A Town Like Alice by Nevil Shute

[Excerpt is AI Generated]
“A Town Like Alice” by Nevil Shute is a historical fiction novel set in WWII era. It follows the story of Jean Paget, a British prisoner of war, and her journey through Malaya and post-war England. The novel highlights women’s resilience and the challenges of rebuilding life in the Australian Outback. With its captivating plot and strong characters, it’s a timeless read.

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald

Many high school students in the 70s and 80s read this novel as part of the curriculum. Somehow I skated through without reading it. It is a great novel for a high school English class: It is short, has well defined characters, an unhappy ending, and very clear symbolism which can help young-ish readers understand what literature is capable of.