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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.

Is Amazon planning hundreds of bookstores? Analysts doubt it

Is Amazon planning hundreds of bookstores? Analysts doubt it

A mall real estate executive let slip that Amazon plans to build up to 400 walk-in stores. Analysts were skeptical, and now the executive says his comment wasn't intended to represent Amazon's plans.
by Yuki Noguchi

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Where are the diverse children's books?

Where are the diverse children's books?

A new survey commissioned by Lee & Low Books shows that the publishing industry is 79 percent white. That trend carries through to the books that are published.
by Tracy Mumford

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The Hong Kong bookseller who's keeping 'banned' books on his shelves

The Hong Kong bookseller who's keeping 'banned' books on his shelves

Five people in Hong Kong's book industry have disappeared. All were linked to books forbidden in mainland China. Paul Tang says he has no plans to remove works that are critical of the Chinese leadership.
by Anthony Kuhn

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A writer straddles Jerusalem's two worlds in 'Native'

A writer straddles Jerusalem's two worlds in 'Native'

With wit and subtle anecdote, Sayed Kashua explores the meaning of identity, prejudice and everyday life as an Arab-Israeli newspaper writer living in Jerusalem.
by Jason Sheehan

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When Harry Houdini tried to talk to the dead

When Harry Houdini tried to talk to the dead

In the 1920s, America became obsessed with communicating with the dead. Harry Houdini wanted to believe it was possible, but the magician knew the tricks all too well.
by MPR News Staff

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Where do these 'long-lost' manuscripts keep coming from?

Where do these 'long-lost' manuscripts keep coming from?

Truman Capote. Beatrix Potter. Edith Wharton. Dr. Seuss. In the literary world, being dead doesn't mean you're done publishing.
by Tracy Mumford

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How China's one-child policy led to forced abortions, 30 million bachelors

How China's one-child policy led to forced abortions, 30 million bachelors

Journalist Mei Fong said China's one-child policy drastically reshaped the country's demographic make-up. "China has 30 million more men than women," she says.

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The adult coloring book controversy continues

The adult coloring book controversy continues

Adult coloring books have the publishing industry and listeners split: Is it a productive hobby? Or a sign of something else?
by Kerri Miller

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Book diagnoses Darwin with anxiety and Warhol as a hoarder

Book diagnoses Darwin with anxiety and Warhol as a hoarder

Journalist Claudia Kalb uses biographical material and modern-day mental health to get inside the heads of history's great personalities.

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Alexander Chee's voice shines through in 'Queen Of The Night'

Alexander Chee's voice shines through in 'Queen Of The Night'

The long-awaited novel follows a famous opera singer on her journey of constant reinvention. Despite the 19th century France setting, Chee admits there are autobiographical elements.

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