The news of Harper Lee’s second novel broke the internet. Go Set a Watchman would be published in July. Lee became a recluse (隐士)after the publication of her first book, To Kill a Mockingbird, in 1960. Although the author has been out of the public eye for more than 50 years, the wave that followed the announcement showed her novel’s beloved place in the American literary works.

In 1991, The Book of the Month Club and the library of Congress conducted a survey that made readers identify books that had made a difference in their lives. Lee’s book followed only The Bible. Alongside the works of Shakespeare and Twain, To Kill a Mockingbird remains one of the most widely taught books nationwide, reaching an estimated 70% of American public schools. What makes it such a perfect read for young people?

English class is a place where young Americans come to know themselves. In the folds of dusty books, students can make contact with humanity beyond the superficial(肤浅的) conversations of the school hallways. Literature promises relief, a place to figure out one’s problems and get to know oneself better.

To Kill a Mockingbird particularly distinguishes itself in this regard. It speaks in child’s voice without treating its readership as children. People have called it an ‘impossible’ achievement, a children’s book penned in the prose(散文) of a well-educated adult—it’s unlikely that a child like Scout could exist in the real world. But that’s exactly what makes it such a charming read for young people. It alludes to (转弯抹角地说到)the consciousness of a well-educated adult going through difficult realities, but shows it through the light and playful voice of a curious little girl.

With its neatly arranged tables and shelves loaded with books written by women, Greta Livraria’s small space masks its big ambitions. Since opening this year, the bookstore in Lisbon has contributed its space entirely to promote a group that has, for the most part, been overlooked and undervalued by society: female authors.

It is a “form of historical reparation (弥补)”, said Lorena Travassos, the founder of the store that aims to“address the longstanding gap in sales and publications faced by women”. It is the latest in a wave of bookshops that have sprung up across Europe to give voice to female authors, past and present. In Madrid, a 2017 crowdfunding campaign gave rise to Mujeres & Compañía, while in Berlin the bookshop She Said is devoted to books by female and queer authors (酷儿作家).

Six years ago in Scotland, Rachel Wood launched a book subscription service, Rare Birds, in an effort to support women’s writing. Despite the fact that some of the world’s most talented writers are women, Wood had long felt that respect for women’s writing was insufficient. “I feel so passionately that women are writing such interesting and exciting things,” said Wood. “Rare Birds is an opportunity to share that with other people.”

As interest in the subscription service grew—it now has members from more than 20 countries—a physical shop in Edinburgh soon followed. The shop’s 2021 opening illustrated the demand for a different kind of bookstore, and thousands of people visited on its first weekend. “Over and over, people tell us how exciting it feels to come into the bookstore and see every inch of shelf space devoted to women’s writing,” said Wood. “Visually, it’s very impactful. The space is designed to treat literal types typically viewed as “women’s interest” as equally as any other literature,” said Wood.

Greta Livraria has become the heart of a community that gathers regularly at the store to celebrate its efforts to value diverse perspectives and carve out a literary landscape that better reflects society.

What’s UP? Here, let’s take a look at some excellent book reviews for this month.