The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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

January 30, 2009 2:45 PM

The Walker Art Center celebrates the book as art

The Walker Art Center in Minneapolis is celebrating the book as an art form with it's exhibition "Text/Messages." It features books from the Walker's library, created by Andy Warhol, Salvador Dali and Kara Walker among others.

by Marianne Combs

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January 30, 2009 12:00 AM

Midmorning Book Club: 'Heart of Darkness'

Joseph Conrad's groundbreaking novel, "Heart of Darkness," explores what it means to be human in the midst of privation and violence. The interpretation of his book also has changed over time, sparking controversy along the way as well.

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January 28, 2009 2:00 PM

Blogger hits big with musings on 'White People'

Christian Lander makes people uncomfortable -- and makes them laugh. Lander, a native of Canada, is an Internet sensation for his satirical writings on his sblog, "Stuff White People Like."

by Euan Kerr

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January 27, 2009 12:29 PM

John Updike, prize-winning writer, dead at age 76

John Updike, the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist, died Tuesday of lung cancer. He was 76.

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January 26, 2009 5:17 PM

Local author's book wins Caldecott Award

St. Paul poet and children's book author Susan Marie Swanson wrote the book that won this year's prestigious Caldecott Medal for best picture book. The illustrator is Beth Krommes of New Hampshire. The book is called "The House in the Night."

by Tom Crann

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January 26, 2009 12:42 PM

Author Neil Gaiman's spooky book wins Newbery honor

Local best-selling author Neil Gaiman has received the top prize for children's literature: The John Newbery Medal, for "The Graveyard Book."

by Euan Kerr

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January 23, 2009 4:30 PM

Jeffrey Hatcher finds new depths in 'Jekyll and Hyde'

This weekend, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde will stalk the stage of the Park Square Theater in St. Paul. Twin Cities playwright Jeffrey Hatcher adapted and expended Robert Louis Stevenson's classic tale of the man of science who releases his inner evil by drinking a potion.

by Euan Kerr

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January 22, 2009 4:30 PM

Minnesota Opera has a devil of a good time with 'Faust'

The Minnesota Opera goes to the devil this weekend for its production of "Faust." In its heyday, Faust was the most popular opera in the world. Minnesota Opera staff say they hope to reveal its modern message through dance.

by Euan Kerr

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January 22, 2009 9:58 AM

Poet Nikki Giovanni comes to Fitzgerald Theater

A powerful poet will grace the stage of the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul Thursday night. Nikki Giovanni is part of the Talking Volumes regional book club.

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January 16, 2009 5:00 PM

Life as a Jewish partisan

The new film, "Defiance," tells the story of the Bielski brothers, who led a group of Jewish partisans living in the forests of Belarus during World War II. The film mirrors the experience of a Minnesota couple who fought in another Jewish partisan group in the same forest.

by Euan Kerr

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