Roof Beam Reader
Adam Burgess
Read-along: To Kill a Mockingbird (July 15 – Aug 1)
So, dear readers, I have this a nasty habit of obsessing over “best of” lists, when it comes to books. Best of a certain genre; best of a certain country; best of a certain time period; best for a certain type of reader. Whatever. If it’s on a “Best Of” reading list, odds are I’m going to download that list, save it somewhere, and become determined to read off of it (though I never really do).
That being said, I’ve also been thinking about the many books of classic literature which I did not like when I first read it, but which I really enjoyed/loved upon re-reading. This includes Old Man and the Sea, Pride and Prejudice, and The Great Gatsby, among others.
One book that appears on almost every “Best of” or “Must read” list, but which I did not particularly enjoy when I first read it, is Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird. Now, because it is such an important work, and because I’ve recognized this pattern in myself, I have decided to give it a second chance. But I’m hoping I’ll have some company!
This will be a simple read-along. If you want to join me in reading (or re-reading) this very important piece of American literature, I’ll be glad to have you! I’m planning to read it from July 15th – August 1st. Nothing insanely special planned (it’s jammed between my Beats of Summer and Austen in August events); I think conversing with others about the book will be eventful and interesting enough, but if anyone does want to provide a guest post, giveaway, or what not, please feel free to get in touch!
The master post will go up on July 15th, which will have the scheduled posting dates (approximately 10 chapters per check-in). You’re free to post your thoughts at each check-in, or just plan to do a final review/thoughts post on August 1st, which is when I plan to have mine up.
If you’re in, simply fill out the Mister Linky below, and I’ll see you on July 15th!
About the Book:
“The unforgettable novel of a childhood in a sleepy Southern town and the crisis of conscience that rocked it, To Kill A Mockingbird became both an instant bestseller and a critical success when it was first published in 1960. It went on to win the Pulitzer Prize in 1961 and was later made into an Academy Award-winning film, also a classic.
Compassionate, dramatic, and deeply moving, To Kill A Mockingbird takes readers to the roots of human behavior – to innocence and experience, kindness and cruelty, love and hatred, humor and pathos. Now with over 18 million copies in print and translated into forty languages, this regional story by a young Alabama woman claims universal appeal. Harper Lee always considered her book to be a simple love story. Today it is regarded as a masterpiece of American literature.”
-indiebound.org
To discuss this read-along on Twitter/Facebook, let’s use #MockingbirdReads
Roof Beam Reader 
I’m happy to join you in this read-along! Like many lawyers, I cite this book as one of the reasons I entered the legal profession. I’ve also been following the lawsuit lee filed against her agent (I wrote about it on my blog in May).
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Interesting! I’ll check it out. I heard something about her wanting the rights to the movie? Or something? I haven’t looked into it, yet.
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Ok, I entered, took it away and tried to re-enter with my name and now I may be on there twice (as number 3 and 4). Not sure…but I’ll be following along! Will you be posting so often and we come here to discuss?
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Yeah, I’ll probably post a few times and then post a full review at the end. I’ll look at the book this weekend and schedule posts by a certain # of chapters.
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OK, I have joined in. This book is on my long list TBR so I thought I would try a read along…:)
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Great!
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One of my favorite books :)). Wish I could join y’all on this one! I already read it for the Social Justice Theme read earlier this year. Have fun!!
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We’ll try!
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I’m joining in as well! I never liked this book much but it’s the book all of my friends love deeply. I’ve felt bad for waiting so long to give it a second chance but now I have support! Yay reading friends!
Emma @Emma Jane Reads Books
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We’re in the same boat! Exactly – maybe we’ll find what we were missing, this time. 🙂
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One of my favorites!! Excited for an excuse to re-read!
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Awesome! Maybe your enthusiasm will rub-off on those of us who didn’t enjoy it much the first time. 🙂
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Yay, a read-a-long! It will be my first time reading this book. I almost read it in early June, on holiday, but I didn’t get round to it. So here’s my chance!
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Oh, great!! Glad to have you along for this one.
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I read it about a year ago so I won’t be joining. Anyway, it’s a wonderful initiative, I was so surprised (and moved) by this book…
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I hope my second time with it leaves me with more of that feeling. I was underwhelmed.
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I’m ready! I LOVE this book!
Cynthia@The Things You Can Read
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Excellent! More enthusiasm!
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i will be reading along!
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That’s great! Glad to have you. 🙂
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I love this book. I read it, then re-read it a few years later, then read the bio “Mockingbird” and another book called “Scout, Atticus, and Boo: A Celebration of To Kill a Mockingbird.” In 2010 I even talked the Huz into going to Harper Lee’s hometown and visiting the courthouse (now a Mockingbird museum) where her father practived law. Each time I’ve read it I gain something new from its pages. Have fun!
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Oh, great! You should stop by and share some of your thoughts, especially as I (the host) did not really care for my first experience with the book. Hoping it will go better this second time.
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I’m from Indonesia, but I really want to read this book and I think this is a perfect timing to join this read along. So I entered. Is it okay ? Because you know, my english isn’t good and probably will be trouble in our discussion.
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We will be glad to have you!
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Your words have pinched my interest. This book will have to be on my TBR 🙂
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I’m going to try and be involved with this! It’s a very busy summer, and I’m already behind on Beats posts. But I’ve been wanting to reread this for years, so now is the time!
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Great! Looking forward to your Beats posts, too, but no pressure – we all get busy.
P.S. You ALWAYS double-comment. Lol I have comment moderation on for all comments, so you just need to wait for me to approve them. 😉
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I always forget that! Usually it tells me if it’s waiting to be moderated, but I never see it on your blog.
And the Beats posts will come! I want to make sure I’m on somewhat of a track with this read-along for now, but the Beats will happen.
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I’m a little behind in the blogging world, per usual, but I’m going to try and participate in this! I’ve been wanting to reread it for years. Thanks for another fun read-along!
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I’ll give it a try, English is not my mother tongue and probebly I will not succeed before 1 august but it is a challenge for me to read English classical literature.
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I’m in! Just signed up! Dusted off my old yet unused copy! This will be a first read through for me.
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Hi! My name is Daria. I`m from Russia. I`ve never replied before, although I amire your blog very much. I planned to read this book a couple of years ago, so your post is definitely is the sign I needed). And a good practicefor my English reviews. I would like to join if you don`t mind)
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Hi, Daria – thanks for your interest in my blog and in this event. Of course, we would love to have you with us for this read-along.
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Ahaha, I just finished a late-post… Sorry not being around so much. Enjoy the read, anyway. 🙂
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