BOOKS

10 Fascinating Facts About Salman Rushdie’s ‘Midnight’s Children’

When “Midnight’s Children” was released in 1981, The New York Times pronounced that “the literary map of India is about to be redrawn.” Here’s what you should know about the novel that introduced the authorial voice of Salman Rushdie.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s is now one of literature’s most valuable author signatures.

10 Extremely Valuable Author Signatures

From James Joyce to Ernest Hemingway, discover which famous author signature is worth the most.

The cover of Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Little Women.’

11 Fascinating Facts About Louisa May Alcott’s ‘Little Women’

“Little Women” is one of the world's most beloved novels—but Louisa May Alcott only wrote it to help her father get a publishing contract.

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Find Your Next Favorite Book, Movie, Band, and More with This New Media Recommendation Tool

The Global Network of Discovery offers an endless stream of recommendations specific to you.

A Sherlock Holmes Story Handwritten by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Could Net $1.2 Million at Auction

The original manuscript is one of the few Holmes drafts to ever come up for sale.

Stephen King owes his career to the support of his wife, Tabitha.

How Stephen King’s Wife Saved ‘Carrie’ and Helped Launch His Career

Take a look back at the surprising origins of “Carrie,” Stephen King’s first book—and more importantly, discover how his wife Tabitha King played a pivotal role in its creation.

9 Memorable Facts About ‘Bridge to Terabithia’

'Bridge to Terabithia,' Katherine Paterson’s celebrated 1977 children's book about friendship and loss was, incredibly, based on a true story.

Do you know where your copy is these days?

When American Girl’s ‘The Care & Keeping of You’ Taught a Generation How to Grow Up

‘The Care & Keeping of You’ paved the way for countless puberty books to come.

The Library of Congress’s Thomas Jefferson Building

How Big Is the Library of Congress?

The ”world’s largest public library,” the Library of Congress holds more than 160 million items.

20 Iconic Things Turning 50 in 2024

The year 1974 gave us Post-It Notes, the Rubik's Cube, Bailey's Irish Cream, and more.

8 Things You Might Not Know About Fabio

The '90s hunk had his own 900 number, line of romance novels, and a heavyset counterpart known as 'Flabio.'

Barbara Newhall Follett in an undated photo.

Barbara Newhall Follett: The Child Novelist Who Later Vanished Into Thin Air

A gifted writer, Follett finished her first novel at age 12. By age 25, she was never seen or heard from again.

Agatha Christie, Surfing Pioneer

A lesser-known fact about the famed crime novelist: She was a beach bum.

These gripping reads shed new light on the coldest cases.

10 Gripping Nonfiction Books About History’s Greatest Mysteries

From the Dyatlov Pass incident to the murder of JonBenét Ramsey, some of the best nonfiction books about history’s greatest mysteries are so gripping, they’ll make you feel like you’re about to crack open a few cold cases yourself.

The cover of Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms.’

14 Fascinating Facts About Ernest Hemingway’s ‘A Farewell to Arms’

Discover the controversy behind Hemingway’s classic novel, ‘A Farewell to Arms,’ as well as the inspiration for the title, the real-life love story that influenced the book, and how Bach inspired the author.

A Massachusetts Library System Will Let You Pay Fines With Cat Pictures

A cute or funny cat picture could earn you a blank slate at Worcester Public Libraries.

Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy in 'Pride and Prejudice' (1995).

For Sale: Colin Firth’s Wet Shirt From ‘Pride and Prejudice’ (Lake Not Included)

You could own the costume that made Mr. Darcy’s lake scene so unforgettable.

5 Fascinating True Crime Books to Read, Recommended by Casey Sherman

Casey Sherman’s latest book, ‘A Murder in Hollywood,’ covers a sensational crime involving actress Lana Turner and the mob. The author discusses the book alongside some of his favorite recent reads.

15 Fascinating Facts About S.E. Hinton’s ‘The Outsiders’

From the author’s inspiration to the impact on schools, here’s what you need to know about S.E. Hinton’s iconic coming-of-age novel ‘The Outsiders.’

Where Does the Phrase ‘… And the Horse You Rode in On’ Come From?

Why are we still employing a kiss-off that references a near-obsolete form of transportation?

Who's Out There ? 1975 NASA Orson Welles Documentary on Aliens

Watch Orson Welles Discuss Aliens In This NASA-Produced Documentary

In 1975, Welles provided narration for the short documentary 'Who’s Out There?,' which explored a range of theories and beliefs about alien life.

12 Fascinating Facts about Vladimir Nabokov’s ‘Lolita’

Nabokov’s controversial 1955 novel, which was rejected by multiple American publishers, features multiple allusions to Edgar Allan Poe and references a real-life kidnapping.

These authors took matters into their own hands.

8 Books You Didn’t Know Were Originally Self-Published

The road to the bestseller list started with a self-financed trip to the printing press for these famed authors.

The Internet Archive is the ultimate boredom-buster.

7 Fun Ways to Use the Internet Archive

The Internet Archive goes beyond the Wayback Machine—it also hosts movies, arcade games, and more.