LITERATURE

8 Things You Might Not Know About 'Catch-22' Author Joseph Heller

Heller's irreverent outlook on life was shaped by his experiences as a bombardier pilot in World War II—and lots of dinners with Mel Brooks.

14 Fascinating Facts About Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley was the American colonies’ first Black poet and second woman to publish a book of poems. Here are more facts about her.

When Joyce Carol Oates Tried—and Failed—to Fool the World As 'Rosamond Smith'

The celebrated author decided she wanted to adopt a new writing identity for a mystery novel. It didn't turn out well.

Hughes was often called "The People's Poet."

8 Fascinating Facts About Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes was a poet, novelist, playwright, and reporter who helped define the Harlem Renaissance. Find out more about his life and work.

Zora Neale Hurston in a portrait by Carl Van Vechten.

10 Fascinating Facts About Zora Neale Hurston

Writer and folklorist Zora Neale Hurston’s literary legacy is a class apart. Here are some facts you might not have known about the author of “Their Eyes Were Watching God.”

It's no surprise Stephen King is one of the world's richest authors.

The 10 Richest Authors of All Time

From J. K. Rowling to Stephen King, these are the richest authors the literary world has ever produced.

Maya Angelou celebrating her 82nd birthday

10 Facts About Maya Angelou

Dr. Maya Angelou’s verses are at the very heart of the American experience—yet she didn’t start out as a poet.

‘Jane Austen’s Little Book of Wisdom’ Features Hundreds of the Author’s Most Iconic Quotes

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Jane Austen book lovers will appreciate this collection of quotes.

Kazuo Ishiguro at the Hay Festival 2010.

11 Things You Should Know About Kazuo Ishiguro

Kazuo Ishiguro was 27 years old when he published his first novel, 1982’s ‘A Pale View of Hills.’ Since then, he has left an indelible mark on literature through works that the Nobel Prize committee described as “novels of great emotional force.”

11 Things You Should Know About Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’

It took Toni Morrison years to write her debut novel—which was initially a flop. Here are some other things you might not know about 'The Bluest Eye.'

Jean Seberg holds a copy of J.D. Salinger's 'The Catcher in the Rye.'

10 Fascinating Facts About J.D. Salinger

Acclaimed novelist J.D. Salinger once gave an interview for a high school newspaper, and also drank his own pee, but probably not at the same time.

14 Fascinating Facts About Albert Camus's 'The Stranger'

Albert Camus’s 1942 masterpiece 'The Stranger' has sold more than 6 million copies, but caused trouble for translators.

6 Novels That Controversially Fictionalized Real Events

In literary history, there is an undeniable thread of novels that make substantial use of real people and situations, often through a veil of changed names.

100 Things We Learned in 2022

There’s no better way to wrap up 2022 than by sharing a whopping 100 things we learned this year, from interesting AI developments to unintentional art heists—and, of course, the results of the 2022 Kids’ Mullet Championships.

Getting snowed in with these books wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing.

11 Wintry Books To Read Under Your Warmest Blanket

Get snowed in with the best books to read in winter, including “Snowblind” by Ragnar Jónasson, Mary Shelley’s “Frankenstein,” and other great reads.

Turkeys don’t really rise from the ashes like phoenixes do.

The Tragic Tale of Charles Dickens’s Last Christmas Turkey

Charles Dickens appreciated a prize turkey as much as Ebenezer Scrooge did. And on Christmas Eve 1869, his was missing.

10 Differences Between ‘The Wizard of Oz’ Book and Movie

‘The Wizard of Oz’ is one of the most famous films of all time—but it differs quite a bit from the novel on which it was based. From the color of the coveted slippers to a one-eyed Wicked Witch, here are 10 key differences.

Taylor Swift, BTS, and The Roots are among the artists who have made literary references in their songs.

11 Hit Songs That Reference Great Works of Literature

Everyone from Lana Del Rey to BTS to The Cure has slipped literary references into their songs.

Heather Chasen poses for a ‘Mousetrap’ publicity still.

Agatha Christie’s ‘The Mousetrap’ Is the World’s Longest-Running Play. Now It’s Set to Make Its Broadway Debut

Christie’s murder mystery has run nearly uninterrupted in London’s West End for the past 70 years.

Sci-fi literature and short stories inspired these bright ideas.

11 Scientific Advancements Inspired by Sci-Fi Stories

These sci-fi tales have gone beyond predicting technological advancements to directly inspiring scientific progress, from robotics to rocketry and everything in between.

The 11th tablet of 'The Epic of Gilgamesh.'

10 of the Oldest Pieces of Literature

These pieces of literature—from 'The Epic of Gilgamesh' to what is widely considered the first novel ever written—are some of the oldest in history.

8 Facts About ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover,’ D.H. Lawrence’s Most Scandalous Novel

The story behind the publication of ‘Lady Chatterley’s Lover’ is almost as dramatic as the novel itself.

Thomas Hardy and his beloved English countryside.

12 Facts About Author Thomas Hardy

'Tess of the d'Urbervilles' author Thomas Hardy is best known for his novels of rural realism, but he started out as an architect.

Haruki Murakami's love of music is evident throughout his body of work.

7 Haruki Murakami Novels and Short Stories Named for Songs

Music plays a big role in his books, but the references are not always as obvious as they may appear.

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