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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.

Nearly 40 years later, Jonestown offers a lesson in demagoguery

Nearly 40 years later, Jonestown offers a lesson in demagoguery

In 1978, more than 900 followers of the Rev. Jim Jones committed mass suicide in Guyana. In his new book, 'The Road to Jonestown,' journalist Jeff Guinn details how Jones captivated so many.
by Terry Gross

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'Where the Water Goes' is engaging -- and also scary

'Where the Water Goes' is engaging -- and also scary

In 'Where the Water Goes,' David Owen uses the history of the Colorado River to lay out the immense complexity of America's water situation, reminding us that both water and time are finite resources.
by Genevieve Valentine

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Don't read these: The most frequently challenged books of 2016

Don't read these: The most frequently challenged books of 2016

The American Library Association has released its annual list of books that receive the most complaints. Half of the titles feature LGBT characters.
by Tracy Mumford

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No 'tell-all,' but Prince's ex details their life in memoir

No 'tell-all,' but Prince's ex details their life in memoir

Love, grief, loss, legacy are just a few of the reasons Mayte Garcia is stepping back into the purple light with a new memoir covering her 11 years with the late music icon Prince.
by Associated Press

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Prince contained multitudes, new book confirms

Prince contained multitudes, new book confirms

Prince on defining his music: "The only thing I could think of, because I really don't like categories, but the only thing I could think of is inspirational."
by Leah Donnella

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2017 Minnesota Book Award winners announced

2017 Minnesota Book Award winners announced

The awards honored writers in nine categories, including children's literature, general nonfiction and genre fiction.
by Tracy Mumford

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A book that offers 'healing to us as a human family'

A book that offers 'healing to us as a human family'

Bookstore owner Akbar Watson rarely rereads books, but the news recently has him turning to an older favorite.
by Tracy Mumford

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Poetry Friday: Landscape, chance and longing

Poetry Friday: Landscape, chance and longing

To celebrate National Poetry Month, we are showcasing weekly poems from Graywolf Press, Milkweed Editions and Coffee House Press.
by Tracy Mumford

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'The Hello Girls' highlights the women who ran the WWI switchboards

'The Hello Girls' highlights the women who ran the WWI switchboards

A book published today, the 100th anniversary of America's entry into World War I, tells the story of "America's First Women Soldiers" who served as switchboard operators in the field.
by Glen Weldon

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