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Call me old fashioned, but I love nothing more than curling up with a good book and getting lost in the story created by someone else. This experience is only improved when the drama within the pages is actually true, and the literary adventure becomes a history lesson as well.

10 Greatest Books Based on True Stories for Your Reading List

Tahereh Mafi is back with a new story set in the “Shatter Me” universe. TODAY.com can exclusively reveal that “Watch Me,” the first book in a spinoff series, will debut April 15, 2025, and will be set 10 years after the events of “Imagine Me,” the sixth and final installment of her original dystopian young adult series. The story will be told from the perspective of two new leads — though one may be familiar to those who read the original books.

‘Shatter Me’ author Tahereh Mafi announces spinoff series and first book ‘Watch Me’

Jo Hamya’s The Hypocrite, Yoko Ogawa’s Mina’s Matchbox, and Richard J. Evans’ Hitler’s People all feature among the best reviewed books of the week. Brought to you by Book Marks, Lit Hub’s home for book reviews. *. 1. The Hypocrite by Jo Hamya. (Pantheon)

What Should You Read Next? Here Are the Best Reviewed Books of the Week

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A Dime Saved

Deception has a long history in human storytelling. People have always told tall tales and fabricated stories, sometimes to impress, sometimes to protect, and sometimes just for the thrill of it. From mythical creatures to legendary curses, these untruths have left a lasting mark on humanity's collective imagination.

12 Biggest Lies Told in Human History

Parade

From Don Winslow to Tana French (and Princess Di!), we’ve got them all.

The 29 Best Mystery, Thriller and True Crime Books of 2024…so Far

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Golden Glitter

The world of the paranormal continues to captivate and mystify, with recent reports of ghostly encounters, haunted locations, and unexplained phenomena coming in from various corners of the globe. As technology advances and the curiosity surrounding the supernatural grows, more individuals are diving into the eerie and often unsettling world of the paranormal. Here are some of the most intriguing recent developments and stories that have emerged in 2024.

Unraveling the Mysteries of the Paranormal: New Stories and Sightings in 2024

Do ghosts exist? This question has puzzled humans for centuries. Some swear by their eerie encounters, while others dismiss them as mere figments of imagination. Ghost stories span cultures, from ancient Egyptian spirits to modern-day hauntings. Believers argue that ghosts are the souls of the departed, lingering due to unfinished business or strong emotional ties. Skeptics counter with scientific explanations, attributing ghostly experiences to psychological phenomena or environmental factors. Whether you’re a firm believer or a curious skeptic, the mystery of ghosts continues to captivate our minds. Let’s explore 13 intriguing facts about these elusive entities.

13 Facts About Do Ghosts Exist

A-Z-Animals

Consider naming your pup one of the best Norse dog names, inspired by the strength of Vikings and Norse mythology.

The 167 Best Norse Dog Names

The Soulful Garden

Imagine a portal of pure, radiant energy opening in the cosmos, inviting you to explore infinite possibilities. This is the Lion’s Gate, a celestial phenomenon that ignites our souls and awakens our inner lion.

Lion's Gate: Ancient Wisdom and Reconnecting with Nature

Archaeologists have successfully deciphered doom prophecies written on ancient Babylonian cuneiform tablets. The tablets, which had remained a mystery since their discovery 100 years ago, date back to around 1,200 BC and originate from the Babylonian city of Sippar in what is now modern day Iraq. It wasn't until researchers...

Mystery behind 4,000-year-old 'tablets of doom' has been solved

Los Angeles County, CA

Herbie J Pilato

[Note: Unless otherwise indicated, the commentary and quotes in this article are from the author's interview with those mentioned.]. Elizabeth Montgomery was one of the most popular actors from the 1950s to her unfortunate passing from cancer in 1995. Before, during, and after her benchmark Emmy-nominated role as twitch-witch Samantha Stephens on TV's Bewitched (ABC, 1964-1972), Montgomery made over 200 additional appearances in other weekly shows, TV-movies, and feature films.

'Bewitched' Star Elizabeth Montgomery Received Death Threats for Protesting the Vietnam War

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WyoFile

The woman who shot a video of a hydrothermal explosion in Yellowstone National Park on Tuesday morning told WyoFile she and her family were terrified as the blast sent boiling water and rocks skyward, destroying parts of a boardwalk, its guardrail and a nearby bench.

