The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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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.

October 15, 2018 12:00 AM

In 'Them,' Sen. Sasse aims to find ways to move America beyond divisive politics

'Them' doesn't read like a campaign book -- there's no humble-bragging about accomplishments. Sasse instead focuses on building relationships, but doesn't go deep enough or propose tangible solutions.

by Michael Schaub

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October 14, 2018 7:20 AM

'The Ravenmaster' is definitely (there) for the birds

Legend says that if the ravens ever leave the Tower of London, England will fall. Luckily, ravenmaster Chris Skaife is there to care for them, and he's got a new book about these extraordinary birds.

by Petra Mayer

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October 12, 2018 2:16 PM

A book that proposes 'every living thing has two bodies'

"I just finished it the other night, and I have been thinking about it for three days," says bookseller Daley Farr.

by Tracy Mumford

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October 11, 2018 9:32 AM

Three Pulitzer Prize-winning historians aim to put American politics in context

In new books, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Joseph J. Ellis and Jon Meacham aim to contextualize or contrast the Trump era with the leadership of previous presidents.

by Scott Detrow

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October 10, 2018 12:00 AM

'Florida,' 'Heartland' among National Book Awards finalists

'This year, instead of just celebrating the best American literature, we're celebrating the best literature in America,' said Lisa Lucas, executive director of the National Book Foundation.

by Sasha Ingber

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October 10, 2018 12:00 AM

Light and dark, characters shine in 'Blanca & Roja'

Anna-Marie McLemore braids old bits of myth about swans and cursed sisters into a new, more inward-looking story that lets readers see just how hard it is to be a character in a fairy tale.

by Caitlyn Paxson

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October 10, 2018 12:00 AM

'The Reckonings' examines what it means to have justice

Writing about topics as diverse as race, sexual assault, Hurricane Harvey, and art history, Lacy M. Johnson's essays are together a philosophy in disguise -- equal parts memoir, criticism and ethics.

by Lily Meyer

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October 9, 2018 6:36 AM

'Infidel' uses the supernatural to explore racism's real life horrors

The new comic series from creators Pornsak Pichetshote and Aaron Campbell follows a young Muslim-American woman living in an apartment building haunted by evil entities that feed on racist hate.

by Etelka Lehoczky

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October 9, 2018 12:00 AM

'Presidents of War' sounds the alarm about presidential power

In his new book, Michael Beschloss focuses on the lead up to war. But a more pressing danger and indictment of presidential power may be the interventions not authorized by Congress.

by Terri Bimes

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October 8, 2018 12:00 AM

'False Calm' acts as a record of real life in Patagonia

Argentine writer Maria Sonia Cristoff wants to be honest: She won't shape her subjects' narratives or take control of another person's story. This is both the book's great strength and great weakness.

by Lily Meyer

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