The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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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.

January 17, 2017 10:01 AM

Minnesotans take finalist spots in Critics Circle book awards

Several local authors, including Louise Erdrich and Kao Kalia Yang, are in the running for the awards.

by Tracy Mumford

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January 16, 2017 12:00 AM

'Divergent' author returns with a new fantasy series

Veronica Roth topped best-seller lists when she was only 23. Now she's back with a new series, set in a world where everyone has a gift that reflects their personality.

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January 14, 2017 4:00 AM

A hard-boiled crime novel with a heavy dose of history

Bookstore owner Frank Reiss recommends "Darktown," a crime novel set in the weeks after the Atlanta Police Department hired its first black officers.

by Tracy Mumford

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January 13, 2017 9:33 AM

Celebrate 'Lemony Snicket' with a series of unfortunate recipes

In the children's books, food is practically a supporting character. So why not welcome the poor Baudelaire orphans with a delightfully miserable repast while binge-watching the new show?

by Kristen Hartke

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January 13, 2017 6:09 AM

Free speech advocates, publishers wrestle with questions of censorship

Simon and Schuster's book deal with controversial Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos drew strong criticism online, and sparked a debate on publishing's role in limiting the availability of ideas.

by Lynn Neary

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January 12, 2017 9:27 AM

Fulfill your reading resolutions with 6 recommendations from librarian Nancy Pearl

Every once in a while, NPR's go-to books expert sends host Steve Inskeep a big stack of books. They're generally "under-the-radar" reads -- titles she thinks deserve a little more attention.

by Nancy Pearl

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January 11, 2017 3:28 PM

George R.R. Martin might maybe, potentially, possibly publish "The Winds of Winter" this year

The fantasy writer said he thinks "The Winds of Winter" will be out in 2017. "But hey, I thought the same thing last year," he wrote on his blog.

by Tracy Mumford

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January 11, 2017 12:00 AM

Earthy 'Lotus' is a fascinating flower

Lijia Zhang's debut novel -- about a young woman in China who fights her way out of the sex trade to become a teacher -- is sensitively drawn, full of folk wisdom and concise, touching imagery.

by Jean Zimmerman