The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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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.

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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.

November 26, 2018 12:00 AM

'Dance in America' aims to chronicle the art in the U.S.

Mindy Aloff has attempted the nearly impossible task of collecting, in an anthology, the essays, excerpts, and asides that create a snapshot of the history of American dance.

by Genevieve Valentine

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November 23, 2018 3:30 PM

The love story of C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman

There's been plenty written about C.S. Lewis -- but not about the woman he fell in love with, who influenced his work.

by Tracy Mumford

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November 22, 2018 12:00 AM

Here's what college freshmen are reading

Colleges across the U.S. assign books to introduce new ideas to incoming students. This year, colleges selected books on topics that ranged from climate change to race, fiction and non-fiction.

by Sara Ernst and Courtney Rozen

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November 21, 2018 12:00 AM

'Extinctions' digs up buried memories and unacknowledged history

The title Josephine Wilson's new novel refers to its protagonist, an elderly man who feels useless, extinct -- and whose journey is to find the means for growth and change within himself.

by Martha Anne Toll

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November 20, 2018 3:36 AM

'Little Dancer' brings us to see the person behind the famous Degas sculpture

Degas's sculpture 'Little Dancer Aged Fourteen' is known the world over. But who is that young lady he depicts? Camille Laurens aims to find out -- and realizes something about herself in the process.

by Heller McAlpin

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November 20, 2018 12:00 AM

'Che' graphic biography explores the myths and truths of the legend

While Jose Hernandez and Jon Lee Anderson struggle continually to balance nuanced truth with cartoony distillation, 'Che' remains a remarkable accomplishment.

by Etelka Lehoczky

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November 19, 2018 5:15 PM

A Beautiful World: What do Mozart and starlings have in common with this book author?

Book author says Mozart may have been ahead of his time in his love of the starling.

by Heather McElhatton

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November 19, 2018 12:00 AM

'Insomnia' is both a celebration and lament of sleeplessness

Marina Benjamin's book is more impressionistic and personal than scientific: Don't look here for an explanation of the chemistry or biology of nocturnal wakefulness.

by Heller McAlpin

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November 19, 2018 12:00 AM

'Sex, Lies and Stardom': Exploitation in Howard Hughes' Hollywood

Karina Longworth's new book, 'Seduction,' tells the story of 10 women who had sexual relationships with Hughes. 'These things have always happened and they were never talked about publicly,' she says.

by Terry Gross

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November 19, 2018 12:00 AM

'Born to Be Posthumous' brings Edward Gorey's name to his work

Gorey, whose art formed the basis of 'Mystery!' and who was the mind behind 'The Gashlycrumb Tinies,' is undeniably one of the most influential American writers and illustrators of the last century.

by Michael Schaub

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