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Literature

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Bram Stoker’s creative process behind his iconic Gothic novel was shrouded in mystery for nearly a century.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Tales of Dunk and Egg, the ‘Game of Thrones’ prequel novellas that inspired HBO’s upcoming adaptation.

King’s sophomore novel left out a scene deemed too horrific to leave in.

The macabre practice is known as anthropodermic bibliopegy, and the motivations behind it include everything from punishment of criminals to doctors wanting symbolically meaningful covers for their medical tomes.

Books

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Which versions of ‘Matilda,’ ‘The Witches,’ and ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ will make the cut?

King has nursed a grudge against Stanley Kubrick’s film for decades. In 1980, he explained to David Letterman why it left him so cold.

A card game based on the fantasy series can be yours.

Let’s see how well you know your horror.

Each book was adapted (however loosely) into one of films listed below it. But which one?

It seems like virtually everything Stephen King has ever written has made it to the screen. As these seven books prove, that's not quite true.

From ‘Physician Slumber’ to ‘The Foreigner,’ these terms are technically synonyms of Stephen King titles. How many can you get right?

Use it to write down quotes, facts, jokes, and any other random snippets you accumulate.

Authors

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Countless authors have used bitter rivalries and petty squabbles as inspiration for some of their greatest works. Here’s proof that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword.

Feminism as we know it today didn’t exist in Austen’s time—but there is still a great deal of feminist inspiration to be taken from the author’s novels, life, and legacy.

From the accident that led to its creation to the real people who inspired key characters.

Libraries

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The marquee song from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ remains timeless. The LOC is preserving its earliest incarnation.

Poetry

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If you’ve ever talked about “the birds and the bees” or referenced “the best laid plans of mice and men,” then you’ve inadvertently quoted some of the English language’s most famous poets.

Discover which literary genres captivate each state and Washington D.C.

Where did this curious expression come from, and what’s so right about rain, anyway?

On New Year’s Eve, after the ball has dropped, revelers queue up “Auld Lang Syne”—that song that makes you cry, even though you don’t understand it and know almost none of the words.

Recommended Reading

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Though post-apocalyptic literature is experiencing a recent boom, the genre is anything but new. From a 19th-century tale of catastrophe to a modern-day classic made into a film, these are books you’ll want to add to your reading list.

From murder mysteries to secret societies and more, the best dark academia novels from Donna Tartt and other authors capture the macabre in the most unlikely of places.

These fascinating Afrofuturism novels from authors like Octavia Butler and Colson Whitehead are a great way to discover more about this genre.

The star-crossed lovers captured in these Gothic romance books will give you a new reason to hate Valentine’s Day.

Reading

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If you’re trying to teach yourself how to fall asleep faster, reading before bed is a good habit to pick up—here’s why.

Profound quotes about books and reading from the likes of Toni Morrison, Jane Austen, George R.R. Martin, Salman Rushdie, and more of your favorite authors.

A meta-analysis found a greatly reduced level of information retention when people got their data from screens instead of physical books.

Nursery Rhymes

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A deep dive into the origins and meaning of the classic nursery rhyme “Little Miss Muffet.”

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