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.

Utne Reader, the Minneapolis-based compendium of progressive writing and alternative media, is relocating to Topeka, Kan., the magazine's publisher announced Monday.
Books recently recommended by Midmorning guests and listeners.
Ray Bradbury, science fiction/fantasy author and longtime enemy of the e-book, has finally allowed his dystopian classic "Fahrenheit 451" to be published in digital format.
Talking Volumes: Colson Whitehead
Author Colson Whitehead joined Kerri Miller to discuss zombies, Twitter, his childhood journal and his new book, Zone One. Recorded at the Fitzgerald Theater on November 2nd.
The tragedy of Arthur
In his new novel, Arthur Phillips spins a tale within a tale about a novelist named Arthur Phillips, and his discovery of a long-lost play by Shakespeare. Is Phillips writing about himself, and is the play the real thing? Find out on Midmorning. Originally broadcast April 26, 2011.
The Midmorning creature feature
Excerpts from conversations with authors Justin Cronin, Daniel Wilson, and Glen Duncan about their literary takes on vampires, robots, and werewolves.
Literary novelists take on the monster
Horror, science fiction and fantasy books have long been popular, but now an increasing number of novelists known for literary fiction are getting in on the act. Is it a recognition of the sales potential, or a desire by writers to explore different genres?
Talking Volumes: Stacy Schiff
A broadcast of Kerri Miller's conversation with author Stacey Schiff about her biography of Cleopatra.
Oddsmakers favor Dylan  for Nobel Prize
The winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize for Literature will be announced Thursday morning. And there is growing belief, at least among gamblers, that Hibbing's own Bob Dylan has a good shot to win the award this year.
A conversation with Michele Norris
A broadcast of Kerri Miller's conversation with NPR's Michele Norris about race, the power of language, and her book "The Grace of Silence." The city of Minneapolis chose Norris's memoir for it's first community read. Recorded at the Guthrie Theater on Oct. 4.