Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

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.

Sign Up for The Thread® Newsletter

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.

Teen lit picks

Teen lit picks

Two Twin Cities authors received an important honor this year: they each have a book on a list of works recommended by teen readers. John Coy says he's trying to fill a need for sports books that appeal to boys. David LaRochelle's recommended book describes the coming out of a gay teen.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Holiday stage sessions

Holiday stage sessions

Stage Sessions with Heather McElhatton and guest poet Bill Holm. The theme: "The Traditions Of Christmas: Those You Want and Those That Are Foisted Upon You." Guests include Robert Bly and Nirmala Rajashekar.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Is everyone a critic?

Is everyone a critic?

Professional criticism in newspapers may be declining, but the need for someone to weed through the wealth of media available online may be increasing.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Minnesota writer Carol Bly dies

Minnesota writer Carol Bly dies

Carol Bly was a fiction writer, essayist and creative writing teacher who was known for her strong moral voice. She died of cancer Friday at the age of 77.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Homayoun Ershadi's strange trip to stardom

Homayoun Ershadi's strange trip to stardom

There are many ways of becoming an actor. Take the story of an international movie star with a big role in the new adaptation of "The Kite Runner." Homayoun Ershadi got his big break sitting at a traffic light.
by Euan Kerr

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

What living in Iceland teaches you about America

Minnesota poet Bill Holm spoke about his new book, "Windows of Brimnes: An American In Iceland," in a recent appearance at the Minneapolis Public Library.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Birds in winter

Birds in winter

A non-game wildlife expert from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources takes questions about how birds and other wildlife behave in winter.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Four stories for the start of Hanukkah

Four stories for the start of Hanukkah

National Public Radio commissioned four short stories to commemorate the Jewish festival of Hanukkah, which begins Tuesday at sundown.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Arvonne Fraser recounts her life in politics

Arvonne Fraser recounts her life in politics

Arvonne Fraser has been a force in Minnesota's DFL Party for more than half a century. Fraser, who is married to former U.S. Rep. Don Fraser, disussed her new memoir "She's No Lady" recently with public radio icon Garrison Keillor.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Best books of the year

Best books of the year

Both the Washington Post and the New York Times recently named the top 10 literary works of 2007. The choices include major prize winners as well as little-known gems, like Per Petterson's "Out Stealing Horses."

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!