%20%20--%3E%0A%3Csvg%20version%3D%221.1%22%20id%3D%22Layer_1%22%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20xmlns%3Axlink%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F1999%2Fxlink%22%20x%3D%220px%22%20y%3D%220px%22%0A%09%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20684.6%2068.1%22%20style%3D%22enable-background%3Anew%200%200%20684.6%2068.1%3B%22%20xml%3Aspace%3D%22preserve%22%3E%0A%3Cg%3E%0A%09%3Cpath%20d%3D%22M444.1%2C29.3h-17.4v14.5h17.4V29.3z%20M36.4%2C68.1l29.3-50.8V0H50.4L32.9%2C36.8L15.5%2C0H0v68.1h16.7V45.8l12.4%2C22.3H36.4z%0A%09%09%20M49.1%2C68.1h16.6V23.4L49.1%2C52.1V68.1z%20M76.6%2C68.1h45V53.8H93.3V41.6h21V27.1h-21V14.8h28.3V0.1h-45V68.1z%20M175.6%2C68.1h17.3v-68%0A%09%09h-16.5v40.3L150%2C0.1h-17.6v68h16.7V27.7L175.6%2C68.1z%20M235.8%2C14.8h15.4V0.1h-47.4v14.7H219v53.2h16.8V14.8z%20M290.3%2C45.9h-17.1%0A%09%09l7.5-15.6h2L290.3%2C45.9z%20M298.7%2C68.1h18l-32.2-68h-5.7l-32%2C68h18l3.3-7.1h27.1L298.7%2C68.1z%20M325.2%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1h-16.7%0A%09%09V68.1z%20M423.7%2C14.8h27.2V0.1H407v68h16.7V14.8z%20M462%2C68.1h46.2V53.8h-29.6V0.1H462V68.1z%20M564.8%2C34.1c0%2C10.7-7.2%2C19.2-18.5%2C19.2%0A%09%09c-11.4%2C0-18.5-8.5-18.5-19.2s7.1-19.2%2C18.5-19.2C557.6%2C14.9%2C564.8%2C23.4%2C564.8%2C34.1%20M580.6%2C34.1c0-19-14.2-34-34.3-34%0A%09%09c-20.2%2C0-34.3%2C15-34.3%2C34c0%2C19%2C14.1%2C34%2C34.3%2C34C566.4%2C68.1%2C580.6%2C53.1%2C580.6%2C34.1%20M604.8%2C20.5c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2%0A%09%09c4.4%2C0%2C6.6%2C3%2C6.6%2C6.6h14.7C631.8%2C9.1%2C625.1%2C0.1%2C611%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8%0A%09%09c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6%0A%09%09c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8C610.6%2C26.1%2C604.8%2C25.3%2C604.8%2C20.5%20M670%2C20.9h14.7C683.8%2C9.1%2C677.1%2C0.1%2C663%2C0.1c-12%2C0-21.7%2C9.3-21.7%2C20.6%0A%09%09c0%2C10.9%2C5.9%2C15.9%2C16.7%2C19.8c5.2%2C1.8%2C11.5%2C3.2%2C11.5%2C8c0%2C3.3-2.4%2C5.5-6.4%2C5.5c-3.6%2C0-6.6-3-6.6-6.7h-15.2c0%2C11.5%2C7.9%2C20.8%2C21.8%2C20.8%0A%09%09c12%2C0%2C21.6-9.3%2C21.6-20.6c0-10-5.3-16.4-16.7-19.8c-5.4-1.6-11.3-2.4-11.3-7.2c0-4.1%2C3.3-6.2%2C6.7-6.2C667.7%2C14.4%2C670%2C17.3%2C670%2C20.9%0A%09%09%22%2F%3E%0A%3C%2Fg%3E%0A%3C%2Fsvg%3E%0A)
10 Things You Might Not Know About Walden
Henry David Thoreau’s account of his time in the woods is much more than just fodder for motivational posters—it’s a work of transcendentalist philosophy that shaped how people see the natural world today.
BOOKS
5 Harry Potter Fan Theories That Turned Out to Be True
In literature, 'canon' refers to source material that establishes the characters, relationships, and events of a fictional universe. 'Headcanon,' however, describes fans’ imagined explanations for what happens between the lines, or off the page entirely.
