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Top Ten Tuesday: Older Books I Don't Want People To Forget


Happy Tuesday everyone!  Welcome to the first Top Ten Tuesday now hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.  This week's topic is a throwback prompt to share your list of books on a topic that you've missed in the past and I've selected Older Books I Don't Want People To Forget.  Here we go, beginning with the oldest books:


The Beetle by Richard Marsh, 1897 - I read this excellent gothic horror novel for a college course and the best kind of insane.   It was released the same year as Dracula and was initially more popular at the time.  It stayed in print 1960 until it was re-released in 2004. It totally needs a cover change though - one that actually kind of reflects what it's about, or at least gives you the idea that your about to jump into pulpy horror rather than a bland piece of historical fiction.


Featuring the Saint by Leslie Charteris, 1931 - I love watching the classic tv show with Roger Moore and listening to the radio show featuring the voice talent of Vincent Price.


American Agent by Melvin Purvis, 1936 - This autobiography is easily one of the most fascinating I've ever had the chance to read.  If your not familiar with Melvin Purvis, he was the lead FBI agent on the case of John Dillinger, Pretty-boy Floyd, and Baby-face Nelson.  He would have only been 33 years old when this book was originally released.


Murder With Your Malted by Jerome Barry, 1941 - I've never read a mystery quite like this fun, fast-paced, thrill-ride with a great sense of humor.  The twist is fantastic and the characters are intriguing.  Plus, the main character is a soda-man so there's plenty of soda jargon featured in the dialogue.


Leave Her to Heaven by Ben Ames Williams, 1944 - I love a good noir-ish mystery thriller and this one totally hits the mark.  By the way, the movie which features a mustache-less Vincent Price is a good adaptation.


The Egg and I by Betty MacDonald, 1945 - I had no clue that The Egg and I movie from 1947 with Fred MacMurray and Claudette Colbert and led to the Ma & Pa Kettle spin off movie series was actually based on the real life memoir of Betty MacDonald until I listened to this audiobook.  The sense of humor is great and as with the movie, the Kettles completely steal the show.


Ross Poldark by Winston Graham, 1945 - I don't know about you, but I'm a fan of the tv adaptation featuring Aidan Turner and Eleanor Tomlinson.  Anyway, since I enjoy the show so much I thought I would give the source material a try - and luckily enough, it's an engaging historical fiction novel populated with wonderful characters.  I've only read the first two books so far, but I totally need to continue on with it.


How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying: The Dastards Guide to Fame & Fortune by Shepherd Mead, 1952 - This satirical guidebook is what inspired the musical (and movie adaptation) with Robert Morse in the 1960s and the newer revival which featured Daniel Radcliffe (and later Darren Criss and Nick Jonas).


My Family & Other Animals by Gerald Durrell, 1956 - This is easily one of my all time favorite memoirs - it's hilarious and the characters are so vibrant!


Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman, 1964 - If this humorous epistolary novel following a new teacher in a metropolitan high school isn't considered a classic, it really should be.


Have you read any of these books, or have I piqued your interest in any of them?  As always, thanks very much for visiting my blog and perhaps even commenting down below!

Comments

  1. I read the Poldark series after I watched the show back in the 1970s. I loved it so much. Perhaps I should reread them. My TTT favorite

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    1. I've seen a bit of the old show, but I may have to try that one too. :)

      Thanks for coming over, Anne!

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  2. Ooh nice topic. I've never seen or read The saint but I knew Roger Moore played him, and that alone makes me curious. :)

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    1. I've only read the first one, but I was hooked. :)

      Thanks for coming over, Greg.

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  3. I haven't read any of these, but I did see the movie adaption for Up the Down Staircase, which is a classic. Nice twist on the topic.

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    1. I've never seen the movie, but I should really look for it. :)

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  4. Oooh! I'll have to check a few of these out! Great list!

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    1. I hope you enjoy them - and I'm glad I could pique your interest, Erica!

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  5. I haven't read any of these, but I'm really curious about The Beetle and I'm going to look for it. Thanks for sharing😊

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    1. I'd love to know what you think of The Beetle, Tammy. >)

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  6. Ooh, The Beetle sounds goods. Thanks for the recommendation.

    This is our Top Ten Tuesday.

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    1. No problem! I'm glad you're interested.

      Thanks for shairng.

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  7. I used to watch The Saint TV series too.
    sherry @ fundinmental

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  8. I love this topic because it's so easy to forget about older books when so many are being published every year and those are the ones that get the most attention in the community. I haven't read the book, but also adore Poldark the series. I'm a little behind though!

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  9. This is an awesome topic. Sometimes I discover an excellent older book and wonder where all the hype is. Old books need love too.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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    1. For sure - it's always fun to find something that's new to you. :)

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  10. Ooh, I don't really know any of these. This is a tempting topic for a post, too...!

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    1. It's fun to share old favorites when so many new books are coming out every day. :)

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  11. I know nothing about any of these books, but great topic choice! Leave Her to Heaven looks intriguing.

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    1. It was brilliant. Thanks for coming over, Aimee. :)

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  12. I haven't read any of these, although the Poldark books are on my TBR :)
    Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/

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    1. The first two at least are certainly worth picking up!

      Thanks for sharing, Cora.

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  13. I probably should not tell you this, but I have not heard of these. In my defense though, I only read non-fiction, so that helps, right?? Happy Reading!

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  14. It is good to bring some of the older ones to attention every now and then. :D

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