If you’re a literate adult (or near-adult), you’ve probably read To Kill a Mockingbird, or at least rolled your eyes when some new conversational partner enthusiastically told you at a party that his or her favorite book ever is To Kill a Mockingbird, which personal revelation you probably took to mean that the person…

Celebrate the 50th anniversary of one of President Obama's favorite books tonight the way any self-respecting American would — by watching the movie.

It's always a big deal when Harper Lee comes out of seclusion to make a statement.

What, you thought Lolita and Norman Bates came out of thin air?

"Nervously, I approach the novelist, carrying the best box of chocolates I could find," writes Sharon Churcher. "I start to apologise that I hadn't brought more but a beaming Nelle, as her friends and family call her, extends her hand..."

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Harper Lee's masterpiece of children's literature, it appears some critics are itching to provide a corrective to all the millions-sold adulation. What's the matter with liking To Kill A Mockingbird? Well.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Harper Lee's classic children's book. And although To Kill a Mockingbird has a famously private author, the book's birthday shall be acknowledged!

I'd like to think so too. But regardless, this is a great read, including the very vibrant comment section, from whence the quote above comes. [Ta-Nehisi Coates/The Atlantic]

Collin Wilcox, an accomplished actress perhaps best known for playing Mayella Ewell, the woman who falsely accuses Tom Robinson of rape in To Kill A Mockingbird, has died at 74. [NYT]

"Boo Radley is a hero. Bob Ewell is a racist and a rapist [...] And yet Gladwell thinks the reason that Atticus has a different "standard" for each man is that Radley has more money!" — Isaac Chotiner [TNR]