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Suzanne's 2022 A to Z Challenge
15/26 completed

1. A �� Alice, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll
2. B �� Franklin Blake, The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins
3. C �� Charles Ryder, Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh
4. D �� Doc, Cannery Row by John Steinbeck
5. E �� Evelyn Nesbit, Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow
6. F ��
7. G �� General LaSalle, The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allen Poe
8. H �� Hari Seldon, Foundation by Isaac Asimov
9. I �� Ichizo, Silence by Shusaku Endo
10. J �� Jack, Lord of the Flies by William Golding
11. K �� Kitty Jackson, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan
12. L �� Little Prince, The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery
13. M �� Marguerite Johnson, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou
14. N ��
15. O �� Ona Rudkus, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
16. P �� Phoebe Caufield, The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger
17. Q �� Quint, Peter, The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
18. R ��
19. S ��
20. T �� Teddy Lloyd, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark
21. U �� Roderick Usher, The Fall of the House of Usher: An Edgar Allan Poe Short Story by Edgar Allen Poe
22. V ��
23. W ��
24. X �� Xiangzi, Rickshaw Boy by Lao She
25. Y ��
26. Z -

1/26 Foundation by Isaac Asimov.

My brother introduced me to the first two episodes of the streaming series a few months ago, and so I was completely immersed and enjoying the beginning of the novel. Eventually, the lack of descriptives and emphasis on dialogue (so common in these older novels) gave way to a little boredom on my part. Still, I'm glad I read it.

2/26 I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou

I've been homeschooling my daughter, now in the 9th grade, and have enjoyed introducing her to great books. We read this together. Angelou's prose and imagery brings alive this sad, yet uplifting, tale of her childhood.

3/26 The Jungle by Upton Sinclair

I remember reading this when I was in high school, and it still packs a punch. The tragic circumstances of the life of immigrants to America have changed so much in 100 years - for those coming legally. I guess graft and corruption are always there, but it's nice to see that we've made some real progress.

4/26 Ragtime by E.L. Doctorow

Interesting novel about New York City at the turn of the last century. The characters struggle with the changing industrial world and political issues abound. The themes of making one's own way in life and leaving an important legacy are strong in the book. I've read a couple of other Doctorow books, and was not disappointed in this one.

5/26 The Turn of the Screw by Henry James

This was a fun, gothic read, but I have to admit to reading the Spark Notes after I finished. It was helpful to understand the meaning of "corruption" in context of the time period. Also, I was convinced the Governess was actually hallucinating, so the ending really threw me for a loop.

6/26 A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan

It was quite apparent early on, that the characters in this series of connected short stories, were self-destructive. I didn't really enjoy this one. Maybe it was too much of a downer, with characters I didn't care for?

7/26 Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

Charles Ryder looks back on his past associations with the family of Brideshead estate, simultaneously giving us a peek at the changing times. It wasn't a page-turner by any stretch of the imagination, but there was some good insight in this novel.

8/26 Rickshaw Boy by Lao She

Xiangzi, a strong young man, dreams of owning his own rickshaw and a life of wealth and independence. Unfortunately, life and fate seem to conspire against him as he struggles to achieve his dream. I enjoyed this novel, although it was very depressing.

9/26 Silence by Shusaku Endo

Ichizo is the character I chose for the letter '"I". Very good novel about early missionaries to Japan and the brutality they faced.

10/26 Cannery Row by John Steinbeck

Doc is the character I chose for the letter "D". I did not enjoy this novel as much as other Steinbeck novels I have read.

11/26 The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger

Phoebe Caufield is the character I chose for the letter "P". My daughter and I enjoyed reading this one together.

12/26 The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins

Franklin Blake is the character I chose for the letter "B". I can't say this was a page-turner for me. Mildly interesting old-time mystery.

13/26 The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Little Prince is the character I chose for the letter "L". It's hard to believe I've never read this class gem before now.

14/26 Lord of the Flies by William Golding

Jack is the character I chose for the letter "J". I forgot to add this book when I read it with my daughter for her homeschool English class in March. We both enjoyed it!

15/26 Alice's Adventures in Wonderland / Through the Looking-Glass by Lewis Carroll

Alice is the character I chose for the letter "A". Would you believe that I had never read this book, even as a child? Very imaginative, but not really my cup of tea.

16/26 The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark

Teddy Lloyd is the character I chose for the letter "T". Interesting short novel about an unconventional and beloved teacher in 1920's Scotland.

17/26 The Pit and the Pendulum by Edgar Allen Poe

General LaSalle is the character I chose for the letter "G". I really enjoyed this early horror novella. Riveting!

18/26 The Fall of the House of Usher: An Edgar Allan Poe Short Story by Edgar Allen Poe

Roderick Usher is the character I chose for the letter "U". My second Poe novella, and this was every bit as good.