I Kill the Mockingbird

Clever would be one way to describe it. Or, perhaps you could call it intriguing. It's definitely a book with potential to have you chuckling (if not laughing) out loud.

I Kill the Mockingbird.

Yes, you read the correctly. (And, if your brain went straight to Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird, you're already on the right track.) In addition to the fact that To Kill a Mockingbird is a true classic, this book incorporates a wealth of references to other quality literature, including (but not limited to) books by Charles Dickens, Moby Dick, Farenheit 451, and Charlotte's Web. Plus, the three main characters are graduating 8th graders at a local Catholic grade school - so, as you can imagine, there are some great Catholic references too.

Here are just a couple of my favorite lines from the book:

When their teacher explains about what good reading actually is: "It's not enough to know what all the words mean...A good reader starts to see what an entire book is trying to say. And then a good reader will have something to say in return. If you're reading well...you're having a conversation."

When the main character's father is talking about why he spends so much time at Church (and as a Catholic school principal): "Life is a gift. Going to church is like sending a thank-you card."

Whether you are looking to recommend a novel to a young person (child, student, random neighbor) in your life or whether you're just looking for a light-hearted (but thought-provoking) easy read, this book should be next on your list.

There are no excuses - it has been in my car's trunk for nearly two months because I "haven't had the time to read"...but it literally took less than 3 hours to devour it. Om nom nom.