First, a giant thank you to The Classics Club for inspiring me to read the some of the best books on this earth. There are many new titles on my list of 61. There are also a few that I’ve read before, such as To Kill A Mockingbird. I’m so glad I put this on my list. It is indeed a classic novel and one that I should probably read once a year.
To Kill A Mockingbird was published in 1960 and was an immediate best seller. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1961. There are over 18 million copies in print and it has been translated into 40 languages. It was also made into an Academy Award winning film starring Gregory Peck.
The characters from this novel have entered our collective lexicon. Who hasn’t heard of Boo Radley? Even if you’ve never read the book you’ve probably heard of the people who populate it. Scout Finch is the narrator and she is the funniest and wisest little girl that ever told a tale. The cast of characters are many and varied and ring true. Scout’s brother Jem, their cook and nanny Calpernia, the neighbor boy Dill, the mysterious Boo Radley and the other assorted community members are all a joy to read about. There are characters that tug at your heart and others that you love to hate. (Bob Ewell, jerk!)
The best character? The noble, honest, loving, intelligent, fantastic father: Atticus Finch. And I’m not talking about the movie version Atticus, you don’t have to picture the handsome Mr. Peck while reading this to fall head over heels in love with the man. Here is a guy that does the right thing. Even when that right thing is scarier than we can wrap our modern 2012 minds around.
Atticus is a white southern lawyer. He is defending a black man accused of rape. In Alabama. In the 1930s. Yikes, right? That takes gumption and bravery and all around awesomeness.
If you’ve never read To Kill A Mockingbird, you should. If you have, you should read it again.
Notice my new little button on the right sidebar? I’m on a mission against word verification and I got this lovely button from Beatrice Banks.
The Relentless Reader 
What an interesting collection of covers!
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Okay – I'm so seriously NOT stalking you! I'm just bored and restless in this overly hot night. Why do you think Harper Lee didn't go on to write more books? Also did you know that Harper Lee grew up with Truman Capote and Truman is the inspiration for the character Dill? Good night – I won't be back tonight, I promise. Belle
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I have only seen the movie, which was of course outstanding. The film had great characters but I wanted to know more about them. I guess that is what books are for!
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Some of them are gorgeous aren't they? There is also a 50th anniversary edition cover that I really should have posted, it's beautiful.
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Ha ha, stalk me all you want, it makes me feel loved :)I've always wondered why she didn't write more. Maybe she didn't know how to follow up such a great novel? I did not know that she grew up with Truman Capote! That is fascinating! I wonder if there is a good bio about her out there somewhere? Hmmm. Come back, come back! lol
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Brian, Brian, Brian! I'm going to have to tsk tsk in your general direction! 😉 I, on the other hand, have NOT seen the movie. I think we both know what our next tasks will be!!
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Indeed! It will be interesting to hear what you think of the film!
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I just requested the DVD from my library 😉
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Love the book; thought Peck was a great decision for Atticus, though I didn't love all of the other actors in their roles.Still, it was To Kill a Mockingbird that convinced me that my wife was the one for me. I was watching it on TV, when she and my roommates came home to bump me off to watch a football game. The next day, she returned with her VHS copy of To Kill a Mockingbird (the tape also had Dr. Strangelove on it).
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I read this book in high school and absolutely hated it. But, I almost positive it was the reading experience — a high school classroom — and not the book itself. I've wanted to rearead it for a long time, but haven't gotten to it yet. Clearly I should!
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Neal, I would have married her myself!
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I hope you do give it another try Kim! If so I'd love to hear what you think now
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This is my all time favorite book ever. I love what you have written about it! I am due for a reread…. I just love Atticus so much. The strength and grace he showed while standing up to do the right thing is just inspiring. -Sarah
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Thank you Sarah, and thanks for visiting as well! Isn't he something? Everything he does feels genuine. There have been many heroes created in books but something about them usually feels a bit forced. Not Atticus 🙂
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Atticus has been my ideal man ever since I first read this at school. It was one of those amazing book moments for me – all those years of pre-teen easy reads – to finally read something with gumption and character and meaning. I had one of those \”ahhh this is what they mean by literature\” moments.All these glowing reviews make me want to read it again.
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Oh I completely understand that moment! When you realize that Sweet Valley High and VC Andrews series weren't the best books in the world 😉 TKAM is definitely worth a re-read, such a wonderful book.
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I always wanted to marry Atticus Finch too — and 11 years ago, I did! 🙂 My husband won my heart with his honesty and integrity. Atticus Finch is the best possible standard — I highly recommend that you keep him at the top of your list!
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He might be the world's best protagonist 🙂 Congrats on finding an Atticus!!
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Love the book covers.www.sandradanby.com
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Me too Sandra, thanks!
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