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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.

'Shame And Wonder' is light on shame, heavy on wonder

'Shame And Wonder' is light on shame, heavy on wonder

David Searcy's essay collection finds the marvelous in everything from classic cars to Scrooge McDuck. Though it lacks some leavening humor, it's a lovely argument for approaching the world with awe.
by Annalisa Quinn

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How a novel in a made-up language became a hit

How a novel in a made-up language became a hit

Writing about life during the Norman Conquest, author Paul Kingsnorth realized he had a problem: the language wasn't right.
by Euan Kerr

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'Weather Experiment': Predicting the weather once seemed impossible

'Weather Experiment': Predicting the weather once seemed impossible

Peter Moore's new book explores the sailors, scientists and inventors who dared to try and crack the secret of weather forecasting.

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What exactly does an editor do? The role has changed over time

What exactly does an editor do? The role has changed over time

Earlier this year it became clear that Harper Lee had extensively revised "To Kill a Mockingbird" on the advice of her editor. That made us wonder: How much do editors shape the books we read?
by Lynn Neary

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St. Paul Public Library publishes books in Karen language

St. Paul Public Library publishes books in Karen language

Nearly 7,000 ethnic Karen from Myanmar, also known as Burma, live in the city. But there aren't many books about them, or in the Karen language, at the city's libraries.
by Doualy Xaykaothao

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The books that inspired 'Star Wars'

The books that inspired 'Star Wars'

George Lucas pulled from pulp novels, comics and a book all about the power of myth.
by Tracy Mumford

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'Firefly Hollow': The children's book that began with a painting

'Firefly Hollow': The children's book that began with a painting

Six years ago, author Alison McGhee received a package of enchanting illustrations in the mail. The artist was Christopher Denise -- and he was in need of a writer.
by MPR News Staff

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