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10 Fascinating Facts About Edith Wharton
In 1921, Edith Wharton became the first woman ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel 'The Age of Innocence.'
BOOKS
How to Read a Book, According to Virginia Woolf
Virginia Woolf’s books didn’t follow writing conventions, and her rules for reading are just as flexible.
Maya Angelou Is the Latest Addition to Barbie's 'Inspiring Women' Line
‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ author Maya Angelou has landed a well-earned a spot in Mattel’s most prestigious Barbie collection.
9 Facts About Patricia Highsmith
Celebrated author Patricia Highsmith, who was known for her psychological thrillers, believed that life "didn’t make sense without crime in it."
The Mental Floss Store Is Reopening Today!
The Mental Floss Store is reopening today. Head on over to discover deals on products like books, games, shirts, and more
The 40 Best-Selling Books of 2020, According to The New York Times Best Seller List
Some popular books—especially ones written by Barack and Michelle Obama—practically lived on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2020.
7 Surprising Facts About Octavia Butler
Born in Pasadena, California, on June 22, 1947, science fiction author Octavia E. Butler was one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century.
James Baldwin's Record Collection Is Now a 478-Track Spotify Playlist
The celebrated author of 'Go Tell It on the Mountain' used music to inspire and influence his work. Now you can listen, too.
The 10 Most Checked-Out Books at the NYPL In 2020
"The city’s most borrowed books reflect the historic challenges that have impacted New Yorkers during 2020," the New York Public Library said in a press release.
Anne Carroll Moore: The New York Librarian Who Hated Goodnight Moon
Anne Carroll Moore was an influential librarian in the world of children's books. That was bad news for 'Goodnight Moon,' since she refused to recommend it.
A Lost Shirley Jackson Story, 'Adventure on a Bad Night,' Is Being Published for the First Time
Shirley Jackson finished writing the story around 1944. It's been residing in a box at the Library of Congress since 1965.
7 Fascinating Facts About F. Scott Fitzgerald
Today, F. Scott Fitzgerald is considered one of the most astute American novelists of the 20th century. But his best-known work, 'The Great Gatsby,' wasn't a bestseller.
10 Things You Might Not Know About Alice Walker
From her groundbreaking essays to Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'The Color Purple,' Alice Walker's work explores Black American experiences.
See What the World’s Reading Habits Look Like in 2020
Many people have used the COVID-19 lockdowns to burn through their pile of books to read. Here's what reading habits look like across the globe in 2020.
10 Killer Facts About The Witcher
'The Witcher'—the Netflix series based on Andrzej Sapkowski's fantasy book series, which spawned a popular video game franchise—became an immediate pop culture phenomenon when it debuted in December 2019.
How H.P. Lovecraft Gave Us Ancient Aliens
The similarities between H.P. Lovecraft’s ideas and those of the people who produce 'Ancient Aliens' aren’t a coincidence; in fact, they’re connected.
10 Fascinating Facts About Jack Kerouac
Many of Jack Kerouac's novels drew details from his own life. Here's what you need to know about the author of 'On the Road.'
How Lolita Author Vladimir Nabokov Helped Ruth Bader Ginsburg Find Her Voice
Before Vladimir Nabokov gained fame for ‘Lolita,’ he helped hone the writing skills of a future Supreme Court icon.
Remembering Rebecca: 11 Facts About Daphne du Maurier's Enduring Novel
Mention Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca' to any bibliophile and they will no doubt share the many reasons why the novel has charmed and captivated so many generations of readers.
China Is Now Home to What May Be the World’s Most Stunning Bookstore
With its high arches and mirrored ceilings, Dujiangyan’s latest bookstore seems like it goes on forever.
11 of Our Favorite Horror Books
There's no better time of year to crack open a new horror book, and if you're in need of recommendations, the Mental Floss staff has you covered.
The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum in Illinois Might Shut Down Forever—Here’s How to Help Save It
The museum is a tribute to Ernest Hemingway’s legacy in Oak Park, Illinois, and a reflection of the salon culture of his era.
Who Is Enola Holmes? 7 Facts About Nancy Springer’s Hit YA Book Series
Though her name may be lesser known, Enola Holmes—teenage sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes—has been around for more than a decade in the form of Nancy Springer’s young adult book series. Now she's featured in a hit Netflix movie starring Millie Bobby
200 Rare Books Were Stolen in a Thrilling Heist—Three Years Later, They’ve Been Found Buried in Romania
The pricey cache includes first editions by Sir Isaac Newton, Galileo, and Francisco Goya—and it wasn’t an isolated incident.