The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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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.

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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.

October 6, 2016 9:57 AM

Here are the 2016 National Book Award finalists

Minnesota author Kate DiCamillo, Colson Whitehead and Jacqueline Woodson are just three of the authors on the shortlists for the National Book Awards. The 20 books still in contention for the prizes were unveiled Thursday.

by Colin Dwyer

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October 5, 2016 5:48 PM

Winston Churchill's great escape

Candice Millard's new book, "Hero of the Empire," dives into the early life and adventures of Winston Churchill, before he became a household name and world leader.

by MPR News Staff

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October 5, 2016 9:04 AM

Moving, memorable 'Today Will Be Different' balances humor and tragedy

Maria Semple's new novel centers on erratic, overworked mother Eleanor, who makes a promise before the book begins: Today will be different. And it is, but not the way she expected or hoped for.

by Michael Schaub

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October 5, 2016 7:55 AM

From fire hydrants to rescue work, dogs perceive the world through smell

Dogs can sniff out people, drugs, bombs, cancer, time of day, oncoming storms and much more. In her new book "Being A Dog," Alexandra Horowitz explores the mysteries and mechanics of canine noses

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October 5, 2016 4:00 AM

2016: The year in celebrity memoirs

Readers can dive into books from famous names this fall, from Ruth Bader Ginsburg to Bruce Springsteen.

by Tracy Mumford

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October 4, 2016 12:19 PM

A fairy tale kiss? Not so much. Five things you might not know about classic fairy tales

Little Red Riding Hood wasn't always so lucky, and "The Frog King" had a very different ending.

by Tracy Mumford

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October 4, 2016 9:54 AM

Why it took 'Forrest Gump' author nearly 20 years to write a new novel

After "Forrest Gump" became a best-seller, Winston Groom says he ran out of good ideas for novels -- until now. His new book, "El Paso," is set during the Mexican Revolution.

by Tom Vitale

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October 3, 2016 4:27 PM

For literary world, unmasking Elena Ferrante's not a scoop. It's a disgrace.

An investigative journalist claims to have uncovered the true identity of a famously private novelist. Writers and readers alike have rejected the claims as an egregious, unnecessary intrusion.