LITERATURE

9 Facts About Edgar Allan Poe’s “The Raven”

“Once upon a midnight dreary” begins “The Raven,” setting the mood for one of the most recognizable poems written in English.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

‘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.

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.

The first edition of ‘Black Beauty,’ published 1877.

How ‘Black Beauty’ Changed the World For Horses

Anna Sewell’s 19th-century novel about a horse named Black Beauty put the spotlight on animal welfare.

10 Surprising Facts About Jane Austen’s ‘Pride and Prejudice’

More than 200 years after its publication, ‘Pride and Prejudice’ remains Jane Austen’s most beloved novel.

Can You Match the Opening Line to the Classic Novel?

Test your knowledge of classic literature in this quiz.

You’ve likely heard at least one tale that starts with the line.

Why So Many Stories Begin With ‘Once Upon a Time’

‘Once Upon a Time’ appears in many fairy tales and stories. The phrase has a long history and a practical narrative purpose.

A lot of people misinterpret these famous quotes.

10 of History’s Most Misinterpreted Quotes

Quotes like “one bad apple,” “money is the root of all evil,” and “O Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou Romeo?” have been entirely misinterpreted.

These captivating titles span all kinds of genres.

10 Influential Banned Books Written by LGBTQ+ Authors

From gripping essay collections to graphic memoirs and more, these banned books by LGBTQ+ authors are still worth diving into.

Authors like Dorothy Allison, David Wojnarowicz, and T Kira Madden have made tremendous contributions to literature.

26 Amazing Books by LGBTQ+ Authors You Should Add to Your Bookshelf

Celebrate the many contributions to literature that LGBTQ+ authors have made with these great reads by Danez Smith, Dorothy Allison, Alexander Chee, Alice Walker, and more.

Leo Tolstoy with grandchildren Leo and Sofia, 1909

Inside the Tolstoy Family Reunion

Author Leo Tolstoy had a big family with his wife, Sophia. Now, you can get an inside glimpse at what a family reunion is like for his living descendants.

8 Facts About Flannery O’Connor

The writer, best known for her Southern gothic style, died at the age of 39 from lupus. Here’s what you should know about her life.

We have Shakespeare to thank for a whole bunch of words.

Quiz: Can You Guess the Word Coined by Shakespeare?

Shakespeare is often given credit with coining more than a thousand words. How many of them do you know?

14 Surprising Facts About William Shakespeare

Despite his many contributions to English literature, surprisingly little is known about William Shakespeare's life. Here’s what we do know about the celebrated actor, poet, and playwright.

Macbeth and the three witches in Shakespeare's possibly cursed play.

The Scottish Play: Why Actors Won’t Call ‘Macbeth’ by Its Title

The superstition that saying “Macbeth” will bring bad luck has been around since Shakespeare’s play debuted.

The albatross visits the Mariner and his crew in Samuel Taylor Coleridge's "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner," as illustrated in 1876 by Gustave Doré.

The Meaning and Literary Origins of the Phrase ‘To Have an Albatross Around Your Neck’

‘Having an albatross around your neck’ means “facing an inescapable burden.” As for where the phrase originated, you can thank classic literature.