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.

Lynne Cheney at the National Press Club
Lynne Cheney, wife of Vice President Dick Cheney, speaks Thursday at the National Press Club in Washington. Cheney, a historian and bestselling author, is out with a memoir titled "Blue Skies, No Fences."
Edward P. Jones writes about the real Washington
Edward P. Jones writes about Washington D.C. Not the Washington of politicians and the government offices, but the Washington neighborhoods filled with people struggling to get by.
The 'Flim Flam Man' gets a script reading
Twin Cities film fans have a unique opportunity on tap. For one night only, a group of local actors will present a staged reading of "Flag Day." It's a screenplay based on Minneapolis writer Jennifer Vogel's award-winning memoir "Flim Flam Man."
A conversation with Maya Angelou
Noted poet and writer Maya Angelou says she has a "love-hate relationship" with writing, despite her long and distinguished career. She talks with MPR's Kerri Miller.
Newbery Reader's Theater
Newbery Medal-winning authors Sharon Creech, Kate DiCamillo and Katherine Paterson read from each other's work. They also describe what it's like to be writers before an audience filled with fans young and old. The event was recorded October 15 at the Fitzgerald Theater.
Kerri Miller talks with MPR's Cathy Wurzer about the latest Talking Volumes event Tuesday night, featuring author Ann Patchett.
Iran from a woman's point of view
Iranian-born author Gina Nahai chronicles the clash of cultures in Los Angeles, where huge numbers of Iranians have settled and continue to try to influence their home society. Her latest book explores how loss is experienced in the West and East.
Talking Volumes with Sherman Alexie
Author Sherman Alexie ventures into young adult literature with two new books. His books are sharp observations of growing up Indian among whites.
Frenetic storyteller Kevin Kling turns his tales to text
An All Things Considered regular, Kevin Kling, has translated his frenetic and funny style of storytelling to the written word. In "The Dog Says How," Kling tells tales about his childhood and his 2001 motorcycle accident.