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.

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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.

No, 'You Can't Touch My Hair' and other lessons from comic Phoebe Robinson
In her new book, the stand-up comic and podcast host writes about what it's like to be black and female in America. "Black hair seems to raise a lot of nonblack people's blood pressure," she writes.
'Sky Blue Water' collection sparks controversy with its foreword
The collection showcasing stories for young readers by authors from around the state had to be reprinted after a line in its foreword referenced Christopher Columbus' "discovery" of America.
Curious George celebrates 75 years of monkey business
George has had many close calls, but did you know he once outran the Nazis? Despite some dated themes (we're looking at you, Man with the Yellow Hat) George is now a multimillion-dollar franchise.