Henry David Thoreau is one of the most studied writers in American literature--not for fiction, but for a nonfiction collection about his stay at Walden Pond.

Henry David Thoreau was born on July 12, 1817--he would be known as an American writer, poet, philosopher and naturalist. There's no small debate about how realistic his stay at Walden Pond was--the book has been one of the most studied works in American literature classrooms, along with Thoreau's other essays and poems, (Civil Disobedience is just one of the popular/memorable ones).

In Walden, he writes, "Let us first be as simple and well as Nature ourselves, dispel the clouds which hang over our brows, and take up a little life into our pores. Do not stay to be an overseer of the poor, but endeavor to become one of the worthies of the world."

One of my favorite quotes from To Kill a Mockingbird (and probably a favorite overall) is: "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view... until you climb into his skin and walk around in it." It's the idea--explored by writers like Ursula Le Guin and so many others--that the eye-altering changes everything, that a different perspective could transform how we all see the world (and could ultimately imbue new meaning into our lives). If we compared our lives with others, how difficult would our trials really be?

If you enjoyed the novel, perhaps you'll consider these questions for study and discussion, or to take a look at related books. Have you ever wished you could gain perspective on another person's life/stance. Imagine, how relationships could change/grow.

Cover Art © HarperCollins.

Animal characters are different, alright. But, the authors of some of the greatest animalistic novels/stories have imbued the characteristics with human-like qualities. We are given a portrait of ourselves (and society)--without us taking too much offense. They're ANIMALS, after all.

So, since they're animals, we can be entertained (like with The Wind in the Willows, which has provided fun and laughter for readers of all ages. It's one of the books that you're not likely to forget (even if you do happen to hate it).

In The Wind in the Willows, we read: "Animals arrived, liked the look of the place, took up their quarters, settled down, spread, and flourished. They didn't bother themselves about the past - they never do; they're too busy." You can also read the entire text.

What's your favorite book with animal characters?

Cover Art © Penguin.

It's the dream of some: To live forever, to be remembered far after the last breath has ceased.

Luigi Pirandello was born on June 28, 1867. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1934 for his "bold and brilliant renovation of the drama and the stage." He wrote novels, plays and short stories. How does illusion relate to unreality?

In Six Characters in Search of an Author, Pirandello wrote: "A man will die, a writer, the instrument of creation: but what he has created will never die! And to be able to to live for ever you don't need to have extraordinary gifts or be able to do miracles. Who was Sancho Panza? Who was Prospero? But they will live for ever because - living seeds - they had the luck to find a fruitful soil, an imagination which knew how to grow them and feed them, so that they will live for ever."