It's a sin to kill a mockingbird

I think that this might be my favourite book in the world.

I discovered it in my early twenties when I had a few hours to kill and bought it from a charity bookshop. Not the copy pictured; that was a birthday present from my eldest sister this year. I love Gregory Peck's performance of Atticus in the 1962 film too; and so it was with a little hesitation that I went to see a stage production of it this afternoon.

I needn't have worried. I thought that the actors playing the children were a little old and that meant the affection between Atticus and Scout was played down, but aside from that it was an excellent production. I was grateful for the dark in the theatre on the couple of occasions when a tear or two escaped down my face...

"Atticus, he was real nice..."
"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.