The Thread® - Books and Literary News

The Thread from MPR News

The Thread® is your source for book recommendations and other literary news.

Ask a Bookseller

Ask a Bookseller is a weekly series where The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. Listen to Ask a Bookseller to find your next favorite book.

Big Books and Bold Ideas

Big Books and Bold Ideas is a weekly series hosted by Kerri Miller every Friday at 11 a.m., featuring conversations about books and other literary ideas. Listen to Big Books and Bold Ideas here.

Sign Up for The Thread® Newsletter

Sign up for The Thread newsletter to get reading recommendations from Kerri Miller and other bookworms around the MPR newsroom. Find reviews for new releases, as well as hidden gems you may have missed.

Talking Volumes

Talking Volumes is back for its 25th season. Join us at the Fitzgerald Theater for four special events with renowned authors, celebrating our anniversary with a special $25 ticket price for MPR members and Star Tribune subscribers. Buy tickets here.

In ‘The Unexpected,’ Emily Oster tackles the emotional toll of difficult pregnancies
The economist made a name for herself using data to challenge the accepted rules of pregnancy. Now, she’s returning to the topic with a book on how to navigate its complications.
Ask a Bookseller: ‘Martyr!’
Content Bookstore owner Jessica Peterson White recommends “Marytyr!” by Kaveh Akbar, telling of an Iranian-American’s poignant journey through addiction, grief and self-discovery.
Heading out for Indie Bookstore Day? Here’s a stack of recommendations
You know that feeling when you walk into a bookstore and forget the title of every book you’ve ever wanted to read? Here are some recent recommendations to inspire you for Saturday’s Independent Bookstore Day.
‘I’m sorry we broke the sea and sky’: CNN chief climate correspondent on finding hope in climate change
Bill Weir’s new book is called “Life as We Know It (Can Be).” He wrote it as a letter to his 4-year-old son River on how to find hope in a world of climate change.