Title: Books Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss
Open Graph Title: Books Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss
X Title: Books Facts, History & Quizzes | Mental Floss
Description: Discover fun book facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.
Open Graph Description: Discover fun book facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.
X Description: Discover fun book facts, trivia, and surprising stories on Mental Floss—content that entertains, educates, and satisfies your curiosity.
Opengraph URL: https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books
Domain: www.mentalfloss.com
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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/real-mythology-helped-inspire-jrr-tolkien-elves","headline":"The Real Mythology That Helped Inspire J.R.R. Tolkien's Elves","description":"How Old Norse sagas, Anglo-Saxon poems, and Irish mythology helped J.R.R. Tolkien transform tiny Victorian fairies into the majestic Elves of Middle-earth.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Matt Hoffman"},"datePublished":"2026-11-11T23:00:03Z","dateModified":"2026-11-11T23:00:03Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/real-mythology-helped-inspire-jrr-tolkien-elves"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-lord-of-the-rings-character-one-quote","headline":"Quiz: Can You Name the ‘Lord of the Rings’ Character From One Clue?","description":"In honor of the third season of ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power’ releasing, test your knowledge on the characters in Middle-earth.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Alexandria Ingham"},"datePublished":"2026-11-11T15:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-11-11T15:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/movies-tv/name-lord-of-the-rings-character-one-quote"}}
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{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/kurt-vonnegut-best-worst-books","headline":"The Books Kurt Vonnegut Considered His Best—and Worst","description":"In 1981, Kurt Vonnegut gave his own books a report card from A+ to D. Here is how he graded his best work—and the self-portrait that got his lowest mark.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Matt Hoffman"},"datePublished":"2026-11-11T01:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-11-11T01:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/kurt-vonnegut-best-worst-books"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/jane-austen-daily-routine","headline":"The Surprising Daily Routine Jane Austen Followed While Writing Her Novels","description":"Jane Austen never had a room of her own. Instead, she completed all of her published works in the middle of her family's bustling sitting room in their Chawton cottage.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Eden Gordon"},"datePublished":"2026-11-10T23:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-11-10T23:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/jane-austen-daily-routine"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/what-readers-thought-dracula-when-published-1897","headline":"What Readers Thought of 'Dracula' When It Was Published in 1897","description":"'We would not, however, recommend it to nervous persons for evening reading.'","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jane Alexander"},"datePublished":"2026-11-08T17:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-11-08T17:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/what-readers-thought-dracula-when-published-1897"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/zombie-novels","headline":"8 Zombie Novels to Feast On","description":"Zombies might be most famous as onscreen villains, but they're the subject of a whole lot of gory, funny, and thought-provoking novels, too.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2026-10-31T17:00:03Z","dateModified":"2026-10-31T17:00:03Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/zombie-novels"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/medium-nicer-ghosts-interview","headline":"The Medium Who Wants You to Be Nicer to Ghosts","description":"For Rebekah Carmichael, author of the book 'The Not-So-Scary Guide to Ghosts,' ghosts aren't something to fear at all.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Eden Gordon"},"datePublished":"2026-10-30T18:00:02Z","dateModified":"2026-10-30T18:00:02Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/medium-nicer-ghosts-interview"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/theodore-roosevelt-favorite-books","headline":"12 of Theodore Roosevelt’s Favorite Books","description":"Theodore Roosevelt swore there was no such thing as a list of the best books and yet never stopped telling people which ones he loved!","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Matt Hoffman"},"datePublished":"2026-10-26T14:00:02Z","dateModified":"2026-10-26T14:00:02Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/theodore-roosevelt-favorite-books"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/finish-spine-chilling-literary-titles","headline":"Quiz: Can You Finish These Spine-Chilling Literary Titles?","description":"Guess all 25 missing words and complete these titles before time runs out!","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Logan DeLoye"},"datePublished":"2026-10-23T23:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-23T23:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/finish-spine-chilling-literary-titles"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/guess-classic-goosebumps-book-titles","headline":"Quiz: Can You Guess These Classic 'Goosebumps' Book Titles? ","description":"Readers, beware: You’re in for a scare!","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Logan DeLoye"},"datePublished":"2026-10-21T23:00:02Z","dateModified":"2026-10-21T23:00:02Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/guess-classic-goosebumps-book-titles"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/werewolf-novels","headline":"7 Werewolf Novels That’ll Have You Howling in Fear","description":"From the novel considered to be to werewolves what Dracula is to vampires, to a book about a dog facing off against a werewolf only he can detect, these werewolf books portray lycanthropy in all different ways.