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The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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

Sign Up for The Thread® Newsletter

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.

Author captures regional differences in whiteness

Author captures regional differences in whiteness

Satirical writer Christian Lander thought he was on to a good, but probably short-lived, thing with his blog and a book called "Stuff White People Like." After spotting more examples on his book tour, he now has a regional guide to the white people of North America, called "Whiter Shades of Pale." He says most people get the joke.
by Euan Kerr

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Newsmaker: Censoring Huck Finn?

Newsmaker: Censoring Huck Finn?

A Mark Twain scholar is planning to release a new edition of the classic "Huckleberry Finn," with the "N" word being replaced by the word "slave." He says it's not an attempt to render the book colorblind, but many commentators are up in arms.

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The queen of the Nile: a new perspective

The queen of the Nile: a new perspective

She was called Queen of Kings, and in her lifetime Cleopatra was romantically linked with both Julius Caesar and Mark Antony. Biographer Stacy Schiff considers her a shrewd political strategist and powerful ruler.

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Should an editor change a classic novel to keep from offending modern readers?

A Mark Twain scholar plans to release a new edition of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” without the N word. Today’s Question: Should an editor change a classic novel to keep from offending modern readers?
by Eric Ringham

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An intimate look at a founding family

An intimate look at a founding family

John Adams has had his share of publicity in the past few years. Historian Joseph Ellis's new book takes a look at the enduring relationship between Adams and his wife, Abigail, as revealed through their letters to one another.

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The year in books

The year in books

Jonathan Franzen's "Freedom" stole much of the spotlight, but the fact that it wasn't even nominated for the National Book Award shows what a strong year 2010 was for fiction. Midmorning looks at the best books, both fiction and nonfiction, of 2010.

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Faith, family, and temptation

Faith, family, and temptation

Author John Reimringer's new novel tells the story of a young priest and his struggle with the vow of celibacy. But beyond being a story about the sacred versus the profane, the author says it's also a love letter to the city of St. Paul.

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Author writes about a different kind of traveling

Author writes about a different kind of traveling

Tony Hiss writes about travel, but not in terms of exotic spots to visit. He writes about the actual movement from place to place.
by Euan Kerr

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Emmer to concede in governor's race

Emmer to concede in governor's race

GOP gubernatorial candidate Tom Emmer is expected to concede the election this morning in a 10:30am press conference from his home in Delano. Midmorning has live coverage.
by Mark Zdechlik and Tom Scheck

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Nancy Pearl picks her favorite memoirs

Nancy Pearl picks her favorite memoirs

Retired librarian and avid reader Nancy Pearl shares some of her favorite memoirs. Pearl is the author of "Book Lust" and "Book Crush," which are lists of recommended reading for adults and teens. Pearl said her favorite memoirs have engaging characters, enlightening and/or entertaining stories and good writing.

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