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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.

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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 14, 2015 9:01 AM

Finalists unveiled for this year's National Book Awards

Lauren Groff, Terrance Hayes, Sally Mann and Ta-Nehisi Coates are among the 20 writers still in the running for the prestigious literary prize. Soon, that number will be whittled to just four winners.

by Colin Dwyer

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October 13, 2015 4:04 PM

Macalester's Marlon James wins Man Booker Prize

His third novel, "A Brief History of Seven Killings," which centers on the attempted assassination of Bob Marley, has already won an American Book Award and a Minnesota Book Award.

by Euan Kerr

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October 13, 2015 3:50 PM

Why are we suspicious of do-gooders?

Donate a kidney to a stranger. Give half your income to charity. Adopt 20 children. Larissa MacFarquhar's new book profiles people who can't help but be generous — even when others consider them crazy.

by Tracy Mumford

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October 13, 2015 2:03 PM

In books: Where are all the evil female characters?

With a few memorable — and bloody — exceptions, women characters don't usually land on the "most evil" list. But that may be starting to change.

by Tracy Mumford

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October 12, 2015 2:41 PM

Exhibition delves below deceptively simple surface of Hemingway's prose

A collection of first drafts, letters, outtakes and photos on display in New York City illuminate the inner workings of Ernest Hemingway's meticulous writing process -- failures, flaws and all.

by Tom Vitale

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October 12, 2015 11:06 AM

Dance, sing, just 'keep moving,' Dick Van Dyke tells seniors

Though he seems to be ageless, the star turns 90 next month. To help mark the occasion he's published a new book with tips on how to stay young.

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October 12, 2015 10:10 AM

'Thirteen Ways' lifts darkness through storytelling

Colum McCann's latest book, "Thirteen Ways of Looking," takes on parenthood, loss and just how arbitrary life can be. McCann says talking about traumatic experiences can be "a fantastic catharsis."

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October 12, 2015 12:00 AM

'Required reading': Ta-Nehisi Coates on race and racism

MacArthur "genius" grant recipient Ta-Nehisi Coates is at the top of the bestseller list with "Between the World and Me," but his earlier magazine writing should not be missed.

by Kerri Miller