Culture

From books that make us nostalgic to stories every bibliophile can relate to, we celebrate books and their lasting impact on our lives.

How Former Slave Elizabeth Keckley Befriended the Lincolns

An excerpt from the memoir of a woman who bought her own freedom and became a dressmaker for Mary Todd Lincoln.

"Your Horoscope," by Roger Angell

The famous essayist wrote about more than just baseball.

Revisiting The Color Purple: A Discussion with Alice Walker

Ms. Walker answers readers' questions about her most famous work.

I Am Spartacus! Remembering Kirk Douglas, 1916-2020

Read an excerpt from Kirk Douglas's 2012 memoir.

The Best Jane Austen Movies

They've bewitched us, body and soul.

Joan Didion's The Last Thing He Wanted Is Coming to Netflix

Check out Anne Hathaway and Willem Dafoe in the explosive trailer.

How to Start an Online Book Club

Online book clubs allow for great discussion without your leaving home. Here's how to create your own.

Gloria Steinem on Pat Conroy’s The Great Santini

The Great Santini stands as a classic account of families shaped by the rigid patriarchy around them.

The Best Short Stories to Read Online for Free

Plus, download a free copy of "The Yellow Wallpaper."

The Family That Inspired J.M. Barrie’s Peter Pan

The Peter Pan author based his characters in real life.

William Styron: A Life in Books

The man and his works that sparked controversy and inspiration.

5 Little Women Quotes We Still Love Today

"Don't try to make me grow up before my time..."

Getting to Know Anna and the King of Siam

Understand the story like never before with an excerpt from Margaret Landon’s novel.

Ending a Sentence with a Preposition & More Grammar Myths Busted

Everything you learned in school is a lie. But who is behind this grammar conspiracy?

Fact or Fantasy: All About Female Samurai Warrior Tomoe Gozen

Can you tell the difference between historical Japanese legend and creative fantasy fiction?

10 Alice Walker Quotes That Amaze and Inspire

Powerful wisdom from the author of The Color Purple.