LITERATURE

Jane Austen's House in Chawton, Hampshire.

PBS Is Hosting a Virtual Tour of Jane Austen’s House

Jane Austen’s books were all written in the Hampshire house, which is now a time capsule of her life there.

David Bowie during 1983's Serious Moonlight World Tour.

Zig Brother: When David Bowie Tried to Turn George Orwell’s 1984 Into a Musical

David Bowie’s 1974 album 'Diamond Dogs' wasn’t just meant to be a concept album with a few references to George Orwell’s ‘1984.’

"Oh great, another word I've never heard before."

The 10 Most Confusing Books of All Time

If Joseph Heller’s 'Catch-22' confused you to the point of frustration (or abandonment), you’re not alone.

Maine Grade-Schoolers Wrote a Pandemic-Inspired Novel, and Stephen King Is Paying for Its Publication

Stephen King, Maine’s most famous writer, is helping the next generation of Maine writers bring their book to life.

8 Pioneering Facts About Little House on the Prairie Author Laura Ingalls Wilder

Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books are her biggest claim to fame—her relation to Franklin D. Roosevelt isn’t quite as well-known.

Edith Wharton in Newport, Rhode Island circa 1907.

10 Fascinating Facts About Edith Wharton

In 1921, Edith Wharton became the first woman ever to win the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for her novel 'The Age of Innocence.'

How to Read a Book, According to Virginia Woolf

Virginia Woolf’s books didn’t follow writing conventions, and her rules for reading are just as flexible.

Maya Angelou Is the Latest Addition to Barbie's 'Inspiring Women' Line

‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’ author Maya Angelou has landed a well-earned a spot in Mattel’s most prestigious Barbie collection.

Abraham Lincoln once penned a true crime tale.

When Abraham Lincoln Tried His Hand at Being a True Crime Writer

In another era, Abraham Lincoln could have made for a great 'Dateline NBC' producer. The future president once penned a true crime tale based on a murder case he worked on as a lawyer.

Patricia Highsmith poses at home in Locarno, Switzerland in 1987.

9 Facts About Patricia Highsmith

Celebrated author Patricia Highsmith, who was known for her psychological thrillers, believed that life "didn’t make sense without crime in it."

There’s something for everyone, from crime thrillers to cookbooks.

The 40 Best-Selling Books of 2020, According to The New York Times Best Seller List

Some popular books—especially ones written by Barack and Michelle Obama—practically lived on The New York Times Best Seller list in 2020.

Octavia E. Butler autographs a copy of Fledgling at a book signing.

7 Surprising Facts About Octavia Butler

Born in Pasadena, California, on June 22, 1947, science fiction author Octavia E. Butler was one of the most significant literary figures of the 20th century.

How many of these books did you read this year?

The 10 Most Checked-Out Books at the NYPL In 2020

"The city’s most borrowed books reflect the historic challenges that have impacted New Yorkers during 2020," the New York Public Library said in a press release.

Shirley Jackson has more stories to tell.

A Lost Shirley Jackson Story, 'Adventure on a Bad Night,' Is Being Published for the First Time

Shirley Jackson finished writing the story around 1944. It's been residing in a box at the Library of Congress since 1965.

The World's Work, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

7 Fascinating Facts About F. Scott Fitzgerald

Today, F. Scott Fitzgerald is considered one of the most astute American novelists of the 20th century. But his best-known work, 'The Great Gatsby,' wasn't a bestseller.

10 Things You Might Not Know About Alice Walker

From her groundbreaking essays to Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'The Color Purple,' Alice Walker's work explores Black American experiences.

British Library, Wikimedia Commons // Public Domain

7 Epic Facts About The Canterbury Tales

Geoffrey Chaucer—known as the "father of English literature"—has written many texts, but none loom as large as 'The Canterbury Tales.'

See What the World’s Reading Habits Look Like in 2020

Many people have used the COVID-19 lockdowns to burn through their pile of books to read. Here's what reading habits look like across the globe in 2020.

She wrote "sneak peak" instead of "sneak peek."

12 Notable English Language Mistakes

‘Irregardless’ is technically a word, and ‘dord’ technically isn’t (though it has shown up in a few old dictionaries).

Kerouacs First Draft Of Seminal Book "On The Road" Displayed

10 Fascinating Facts About Jack Kerouac

Many of Jack Kerouac's novels drew details from his own life. Here's what you need to know about the author of 'On the Road.'

How Lolita Author Vladimir Nabokov Helped Ruth Bader Ginsburg Find Her Voice

Before Vladimir Nabokov gained fame for ‘Lolita,’ he helped hone the writing skills of a future Supreme Court icon.

Lily James as Mrs de Winter and Armie Hammer as Maxim de Winter in Rebecca (2020).

Remembering Rebecca: 11 Facts About Daphne du Maurier's Enduring Novel

Mention Daphne du Maurier's 'Rebecca' to any bibliophile and they will no doubt share the many reasons why the novel has charmed and captivated so many generations of readers.

China Is Now Home to What May Be the World’s Most Stunning Bookstore

With its high arches and mirrored ceilings, Dujiangyan’s latest bookstore seems like it goes on forever.

A baby Hemingway tottered through the halls of this idyllic edifice.

The Ernest Hemingway Birthplace Museum in Illinois Might Shut Down Forever—Here’s How to Help Save It

The museum is a tribute to Ernest Hemingway’s legacy in Oak Park, Illinois, and a reflection of the salon culture of his era.

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