Tip of the Week:  Read or Reread To Kill a Mockingbird!

On July 11, 1960, Nelle Harper Lee’s only novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, was published by J.B. Lippincott  & Company and the author expected little success.  To the contrary, it was barely a year later when the novel was awarded the Pulitzer Prize during its 41st week on the bestseller list.  A survey conducted by the Library of Congress found that To Kill a Mockingbird ranked second only behind the Bible as the book most often cited “as making a difference.”

Despite a degree in English and a strong love of books, I only read this masterpiece for the first time about two years ago and was in awe of the story, its themes, the quality of writing and feeling that the book left you with long after you finished reading it.  As Lee’s hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, the model for the book’s locale of Maycomb, prepares to celebrate the 50th anniversary of its publication, I thought it was time to reread the novel and urge others to do the same!

Lee, now 84, lives a quiet, reclusive life in Monroeville and has declined all requests for interviews or public appearances since 1964!  In deference to her reticence, the anniversary celebration is respectful and tasteful, and hopefully will please this celebrated and deeply influential author.

For more on Lee, the novel and the anniversary celebration:

• A 50th Anniversary Edition of To Kill a Mockingbird
• Monroeville’s Mockingbird:  Southern Living’s article about her hometown anniversary celebration
• Mockingbird:  A Portrait of Harper Lee by Charles J. Shields (of course without the participation of Lee!)
• To Kill a Mockingbird on DVD starring Gregory Peck in an Academy Award winning role as Atticus

You may also enjoy:

• Summer Reading for Kids
• Start A Women’s Book Group
• Start A Mother/Daughter Book Group
• Recommended Reading for Book Groups
• Great Books for Kids and Teens
• Busy Bee’s Best Beach Reads

Finding a great book can be a challenge!   Time to devote to reading is usually limited and so the books that we choose just have to be good!  I love to read and am so glad to have the chance to share some of the titles I’ve read and enjoyed!  The list combines my favorite book group selections, a few classics and some titles that were just pure entertainment!

As I continue to read and my book group continues to meet, look for more titles to be added to the bookshelf!  I’d love to hear about your own favorite selections as well! (When you purchase a book through our Amazon links, we make a tiny percentage of the sale and appreciate your support.)

Busy Bee’s Bookshelf – First Edition

Wear Clean Underwear!:  A Fast, Fun, Friendly and Essential Guide to Legal Planning for Busy Parents by Alexis Martin Neely

This book gently reminds us that being prepared for life’s twists and turns requires more than just clean underwear!  In an easy to read story format, readers will be walked through the necessary legal steps to provide for your children’s future, as well as the future of your assets.  You can listen to the podcast of an interview with the author at Vicky and Jen! 

Available through Amazon, Wear Clean Underwear!: A Fast, Fun, Friendly and Essential Guide to Legal Planning for Busy Parents, retails for $11.53)

Stay tuned for further editions of Busy Bee’s Bookshelf!

Do you have a favorite book?  Please share!