Mental Floss

LISTS

Erin McCarthy

More than two decades before a certain boy wizard ditched his cupboard at 4 Privet Drive for the halls of Hogwarts, readers were introduced to clumsy but sweet-natured Mildred Hubble in the 1974 kidlit classic 'The Worst Witch.'

April Snellings






An aerial view of the river Thames at sunset.

The river Thames snakes its way through the center of London, continuing to waylay whales, inspire artists, sink ships, and occasionally flood areas of the British capital

Paris Franz


7-Eleven has sometimes had to deal with more than just brain freeze.

The popular convenience store chain has endured everything from a 3-D glasses fiasco to being accused of peddling pornography.

Jake Rossen


Simone Biles performs at the U.S. Olympic trials in St. Louis.

Is it too much to say that Simone Biles is not only the best Olympic gymnast, but the greatest gymnast of all time? We don't think so.

Karin Crompton


Yes, DC Comics takes its name from the Detective Comics book title. But it's a lot more complicated than that.

The history of DC Comics is filled with creator strife, corporate mergers, and award-winning works. Find out more about the iconic comic publisher.

Olivia Popp




An aerial view of Australia's Heart Reef.

From an island infested with snakes to a vault holding a very special secret recipe, these dangerous, mysterious, or otherwise forbidden places are off-limits to the public.

Michele Debczak


Do you want your baby-back-baby-back-baby-back ribs?

While you can probably find pretty good grilled meat no matter where you are, some cities have a reputation for quality barbecue that goes a little beyond a trusty steakhouse or two.

Ellen Gutoskey


A crew of cozy Calico Critters.

Calico Critters—or Sylvanian Families, as they're known outside North America—took the toy market by storm in the 1980s.

Zoë Randolph




Jackie Collins at her home in Beverly Hills, California in 1995.

Before there was 'Sex and the City' or 'Fifty Shades of Grey,' Jackie Collins was delivering unapologetically raunchy tales of glamour and seduction with a treasure trove of erotic novels.

Kristy Puchko
Authors Khaled Hosseini (left), Ralph Ellison (top center), Octavia E. Butler (bottom center), and Toni Morrison (right).

As recent graduates start exploring the job market, they should take comfort in the fact that these noteworthy authors—featured in Mental Floss’s new book, 'The Curious Reader: A Literary Miscellany of Novels and Novelists,' out now—took a sometimes windi

mentalfloss .com