Road by Cormic McCarthy
Issues: the apocalypse
Read it Now: Face it- eventually, something terrible is going to happen and only like fifty of us are going to survive (supposedly next year, right?). Food will be scarce, people will be violent, and illness will be inevitable. Sounds fun, right? Can't wait.

10. How to Survive a Garden Gnome Attack by Chuck Sambuchino
Issues: Lawn gnome invasion
Read it Now: They may look innocent and frozen, but they're not. Garden gnomes will sneak around your house, mess with your things, and eventually try to kill you. This book has excellent tips on preventing the take over.