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The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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

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. Sam Stroozas rounds up local events and Minnesota book news you may have missed.

Ask a Bookseller

Ask a Bookseller is a weekly series where host Emily Bright 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 and produced by Kelly Gordon every Friday at 11 a.m., featuring conversations about books and other literary ideas. Listen to Big Books and Bold Ideas here.

Talking Volumes

Talking Volumes is an annual event series featuring notable authors in conversation about their new books. Presented by MPR News and The Minnesota Star Tribune.

Ask a Bookseller: ‘Poppy State’ by Myriam Gurba

Ask a Bookseller: ‘Poppy State’ by Myriam Gurba

Mary Williams of Skylight Books in Los Angeles, Calif., recommends “Poppy State: A Labyrinth of Plants and a Story of Beginnings” by Myriam Gurba.
by Emily Bright

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Mary Lucia shares it all in 'What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Weirder and Harder to Relate To'

Mary Lucia shares it all in 'What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Weirder and Harder to Relate To'

Mary Lucia was an iconic DJ at MPR’s The Current for almost 20 years — until a stalker unraveled her sense of safety and sense of self. With characteristic snark and honesty, Lucia shares her own story in the new memoir, “What Doesn’t Kill Me Makes Me Weirder and Harder to Relate To.”
by Kerri Miller and Kelly Gordon

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New books this week: A tome on capitalism, a deep dive on crosswords and more

New books this week: A tome on capitalism, a deep dive on crosswords and more

“Capitalism: A Global History” comes in at 1,000 pages before the footnotes. “Across the Universe” explores the past, present and future of crossword puzzles. Plus, a Mitford sister biography and more.
by Colin Dwyer

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Five things Nicholas Sparks told us about ‘The Notebook’ — and Minnesota

Five things Nicholas Sparks told us about ‘The Notebook’ — and Minnesota

Nicholas Sparks returned to Minnesota last week to see the touring production of “The Notebook: the Musical” at the Ordway. He also revisited the state where some of his earliest memories were formed. Here’s what we learned.
by Jacob Aloi

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Talking Volumes: Kate Baer asks 'How About Now'

The 2025 season of Talking Volumes ended with poet Kate Baer and guest host Catharine Richert and a lot of laughter.
by Catharine Richert and Kelly Gordon

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Here are the winners of the 2025 National Book Awards

Here are the winners of the 2025 National Book Awards

Author Rabih Alameddine won for his novel The True True Story of Raja the Gullible (and His Mother). Other winners include a book for young people about orphans on the run in Iran during World War II.
by Andrew Limbong

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Minnesota’s second romance-only bookstore brings the small-town charm

Minnesota’s second romance-only bookstore brings the small-town charm

Hey Darling opened in October 2024 on Main Street in Austin. Owner Trish Marin said she wants small town residents of the state to experience the sense of belonging a romance bookstore can bring.
by Sam Stroozas

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Ask a Bookseller: ‘Burner: And Other Stories’ by Katrina Denza

Ask a Bookseller: ‘Burner: And Other Stories’ by Katrina Denza

Kimberly Daniels of The Country Bookshop in Southern Pines, North Carolina, recommends Katrina Denza’s new collection "Burner: And Other Stories.”
by Emily Bright

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