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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.

St. Paul author takes on burning grief in 'Firebug of Balrog County'

St. Paul author takes on burning grief in 'Firebug of Balrog County'

David Oppegaard's first novel for young adults follows the misadventures of a high school senior who deals with the traumas in his life by setting fires.
by Euan Kerr

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5 under 35: Bright young literary stars

5 under 35: Bright young literary stars

Who are the up-and-comers in the literary world? The National Book Foundation honors five young fiction writers.
by Tracy Mumford

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In sophomore year, Kirkus Prize features an eclectic mix of finalists

In sophomore year, Kirkus Prize features an eclectic mix of finalists

The literary award, launched last year by Kirkus Reviews, lists Ta-Nehisi Coates, Helen Macdonald and Hanya Yanigihara among 18 finalists across three categories. The prize carries a purse of $50,000.
by Colin Dwyer

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House calls to the homeless: A doctor treats Boston's most isolated patients

House calls to the homeless: A doctor treats Boston's most isolated patients

James O'Connell refers to himself as a "street doctor." Since 1985, he has cared for homeless patients, sometimes making visits on park benches or in alleys. His memoir is Stories from the Shadows.

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Funny books by funny women

Funny books by funny women

We dig through the history of women in humor writing, and build a list of laugh-out-loud reads.
by Tracy Mumford

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On a road trip with his father's ashes

On a road trip with his father's ashes

After Allan Johnson's father died, Allan was left wondering what to do with his ashes -- so he put them in a backpack and flew to Minneapolis.
by Tracy Mumford

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Banned Books Week: Celebrating the controversial

Banned Books Week: Celebrating the controversial

The last week of September is Banned Books Week, when many librarians, booksellers and readers gather to celebrate the books deemed "controversial."
by Tracy Mumford

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Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on blurbs?

Forget the book, have you read this irresistible story on blurbs?

Those snippets of praise on book covers have been around for over 150 years (at least). But how do they get there -- and why? The answers are more complicated, and compelling, than you might think.
by Colin Dwyer

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Sandstorms, explosions, potatoes, oh my: 'Martian' takes science seriously

Sandstorms, explosions, potatoes, oh my: 'Martian' takes science seriously

Programmer Andy Weir had always longed to read science fiction with a greater focus on science. So, he wrote a novel of his own -- which has since become a best-seller and, now, a blockbuster film.

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Meet the man who invents languages for a living

Meet the man who invents languages for a living

David J. Peterson has crafted languages for TV shows and films -- even a whole language for a single giant, in 'Game of Thrones.' For him, every language is a balance of the technical and the artistic.

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