books

Roald Dahl's first wife, Patricia Neal, seen here wearing an eyepatch in the aftermath of a stroke, was the inspiration behind the language in The BFG.

Author Roald Dahl was famous for the nonsensically whimsical language he created in his books, but the origin of those words has its roots in tragedy.

The prolific mystery writer took an active part in her husband’s archaeology digs.

An adaptation of Arthur C. Clarke's landmark sci-fi novel, which has been marinating in Hollywood for six decades, finally hits TV screens tonight.

The three-part installment is called "Angel Catbird." Yes, it's about a man who's part cat, part bird.

Kindred spirits the world over are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the beloved 'Anne of Green Gables' miniseries.

A Turkish Court is trying to figure out whether Gollum is good or evil, and the fate of a Turkish doctor hangs in the balance.

The beloved bear lived to a ripe old age despite her fondness for sticky buns and honey.

Including stories like “The Ungrateful Children and the Old Father Who Went to School Again.”

In the case of Ikey Solomon, the real life tale trumps fiction.

“Battle of Assandun, showing Edmund Ironside (left) and Cnut the Great." Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

Researchers found a clever way to test centuries-old manuscripts without damaging them: eraser crumbs.

Curtis Clark via WikimediaCommons // Public Domain

The classic book turns 138 today.

To increase literacy in Brazil, one publisher combined books with subway passes.

The famed author wrote the one-act comedy when he was in his early 20s.

Tolkien discusses his inspirations, and wishes he could talk to trees.

Drugs, skeletons, madness, and children's books—and you thought history was boring.

Art director Keith Hayes knows we're all guilty of judging a book by its cover.

Lynn Friedman, Flickr // CC BY NC-ND 2.0

The choices are as personal as the experience of reading a book.

The first official James Bond adventure to come out after Ian Fleming's death was a critical hit—but the author's identity was a mystery.

The boy detective could never quite solve the mystery of why he never got the Harry Potter treatment.

In their own words.

It's no surprise that the Harry Potter Series comes up more than once.

The author tells us about her musical beginnings, dirty laundry, and love of index cards.

Hollywood often turns to books for movie ideas, but sometimes the films are so popular they overshadow their source material.

Who reads more, young people or old people?

How Roald Dahl Came Up With the Nonsense Words in The BFG

How Archaeology Influenced Agatha Christie

The 60-Year Struggle to Bring Childhood's End to Screens

Margaret Atwood Is at Work on a New Graphic Novel Series

25 Facts About the Anne of Green Gables Miniseries

Is Gollum Good or Bad? Outcome of Turkish Court Case Rides on the Answer

You Can Visit the Skull of the Original Winnie-the-Pooh

Read Historic Fairy Tales from 19th Century Ukraine

The Real-Life Criminal Who Inspired Charles Dickens

Were Medieval Books Written on Uteruses?

11 Things You Didn't Know About Black Beauty

These Books Are Also Brazilian Subway Tickets

Literary Magazine Publishes a Forgotten Faulkner Play

Watch This 1968 BBC Interview With J.R.R. Tolkien

10 Things We Learned from the Public Domain Review’s New Book of Essays

14 Confessions of a Book Cover Designer

21 Writers On Their Favorite Bookstores

No One Knows Who Wrote This James Bond Novel

The Case of the Missing 'Encyclopedia Brown' Movie

5 Writers Who Really Hated Shakespeare

20 Writers On Their Must-Have Desert Island Read

12 Things You Didn't Know About Sarah Vowell

20 Movies You Might Not Know Were Based on Books

5 Bookish Facts About American Reading Habits