The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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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.

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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.

June 19, 2019 12:00 AM

Regular old sci-fi not weird enough for you? Try 'FKA USA'

The pseudonymous Reed King's new novel is a loopy, violent, funny Technicolor road trip across a post-apocalyptic America. There are robots, talking goats, and even the occasional lone songbird.

by Jason Sheehan

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June 19, 2019 12:00 AM

'Reviving Ophelia,' cultural touchstone on teen girls updates after 25 years

The new edition is in some ways like the retelling of a familiar tale for a new generation; but parts of the discussion that the book first inspired have moved beyond what an update can encompass.

by Genevieve Valentine

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June 18, 2019 12:00 AM

'Fleishman Is In Trouble' flips expectations upside down

Taffy Brodesser-Akner's debut novel seems like a 'Portnoy'-esque tale of a lovable lout, but halfway through, the story shakes itself up and reorients itself in a completely different direction.

by Lily Meyer

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June 17, 2019 2:06 PM

A Beautiful World: How an ancient transcript can help today

The Bhagavad Gita may be 2,500 years old, but it contains wisdom that comes in useful at the grocery store.

by Heather McElhatton

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June 17, 2019 1:50 PM

A clearer map for aging: 'Elderhood' shows how geriatricians can help

Physician Louise Aronson treats patients who are in their 60s — as well as those who are older than 100. She writes about changing approaches to elder health care in the book, "Elderhood.

by Terry Gross

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June 17, 2019 7:21 AM

'Hunger Games' prequel novel coming in 2020

Author Suzanne Collins says that she would go back to the years following the so-called "Dark Days," the failed rebellion in Panem.

by The Associated Press

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June 17, 2019 12:00 AM

'Patron Saints of Nothing' is a book for 'the hyphenated'

Young adult author Randy Ribay says it's tough having "a dual identity" in a world "where people want you to be one thing." His new novel explores the Philippine government's deadly war on drugs.

by Ashley Westerman and Noel King

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June 16, 2019 6:55 PM

A Muslim in rural Minnesota talks about how to 'Love Thy Neighbor'

After Donald Trump's election, Dr. Ayaz Virji started giving talks to mostly white, Christian audiences in rural Minnesota to try to dispel misconceptions about Muslims. He faced a lot of backlash.

by James Doubek and Leena Sanzgiri

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June 16, 2019 12:00 AM

'Angola Janga' tells the story of Brazil's runaway slave communities

Marcelo D'Salete's powerful graphic novel chronicles the mocambos, communities of runaway slaves that flourished in the jungles of 17th century Brazil, and all the lives they touched, slave and free.

by Etelka Lehoczky