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2026-10-19T18:00:02Z","dateModified":"2026-10-19T18:00:02Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/werewolf-novels"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/wanderlust/best-book-retreats-united-states","headline":"6 of the Best Book Retreats in the United States","description":"From genre-specific trips to stunning, scenic getaways, book lovers will find true peace with these options.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Mary Beth Skylis"},"datePublished":"2026-10-19T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-19T00:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/geography/wanderlust/best-book-retreats-united-states"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/scary-haunted-house-books","headline":"8 Haunted House Books That’ll Keep You Up at Night","description":"From \"The Haunting of Hill House\" to \"The Shining,\" these books feature some of the most terrifying haunted houses in fiction.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2026-10-17T21:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-17T21:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/scary-haunted-house-books"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/sense-and-sensibility-500-pounds-worth-today","headline":"What Would £500 a Year in 'Sense and Sensibility' Be Worth Today?","description":"In Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility, the Dashwood family must live on £500 a year. Here is what that Regency-era sum would actually be worth today.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Paul Anthony Jones"},"datePublished":"2026-10-16T22:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-16T22:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/sense-and-sensibility-500-pounds-worth-today"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/why-jane-austen-first-novel-credited-to-a-lady","headline":"Why Jane Austen's First Novel Was Credited Only to \"A Lady\"","description":"Discover why Jane Austen’s first novel, \"Sense and Sensibility,\" was published as \"By a Lady\" and why she remained anonymous throughout her lifetime.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Paul Anthony Jones"},"datePublished":"2026-10-15T22:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-15T22:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/why-jane-austen-first-novel-credited-to-a-lady"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/strange-afterlife-oscar-wilde-library-card","headline":"The Strange Afterlife of Oscar Wilde's Library Card","description":"130 years after having his library card revoked, Oscar Wilde was able to posthumously receive a new one.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chelsea Thatcher"},"datePublished":"2026-10-15T21:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-15T21:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/strange-afterlife-oscar-wilde-library-card"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/name-winnie-the-pooh-character-one-quote","headline":"Quiz: Can You Name the ‘Winnie-the-Pooh’ Character From One Quote?","description":"Can you believe Winnie-the-Pooh and his friends turn 100 in 2026? How well do you know the many characters?","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Alexandria Ingham"},"datePublished":"2026-10-14T23:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-14T23:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/name-winnie-the-pooh-character-one-quote"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/real-christopher-robin-complicated-relationship-winnie-pooh","headline":"The Real Christopher Robin Had a Complicated Relationship With Winnie-the-Pooh","description":"Christopher Robin was based on A.A. Milne’s real son—and growing up as the face of Winnie-the-Pooh wasn't always a Hundred Acre fairy tale.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chris Wheatley"},"datePublished":"2026-10-14T17:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-10-14T17:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/real-christopher-robin-complicated-relationship-winnie-pooh"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/name-stephen-king-character-one-clue","headline":"Quiz: How Quickly Can You Name the Stephen King Character From One Clue?","description":"Prove your knowledge of Stephen King characters.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Alexandria Ingham"},"datePublished":"2026-10-13T12:00:02Z","dateModified":"2026-10-13T12:00:02Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/quizzes/name-stephen-king-character-one-clue"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/vampire-books","headline":"9 Vampire Books to Sink Your Teeth Into","description":"From 'Dracula' to Stephen King classics, these vampire books have more bite than sparkle.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Lorna Wallace"},"datePublished":"2026-10-13T00:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-13T00:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/vampire-books"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/stephen-king-misery-dream-inspiration","headline":"The Strange Dream That Gave Stephen King the Idea for 'Misery'","description":"Discover how a strange dream on a transatlantic flight inspired Stephen King to write 'Misery,' leading to one of his iconic psychological thrillers.