BOOKS

5 Famous Authors Who Were Awarded MacArthur “Genius” Grants

‘Severance’ author Ling Ma is a 2024 MacArthur Fellow; here are some other famous authors who were awarded the grants.

Looks like she's reading a novel, not a novella.

Novella vs. Short Story: What’s the Difference?

As Stephen King once said, novellas are “too long to be short and too short to be really long.”

11 Women Horror Writers You Need to Read

Women have written some of the most blood-curdlingly scary stories of all time, but they haven’t always gotten the credit they deserve. Explore some delightfully spooky Halloween reading from 11 masters of horror literature.

You won’t believe what scared Alfred Hitchcock.

The Worst Fears of 7 Horror Icons

You’ll never guess what frightens these masters of horror.

Washington Irving, the Knicks' biggest fan.

The Disappearance of Diedrich Knickerbocker: How Washington Irving’s Clever Hoax Named the New York Knicks

‘Knickerbocker’ has many meanings. Without Washington Irving, it would likely only have one.

‘The Universe in 100 Colors: Weird and Wondrous Colors from Science and Nature’ (Sasquatch Books).

10 Historical Pigments—and Their Surprising Origins—from ‘The Universe in 100 Colors’

In their new book, Tyler Thrasher and Terry Mudge explore the origins of colors found rocks, animals, plants, and even space—including these 10 historical pigments with surprising histories.

These books were banned for silly reasons.

13 Books That Were Banned For Ridiculous Reasons

Each year, the American Library Association complies a list of books that are challenged and banned. There are some books that get banned because of insensitive material; however, others get banned for completely ludicrous reasons.

The 10 Most Challenged Books of 2023

In honor of Banned Books Week, the ALA published its list of 2023’s most contentious titles.

10 Fascinating Facts About Nathaniel Hawthorne’s ‘The Scarlet Letter’

Hawthorne’s most famous novel—a mainstay on high school reading lists—has been the subject of some interesting myths and misconceptions.

The Song of Fire and Ice author voices his concerns about AI.

George R.R. Martin Shares His Stance on AI Amid Author’s Guild Lawsuit

George R. R. Martin has a lot to say about the rise of AI in the arts.

Let’s see how well you know your literature.

Can You Match the Last Line to the Famous Novel?

See if you can figure out how these celebrated works come to a conclusion.

7 Fun Facts About ‘Strega Nona’

Of all Tomie dePaola’s books, ‘Strega Nona’ is by far the most beloved. Here are seven things you might not have known about the story.

Harry Potter is returning to the screen.

Calling All Wizards: HBO Is Holding Open Casting for Its New Harry Potter Series

The open casting call for HBO’s rendition of the original Harry Potter series has officially begun.

Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart star in 'Twilight' (2008).

11 Illuminating Facts About the Movie ‘Twilight’

It’s never a bad time to talk about the baseball scene in ‘Twilight.’

The Not-So-Nice Origins of ‘Bookworm’

‘Bookworm,’ which now implies someone is well-read, once meant that you were a total loser.

10 Facts About Mark Twain’s ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’

A lewd drawing contained in an early printing could have destroyed the book’s chances—and Twain’s reputation.

10 Books Turning 50 in 2024

Whether they’re iconic horror novels or classic kids’ lit, these books still resonate five decades after they first hit shelves.

10 Fascinating Facts About Arundhati Roy’s ‘The God of Small Things’

Arundhati Roy’s 1997 novel was a groundbreaking bestseller that solidified her as an important voice on the global stage. Here’s what you should know.

Can You Guess the Famous Author Based on Their Weird Nickname?

Even distinguished novelists have had to endure bizarre monikers.

Make your own ratatouille—no rat required—with ‘Pixar: The Official Cookbook’.

Anyone Can Cook With the Official Pixar Cookbook

‘Pixar: The Official Cookbook’ features delicious dishes from several of your favorite animated movies, from ‘Luca’ to ‘Toy Story’.

‘Twilight’ made Stephenie Meyer a killing.

The 10 Authors With the Highest-Grossing Movie Adaptations

It pays to have a vivid imagination.

Where did this summertime trend come from?

Making Waves: A Page-Turning History of the Beach Read

There’s no tradition more satisfying than cracking open a good book on a sandy beach. Here’s how it all started.

Can You Match the Obscure Book to Its Famous Author?

Think you know your favorite author’s bibliography by heart? Don’t be so sure: See if you can figure out which of these obscure book titles belong to which renowned author in this quiz.

8 Fascinating Facts About James Baldwin

August 2, 2024 makes the 100th anniversary of James Baldwin’s birth. Here’s what you should know about the ‘Tell It on the Mountain’ and ‘Giovanni’s Room’ author.