Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

The Thread® - Books and Literary 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. 

Brilliant 'Central Station' is rich with detail and mystery

Brilliant 'Central Station' is rich with detail and mystery

Lavie Tidhar's new novel follows a motley crew of spacemen, castaways, data-vampires and magical children in a beautifully realized far-future Tel Aviv. It's short, lush, and close to a masterpiece.
by Jason Sheehan

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Smelt wrestling, carp trains and other local fish tales

Smelt wrestling, carp trains and other local fish tales

Where did lutefisk come from? And why did Congress ship Minnesota carp by the carload? Eric Dregni's book, "Let's Go Fishing!", shares fishy trivia and traditions from around the region.
by MPR News Staff

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Neal Shusterman and Sy Montgomery on the human mind and the animal mind

Neal Shusterman and Sy Montgomery on the human mind and the animal mind

A "National Book Awards at Concordia College" event in Moorhead, featuring Neal Shusterman, author of "Challenger Deep," and Sy Montgomery, author of "The Soul of an Octopus." Shusterman's award-winning book explores the human mind and mental illness, Montgomery's book explores the animal mind. NPR's John Ydstie was the moderator at Concordia College in Moorhead.

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
After tragedy, two families find their own justice in Louise Erdrich's 'LaRose'

After tragedy, two families find their own justice in Louise Erdrich's 'LaRose'

When an Ojibwe hunter accidentally kills his friend's child, he sends his own son to live with the grieving family. Erdrich says tribal family ties are "extremely close" and "much more fluid."

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
A dying coal town falls in to a 'fracking frenzy' in 'Heat & Light'

A dying coal town falls in to a 'fracking frenzy' in 'Heat & Light'

Jennifer Haigh's new novel explores the fallout of the natural gas boom in a small Pennsylvania town. Critic Maureen Corrigan calls "Heat & Light" an "exquisitely designed, semi-satirical social novel."
by Maureen Corrigan

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Through the looking glass: How children's books have grown up

Through the looking glass: How children's books have grown up

Literature for kids hasn't always been focused on the magical and whimsical. We take a three-century journey tour through the history of children's books in the classroom.
by Byrd Pinkerton

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
The best books of 2016 (so far)

The best books of 2016 (so far)

Before the summer beach reads and big fall releases start piling up, catch up on the best books 2016 has given us.
by MPR News Staff and Tracy Mumford

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!