Wednesday, June 2, 2010

Favorite Book of the Month

^ look up ^ DO YOU SEE THE CAPITALS OMG MY GRAMMAR IS IMPROVING.

but don't get used to it : )

YA's question of the week: what is your favorite book of the month? (i read somewhere that they ask this every month? anyway...)

good question, but slightly ambiguous. if they mean June, i've only read one book, Hex Hall, so i'd have to pick that. (for the record, i liked Hex Hall, but i'm still mad that i have to wait a whole year for the sequel!!!)

instead, i'm going to assume the nice YA bloggers mean May.

hands down, i'd have to say To Kill A Mockingbird.


i didn't know what to expect starting this book. all i had to go on were some snippets from Amazon and obscure references in Beautiful Creatures. but i decided to buy and read it.

i'm SO GLAD I DID.


Set in a small Alabama town (Maycomb), To Kill A Mockingbird follows the story of Atticus Finch indirectly--that is, through his daughter, Scout's, eyes. Atticus Finch, a lawyer, decides to accept the commission to defend Tom Robinson, a black man accused of raping a white woman. Atticus knows that there will be repercussions for defending a black man, but he also knows that defending an innocent man--whatever his skin color--is the right thing to do.

However, Atticus seems to be the only person in Maycomb who believes this.

Nearly everyone else assumes that Tom Robinson is guilty. Furthermore, they resent Atticus for daring to defend a black man.

Scout, oblivious to the coming storm, merely cares about making the local recluse, Boo Radley, "come out". She doesn't even realise at first why the other children start to shun and torment her: she doesn't realise that her father's actions have made her whole family a target.

And she certainly never anticipates the ultimate consequences of fighting injustice and prejudice.


despite the heavy moral premise, Scout's innocent outlook is entertaining. her funny commentary and childish detatchment keep the story from growing too morbid, even as the action unfolds.

this book is a worthwhile read for anyone--although i certainly wouldn't recommend it to younger audiences. i can't really do the book justice in a short summary--you simply have to read it for yourself. you won't be sorry you did!!


also, a special shout-out to Molly (of MBWcreates): her entry in Tahereh's contest just won FIRST PLACE!!!! YAY Molly! (YOU TOTALLY DESERVE IT YOUR STORY WAS THE BEST!!) check out Molly's hilarious story here.

10 comments:

  1. awww...could you be sweeter???

    I have to admit, somehow I got through highschool without TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD being required reading. Perhaps I will add it to my list, since it was your favorite book for May.

    I can't say that I had a FAVORITE book last month -- but I do have HEX HALL on hold at the library, and I have a feeling (from the reviews) that it will be a fav.

    I won't get to read your blog again until Monday *sniff* have a great weekend!!!

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  2. your list must span, like, 100 feet by now, lol.. but To Kill A Mockingbird is definitely a must-read! i can see why it isn't required, though, after the complaints some people have about the language in Huckleberry Finn...To Kill A Mockingbird has that, too.

    since you'll be gone, Happy Birthday a day early, and have a fantastic weekend!!!!!

    <33333

    i'm still so happy that you won the contest!! eeeeek!!!

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  3. TKM is a classic - deservedly so! I love it. :-)

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  4. i'm glad to hear you liked it! and thank you for following, Shannon!!! : )

    <333

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  5. I'm definitely glad I bought so I can re-read my copy, too. Have fun!
    (is that really the right sentiment....?)

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  6. wow i haven't read that book in YEARS. i think i need to dust it off.

    thanks for the reminder!

    <33333

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  7. haha you're welcome! i'm glad everyone seems to want to read (or re-read) it!

    <33333's back!

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  8. One of the best books ever written. I probably have like six copies floating around. Ha. But definitely a keeper.

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  9. hey, you can never have too many copies of a good book!! thanks for commenting, Carolina! : )

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