BOOKS

Spending a Lot On Books? This Browser Extension Tells You if They’re Available at Your Local Library

Library catalogs can be confusing, and Amazon’s one-click purchasing is hard to resist. This browser extension can help.

The New York Public Library’s 10 Most Checked-Out Books of All Time

The New York Public Library houses millions of works, but some of the best books (especially for children) stand out above the rest.

Image courtesy of Daniel Crouch Rare Books - crouchrarebooks.com

Bathroom Reading: This 18th Century Toilet Was Disguised as a Book

Not everyone wanted to stare at a chamber pot all day. With this volume, people could cover up their waste receptacle and seem well-read all at the same time.

Charles Dickens

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

A Little Free Library in Traverse City, Michigan.

Donate Books to a Little Free Library Near You

Little Free Libraries have delighted readers around the world since 2009. Discover how they began and how you can get involved, too.

The Story of Ralstonism, One of History's More Bizarre Health Movements

At the turn of the last century, author Webster Edgerly advised readers to achieve optimal wellness by never walking in a straight line and never marrying a woman less than 20 years their junior.

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.

The 10 Most Intriguing True Crime Stories of the Decade

The 2010s saw true crime come to the forefront of popular culture thanks to podcasts, books, and binge-worthy docuseries. These 10 cases prove it beyond a reasonable doubt.

10 Top-Selling Books of the Decade

From dystopian YA novels to a series that started as R-rated fan fiction, these were the best-selling books of the decade.

Virginia Woolf

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

Pitch Your Novel Idea on Twitter and You Could Win a Writer's Retreat in the British Countryside

Can't find time to write your novel? Pitch your idea on Twitter and you could win a week-long writer's retreat in the British countryside.

12 Surprising Facts About Evelyn Waugh

Evelyn Waugh was one of the most prolific writers of the 20th century, and his works are beloved by both literary critics and readers. But most people don’t know much Evelyn Waugh, the man. Here's what you need to know.

American ornithologist James Bond, circa 1974.

License to Bird: Meet the Real James Bond

On January 4, 1900, a child was born in Philadelphia. His name was Bond. James Bond. He would grow up to become an ornithologist, and lived a fairly quiet, normal life—until someone borrowed his name.

Mark Twain

Explore the life and legacy of writer Mark Twain, one of America's most-often quoted (and misquoted) authors.

Kyle MacLachlan stars in David Lynch's Dune (1984).

12 Epic Facts About David Lynch's Dune

After several different filmmakers tried (and failed) to adapt Frank Herbert's 'Dune' for the big screen, the movie finally arrived via David Lynch, a then up-and-coming filmmaker who’d never been tested on a film of that size and scope.

Charlotte Brontë's Final "Little Book" Returning to Haworth After $665,000 Auction Bid

The matchbox-sized item is one of five remaining miniscule books that Charlotte Brontë had written as a young teenager.

Letters From James Bond Creator Ian Fleming Detailing His Infidelity Hit the Auction Block

The James Bond author spent time away from home to write and argue with his wife over his infidelity, according to a collection of letters offered by Sotheby's.

Why Don’t Bugs Eat People’s Bones?

In "Will My Cat Eat My Eyeballs," Caitlin Doughty explains why human bones usually don't make a very good snack.

Internet Archive Book Images, Flickr // Wikimedia Commons

12 Facts About William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet

'Romeo and Juliet,' William Shakespeare’s 16th-century play about the tragic story of two star-crossed lovers, continues to intrigue readers today.

Can You Guess the Harry Potter Book From a Single Line?

See how well you know the Harry Potter books by testing whether you can guess the title from a single line alone!

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-USZ62-93318] // No known restrictions on publication

13 Reading Tips From Theodore Roosevelt

According to Teddy Roosevelt, “The reader’s personal and individual taste must be the guiding factor” when choosing a book to read.

The New York Public Library's Rose Main Reading Room

10 Strange Questions People Asked NYPL Librarians Before Google

A few years ago, NYPL librarians found a small gray box containing a host of unusual questions patrons asked between 1940 and 1980. 'Peculiar Questions and Practical Answers,' excerpted here, rounds up some favorites.

6 Puzzling Anachronisms That Made It Into Shakespeare’s Plays

From the clock in ‘Julius Caesar’ to Machiavelli in ‘Henry VI,’ the Bard made a few (possibly intentional) mistakes.

Jane Austen's Handwritten Letter About a Nightmarish Visit to the Dentist Is Up for Auction

“We heard each of the two sharp hasty screams,” the ‘Pride and Prejudice’ author wrote of her niece’s turn in the dentist’s chair.

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