Top Ten Tuesday- Don't You Forget About Me

This week The Broke and the Bookish ask us for ten "older" books we don't want forgotten. I had a little trouble defining "older," so I'm going with late 19th century to late 20th century oldies. I'm purposefully staying away from traditional classics, for the most part- ones that will inevitably be remembered but will still appear on many lists.

1. Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole (1987)- Do I really have to explain why?

2. Tobacco Road by Erksine Caldwell (1932)- Do yourself a favor and read some Caldwell ASAP- funniest, smartest shit ever.

3. Dear Mr. Henshaw by Beverly Cleary (1984)- How have we never talked about how much I adore this book? It makes my heart go soft and mushy. Love it to the max. 

4. By the Great Horned Spoon by Sid Fleischman (1988)- I forgot about this book until the other day (I think my teacher read it to us in fourth grade) when I told my husband that he was "on the horns of a great dilemma." For some reason I could still remember that it was from this book and that I loved it. So maybe I'm actually the one that should remember it...

5. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder (1932-1943)- What's with all the kids books? Anyway, I love Laura. I love the prairie. I love that stupid bitch-face Nelly. Please don't forget about these books, technologically advanced future and that builds high rises apartments over the prairies.

6. On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin (1859)- We must never forget our roots.

7. Valley of the Dolls by Jacqueline Susann (1966)- Odd choice, I know. First of all, I've never read it (but do want to) and know Susann is definitely not a great writer. But I think the fact that she was ahead of her time and the ties it has to the feminist movement makes it worth a look. People are so swept up in the current kinky porno novel of the month and they forget about the fact that the genre has been around for awhile.

8. Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (1985)- I think this book is actually slowly being forgotten- Westerns aren't exactly a leading genre right now. But the writing and the story deserve to be remembered.

9. A Prayer for Own Meany by John Irving (1989)- I've been listening to this on Audible lately (I read it many years ago), so this really is a proximity/nostalgia add. That little Owen and all thematic ties he embodies. 

10.  The Joy of Cooking (1936-)- I love blogs for recipes and utilize the internet constantly for my cooking needs, but there is still something to be said about having an actual cookbook, covered in crusty dried food, on out the counter.