The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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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. 

Searching for a summer escape? These 6 books will carry you away
Journeys -- near and far, into the past and even into near space -- are the subject of the novels, memoirs and narrative histories that make up this summer reading list.
Talking Volumes 2017 season guide
The 2017 season includes Sherman Alexie, Amy Tan, Jacqueline Woodson, Ron Chernow and Dan Brown.
'How to Be a Muslim' author on being a spokesperson for his faith
"Professional Muslim" Haroon Moghul says, "Every time something bad happens you're called upon to apologize. ... Your entire identity is pegged to events in other parts of the world."
Summer reading for your woke kid
Looking for books to feed your child's curiosity and ignite the social activist inside of them? Here's our list of children's books to keep your child occupied all summer long.
'Woolly' breathes new life into a scientific saga
Ben Mezrich's taut, entertaining new book follows the men and women who have dedicated themselves to cloning the woolly mammoth, and maybe reversing some of the damage humans have done to the planet.
'I want the pages to turn': Librarian Nancy Pearl's summer reading list
Ahead of the July 4th weekend, the Seattle-based librarian shares a stack of eight recent favorites. She includes thrillers, mysteries, family sagas and an homage to the game rock, paper, scissors.
'What would you do?' author wants to stop sensationalizing the Donner Party
In "The Best Land Under Heaven," Michael Wallis chronicles the saga of a band of pioneers who resorted to cannibalism after getting stranded en route West. He says "there's so much more" to the story.