The Thread® - Books and Literary News

The Thread from MPR News

The Thread® is your source for book recommendations and other literary news.

Ask a Bookseller

Ask a Bookseller is a weekly series where The Thread 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 every Friday at 11 a.m., featuring conversations about books and other literary ideas. Listen to Big Books and Bold Ideas here.

Sign Up for The Thread® Newsletter

Sign up for The Thread newsletter to get reading recommendations from Kerri Miller and other bookworms around the MPR newsroom. Find reviews for new releases, as well as hidden gems you may have missed.

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. 

Tickets are now available for our 26th season. Join award-winning journalist and MPR News host Kerri Miller (and special guest host Catharine Richart) as they talk with authors including Stacey Abrams, Patricia Lockwood, Misty Copeland, John Grisham, and Kate Baer. 

'Sky Blue Water' collection sparks controversy with its foreword
The collection showcasing stories for young readers by authors from around the state had to be reprinted after a line in its foreword referenced Christopher Columbus' "discovery" of America.
Curious George celebrates 75 years of monkey business
George has had many close calls, but did you know he once outran the Nazis? Despite some dated themes (we're looking at you, Man with the Yellow Hat) George is now a multimillion-dollar franchise.
James Patterson plans to write 'The Murder of Stephen King,'  then cancels it
James Patterson pitched a book in which Stephen King is stalked by characters from his own novels, like "It," "The Shining" and "Misery." But just a week after announcing it, Patterson said he would not release it.