“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.

BOOKS
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.
'Bridge to Terabithia,' Katherine Paterson’s celebrated 1977 children's book about friendship and loss was, incredibly, based on a true story.
‘The Care & Keeping of You’ paved the way for countless puberty books to come.
The ”world’s largest public library,” the Library of Congress holds more than 160 million items.
The year 1974 gave us Post-It Notes, the Rubik's Cube, Bailey's Irish Cream, and more.
The '90s hunk had his own 900 number, line of romance novels, and a heavyset counterpart known as 'Flabio.'
A gifted writer, Follett finished her first novel at age 12. By age 25, she was never seen or heard from again.
A lesser-known fact about the famed crime novelist: She was a beach bum.
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.
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 cute or funny cat picture could earn you a blank slate at Worcester Public Libraries.
You could own the costume that made Mr. Darcy’s lake scene so unforgettable.
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 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.’
Why are we still employing a kiss-off that references a near-obsolete form of transportation?
In 1975, Welles provided narration for the short documentary 'Who’s Out There?,' which explored a range of theories and beliefs about alien life.
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.
The road to the bestseller list started with a self-financed trip to the printing press for these famed authors.
The Internet Archive goes beyond the Wayback Machine—it also hosts movies, arcade games, and more.
The NYPL shares its most-borrowed titles, including a royal memoir and a fictional romance between video game developers.
Can you guess which author spent the most time on ‘The New York Times’ bestseller list? (Hint: It isn't J.K. Rowling or Stephen King.)