The War of the Worlds
The much-adapted classic from “the father of science fiction.” More
The Chant of Jimmie Blacksmith
This 1972 Booker Prize–nominated novel was also made into a 1978 Australian film. More
Angela’s Ashes
The phenomenal worldwide bestseller and Pulitzer Prize winner. More
To Kill a Mockingbird
When J. B. Lippincott (later acquired by HarperCollins) editor Therese (Tay) von Hohoff saw the first draft of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (1960), she saw a promising story, but one in need of some reshaping and editing. More
The Other Side of Midnight
This suspenseful, glamorous thriller was a genre-busting bestseller from Sheldon, an acclaimed master storyteller. More
1954: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien is published…
Publisher George Allen & Unwin, later purchased by HarperCollins, publishes the 9,250-page manuscript of The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien. More
Cecelia Ahern
I write because I feel compelled to. More
1943: Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn is published…
Betty Smith’s A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, a story about growing up poor in turn-of-the-century Brooklyn, shines a light on first- and second-generation Americans living in poverty. More
A Game of Thrones
First volume in the internationally bestselling series that has sold upward of 70 million copies. More
Charlotte’s Web
Considered a classic of children’s literature; a novel of friendship, love, life, and death. More
Wicked
Bestseller that is the basis for the hit Tony Award–winning Broadway musical. More
Love Story
The romantic tale that defined a generation, sold millions, and inspired a popular film. More
Neil Gaiman
I read to travel, and to learn. More
The Guns of Navarone
Classic World War II thriller from MacLean, acclaimed master of action and suspense. More
Barbara Taylor Bradford
When I say I have the need to write, I do mean need. More
Freaky Friday
Classic comedic children’s novel that is so funny it has been adapted into film three times. More
American Gods
An instant classic and winner of both the Hugo and Nebula Awards. More
Marketing and publicity brochure for Charlotte’s Web
This 1963 marketing and publicity brochure for Charlotte’s Web by E. B. White includes a letter from White explaining how he got the idea for the story. More
1953: William Collins and Sons gains the rights to publish C. S. Lewis…
William Collins and Sons purchases the religious publishing firm of Geoffrey Bles, Ltd., gaining the rights to the works of C. S. Lewis, including his Chronicles of Narnia fantasy books. More
Little Bear
The very first I Can Read! book has sold more than one million copies. More
A Bear Called Paddington
In 1958, an editor at Collins named Barbara Ker Wilson received a manuscript submission about a talking bear, which she opened with “initial suspicion” —as the publisher had received many other proposals featuring humanized animals that “are invariably either whimsy-whamsy, written down, or filled with adult innuendoes.” More
Divergent
First book in the Divergent trilogy, which has sold more than 32 million copies worldwide. More
The Thorn Birds
McCullough’s sweeping family saga of forbidden love in the Australian outback; became a bestselling phenomenon. More
Lauren Weisberger
A book that influenced me and why . . . Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume was incredibly influential to me as a child. More
Stuart Little
White’s beloved classic about a small mouse on a big adventure is a perennial bestseller. More
Heaven Is for Real
The life-changing story of a boy who experiences Heaven, with 11 million copies sold. More
Tracy Chevalier
I read because I want to know what it’s like to look at the world through someone else’s eyes, and reading is a remarkably efficient and vigorous way of doing that. More
