2016 has taken a lot of lives so far. On Feb. 19, 2016, novelist Harper Lee passed away in her sleep at age 89. She won the Pulitzer Prize for her novel "To Kill A Mockingbird" and was one of this century’s most famous and beloved authors. She is gone but never forgotten. Here are just some examples of why Haper Lee was amazing.

1. A school board in Virginia tried to ban "To Kill A Mockingbird." Lee’s response was to call them illiterate and send them money to enroll the entire board into first grade.

When Lee heard about the intentions of the school board, she responded with this letter:

"Recently I have received echoes down this way of the Hanover County School Board's activities, and what I've heard makes me wonder if any of its members can read.

Surely it is plain to the simplest intelligence that "To Kill A Mockingbird" spells out in words of seldom more than two syllables a code of honor and conduct, Christian in its ethic, that is the heritage of all Southerners. To hear that the novel is 'immoral' has made me count the years between now and 1984, for I have yet to come across a better example of doublethink.

I feel, however, that the problem is one of illiteracy, not Marxism. Therefore, I enclose a small contribution to the Beadle Bumble Fund that I hope will be used to enroll the Hanover County School Board in any first grade of its choice."

2. When she was a young writer, Lee was offered a year of wages and a note saying “you have a year off your job to write whatever you want. Merry Christmas.” "To Kill A Mockingbird" was the result.

She sure took advantage of that year! That just goes to show, when you have an opportunity, take it.

3. "To Kill A Mockingbird" once was voted more inspirational than the Bible.

In 2009, the Bible came #2 to "To Kill A Mockingbird" for the most inspirational book of all time. That's a pretty heavy honor! Seriously, that year off of work without having to worry about money did her well.

4. Harper Lee has her own recipe for cracklin' cornbread.

You have to catch a pig first, though. It serves about six, depending on the size of the pig. Lee seems to love pork a lot. If you recall in "To Kill A Mockingbird," Scout had a full on ham costume in the town pageant. But who can blame her?

5. Lee was good friends with Truman Capote.

The character Dill in "To Kill A Mockingbird" was inspired by Capote. Capote also confirmed that the character Boo Radley was inspired by a very real man who used to live in their neighborhood. They both also confirmed that the crazy rumors that Capote was the real writer of "To Kill A Mockingbird" were indeed, false.

6. Harper Lee remained friends with Gregory Peck after the movie adaptation of "To Kill A Mockingbird."

Gregory Peck’s grandson, Harper Peck Voll, is even named after Lee. The film won three Oscars, three Golden Globe Awards, and was nominated for eight Academy Awards.

In July 2015, Lee released "Go Set A Watchman," the sequel to "To Kill A Mockingbird." It won Best Fiction on Good Reads with 31,093 votes.