The Thread® - Books and 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.

April 2, 2015 8:37 AM

Erik Larson on the sinking of the Lusitania

Erik Larson, author of "The Devil in the White City," turns his attention to the fateful encounter between the ocean liner and a German submarine.

by Tracy Mumford

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April 1, 2015 4:28 PM

Why managing your health means less medicine, not more

Dr. H. Gilbert Welch argues that Americans seek out tests, treatments and attention from doctors and "too many people are being tested and exposed to the harmful effects of the testing process."

by Emily Kaiser

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April 1, 2015 1:44 PM

Book briefs: The best bookmobile ever?

Argentina takes the crown for most inventive bookmobile and Amazon puts readers to work finding the next big hit.

by Tracy Mumford

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March 31, 2015 4:10 PM

What really happened at the O.K. Corral

It turns out the shootout didn't even happen at a corral. Mary Doria Russell digs for truth in the American myth of Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday.

by Tracy Mumford

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March 31, 2015 12:06 PM

Literary mysteries: Did Tolkien really create entire languages for his books?

This week, we tackle the mystery of J.R.R. Tolkien's invented languages. Elves, Orcs, Ents, Hobbits -- each had their own specific language, complete with grammar.

by Tracy Mumford

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March 31, 2015 10:03 AM

'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo' will continue on with a new author

Knopf has released the cover for, and a few details about, the newest book starring Lisbeth Salander.

by Tracy Mumford

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March 31, 2015 8:50 AM

The golden age of public shaming

Author Jon Ronson writes about people who have raked over the coals on social media in his new book, "So You've Been Publicly Shamed."

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March 28, 2015 9:27 AM

Hunting mythical monsters 'At The Water's Edge'

Sara Gruen is following her bestselling "Water for Elephants" with a tale of a young American couple who travel to Scotland during the Second World War in search of the legendary Loch Ness Monster.

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March 27, 2015 2:44 PM

App that blocks profanity in books draws ire from writers

Clean Reader -- an app designed to find, block and replace profanity in books -- has drawn considerable criticism from authors. This week, makers of the app announced they would no longer sell e-books.

by Colin Dwyer