lit Section Header

Literature

The Latest

From moving stories of the Black American experience to imagined worlds of breathtaking vision, here are 13 books that had an influence Gen X—and help shaped the world as we know it today.

If a plane ticket and hotel stay are out of your budget, a paperback book (or a loaner from the library) can help transport you to far-flung, sun soaked climes.

Discover the most-searched summer book genres in every U.S. state, from gripping fiction to heartfelt romance.

Birds and bees get all the action—and Samuel Taylor Coleridge was jealous. Here are the possible origins of the euphemistic phrase.

Books

Read More

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

Tiny bugs are causing huge problems in Hungary.

The 18th president’s descendant had a storied career in museum curation before turning his attention to an affable vampire.

Want to know what your state is reading this summer? Check out this map of the top-searched books and discover your next page-turner.

Paris’s Shakespeare and Company has hosted some 30,000 “Tumbleweeds” passing through town. Want to be the next one?

Tampa’s mayor wanted Peter Benchley’s bestseller off store shelves. The cover had been deemed obscene by authorities.

Labubu dolls are more than fashion charms—they‘re rare art collectibles with a cult following.

Pizza Hut revamps its iconic BOOK IT! program with a new app that rewards kids’ reading progress with free pizza.

Authors

Read More

Celebrate the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth by putting these classic adaptations on your watch (or rewatch) list.

Author and humorist Mark Twain said a lot of witty things, but he’s also frequently misquoted. Can you figure out which quotes are his, and which ones aren’t?

From famous musicians to literary landmarks to mythological figures—and beyond.

Libraries

Read More

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

Poetry

Read More

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

Read More

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.

From sci-fi and horror to heartfelt memoirs and enthralling non-fiction, the Mental Floss Summer 2022 Reading List has something for everyone.

Ahead of the release of 'The Fervor,' Alma Katsu's supernatural reimaging of Japanese internment, here are her favorite historical horror novels

Whether you’re shopping for a history buff, curator of weird anecdotes, or a fan of fiction, we’ve got plenty of books for your holiday gift list.

Reading

Read More

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

Read More

There are a handful of dark theories about the rhyme’s inspiration—ranging from a Viking invasion to human sacrifice—but we’ll cross that bridge when get to it. First up, let’s break down the known history of the tune.

Learn More About Literature

AuthorsBooksLibrariesNursery RhymesPoetryReadingRecommended Reading