So, you're writing about books, and a question pops into your head: *are book titles italicized*? The short answer is generally, yes! Italics are the preferred formatting style for book titles in most writing styles, including MLA, APA, and Chicago. Think of it as giving the title a little spotlight, setting it apart from the surrounding text.
Why italics? They indicate that you're referring to the entire published work, not just a portion of it. For example: "I just finished reading *Pride and Prejudice*." See how the italics make it clear you're talking about the whole novel?
However, there are exceptions. Short stories, poems, and essays *within* a larger collection are typically enclosed in quotation marks, not italicized. The title of the anthology or journal containing them would be italicized. For example, “The Tell-Tale Heart” (short story) appears in *The Complete Stories of Edgar Allan Poe*.
So, when in doubt, italicize that book title! It's a simple way to show you know your stuff and to make your writing clear and professional.
