WRITING

Watch James Baldwin Discuss Racism on The Dick Cavett Show in 1969

“Perhaps I don’t want to become like Ronald Reagan or like the president of General Motors... Perhaps I don’t want what you think I want.”

The last lines from The Great Gatsby are also on F. Scott Fitzgerald's gravestone.

The Last Lines From 19 Popular Books

Celebrate National Book Lovers Day with the last lines from ‘The Great Gatsby,’ ‘Little Women,’ and 17 other classic novels.

What does the Crunchwrap Supreme have to do with queer politics? A lot, actually.

Taco Bell Quarterly, a Taco Bell-Themed Literary Journal, Exists—And You Can Read It Online

While you’re waiting for 'Taco Bell Quarterly' Volume 3 to drop, catch up on works like “Ode to Nacho Fries” and “Imagining Our Taco Bell Wedding” in previous issues.

Gloria Steinem is the face of feminism and the reason it's cool to put your glasses on over your hair.

15 Trailblazing Facts About Gloria Steinem

Gloria Steinem is so much more than the world’s most famous feminist—she’s also Christian Bale’s stepmother.

Louisa May Alcott in 1870, when she was nearly Aunt Nellie's age.

'Aunt Nellie’s Diary,' An Unfinished Story by Louisa May Alcott, Is Being Published for the First Time

‘Little Women’ author Louisa May Alcott penned the long-lost story when she was just 17 years old, but we’ll never know how it ends.

Abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison devoted his life to opposing slavery.

The Boston Public Library Needs Help Transcribing Anti-Slavery Letters

The letters shed light on how leading abolitionists were protesting slavery during the Civil War era.

When it came to books, Albert Einstein subscribed to the "oldie but goodie" mentality. He wasn't the only one.

7 Pieces of Reading Advice From History’s Greatest Minds

These reading quotes from Albert Einstein, Theodore Roosevelt, and more might help you choose your next great read.

Universal Pictures, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Common Misconceptions About Famous Books and Authors

In this episode of 'Misconceptions,' we explore the plot holes, incorrect quotes, and other mistaken beliefs that surround beloved books and writers.

How to Pitch a Story to Mental Floss

So, you’d like to write for Mental Floss? We've assembled a handful of helpful tips to help you craft the best pitch possible.

Leo Tolstoy

Find out more about Leo Tolstoy, the author behind classics like 'War and Peace' and 'Anna Karenina.'

Ernest Hemingway and his first wife, Hadley, on their wedding day in September 1921.

When Ernest Hemingway Spent the Summer of 1926 Quarantined With His Wife and His Mistress

Hadley Hemingway thought it would be a “swell joke” if the three of them were cooped up together. A few months later, she was divorced.

George R.R. Martin Says He's 'Writing Every Day' In Self-Isolation, Teasing The Winds of Winter Release

George R.R. Martin, the man behind 'Game of Thrones,' is using his self-quarantine to work on the long-awaited next book in his 'A Song of Ice and Fire' series.

J.K. Rowling’s handwritten and illustrated Harry Potter book, featuring content from Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone.

A Miniature Harry Potter Manuscript, Handwritten by J.K. Rowling, Could Sell for More Than $180,000 At Auction

J.K. Rowling wrote and illustrated the one-of-a-kind, pocket-sized Harry Potter book for a charity auction in 2004.

What the Death of the Apostrophe Protection Society Means for Grammarians

The head of the society signed off for good, declaring that “The ignorance and laziness present in modern times have won!”

Magic tree houses and minivans are both known to transport kids to soccer games on Sundays.

11 Book Series From Your Childhood You May Not Have Realized Are Still Releasing Books

From Nancy Drew to Magic Tree House, these classic children’s book series are still going strong today.

The Library of Congress Needs Help Transcribing Walt Whitman’s Poems and Letters

The Library of Congress is home to the largest collection of Walt Whitman manuscripts on Earth, and it needs your help transcribing and reviewing them.

9 Charming Facts About E.B. White’s Stuart Little

The book—unlike the 1999 film adaptation—never really makes it clear if Stuart Little is a literal mouse.

17 Curious Nicknames of Famous Authors

From "Turdsworth" to "Beaver" to "Dodo," here's a list of literary nicknames and how they came to be.

Rostislav_Sedlacek/iStock via Getty Images

The Reason Doctors Have Such Sloppy Handwriting

It seems like detail-oriented people would have good handwriting, but doctors don’t always have the time to spend on it.

Read Guy Beringer’s 1895 Essay That Coined the Term Brunch

Based on this essay, Guy Beringer—the father of brunch—almost definitely would have approved of those bottomless mimosas.

'Turdsworth': Lord Byron’s Not-So-Affectionate Nickname for William Wordsworth

The Romantic poets' verse was beautiful and inspired—and so were their insults, though not in the same way.

Charles Dickens

Find out biographical facts about Charles Dickens's books, legacy, and family life—and brush up on his most memorable quotes.

Resolved to Read More? Try This Simple Hack

Your social media addiction could actually be the key to making a serious dent in your 2020 reading list.

Virginia Woolf

Find out more about Virginia Woolf’s best books, quotes, and the fascinating life she led.

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