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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.

Thread Book Hour: Authors take on American empathy and the edge of the world

Thread Book Hour: Authors take on American empathy and the edge of the world

The Thread features a conversation with novelist Stephanie Powell Watts about race, class and life in small-town America. Plus, hear from the author of a new novel about a quarter-life crisis at the South Pole.
by MPR News Staff

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For sale: The farm that inspired 'Charlotte's Web'

For sale: The farm that inspired 'Charlotte's Web'

The Maine farm where E.B. White penned his beloved classic, 'Charlotte's Web," is now for sale. No word on the spelling talents of any spiders on the property.
by Associated Press and Tracy Mumford

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Raunchy but sweet, 'Mrs. Fletcher' is one for the ages

Raunchy but sweet, 'Mrs. Fletcher' is one for the ages

Tom Perrotta's new novel about a divorced mom and her college-aged son addresses some serious issues with dark humor. The result is uncompromisingly obscene, but still somehow good-natured.
by Michael Schaub

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Take a pilgrimage to America's sport sanctuaries in 'The Arena'

Take a pilgrimage to America's sport sanctuaries in 'The Arena'

Rafi Kohan traveled all over the country to research stadiums for his new book. He learned the secrets of ground crews and ticket scalpers and explored the economics of tax-funded stadiums.

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'New People' author Danzy Senna loves the troublesome characters

'New People' author Danzy Senna loves the troublesome characters

Author Danzy Senna's new novel follows a young, interracial couple -- Khalil and Maria -- whose seemingly charmed life falls apart after Maria becomes infatuated with a mysterious poet.

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The multiple, terrifying, worlds of Ben Percy's writing

The multiple, terrifying, worlds of Ben Percy's writing

"The Dark Net" is Percy's latest in a series of literary horror fantasies. But the novel is just one of the writing universes Percy inhabits.
by Euan Kerr

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A podcast reopens old wounds in 'Are You Sleeping'

A podcast reopens old wounds in 'Are You Sleeping'

Kathleen Barber's debut novel is an on-trend mashup of murder, social media and Serial-style true-crime podcasting.
by Bethanne Patrick

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'After On' sees the end of the world in a dating app

'After On' sees the end of the world in a dating app

Silicon valley entrepreneur and novelist Rob Reid takes on artificial intelligence -- and how it might end the world -- in his weird, funny new techno-philosophical thriller 'After On.'
by Jason Sheehan

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