The Thread® - Books and Literary News

The Thread® is your source for book recommendations and other literary news.

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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.

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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.

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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.

March 23, 2015 10:11 AM

Chinua Achebe, Nigerian author of 'Things Fall Apart,' dies

His seminal work played a critical role in establishing post-colonial African literature. Achebe also taught Africana Studies at Brown University.

by Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

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March 20, 2015 9:00 AM

How secure is your data?

We invited three technology and security experts to talk about the current state of data security.

by J. Brian Atwood, Bruce Schneier and Tracy Mumford

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March 20, 2015 4:00 AM

Wiping profanity off the page

"Read books, not profanity!" the Clean Reader e-book app promises. Some love it, some hate it, some call it censorship.

by Tracy Mumford

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March 19, 2015 5:27 PM

Novel set in Fargo-Moorhead reveals the dangerous power of family secrets

In "A Fireproof Home for the Bride," Amy Scheibe explores the forbidden relationships, religious intolerance, and hidden violence uncovered by a woman seeking the truth about her family.

by Euan Kerr

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March 17, 2015 3:57 PM

Raising kids who want to read

There's a big difference between teaching kids to read and teaching them to love reading, according to author Daniel Willingham.

by Cory Turner

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March 17, 2015 10:23 AM

Jane Austen fans never let the story end

"Prom and Prejudice," "Prada and Prejudice," "Spies and Prejudice" — there are now more than 200 prequels, sequels and adaptations for Austen's classic love story.

by Tracy Mumford

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March 17, 2015 9:31 AM

Kerri's book pick is 'The Art Thief' audio book

Art history, intrigue and a voice made for mystery come together in "The Art Thief" audio book.

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March 17, 2015 7:41 AM

Louise Erdrich wins Library of Congress fiction prize

Librarian of Congress James Billington told The Associated Press that Erdrich's novels have uniquely explored the cultural challenges faced by Native Americans and mixed-race Americans.

by Jon Collins