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Literature

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Countless authors have used bitter rivalries and petty squabbles as inspiration for some of their greatest works. Here’s proof that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword.

Feminism as we know it today didn’t exist in Austen’s time—but there is still a great deal of feminist inspiration to be taken from the author’s novels, life, and legacy.

See if you can tell which gust of wind came from which book.

These charming creations will make your home library feel all the more cozy.

Books

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The Master of Horror’s list of his top films is surprisingly horror-lite.

If a plane ticket and hotel stay are out of your budget, a paperback book (or a loaner from the library) can help transport you to far-flung, sun soaked climes.

From the accident that led to its creation to the real people who inspired key characters.

Discover the most-searched summer book genres in every U.S. state, from gripping fiction to heartfelt romance.

Tiny bugs are causing huge problems in Hungary.

The 18th president’s descendant had a storied career in museum curation before turning his attention to an affable vampire.

Want to know what your state is reading this summer? Check out this map of the top-searched books and discover your next page-turner.

Paris’s Shakespeare and Company has hosted some 30,000 “Tumbleweeds” passing through town. Want to be the next one?

Authors

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Celebrate the 250th anniversary of Austen’s birth by putting these classic adaptations on your watch (or rewatch) list.

Author and humorist Mark Twain said a lot of witty things, but he’s also frequently misquoted. Can you figure out which quotes are his, and which ones aren’t?

From famous musicians to literary landmarks to mythological figures—and beyond.

Libraries

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The marquee song from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ remains timeless. The LOC is preserving its earliest incarnation.

Poetry

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If you’ve ever talked about “the birds and the bees” or referenced “the best laid plans of mice and men,” then you’ve inadvertently quoted some of the English language’s most famous poets.

Discover which literary genres captivate each state and Washington D.C.

Where did this curious expression come from, and what’s so right about rain, anyway?

On New Year’s Eve, after the ball has dropped, revelers queue up “Auld Lang Syne”—that song that makes you cry, even though you don’t understand it and know almost none of the words.

Recommended Reading

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From murder mysteries to secret societies and more, the best dark academia novels from Donna Tartt and other authors capture the macabre in the most unlikely of places.

These fascinating Afrofuturism novels from authors like Octavia Butler and Colson Whitehead are a great way to discover more about this genre.

The star-crossed lovers captured in these Gothic romance books will give you a new reason to hate Valentine’s Day.

This St. Patrick’s Day, revisit literary classics by Irish authors like James Joyce and Roddy Doyle, plus discover a few new writers along the way with this roundup.

Reading

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If you’re trying to teach yourself how to fall asleep faster, reading before bed is a good habit to pick up—here’s why.

Profound quotes about books and reading from the likes of Toni Morrison, Jane Austen, George R.R. Martin, Salman Rushdie, and more of your favorite authors.

A meta-analysis found a greatly reduced level of information retention when people got their data from screens instead of physical books.

Nursery Rhymes

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There are a handful of dark theories about the rhyme’s inspiration—ranging from a Viking invasion to human sacrifice—but we’ll cross that bridge when get to it. First up, let’s break down the known history of the tune.

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