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The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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

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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.

'The Pursuit of William Abbey' travels a twisty path

'The Pursuit of William Abbey' travels a twisty path

Claire North's new book starts with a doctor witnessing an atrocity in Africa in 1884, but becomes a spy thriller, a horror story, a supernatural mystery and an indictment of capitalism and empire.
by Jason Sheehan

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'Bradley of Him' is a surreally fun desert run

'Bradley of Him' is a surreally fun desert run

Connor Willumson's graphic novel follows the trail of a mysterious athlete, or possibly an actor — gawky, pale, never takes his mirror shades off — running through the desert outside Las Vegas.
by Etelka Lehoczky

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A 'beautifully told' family drama

A 'beautifully told' family drama

Bookseller Gwen Danfelt recommends a beautiful novel that weaves together a sense of place with a pressing question of identity.

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In new book, Minnesota author draws attention to 'horrific' time in state's history

In new book, Minnesota author draws attention to 'horrific' time in state's history

While she did not know her maternal grandmother, Sheila O’Connor now knows that in 1935, she gave birth at the age of 15 and — as punishment — was committed to the Minnesota Homeschool for Girls in Sauk Center, Minn., for six years.
by Tom Crann, Sara Porter and Kyle Shiely

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In 'A Warning,' an invisible hand rings a somber alarm

In 'A Warning,' an invisible hand rings a somber alarm

President Trump, we are told in this soon-to-be-published book, has destroyed the guardrails thoughtful people tried to erect around him. Further, he has banished nearly all those thoughtful people.
by Ron Elving

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'Queen of the Conquered' serves revenge with delicacy and savagery

'Queen of the Conquered' serves revenge with delicacy and savagery

In their new novel, Kacen Callender builds a vast, immersive landscape based on the colonial history of the Caribbean, but it's their morally conflicted heroine who will really hook readers.
by Jason Heller

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'The Great Pretender' investigates a landmark moment in psychiatric history

'The Great Pretender' investigates a landmark moment in psychiatric history

In the '70s David Rosenhan and seven "pseudopatients" went undercover in mental health wards. Their resulting article rocked the psychiatric world. But Susannah Cahalan struggled to confirm the facts.
by Maureen Corrigan

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In memoir, Nikki Haley hammers White House team but pledges allegiance to Trump

In memoir, Nikki Haley hammers White House team but pledges allegiance to Trump

In “With All Due Respect,” the former U.N. ambassador says Trump's ex-Chief of Staff John Kelly and former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson asked her to help them "save the country" from the president.
by Ron Elving

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