With the exciting news of Harper Lee’s forthcoming second novel, Go Set a Watchman (which shot to Amazon’s #1 pre-order bestseller spot within 24 hours), millions of readers are looking for ways to cool their heels while they anxiously await the July 2015 publication. To Kill a Mockingbird is an American classic beloved by millions. If you would like to host an event to discuss To Kill a Mockingbird or the forthcoming Go Set a Watchman, here are some authors to consider:
Marja Mills – The Mockingbird Next Door
In 2001, the Lee sisters opened their door to Chicago Tribune journalist Marja Mills. It was the beginning of a long conversation—and a great friendship. In 2004, with the Lees’ blessing, Mills moved into the house next door to the sisters. The Mockingbird Next Door is the story of Mills’s friendship with the Lee sisters. It is a testament to the great intelligence, sharp wit, and tremendous storytelling power of these two women, especially that of Nelle.
Charles Shields – Mockingbird: A Portrait of Harper Lee
Published in 2006, Charles Shields’s biography of Harper Lee was written from years of research and interviews from Harper Lee’s friends and family. Mockingbird discovers the mysterious author that has written such an iconic piece of American literature. He takes a step back to understand Harper Lee’s colorful life growing up in Monroeville, Alabama and the childhood that shaped her novel. Mockingbird is a New York Times bestseller in its 10th printing.
Mary Murphy – Scout, Atticus and Boo
To commemorate To Kill a Mockingbird‘s 50th anniversary, filmmaker Mary Murphy interviewed a variety of people about the impact the book has had on their lives. Some of the interviewees are famous—Oprah, Ann Quindlen and Tom Brokaw—and some are the closest people in Harper Lee’s life such as her sister Alice Lee and friend Reverend Thomas Butts. Scout, Atticus and Boo shows how this iconic book has not only impacted millions of people for more than 50 years, but also influenced the way people address social issues of race and class.
Austin Sarat (editor)- Reimagining To Kill a Mockingbird
Fifty years after the release of the film version of Harper Lee’s acclaimed novel To Kill a Mockingbird, this collection of original essays takes a fresh look at a classic text in legal scholarship. The contributors revisit and examine Atticus, Scout, and Jem Finch, their community, and the events that occur there through the interdisciplinary lens of law and humanities scholarship.
