Read or Reread To Kill A Mockingbird

Host Bee on Monday, July 5th, 2010

**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:

You may also enjoy: