/// gentle reminder that this is not the time to read this book ///

This is my first re-read of 2017, and I don't regret it one bit. When I first read this book three years ago, I really d it. Sadly, I didn't write my thoughts down in an elaborate way back in the day, but I know for sure, that I didn't read critically then. Upon my re-read of this book, I honestly don't have good things to say. I am aware that some of my criticism is not a critique of the book itself, but about its perception, and how it is, up to this day, held up as the one true book about race relations in the United States of America.

And that really infiruates me. This book was written by a white woman, from a white perspective, about white characters, for a white audience. This book is a pat on the back for the white middle class. This book gives comfort to the white middle class. Comfort that they, especially back in the 1960s, didn't need, and allow me to be so bold, didn't deserve.

Harper Lee's focus is purely white. While the white characters in this book are the subjects, who take action into their own hands, who suffer and make sacrifices, the Black characters in this book are objects. They have little to no agency. Things happen to them. They are harmless, defenseless, and just there – waiting for the white knight hero, Atticus Finch, to save them. This book is a disgrace in the face of the Black liberation movements that existed back in the day, and the solidarity within Black communities. Black people stood up for themselves and fought for their rights, and only due to their voices, their protests, their sit-ins, their marches, their demonstrations, their conferences, was racial segregation made unconstitutional in the United States.

Black people, back then and now, know that Atticus Finch doesn't exist. And because no one put in better words than the one and only James Baldwin, I will quote a passage from one of his amazing interviews on the Dick Cavett Show in 1968. One could say that this is Baldwin's response to the cry of "not all white people": James Baldwin: I don't know what most white people in this country feel. But I can only conclude what they feel from the state of their institutions. I don't know if white Christians hate Negroes or not, but I know we have a Christian church which is white and a Christian church which is black. That says a great deal for me about a Christian nation. [...] I don't know whether the labor unions and their bosses really hate me - that doesn't matter - but I know I'm not [allowed] in their union. I don't know whether the real estate lobby has anything against black people, but I know the real estate lobby is keeping me in the ghetto. I don't know if the board of education hates black people, but I know the textbooks they give my children to read and the schools we have to go to. Now, this is the evidence. You want me to make an act of faith, risking myself, my wife, my woman, my sister, my children on some idealism which you assure me exists in America, which I have never seen.This right here is what I'm talking about. To Kill A Mockingbird plays into this idealism. Although the book touches on the horrors of racism in the Deep South, it’s a strangely comforting read. A terrible injustice is done, but at the end the status quo is reassuringly restored. The final message is that most (white) people are nice when you get to know them.

As a reader you are never allowed to feel with Tom Robinson, the Black man who is innocently convicted for raping a white woman, because all the Black characters in this tale are sidelined. This story should be about them, because how else would you be able to convince the white moderate (in the 1960s) that Black people are actually people. The closest insight we get to a Black character is the family's cook Calpurnia. Calpurnia is in the fictional tradition of the "happy black", the contented slave – the descendent of the ever-loyal Mammy in Gone With the Wind. And the rest of the Black community is depicted as a group of simple, respectful folk – passive and helpless and all touchingly grateful to Atticus Finch – the white saviour. We never see any of them angry or upset. We never see the effect of Tom Robinson’s death on his family up close – we don't witness Helen, Tom's wife, grieving and Scout never wonders about his children. Their distress is kept at safe distance from the reader.

I was very angry after finishing this book, and I'm still angry up to this day. Not necessarily at Harper Lee, but at our society as a whole, and at our educational system. Why do we constantly uplift white narratives, whilst brushing over marginalized ones? Why aren't our kids reading If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin – a book dealing with the exact same topic (a Black man getting falsely accused of raping a woman)? Why isn't Lorraine Hansberry required reading? Why are we still relying on white narratives, when talking about Black people and their struggles?

Since finishing this book, I started reading The History of Legal Education in the United States and I wanted to share some interesting facts, because I couldn't believe how absurd To Kill A Mockingbird was. This story is, supposedly, set in the Deep South in the 1930s, where Atticus Finch, our white saviour, takes it upon himself to defend a Black man at court. By the end of Lee's novel we are led to believe that Atticus had a great chance of actually getting Tom Robinson acquitted, if the latter had just been a "good n*gger" and didn't try to escape on his own. (Yes, I'm a little petty. I swear, I'm not turning bitter over this.) So, I just wanted to know how realistic that scenario is. All of the information is related to the 1930s Southern setting. Here's what I've learned:

Most Southern lawyers readily accepted Black clients for routine economic cases – property, tort, contract, dept, insurance – and minor criminal cases that did not threaten the South's system of racial hierarchy. It was virtually impossible, however, to find a Southern white lawyer who would accept a major criminal case involving a white victim or a politically charged case that in any way challenged segregation.

Only the combination of direct action, community organizing and legal strategy with the help of Black lawyers, made the defense of Black men and women at court possible. In the Lockett-case, the Black community in Tulsa survived largely because Black lawyers were able to defend the community's interests. In 1934, Black lawyers represented George Crawford, a Black man accused of brutally murdering a wealthy white woman – no white lawyer would take Crawford's case. In the end, Crawford got a sentence of life imprisonment instead of a death sentence. And this verdict had to be seen as an accomplishment by the Black lawyers and the Black community as a whole, because life imprisonment was as good as it was going to get.

Oftentimes, Black lawyers took serious criminal cases without a fee or at a very reduced rate. This was well appreciated by their communities, but also a given. It is admirable how well Black communities were organized. None of that got translated on the pages of Lee's novel. The Black characters do absolutely nothing, except sending Atticus food, because they're so grateful. [*insert snort here*]

This book appears to uphold the standard of racial equality; de facto it is about the white middle class patting themselves on the back for not thinking racist thoughts. I'm sorry to break it to you, Miss Maudie, but you won't get a sugar cookie for that. I am not saying that this is not a realistic portrayal of the white middle class, it is, it totally is. If you do just a little research on the Civil Rights movement, the moral apathy of the white middle class becomes crystal clear. However, we shouldn't portray these characters in a positive light, there is nothing admirable about them. After all... He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it. He who accepts evil without protesting against is really cooperating with it.

- Martin Luther King, Jr.1,584 s48 comments Stephen1,516 11.6k



6.0 stars. I know I am risking a serious “FILM AT 11” moment and a club upside the head from Captain Obvious for voicing this, but nabbit dog I still think it needs to be said…TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is one of the BEST and MOST IMPORTANT American novels ever written. Okay, I said it, and I will wait patiently while you get your DUHs and DERs out of the way and hang your “no shit” signs outside for Inspector Holmes.

Okay, now given the gruntload of /ratings this book has I know I’m not the first person to wag my chin about how amazing it is. Still, I am going to chance coming off that annoying dingleberry at the tail end of a huge porcelain party because I truly have a pile of love for this book. …(Sorry for taking the metanalogy there just now, but I promise no more poop references for the rest of the review)... So if my review can bring a few more people into the Atticus Finch Fan Club, I will be just flush with happy.

On one level, this book is a fairly straight-forward coming of age story about life in a small Alabama town during the Great Depression. It has a very slice of lifesaver warmth and simplicity to it that I think resonates with a lot of readers. It certainly does with me and I think the adjective “charm” may have been invented to describe the novel.

Despite how easing flowing the narrative is, this book is both extremely and deceptively powerful in its discussion of race, tolerance and human decency. Most importantly, this book shows us by example the courage to stand all up in the grill of injustice and say “Not today, Asshole! Not on my watch.”

That is a lesson that I think we can never be reminded of too often. When bad people do bad things to good people, the rest of us good people need to sack up and be counted regardless of how scary it might be. Easier said then done, I know. But at least that should be the standard to which we strive.

Atticus Fitch is the epitome of that standard. He is the role model to end all role models and what is most impressive is that he comes across as such a REAL person. There is no John Wayne/Jack Bauer/Dirty Harry cavalry charging BSD machismo about him. Just a direct, unflinching, unrelenting willingness to always do what he thinks is right. As Atticus’ daughter Scout puts it so well: It was times these when I thought my father, who hated guns and had never been to any wars, was the bravest man who ever lived. I was to make something crystal before going on because it is an important part of my love of this story. Notwithstanding this book's powerful, powerful moral message, it never once…ever…comes off as preachy or heavy handed. There is no lecture to be given here. The only sermon we are privy to is the example of Atticus Finch and the simple yet unwavering strength and quiet decency of the man. Even when asked by his daughter about the horrendous racism being displayed by the majority of the townsfolk during a critical point in the story, Atticus responds with conviction but without: "They're certainly entitled to think that, and they're entitled to full respect for their opinions... but before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience." This is a special story. Oh, and as a huge bonus…it is also an absolute joy to read. Lee’s prose is silky smooth and as cool as the other side of the pillow. Read this book. Read it with your children, read it with your spouse, read it by yourself….read it the bigoted assclown that you work with or see around the neighborhood…Just make sure you read it. It is a timeless classic and one of the books that I consider a “life changer.” 6.0 stars. HIGHEST POSSIBLE RECOMMENDATION!!!!!

BONUS QUOTE: This is Scout talking to Atticus after getting to know someone she had previously be afraid of:

“ ‘When they finally saw him, why he hadn’t done any of those things . . . Atticus, he was real nice. . . .’ His hands were under my chin, pulling up the cover, tucking it around me. ‘Most people are, Scout, when you finally see them.’ He turned out the light and went into Jem’s room. He would be there all night, and he would be there when Jem waked up in the morning.”(Emphasis added)
1954-1969 6-star-books all-time-favorites ...more1,582 s2 comments Miranda Reads1,589 161k

Looking for a new book but don't want to commit? Check out my latest BooktTube Video: One & Done - all about fabulous standalones!

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The Written Review :

If you haven't read this as an adult - pick it up today I think there's just one kind of folks. Folks. I (along with millions of other kids) first read this in grade-school. And I (along with those millions) didn't really get the point.

I remember thinking, Well... I already know discrimination is wrong. I don't get why I have to read a book about it...

Oh Lordy, if I could go back in time...

Rereading led to a (unsurprisingly) wholly different interpretation of this novel. I am in awe of Harper Lee and what she's written.

How could I have so completely missed the point back in fifth grade? People generally see what they look for, and hear what they listen for. We follow Jean Louise "Scout" Finch, the daughter of Atticus Finch - a prominent lawyer. Scout narrates the great and terrible tragedies of her life - namely the trial of Tom - an upstanding "colored" man accused of raping a white woman.

Atticus is appointed to defend Tom and soon, nearly the whole town turns against the Finch Family. I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what. Much Scout, I was simply too young to understand much of what was going on the first time through.

I tell you, there were so, so many moments this time through where the light bulb turned on and everything just clicked. As you grow older, you’ll see white men cheat black men every day of your life, but let me tell you something and don’t you forget it—whenever a white man does that to a black man, no matter who he is, how rich he is, or how fine a family he comes from, that white man is trash My entire life, I never truly understood why this was such a classic, why people read it over and over, and why this (of all books) is forced upon kids year after year. I get it now. And I'm disappointed that I hadn't reread it sooner.

P.s. Sorry to my teachers for being such a sulky kid - they sure picked a great one. I was just so enthralled with reading other things that I didn't read this one as well as I should've. Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.

Audiobook s
Exceptionally well-read by Sissy Spacek. I felt I was in the story. If you are itching for a reread - pick up the audio!

YouTube | Blog | Instagram | Twitter | Facebook | Snapchat @miranda_readsaudiobook935 s Ahmad Sharabiani9,564 50

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee

To Kill a Mockingbird one of the best-loved stories of all time, is a novel by Harper Lee published in 1960.

It was immediately successful, winning the Pulitzer Prize, and has become a classic of modern American literature.

The plot and characters are loosely based on Lee's observations of her family, her neighbors and an event that occurred near her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, in 1936, when she was 10 years old.

The story is told by the six-year-old Jean Louise Finch.

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???? ????? ????? ?? ??? ???? ? ???? ??? ?????? ???2015?????? ?? ???? ??? ???? ????? ???1395???? ???????? ???? ?? ??????? ??? ?? ?? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ??? ??? ????? ???2020?????? ????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ???? ???1398???? ??????? ??? ????? ??4,184,604? ???? ????? ???? «??? ????» ?????? ?? ???? ???? ?? ???? ????? ??? ????? «??? ????» ??? ???? ??????? ???? ?? ????? ??????

???? «???? ??? ????»? ????? ? ????? ??????? «????? ??»? ?? ?? ?????: «???? ??? ????» ?? «?????» ????? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?? ???1960??????? ?? ??? ????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ? ??????? ?? ???? ?? ???1962?????? ???? «????? ???????»? ????? ?? ?????? ?? ??? ???? ???? ??????? ? ?? ???? ???? ????? ?? ????????? ?? ????? ????? ??? ?? ?? ??? ????? ???? ????? ? ?????? ?????? ??? ?? ???? «??????? ??»? ? ????? ??? ?????? ???????? ????? ? ?????? ???????? ? ?????? ??? ??? ?? ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???????? ???? «????? ??»? ?? ?? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ??? ?????? ????? ???? ???? ???? ?? ????? ?????? ?????? ?????? ?? ?? ?????? ?????? ??? (?? ???? ?? ??? ? ?????? «?? ????»? «??????»? ? «?? ???» ?????? ??? ????????? ????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ???????? ???? ???.) ????? ???

????? ?? ???2007?????? ???? ???? ????? ??? ?? ??? «???? ????? ??????»? ?????? ??????

??? ?? ??? ????: (??????? ???? ???? ??? ???? ?????? ??? ?? ???? ?????? ??? ?? «??????» ?????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ????? ???? ???? ?? ?? ????? «????» ????? ??? ?? ???? ??? ???? ???? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ??????? ???? ??????? ??????? ?? ??? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ?? ?????? ??????? ???? ???? ?? ????? ???? ????) ????? ???

?????: ??? ???? ?? ???????? ???????? ?? ????? ?????? ????? ????

?????: «?????» ? «???»? ????? ? ????? ????? ?????? ?? ??????? ????? ??? ?? ??? ??? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ?? ?? ?????? «??????»? ?? ??? ????? ????? ??????? ??? ???? ??? ?????? ? ???? ???????? ? ??????? ?????? ?????? ????????? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?? ???????? ?? ????? ??? ????? ?????? ?? ???? ????? ? ?? ?????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ?? ???????? ?? ???: «???»? ?? ??? ????? ?? ????? ????????? ?????? ???? ?? ?????? ????? ???? «???» ?? ??? ?? ????? ???? ? «??????» ????????? ?? ????? ???? ???? ?????? ???? ?? ???? «??????» ?????? ? ????? ?? ????? ?? ???? ???????? ????????? ?? ????? ????? ???? ????? ?????

????? ?????? ????? 18/05/1399???? ???????? 19/09/1400???? ???????? ?. ??????? Kim286 834

Why is it when I pick up To Kill A Mockingbird , I am instantly visited by a sensory memory: I’m walking home, leaves litter the ground, crunching under my feet. I smell the smoke of fireplaces and think about hot cider and the wind catches and my breath is taken from me and I bundle my coat tighter against me and lift my head to the sky, no clouds, just a stunning blue that hurts my eyes, another deep breath and I have this feeling that all is okay.

Why? Why this memory? I mean, this takes place in Alabama and mostly in the summer, well there is that one climatic scene on Halloween, but I bet it’s still hot enough to melt the balls off a brass monkey.

It must be the school thing, my daughter just finished reading it, prompting me to give it another go, to fall back into Scout’s world and pretend to be eight and let life simply be.

How is that? How can life for Scout be simple? I mean, she lives in the south, during the depression, she has to deal with ignorant schoolteachers and town folk, her ideas of what is right, what is what it should be are laughed at by her schoolmates… man, and I thought my childhood was rough.

Still, she lives in this idyllic town, I mean, except for the racism and the creepy neighbors and the whole fact that it’s, you know, the south…(forgive me… I’m not immune to the downfalls of the north, I mean, we had witches and well, Ted Bundy was born here…) But, there’s this sense of child innocence to this book that makes me believe in humanity… even in the throes of evil. What am I saying here? I guess, that this is a good pick me up.

What I also get from this book is that I have severe Daddy issues. I consume Atticus Finch in unnatural ways. He is the ultimate father; he has the perfect response for every situation. He is the transcendent character. My heart melts at each sentence devoted to him and I just about crumble during the courtroom scene.

Am I gushing? I sure am. I was raised by a man who thought that Budweiser can artwork was the epitome of culture. That drinking a 6-pack was the breakfast of champions. That college was for sissies. He could throw out a racial slur without a single thought, care or worry to who was around. I won't even get into the debates/rantings of a 16 yr old me vs a 42 yr old him... What a role model.

So, I thank Harper Lee for giving me Atticus. I can cuddle up with my cider and pretend that I’m basking in his light. I can write this blurb that makes sense to maybe a handful but that is okay, I am approved of and all is good.
cultured mmix simpatico1,390 s3 comments may ?510 2,378

I had a much longer review written for this book, but the comments were sadly annoying me. so I’ll just make my opinions clear in two sentences, because these are really the only thoughts about the book that matter to me:

I was extremely bored by the majority of this novel and thus I did not enjoy it very much (and no, I will not reread it because I do not care). most importantly, though, I don’t believe a white savior narrative this one is a story that should be so heavily defended by white people or pushed as an essential book in school curriculum today when there are better books about racism by people who have actually experienced it, and especially when this book cares more about the white characters than the Black ones! 2-star adult boring ...more836 s4 comments Eddy Allen8 7

While the plot was very gripping and well-written, the book didn't actually instruct me on how to kill a mockingbird. I bought this book intending to do away with this obnoxious bird that's always sitting in my backyard and making distracting noises. I had hoped this book would shed some light on how to humanely dispose of the bird, but unfortunately it was this story about a lawyer and a falsely-accused criminal. As I said, the plot is great but nowhere in the book does it say exactly how to kill a mockingbird.806 s8 comments Jon599 745

classics coming-of-age favorites ...more3,247 s1 comment Brina1,013 4

With endless books and infinitely more to be written in the future, it is rare occasion that I take the time to reread a novel. As women’s history month is upon us (2019), I have kept revising my monthly lineup to feature books by remarkable women across the spectrum. Yet, none of these nonfiction books pay homage to the writers of the books themselves. Even with memoirs, the prose focuses on the author’s achievements in her chosen field. Last week a goodreads friend and I paid tribute to women authors in a daily literary journal. In one of my friend’s posts, she pointed out that as recently as 1960, the author of the most endearing of American novels had to use a masculinized version of her name in fear of not being published. Nelle Harper Lee of Monroeville, Alabama published To Kill a Mockingbird under her middle name, so only those well read readers are aware of the author’s full name. It is in this regard, that I included Pulitzer and Presidential Medal of Freedom winner Nelle Harper Lee in my Women’s History month lineup. It is as auspicious of a time as any to reread one of America’s greatest novels.

When I was in ninth grade English class, I read Harper Lee’s novel for the first time. At age fourteen I was hardly a polished writer and struggled with many of the assignments. Yet, I do remember that the top essay in the class focused on the overarching theme of courage and how Harper Lee showed how each of the characters, major and minor, embodied this trait in the trying times associated with the novel. It was courageous of a southern woman to write a novel with this subject matter prior to the passage of the civil rights act. It is of little wonder to me looking back now that she chose to publish under a gender neutral name. Perhaps, she feared a lynch mob or being outcast in her home town. It was a trying time as the federal government asserted itself against states still grieving from the war between the states and holding out as the last bulwarks of white superiority. Harper Lee exhibited as much courage as the characters in her novel, and rightfully was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for her work. As such, being courageous starts from the top and works its way down to each and every character of this timeless work.

In 1930s rural Maycomb, Alabama people were pretty much set in their way of life. Town folk had received an education and worked as lawyers, doctors, bankers, and businessmen. The country folk may or may not have received an education because they had to work the fields and many were illiterate. Even the majority of those educated white folk still saw themselves as superior to blacks, and few, if any, had the audacity to take a black’s word over a white’s even if it were the correct moral thing to do. Yet, the crux of Lee’s novel is a court case threatening to disrupt this way of life, having the town divide along both racial and moral lines, and having each character step into others’ shoes and view the world from another’s perspective. Maycomb at the time embodied many rural American cities, isolated from progress as town set in its ways with few people who were willing to see the world from another perspective. One man was, however, a lawyer named Atticus Finch who is among the most revered fictional characters ever created. Even though this court case should not have been his, his superiors selected Atticus to counsel a black defendant because they realized that he was the one man in Maycomb who had both the ability to empathize and the courage to do so. His neighbor Mrs Maudie Atkinson noted that Atticus was the same man in the court house as he was at home and had nothing to fear. A widower, he instilled these values to his children Jeremy Atticus (Jem) and Jean Louise (Scout) from a young age, passing a strong moral compass onto his children.

In addition to critiquing southern race relations, Lee’s novel has endeared itself to children with the legend of Boo Radley. From the time they were young, Jem, Scout, and their summer friend Dill had courage to go to the Radley house trying to get Boo to come out even though all the other kids said the house was spooked. Atticus told them to put a halt to these childish games and explained Boo Radley’s background to them. The town claimed that Boo Radley was a ghost, but perhaps the reason he did not leave the house is because he did not want to. As the children grew older, Atticus warned them that there would be darker times ahead and they would have to be courageous in the face of what people said to them behind their backs. From the time Scout began school in first grade, she inhibited Atticus’ ability to stand up for what was right. Her teacher Miss Robinson was new to Maycomb and did not understand people’s ways. Scout explained about the Cunninghams, the Ewells, as well as other families at a personal cost to herself. As Scout grew older and was able to step into other people’s’ shoes more, she grew to understand differences between folks; however, she and Jem realized that differences did not make the world distinctly black and white or right and wrong. During an era when children were looked upon as unintelligent, Scout and Jem were wise beyond their years and following in their father’s footsteps.

Harper Lee created strong archetypal characters and had each embody their own courage. Each’s courage allowed Atticus to teach his children a life lesson that would endure for the rest of their lives. The family’s neighbor Mrs. Henry Lafayette DuBose demonstrates courage as she battles a final illness. Third grade teacher Mrs. Gates exhibits courage as she teaches Scout’s class about the rise of Nazism in Germany and th encourages her students to think for themselves about the differences between prejudices at home and abroad. The African American characters all demonstrate strong courage as well. The Finch’s housekeeper Calpurnia is a bridge between the white and black communities of Maycomb and does not hesitate to teach Scout and Jem life lessons as they arise. The Reverend Sykes welcomes Jem and Scout into his congregation as though they were his own and invites them to sit in the colored balcony at time when segregation was still the law. He risked a lynching and knew that the Finch family could possibly be labeled as negro lovers, yet Reverend Sykes played a small role in proving that one’s skin color should not determine whether someone is right or wrong. Of course, as part of the overarching story line, Boo Radley can be viewed as the most courageous character of them all. It is through the courage of an author to create characters who will stand up for what is morally right at a large cost to themselves that she created an award winning novel that was ahead of its time for its era. It is little wonder that the courage of these fictional characters has made the novel as beloved as it is today.

I believe that the courage exhibited by all these characters has made the town of Maycomb, Alabama stand the test of time and remain the timeless classic that it is. Most people can relate to those who have the courage to stand up for what they think is right or to fight against those tougher than them. This character trait has endeared the Finch family to millions of readers and will continue to do so for generations to come. Whenever a person asks what book would you give as a gift or what is the perfect book, To Kill a Mockingbird is my first choice. I find that it is perfect for any time but most appropriate in spring as in addition to courage there is an underlying theme of hope. Harper Lee won the Pulitzer for this timeless classic, and it also won first place in the Great American Read as America’s best novel. Thus I can think of no better way to honor women’s history month than with a timeless book that has and will continue to capture the hearts and minds of all of its readers.

5+ stars/ all-time favorites shelf500-great-books-women all-time-favorites classics ...more550 s Lit Bug160 468

In the course of 5 years, I’ve read this book nearly 17 times. That adds up to reading it once at least every 4 months, on an average. And I still return to this book a bark seeking a lighthouse in the dark. When I first finished it, I was so overwhelmed by how much I related to it, I read it nearly 8 times before the year ended. By now I’ve memorized almost every scene and I still can’t shake off the feeling that I still have to learn a lot from it. Over the years, I realize that without knowing it, it has become my personal Bible – a beacon to keep me from straying from the path of kindness and compassion, no matter what.

With its baseless cruelty and what Coleridge poetically referred to as motiveless malignity, the world is in need of much motiveless kindness – a rugged determination to keep the world a quiet haven and not the callous, cruel place it constantly aspires to be.

To Kill A Mockingbird is one of those rare books that doesn’t give in to the belief that ”deep down, everybody’s actually good.” Not everybody is. And we must still persevere to see things from their perspective, and though we may not justify their ways, we must strive to understand them – though we might not follow them, we must try to be as kind to them as possible. And yet, there comes a time when some people need to be put down – we must follow the call of our conscience then, and yet be kind to them in the process, as much as we can.

Striving to follow this dictum, I have realized how difficult it is to be kind to others when I find I’m right. It is so easy to put down others bluntly, it is so easy to be critical and fair, but so difficult to consider for a moment what the other might be going through. How convenient it is to dismiss the hardships of others and say, “They had it coming!” and unburden our conscience of the probable guilt that perhaps we’ve been a bit too harsh.

How simple it is to stereotype people, classify them neatly into convenient square boxes and systematically deal with them based on those black-or-white prejudices! Robe a prejudice in the opaque, oppressive garment called Common Sense and display boldly the seal of Social Approval and you’ve solved the biggest difficulty of life – knowing how to treat people.

And yet, nothing could be farther than the truth. Rarely are people so simple as they seem. In Wilde’s words, “The pure and simple truth is rarely pure and never simple.” For you never know when a grumpy, rude, racist Mrs. Dubose might be fighting her own monsters or Ewell be, in fact trying to protect the last vestiges of honor he has, or Aunt Alexandra only trying to advocate the least painful way of life. And though we might not agree with any of them, Atticus, we must see them for their peculiar situations and grant them a little leeway, make a little corner for them too, and yet, stand up for what is right in defiance of them.

It is this tricky rope-walking balance between prejudice and common sense, kindness and firmness, and justice and leeway that spurs me to revisit this little book every time I seem to falter. While I find it difficult to keep my cool in the midst of flagrant injustices and ensuing pain, I strive to strike a balance between giving in to despair and becoming too optimistic; between becoming indifferent, unkind, righteous and being compassionate, considerate. It is what keeps me from becoming paranoid or cynical with the unceasing drone of passivity, callousness, overwhelming prejudice and unyielding customs while still being alive to the pain of those very people I do not necessarily agree with.

In a country India with its bizarre, incomprehensible equations and sequestrations of religion, class, caste, region, language, race, gender, sexuality and education, it takes a whole load of effort not to blow up one’s mind – people will kill each other over anything and everything. They’ll hate each other, isolate each other and cook up stories amongst themselves and leave it floating in the air. It takes every ounce of my energy not to hate my land and its majority people viciously. Yes, viciously.

But you see, I’ve got so much to learn to survive here – I have to stand up for myself when there will be hordes banging upon my door telling me to shut the hell up. And I’ll have to muster all the courage I have to tell them to go f*** themselves if they think I musn’t transcend the limits set for me. But I also have to learn not to hate them. Even if it sounds silly.

I know for one, Lee – I don’t care if you never wrote another work. I don’t care if Capote helped you write it, as many say. I’m glad somebody wrote this book, and somebody assigned this book as syllabus when I needed it the most. Five years ago, I hadn’t even heard of it. I read it in a single sitting. And then I read it several times over, taking my time, pondering over every page. I still do so. It is my favorite book ever.
american favorites fiction ...more541 s1 comment Lisa of Troy504 5,487

This is one book that I think is more relevant today than when it was first published.

I love how Scout is adamant about who she is. Others keep trying to tell her who to be, what it is to be a female. However, she wants to play, get dirty, run around with her brother. She couldn't care less about wearing dresses and sitting perfectly upright in a chair with knees pressed together in shoes you can't walk in.

Incredible to imagine that this was published before the internet.

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Blog Twitter BookTube Facebook Insta524 s4 comments Claudia LomelíAuthor 8 books80.2k

So... I don't really know what to say.

I think I loved this book, but for a reason beyond my understanding, it never hooked me, and it took me AGES to finish it! Some chapters (especially at the beginning) were tedious and hard for me to get through them... but then there were some chapters that I devoured (the whole Tom Robinson trial and the last ones).

I definitely learned a lesson or two from this book. Atticus is my new role model, he is really incredible. I also love Scout and Jem, those kids will be in my heart forever. Oh! And I loved the Boo Radley storyline, it left me in awe.

This book surely deserves 5 solid stars, and I kinda feel bad for giving it 4 stars, but the thing is... I was struggling to finish it, I swear I let out a relieved sigh when I read the last sentence.

But all in all, it was a great read <3. And can't tell you how much I loved the last chapters, the part were Scout stands in Boo Radley's house and realizes the way he sees everything almost made me cry.2015480 s Jayson2,183 3,607

(A-) 83% | Very Good
Notes: On ugly truth, fading youth, dead appeals, courage, morals, community quarrels and fallible humans spoiling ideals.

*Check out progress updates for detailed commentary:

Progress updates:

01/01/2024 - Preamble:
(1) It's been New Year tradition for me to have either my first book of the year or the last book of the preceding year (some years both) be a super-popular novel.
- For 2024 it's "To Kill a Mockingbird."
(2) When I say "super-popular," I don't mean the YA novel de jour that practically no one outside Goodreads has even heard of. I mean books that everyone knows, possibly a classic or due to a hit adaptation.

01/04/2024 - Chapters 1–5
(1) The most striking thing so far has to do with people's names. The brother and sister, Jeremy and Jean, are nicknamed Jem and Scout.
- It's notable that practically everyone calls them by their nicknames, which are both decidedly unisex—I can't be the only one who saw "Jem" and thought "and the Holograms"?
- Possibly it's to underscore a time of innocence, before sexuality kicks in.
- That goes for their friend Dill as well.
(2) Both children refer to and call their father by his given name, Atticus. It just feels wrong, especially for this very antique setting. I mean, these aren't hippies we're dealing with.
- Unless this is explained later in the book, I figure I'll just attribute it to regional or cultural quirks.
(3) Both Atticus and the cook Calpurnia have Roman names. They're the only ones that do, despite being different races. It doesn't seem to be a family thing, Atticus' brother's named Jack.
- It's established early on how these are the book's two moral compasses, so this might be to highlight that idea since Latin is the language of law.
(4) It's an odd inversion of roles, where the teacher, Miss Caroline, is the one comforted, protected by, and at the mercy of the children in her class.
- The children here act more adults and she acts a scared child.
- Additionally, it's her comic unfamiliarity with how things are done locally that reinforces how insular a community Maycomb is.
(5) Atticus' personal morality seems to be distinctly utilitarian: the greatest good for the greatest number.
- He explains how the town allows the Ewell family to break local hunting and truancy laws so their children won't go hungry.
- Scout mentions how Maycomb has its own "ethical culture."
(6) I wish I had an annotated version of this. I'm not doing so well with the Alabama vernacular and phonetic spellings of words.
- I have to keep googling what things mean, which isn't difficult just tedious.

01/05/2024 - Chapters 6–9
(1) "[Jem] went through a brief Egyptian Period that baffled me—he tried to walk flat a great deal, sticking one arm in front of him and one in back of him, putting one foot behind the other. He declared Egyptians walked that way."
- Hmm, I wonder if that's where The Bangles got it from?
- Rural American children learning about Egypt just seems odd. Greece and Rome seems more natural.
- I recall reading somewhere that early American education put an emphasis on learning Greek and Latin. Though, perhaps if learning to read hieroglyphs were viable they'd do that too?
(2) One of the big subplots at the start is the knot-hole in the Radley's tree, which is used as a kind of drop-off between the Finch children and some mysterious benefactor.
- My guess is that it's Boo Radley who's been leaving them little treats and trinkets. Which would be ironic, since the main focus of this first part has been the children trying desperately to catch a glimpse of and make contact with Boo. It could well be that Boo's been trying to make contact with them.
(3) We get quite frequent use of the N-word here, and mainly by children no less. I'm not the least bit squeamish about it, but I can understand if people are.
- Possibly I'd feel differently if I were listening to the audiobook version.
- I'm guessing this is why the book's so controversial and banned in many jurisdictions. Otherwise, it's a rather tame story so far: reminds me a lot of Laura Ingalls Wilder books, all quaint rural activities.
(4) So far, the book hasn't struck me as remarkable at all. Though, by the end of Chapter 9 it seems to be ramping up the heat.
- Atticus is conscious that his choices will negatively affect his children. It's the first time we've seen him show any vulnerability.
- It'll be interesting to see how Boo Radley fits into all this. He's so far been the focus of the book and I can't see how he'd naturally tie into the story going forward.
(5) School is canceled because of some unseasonably slushy snowfall.
- I live in Canada, so to me that's totally weak. Though, understandable if they don't have the clothes for the cold, poor as they are.

01/06/2024 - Chapters 10–13
(1) This is an odd sort of novel. So far, it's been more interconnected short stories than anything all that cohesive.
- Perhaps I'm just too used to the pace and plotting of modern books. Halfway through this and I don't really know where it's going, only an inkling based solely on the book's reputation.
(2) The whole First Purchase Church section is a fascinating bit of anthropology.
- It's a very binary environment. There are always two kinds of people. People who can read and people who can't. People who welcome whites attending their church and people who don't. People who meet the Reverend's moral standards and people who don't, etc.
- Also notable is how prevalent public shaming is in coercing desired behavior. Reverend Sykes calls out people by name, in front of the congregation, for their moral failings. He even shames the congregation, keeping them locked inside until the minimum weekly offering's met.
(3) We get a closer look at Calpurnia, who's very much a binary figure herself. She lives among blacks but works among whites.
- In this capacity she acts as a sort of bridge or translator between the two cultures.
- Scout goes as far as to say she's bilingual, the way she changes her speech to fit who she's talking to.
- She brings literacy into her community, having learned from her employers.
(4) It's very important to Atticus to instill in his children a very specific idea of courage. He very reluctantly, but very expertly, puts down a mad dog. His shooting skills having been hidden from his children.
- He goes to great lengths to hide it, in fact, having his out-of-town brother come teach them to shoot instead of himself.
(5) The whole section with Mrs. Dubose is meant as a lesson, to teach Jem the real meaning of courage by witnessing first-hand an old woman persist through morphine withdrawals.
- Atticus tells Jem that he would have made him visit Mrs. Dubose even if he wasn't forced to do so as punishment. That makes me think it was actually Atticus' idea, which he suggested to Mrs. Dubose.
- Of course, this lesson in enduring discomfort and pain is done to prepare his children for the inevitable abuse they'll get once Tom Robinson goes to trial.
- Atticus is sort of doing a Mr. Miyagi on Jem and Scout. Wax-on, wax-off.
(6) Scout says that Jem is all she has in life. Her accompanying him to his daily punishments with Mrs. Dubose is that sentiment put to practice.
- They're the only two children in a neighborhood of old people, which surely played a role in making Dill's visits every summer special.

01/07/2024 - Chapters 14–17
(1) This has been a real slow burn. Not that it's been bad, just it's been going at a leisurely pace and hasn't been at all what I expected.
- The story doesn't really find a clear direction until the jailhouse scene. After that it's been laser-focused on the trial of Tom Robinson.
- From Chapter 17 onward, it's been pretty much a pure law procedural, albeit from a child's perspective.
(2) "I kicked the man swiftly. Barefooted, I was surprised to see him fall back in real pain. I intended to kick his shin, but aimed too high."
- Quite a polite way of saying she kicked him in the balls.
(3) Dill runs away from home seemingly because he craves companionship. His parents buy him all the toys and distractions he wants, and just leaves him to entertain himself.
- Definitely shades of the future, how parents leave children to be raised by their televisions and smart devices.
- As well, it underscores a recurring theme of how children need to get out of the house and play with kids their own age.
(4) The scene between Scout and Dill discussing theories on where babies come from really brings attention to how young these kids are.
- Alexandra told Scout God drops babies down chimneys, whereas Dill believes there's a foggy island where a man breathes life into dormant newborns.
- Being so young is an important storytelling element, since it's the justification for a lot of exposition. Them learning things for the first time and all.
(5) Jem seemingly puts Atticus' lessons in courage to practice, openly disobeying his father to protect him from an angry mob because it's the right thing to do.
- You can actually argue either way on this. Though, he seems to be taking directly after Atticus' example, who does the exact same self-sacrificial act to protect Tom Robinson.
(6) Maycomb treats the trial as a cause for festivities. Everyone, regardless of race or background, gathers at the courthouse square for one big picnic.
- I guess small towns will take any opportunity to have a party.
- Reminds me a lot of modern-day football tailgating. The trial being the game everyone's gathered to watch.
- The way it's written, it's everyone's at the theatre. People jostling for good seats and people being shushed for being noisy.

01/08/2024 - Chapters 18–22
(1) Mayella, we learn, has no friends. Even among her many siblings, they're always out with each other while she does the household chores alone.
- Of course, solitary individuals in this book are either taken as monsters (Boo Radley) or prone to making poor and impulsive decisions (Dill). Mayella is arguably both.
(2) Speaking of which, why was Boo Radley the primary focus of Part 1?
- He's barely mentioned in Part 2 except to say that the kids have grown out of bothering him.
- Meanwhile, the trial's barely given any attention prior to the jailhouse scene.
(3) Dill breaks down and cries during the trial because of the double-standard of treatment Tom Robinson faces from the prosecutor.
- Dolphus Raymond makes a point to say it's because only children can understand it, not yet being corrupted by society nor calloused to it.
- Personally, I find the idea terribly cliché, that the purity of children gives them a clarity adults don't possess. I mean, children are capable of terrible decisions and reasoning too, as evidenced in this book.
- Though I do appreciate the point that's being made. Cliché isn't necessarily a bad thing, and it may not have been cliché when this was written.
(4) Atticus gives very good closing remarks. Not that it gave me chills or anything. Just that it felt an excellent school civics lecture.
- He states the year as 1935, which I suppose was right in the heart of the Great Depression.
- The closing arguments are also excellent rhetoric, taking into account the presumed prejudice of the jury and pre-emptively addressing their assumptions and concerns. He handles it in a way that doesn't sound admonishing or preachy.
(5) Throughout the whole book you get a clear dichotomy between people who live in the town and people who live outside it. Townsfolk being more accepting and tolerant of blacks than people who live rurally.
- Even people Underwood, who's said to hate black people, helps Atticus defend Tom Robinson from the mob. Despite his personal feelings, he acts the way he's expected as a member of the community.
- With this in mind, the result of the trial was never in doubt, given what Scout says about townsfolk rarely ever being on juries: how they're always struck or excused.

01/09/2024 - Chapters 23–27
(1) Atticus: "There’s nothing more sickening to me than a low-grade white man who'll take advantage of a Negro’s ignorance."
- I feel modern audiences reading this line, specifically "a Negro's ignorance," might be quick to label Atticus a racist.
- I know, it's ridiculous given the overall context of the book and of this quote. Though, I've seen harsher reactions to milder words.
- When I hear about this book being banned, and having now read nearly all of it, I can only guess that the controversy is about the language used. Not just the liberal use of the N-word but also of "Negro," the more politically correct term historically.
- The presence of racial language at all, even in decidedly positive usage, is often triggering and a red line for many people.
(2) Following the trial, Jem debates Atticus on the merits of the legal system.
- Here, Jem represents the reader, peppering Atticus with questions of injustice. Atticus, in his answers, defends the legal system as the best instrument that exists for achieving justice.
- It's an interesting conversation because we have Jem's idealism and faith in mankind broken as a result of the trial. Here, Atticus is sort of an idealist, faithful in the legal system to self-correct when the judgement is (inevitably) overturned on appeal. Spoiler: that doesn't happen.
(3) We get an answer to why no one in Maycomb wants to serve on a jury.
- Atticus explains that it's because the community's so reliant on each other that to even appear to pass negative judgement on neighbors might bring about negative social consequences.
- Indeed, we see this later with Atticus, Judge Taylor and Tom's widow, where Bob Ewell pesters, abuses and potentially commits crimes against them in order to get even for seemingly opposing his family.
(4) Jem comes to the understanding that Boo Radley doesn't leave his house because he simply doesn't want to.
- On the face of it, this may seem clear agoraphobia. Though, in the context of Jem's discussion with Scout, you get the sense it's because not all folk are the same, nor treated the same, and Boo Radley doesn't want to come out to face the cruel world.
(5) There's a lot of openly racist talk during the Missionary Society meeting Aunty Alexandra hosts.
- It's a scene to make plain how seemingly civilized and genteel ladies may be done up pretty and polite on the outside, but are ugly on the inside and hypocrites when it comes to helping Africans abroad while persecuting Africans in their midst.
- It's during this that Scout gains a respect for her aunt, who continues to act a lady during all this and particularly upon hearing of Tom's death.
(6) Speaking of Tom's death, it's a curious thing given how confident Atticus was in winning the appeal.
- Could it be the case that he wanted to die, knowing he could never show his face in town again? or to go back to being friendly neighbors with the Ewells?
(7) Jem stops Scout from squashing an insect.
- It's a relatively extreme position to take against the killing of innocents, which is more mental fallout from the trial.
- Scout calls it a phase, which it probably is.
(8) Underwood writes an editorial in the paper, mentioning how it's a sin to kill cripples. He says it's hunters and children senselessly killing songbirds.
- This calls back to Atticus near the beginning of the book when he gives the titular line, "it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."
- Tom is the cripple Underwood mentions. So, in case anyone didn't figure out already, it's made crystal-clear that Tom Robinson is the book's titular mockingbird.
(9) We get another instance of hypocrisy from another adult woman in Scout's life.
- Her teacher, Miss Gates, hates Hitler for persecuting the Jews, but is overheard by Scout rooting for the persecution of Tom Robinson outside the courthouse.
(10) It's interesting how after the trial the book goes back to short events and anecdotes about the town. It's a trial sandwich.
- It's as if to say that the goings on of the town stopped for the duration of the trial and then continued as it was, albeit with fallout pervading its stories.

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300-399-pp author-american era-cold-war ...more437 s15 comments Nataliya840 14k

Life gives you a few things that you can count on. Death (for all), taxes (for most), and the unwavering moral character of Atticus Finch (for me). "What would Atticus do?" is not just a meme; for eleven-year-old me it became a real consideration after I feigned an illness to cut school and stay home to finish To Kill a Mockingbird — while a decidedly non-Atticus- move, choosing Harper Lee's book over sixth grade math was probably a wiser life choice.For my thoughts on the shameless money grab by the money-greedy publishers recently published first draft of the novel inexplicably (or read: cash grab) marketed as a sequel... Well, I think I just said it all.I cannot be objective about this book - I don't think you can ever be about the things you love. I've read it many times as a child and a few times as an adult, and it never lost that special something that captivated me as a kid of Jem Finch's age.


“[...] Before I can live with other folks I've got to live with myself. The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience.” To me, this book is as close to perfect as one can get.

It found a place in school curriculum because of its message, undoubtedly - but it's not what makes it so powerful. After all, if you have even a speck of brains you will understand that racism is wrong and you should treat people right and that “You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... Until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”

No, what makes it wonderful is the perfect narrative voice combining adult perspective while maintaining a child's voice, through which we glimpse both the grown-up woman looking back through the lessons of years while still seeing the unmistakable innocence and incorruptible feistiness of young Scout Finch. And then there is the magic of the slow measured narration painting the most vivid picture of the sleepy Southern town where there's enough darkness lurking inside the people's souls to be picked up even by very young, albeit quite perceptive children. "If there's just one kind of folks, why can't they get along with each other? If they're all a, why do they go out of their way to despise each other? Scout, I think I'm beginning to understand something. I think I'm beginning to understand why Boo Radley's stayed shut up in the house all this time. It's because he wants to stay inside.” And then there's Atticus Finch. Yes, there may be countless articles all fueled by Lee's first draft about his 'transformation' into a bigot - but I refuse to jump on that bandwagon. I stand behind him the way Lee developed him in the book she *did* publish. Because I sleep better knowing that there are people out there who are good and principled and kind and compassionate, who will do everything they can with the utmost patience to teach their children to be decent human beings. “I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It's when you know you're licked before you begin, but you begin anyway and see it through no matter what." What shines in this book the most for me is the amazing relationship between parent and child. It's the amazing guidance that the Finch children get in becoming good human beings that many of us would give up a lot for. I know I would. Because to me it will never be a story of a white man saving the world (and some, especially with the publication of that ridiculous first draft, would dismiss it as such). To me, it's the story of a child growing up and learning to see the world with the best possible guidance. It's a story of learning to understand and respect kindness and forgiveness and that sometimes you do right things not just because you're told to but because they are right things to do.

I see enough stupidity and nonsense and injustice in this world. And after all of it, what I often do need is Atticus Finch and reassurance that things can be right, and that with the few exceptions, even if I struggle to see it, "[...] there's just one kind of folks. Folks." and that, disillusioned as we become as we go on in life, "Most people are [nice], Scout, when you finally see them.”

Five stars from both child and adult me.2015-reads awesome-kickass-heroines favorites ...more408 s3 comments Caz (littlebookowl)303 39.9k

Beautiful book. owned384 s Reading_ Tamishly4,826 2,969

First of all, let's forget it's a 'classic' that we all 'must' read for the sake of reading a classic.

Second of all, let's have no inhuman high expectations from this book.

Third of all, it's enough to know that this has been written from the perspective of a six year old girl.

And that's how we should pick up this one and go for it we are picking up a newly released book and seriously that's the way it should be for everyone I would to say... again!

I won't go into details regarding what the book is about.

*Why the 5
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Your Father is waiting…

Every time I read one of Jeffery McClain Jones books I learn something. He has a unique way of using fiction to change lives. Keep On Knocking takes a deep dive in to Spiritual Warfare. It changed my perspective on how to fight the spiritual battle that rages all around us.

My favorite part of the book was when Josiah enters the Throne Room in a vision. He sees himself as a little boy and the people surrounding him on his journey down the heavenly road keep saying “Your Father is waiting “. They encourage him to keep going to the Throne Room where he finds the Father. The Father greets him as a father would who is waiting for his Son. The encounter changes the way Josiah was praying. The Father encourages him to just tell him what’s on his heart. No formulas, no right or wrong…just what do you need me to do. I have been checking in throughout the day as I keep hearing “Your Father is waiting.” Northern Light309

This is book 3 in the series. Josiah is now 60 and his brother in law is missing in a country that can't even be named

Family members fly in from all over the country to congregate together and pray .

Josiah again has dreams and visions which lead everyone in their prayers. His parents are advancing in years which brings its own problems.

The first part of the book seems drawn out but after a while the story becomes much more thrilling to read. How it will end is not hard to see but still worthwhile reading to see how things develop.

The relationship between Josiah and his siblings especially his brother Matty is done well.

I do find the way people got together and prayed different to my experience.

I received this book for free and this is entirely my own opinion.christian e-books giveways ...more Kelly Kidd13

I was privileged to receive an advanced reader copy of this book. It was good to check back in on this amazing family years after the other two books in the series and see how they've grown and developed. It made me wish to be part of a family this who handles the struggles of life through prayer together. This book had the unique facet of exploring the author's ideas of what a not too distant future might look . That's fun and sometimes scary to think about. I enjoyed the book, but found myself wishing to see the characters relying or connecting their prayers a little more to Scripture. Might just be a reflection of my mindset at the time of reading. Worth the read! Evelyn Foreman368 16

As I read this book, I kept being reminded of the war in the heavens as Josiah experienced manifestation after manifestation of the spiritual realm in which the power of God thwarted the plans of the enemy. But much prayer was the key to victory, just as it is in life. The story takes the reader into the future but not so much that it is off putting or unrealistic but rather a reminder of the responsibilities of believers in the times we are living and what lies ahead. Excellent read by an author with a heart after God! Bonny Rambarran1,378 16

Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock! Knock!
He dreams about knocking - and has no idea why!! And it so real he asks his wife if she heard it!!! And then he hears from his Dad . . .and hears that is brother-in-law is missing and nobody knows where he is. His nephew is convinced he can find him and rescue him!!! And so after much prayer they go . . . . .this is an amazing book — God’s grace shows throughout the danger!!! I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and comments are my own3 s Tim Deaton69

Prayer - illustrated you've never seen it before.

Three books, three snapshots. A ten-year-old with a five-year-old brother who's in a coma finds out prayer isn't just grown-ups making wishes. As a young adult, and even more as an older adult several situations show him the difference it makes - even in impossible situations - and why it makes a difference "why" we pray, and what we're praying for. All wrapped into three novels that you won't want to put down.
melody harris16

First off this book is how the future could really look with artificial intelligence.Gave me such insight .Second with this series it stretches your mind .Enjoyed it,but Jeffery is my favorite author.
This book was given to me to review. S.campbell8655yahoo.com482 4

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