Celebrating Fifty Years of To Kill a Mockingbird

Did you know that the novel To Kill A Mockingbird is fifty years old?

I didn't until I read the article Monroeville's Mockingbird in the July issue of Southern Living. Here is a link to a summarized version of the article on the magazine's website: Monroeville's Mockingbird .

If you are a fan of the book or interested in the author, please seek out the full article. It isn't a literary article but it has quirky anecdotes from townspeople who actually know the reclusive Nelle Harper Lee (they call her Nelle). I enjoyed reading about the locals tiptoeing around Lee; reading about her 99 year old sister still practicing law; and reading about her interactions with Dr. Butts and former Auburn Coach Pat Dye.
Your local library should have a copy to browse or just buy an issue. It is chock full of yummy summer recipes for garden veggies, salads, icecreams, and margaritas that will help make the purchase worthwhile... I am certainly planning to try out many of the recipes.


Monroeville, Harper Lees's Alabama hometown and the inspiration for the novel's fictional town of Maycomb, is hosting a shindig July 8-11 to celebrate the anniversary of To Kill A Mockingbird. Wouldn't it be fun to attend? The town will be auctioning off a signed copy of the novel. Wonder what it will go for? Probably more than I can afford!
Even if you miss the anniversary celebration, the townspeople of Monroeville put on an annual production of a play based on the book each spring.

It may be amateur and Harper Lee may not endorse the event, but if I am ever in Monroeville at the right time, I plan to see it. What about you?