The Words Pride and Prejudice Had Slightly Different Meanings in Jane Austen’s Time
If Jane Austen had written 'Pride and Prejudice' today, she might have titled it 'Being Arrogant and Jumping to Conclusions' instead.
10 Facts About Anne Frank's The Diary of a Young Girl
In 1947, the seemingly everyday, innocent thoughts of a teen girl were published. But they weren’t so everyday: they were the thoughts of Anne Frank.
A Rediscovered John Steinbeck Story About a Chef and His Cat Has Been Published in English for the First Time
The ‘Ratatouille’-esque story is about a French chef who seeks a Michelin star with the help of his taste-testing cat Apollo.
8 Surprising Facts About Jane Austen
More than 200 years after her death, English novelist Jane Austen continues to be celebrated for her sharp, biting prose on love's various entanglements.
See What Pride and Prejudice's Mr. Darcy Really Looks Like
Anyone who has ever read Jane Austen’s 'Pride and Prejudice' has surely conjured up their own idea of what Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy would look like in real life. But a couple of academics and one illustrator are here to dash your dreams.
Comic Books vs. Graphic Novels: What's the Difference?
Some readers call them comic books. Others call them graphic novels, which just might be code for "expensive comic book." Is there more to it?
How Harry Potter Forced J.K. Rowling to Become Robert Galbraith
Anything with J.K. Rowling's name on it is sure to catch the attention of the legion of Harry Potter fans. So why did the author use a pseudonym for her latest book series?
Mini Boden Is Launching a Harry Potter-Inspired Clothing Line for Kids
Aspiring witches and wizards are getting a collection of 81 clothing items inspired by Harry Potter from Mini Boden.
8 Daniel Radcliffe Facts All Harry Potter Fans Should Know
Daniel Radcliffe is a fantastic actor, but many may not have looked too far beyond that. Here are eight facts every Potter fan should know about the Harry Potter star.
10 Surprising Facts About Ernest Hemingway
Ernest Hemingway was a titan of 20th-century literature. (He was also allegedly a KGB spy, but he wasn't very good at it.)
8 Gonzo Facts About Hunter S. Thompson
Like any real-life legend, there are many myths surrounding the life and work of Hunter S. Thompson. But in Thompson’s case, most of those stories—particularly the more outlandish ones—are absolutely true.
A ‘Book Ripper’ in Herne Bay, England Is Ripping Book Pages, Then Putting Them Back on Shelves
The very English vandal has a distinctive way of ripping the books’ pages and also has a favorite genre: true crime.
George R.R. Martin Says Game of Thrones Backlash Won't Influence His Books
'A Song of Ice and Fire' author George R.R. Martin isn't letting the negative reaction to the final season of 'Game of Thrones' change how he's planning to end the book series.
10 Latin Language References Hidden in Harry Potter
Every other page in the 'Harry Potter' book series is loaded with Latin—here are some of our favorite nods.
House Boasting a ‘Harry Potter Room’ Under the Stairs Hits the Market in San Diego
If you want to live like Harry Potter did at the most miserable stage of his life, there's a house with its own cupboard under the stairs for sale in San Diego.
10 Surprising Facts About E.B. White
You’ve probably read (and re-read) 'Charlotte’s Web' and 'Stuart Little,' but E.B. White wrote books, essays, and poems for both children and adults.
Announcing: The Mental Floss Book Club
This summer, Mental Floss is inviting readers around the globe to join together online to discuss some of history’s greatest books—with a little something for the kids, too.
Why You Should Be Reading 15 Pages a Day
You may think you don't have time to read, but setting a goal of just a handful of pages a day can have benefits that can last a lifetime.
8 Facts About Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
From J.K. Rowling’s writing process to how it changed The New York Times Best Sellers list, here are some facts you should know about the third installment in the Harry Potter book series.
Why Rupert Grint Almost Left Harry Potter After Goblet of Fire
"I thought, ‘Do I actually want to keep doing this? It’s a bit of a drag,'" the Harry Potter star said.
10 of the Best-Selling Books in History (Minus Religious Texts)
From Mao to Harry Potter to Betty Crocker, these are 10 candidates for some of the best-selling books in history.
That Harry Potter TV Series You’ve Probably Heard About? J.K. Rowling's Reps Say It’s Not Happening
Upon hearing a report earlier this week that Warner Bros. was apparently planning a Harry Potter TV series set at Hogwarts and featuring an all-new cast of characters, some Potterheads may have been a little suspicious.