Yellowstone hydrothermal explosion: ‘We were terrified’

Real Simple

Some of these books were foundational in inspiring other writers to share their stories.

10 Banned Books Everyone Should Read, According to These Published Authors

This week’s bestsellers include a couple new titles. First is The Black Bird Oracle by Deborah Harkness, which is the fifth book in the All Souls series that started with A Discovery of Witches. The other is not a surprise: Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance hit the bestseller list after being nominated as Vice President, running alongside Donald Trump. Here at Book Riot, we’ve been writing about the flaws of Hillbilly Elegy for years, especially as a representation of Appalachia. First there was Josh Corman’s Lies, Damn Lies, and Hillbilly Elegy in 2016, then Kendra Winchester’s 15 Books About Appalachia to Read Instead of Hillbilly Elegy in 2020, and even more in years since. Of course, we can’t stop you from reading it, but we can suggest that if you do, you pick up some of these other examples of Appalachian literature to get a more accurate view of the region and the writers who represent it. Now, onto the bestsellers.

The Bestselling Books of the Week, According to All the Lists

Actor Buddy Ebsen, who died at age 95 in 2003, found fame by starring in two of the most popular classic television shows in history: The Beverly Hillbillies (CBS, 1962 to 1971) and Barnaby Jones (CBS, 1973 to 1980). On the Hillbillies, he played former Tennessee country mountain-folk-turned-wealthy Beverly Hills resident Jed Clampett. On Barnaby Jones, he was one of TV's most senior, slyest, health-conscious detectives. Ebsen, however, almost became even more famous for a certain big-screen classic film in which he ultimately did not appear.

'Beverly Hillbillies" Actor Buddy Ebsen Was "Bitter" about not playing the Tin Man in 'Wizard of Oz'

When people hear that I’m a writer, there’s one question that they always ask: So, what kind of books do you write? It’s a sensible question, of course, but it’s very hard to answer. Um, I want to say, well, books about power, books about joy and betrayal and seduction, books about love…? But those answers are not the kind that most people are looking for, and so I find myself trying to describe the genre of my books. Historical magical realism, I say, or maybe historical sci-fi. Historical, anyway. At least, sort of. That is, the most recent one is set in the nineteenth century. I mean, not exactly the real nineteenth century, obviously, but… um… Yes, well, anyway, what do you do for a living?

Where does Fiction Meet the Real World?

One of the most beloved Hollywood stars in the history of television, in particular, was actress Frances Bavier, who died in 1989 at age 85. The likable actress became best known for her compassionate and nurturing role as Aunt Bee on The Andy Griffith Show (CBS, 1960-1968).

Beloved 'Andy Griffith Show' Actress Frances Bavier ("Aunt Bee"): A Look Back at Her Life and Career

The upheaval in the Marvel Cinematic Universe of late has made it almost impossible to know exactly what movies are still happening and which ones may now be dead. Are we still getting a new Blade? Depends on who you ask. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings was...

The Marvel sequel is not currently on the release schedule.

This post may contains affiliate links. If you click and buy we may make a commission, at no additional charge to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more details. The literary world is constantly evolving, with new voices emerging to challenge, inspire, and captivate readers. As we step into 2024, a fresh crop of debut novelists is set to make their mark on the literary landscape, each bringing their unique perspective and storytelling prowess to the forefront.

10 Must-Read Debut Novels Coming in 2024

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Explore Beaufort SC

The mantis shrimp is one tough customer. Beautiful and deadly are two words you don’t typically use to describe shrimp, but the mantis shrimp is definitely in a class of its own; earning a reputation as the ‘savage boxer of the sea’ and one of the most fearsome creatures in the ocean. And, they're right at home here in South Carolina.

Savage Boxer of the Sea: The Deadly Beauty of Mantis Shrimp

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Escape your reality for a bit and red on the best sci-fi books on this list

They say life is stranger than fiction, but that still isn’t on the level of science fiction. From utopian to dystopian, robots to AI, aliens to...

Escape your reality for a bit and red on the best sci-fi books on this list

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