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.

How NYC's first Puerto Rican librarian brought Spanish to the shelves
When Pura Belpré became a librarian in 1921, she couldn't find Spanish language books for kids -- so she wrote them herself. Belpré would go on to become a champion of bilingual library programs.
A 911 dispatcher tells all
Caroline Burau's book, "Tell Me Exactly What Happened," runs through the terrifying, boring and hilarious moments of her career as a 911 dispatcher.
Better sit down for this one: An exciting book about the history of chairs
OK, fine ... this new chair anthology might not keep you on the edge of your seat, but it does reveal some very interesting ideas about trends in design, culture and social values.