The Thread® - Books and Literary 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.

December 8, 2008 8:50 AM

Life on the upper Mississippi

Author Patricia Hampl draws from literary sources far and wide to take listeners on a literary voyage down the Mississippi River. She reads from her own memoirs as well as the work of other poets, novelists, historians and essayists.

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November 28, 2008 12:43 PM

Meteorologist reflects on life and career in new memoir

Minnesota Public Radio meteorologist Craig Edwards has written a memoir titled "Nature's Messenger: Memoirs of a prophetic Meteorologist." Edwards sat down with Tom Crann to talk about his career, the book and what prompted him to write a memoir on his life as a meteorologist.

by Tom Crann

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November 27, 2008 12:00 PM

Local writer takes comparing ages to a new level

A Minneapolis writer's long running collection of anecdotes about what famous and infamous people did at certain ages now has become a compelling read.

by Euan Kerr

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November 26, 2008 12:00 AM

Talking Volumes: Wally Lamb

A broacast of Kerri Miller's conversation with author Wally Lamb about his new novel, "The Hour I First Believed." Recorded at the Fitzgerald Theater on November 20, 2008 as part of the Talking Volumes regional book club.

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November 23, 2008 3:00 PM

Writers take aim at writing a novel, in a month

For thousands of Minnesotans, this week is crunch week. It's not just because it's Thanksgiving, it's because they have to finish a novel by midnight Saturday.

by Euan Kerr

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November 18, 2008 5:00 PM

Paul Feig celebrates the geek in all of us

Paul Feig has made a career out of making TV shows and films which examine the lives of geeks. His show "Freaks and Geeks" launched the careers of several people who are now big names in Hollywood. Now, Feig has now turned his talents to writing children's books.

by Euan Kerr

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November 17, 2008 8:26 AM

Talk of the Stacks with Garrison Keillor

Author and humorist Garrison Keillor talked about poetry, writing and his own relationship with the library at this month's "Talk of the Stacks" series at the Hennepin County Library in downtown Minneapolis.

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November 16, 2008 2:00 AM

Minnesota Opera launches major initiative

The Minnesota Opera is announcing a new multi-million dollar program called Minnesota OperaWorks that will make it a national leader in contemporary opera. And due to good luck, or good planning they've already raised more than half the funds.

by Euan Kerr

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November 13, 2008 4:30 PM

Bob Woodward and the war within

The transition from the Bush administration to the Obama administration will be unique for a number of reasons. Author and journalist Bob Woodward talks to MPR's Tom Crann about President George Bush, Iraq and what happens in the transition to the Obama presidency.

by Tom Crann

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November 10, 2008 1:15 PM

Bloom's new novel inspired by a journey

Author Amy Bloom's new novel tells the story of a Russian immigrant's attempts to adjust to America, and her trek across the country to try to find her lost daughter. Bloom was inspired by the legend of a young immigrant woman who tried to walk home to Siberia.

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