Employees in the Collins Canada mailroom, circa 1940s
Collins Canada employees working in the general office during the 1940s More
Their Eyes Were Watching God
One of the most widely read and acclaimed novels in the canon of African-American literature. More
Katherine Paterson
I read because I want more than one life, and books give me a limitless number of lives—lives that are different from the one I was born into. More
Profiles in Courage
Pulitzer Prize winner that helped propel the young senator to the White House. More
Patricia MacLachlan
I read as a child to find out what I thought, what I wished for, and what scared me. More
Lawrence Hill
Writing is the one pursuit I have always pursued, and always known I was compelled to pursue. More
Jay Onrait
I read because as much as I love film and television, and documentaries, and Facebook, and Twitter and Snapchat, and my abacus . . . More
Emma Donoghue
Like many teenagers, I spent more of my summer holidays than I probably should have immersed in the world of The Lord of the Rings. More
The Diary of a Wombat
Genesis of a picture book franchise that has sold more than half a million copies globally. More
Native Son
Wright’s unsparing reflection on what it means to be black in America. More
2000: Gao Xingjian becomes the first Chinese author to win the Nobel Prize for Literature…
Gao Xingjian becomes the first Chinese author to win the Nobel Prize for Literature after HarperCollins Australia publishes his novel Soul Mountain. More
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (Chronicles of Narnia #1)
First book written in the world-celebrated Narnia series; captivating readers for more than sixty years. More
Moby-Dick
Often called the greatest American novel of all time. More
Flashman
When this novel was first published, many critics mistakenly accepted it as a genuine historical memoir. More
Wuthering Heights
A Gothic classic and one of the world’s greatest tales of unrequited love. More
The Boy in the Dress
The sharp and funny first novel for children from bestselling publishing phenomenon David Walliams. More
Little House on the Prairie
Third book in the award-winning Little House series, which has sold more than 34 million copies. More
Canada’s White Circle Pocket Editions
In response to global paper shortages during World War II, Canada began manufacturing books for international markets in 1941. More
Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance
The philosophical classic that inspired millions struggling to find meaning in the modern world. More
Jane Eyre
Brontë’s masterpiece of Gothic romance; a milestone title in the history of British feminist literature. More
Harry the Dirty Dog
Classic dog story; childhood favorite that has charmed readers for more than fifty years. More
Collected Poems 1947–1997
Poetry from a chief figure of the Beats that helped catalyze a revolution in contemporary culture. More
The Once and Future King
White’s masterful retelling of the Arthurian legend. More
Neil Gaiman
I read to travel, and to learn. 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
Sounder
Newbery Award–winning book that became an influential children’s work on race and class. More
J.R.R. Tolkien and the Trilogy
Sir Stanley Unwin, chairman of British publishers George Allen & Unwin (later acquired by HarperCollins), originally rejected the 9,250-page manuscript of The Lord of the Rings, the sequel to J. R. R. Tolkien’s moderately successful (at the time) The Hobbit, as it was too long, and the author would make a deal with the publisher only if they also agreed to take another of his unfinished books. More