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chris Wheatley"},"datePublished":"2026-10-12T12:00:04Z","dateModified":"2026-10-12T12:00:04Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/stephen-king-misery-dream-inspiration"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/childrens-books-fall-nostalgia","headline":"6 Beloved Children's Books That Will Make You Nostalgic For Fall","description":"These middle-grade reads will bring you back to bygone Octobers.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Eden Gordon"},"datePublished":"2026-10-11T12:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-11T12:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/childrens-books-fall-nostalgia"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/classic-fantasy-epic-inspired-stephen-king-the-stand","headline":"The Classic Fantasy Epic That Inspired Stephen King to Write 'The Stand' ","description":"Discover how J.R.R. Tolkien’s \"The Lord of the Rings\" inspired Stephen King to write his apocalyptic dark fantasy epic, \"The Stand.\"","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Jane Alexander"},"datePublished":"2026-10-07T16:00:02Z","dateModified":"2026-10-07T16:00:02Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/books/classic-fantasy-epic-inspired-stephen-king-the-stand"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/why-bram-stoker-dracula-almost-had-different-name","headline":"Why Bram Stoker’s 'Dracula' Almost Had a Very Different Name","description":"The novel had a different title until the last few weeks before publication, but nobody knows for sure who renamed it. ","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Matt Hoffman"},"datePublished":"2026-11-07T22:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-11-07T22:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/why-bram-stoker-dracula-almost-had-different-name"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/government-politics/why-guy-fawkes-associated-with-anonymous-mask","headline":"Why Is Guy Fawkes Associated With the Anonymous Mask?","description":"Who was Guy Fawkes and how is he connected to the \"hacktivist\" group Anonymous?","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chelsea Thatcher"},"datePublished":"2026-11-05T21:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-11-05T21:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/history/government-politics/why-guy-fawkes-associated-with-anonymous-mask"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/slang/slang-phrases-jane-austen-england-still-use-today","headline":"6 Slang Phrases From Jane Austen's England We Still Use Today","description":"These six slang phrases from Jane Austen's era are still part of our vocabulary.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Logan DeLoye"},"datePublished":"2026-10-27T19:00:01Z","dateModified":"2026-10-27T19:00:01Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/language/slang/slang-phrases-jane-austen-england-still-use-today"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/creepiest-baba-yaga-stories-slavic-folklore","headline":"5 Creepiest Baba Yaga Stories From Slavic Folklore","description":"Think Baba Yaga is just a fairy tale witch? From magical doll massacres to 41 impaled heads, explore five of Slavic folklore’s most terrifying Baba Yaga stories.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Paul Anthony Jones"},"datePublished":"2026-10-26T16:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-26T16:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/creepiest-baba-yaga-stories-slavic-folklore"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/writing-habits-helped-sylvia-plath-create-most-famous-work","headline":"The Writing Habits That Helped Sylvia Plath Create Her Most Famous Work","description":"Even with depression, divorce, and single parenthood, Sylvia Plath managed to continue her work with these strict writing habits.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chelsea Thatcher"},"datePublished":"2026-10-26T12:00:03Z","dateModified":"2026-10-26T12:00:03Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/writing-habits-helped-sylvia-plath-create-most-famous-work"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/why-baba-yaga-house-chicken-legs","headline":"Why Baba Yaga Lives in a House With Chicken Legs","description":"Learn the fascinating origin behind Baba Yaga's chicken-legged hut, its connection to Slavic death rituals, and the folklore behind her strange forest home.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chris Wheatley"},"datePublished":"2026-10-23T17:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-23T17:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/why-baba-yaga-house-chicken-legs"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/why-vampires-need-invited-inside","headline":"Why Do Vampires Need to Be Invited Inside?","description":"One famous author established the vampire rule that continues to captivate audiences and inspire creators today.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chris Wheatley"},"datePublished":"2026-10-22T22:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-22T22:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/culture/folklore-mythology/why-vampires-need-invited-inside"}}
{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/what-mean-call-on-someone-jane-austen-s-england","headline":"What Did It Mean to “Call” on Someone in Jane Austen’s England?","description":"There's a difference between calling someone and calling on someone, but the social connections remain just as important.","author":{"@type":"Person","name":"Chelsea Thatcher"},"datePublished":"2026-10-19T21:00:00Z","dateModified":"2026-10-19T21:00:00Z","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.mentalfloss.com/literature/authors/what-mean-call-on-someone-jane-austen-s-england"}}
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