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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.

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

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

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

'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

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An 'absolutely wonderful' novel of hidden identities

An 'absolutely wonderful' novel of hidden identities

"The Elegance of the Hedgehog" follows two characters in a fancy French apartment building who keep their true selves hidden.
by Tracy Mumford

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'Recursion' is a puzzle box of time travel, memory and death

'Recursion' is a puzzle box of time travel, memory and death

Blake Crouch's new book reads like a relative of those late night college conversations about Big Questions. Here, the question is, if you could live your life over again, but differently, would you?
by Jason Sheehan

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A very happy 50th birthday to 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'

A very happy 50th birthday to 'The Very Hungry Caterpillar'

Will author and artist Eric Carle's famously peckish creation be munching his way through some birthday cake? (Along with the salami, the pickle, the watermelon and the slice of Swiss cheese.)
by Neda Ulaby

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'Unraveling' sings a cohesive, unsettling song

'Unraveling' sings a cohesive, unsettling song

Brian Evenson's new collection brings together stories that have appeared in literary fiction, speculative fiction and horror publications -- and yet they flow together into a disturbing whole.
by Gabino Iglesias

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