The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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

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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.

Tickets are now available for our 26th season. Join award-winning journalist and MPR News host Kerri Miller (and special guest host Catharine Richart) as they talk with authors including Stacey Abrams, Patricia Lockwood, Misty Copeland, John Grisham, and Kate Baer.

September 26, 2008 12:00 AM

Midmorning Book Club: 'All the King's Men'

It's considered one of the greatest novels about politics ever written, but some would say it's not as much about politics as it is about the human condition. The Midmorning Book Club examines Robert Penn Warren's "All the King's Men."

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September 25, 2008 4:30 PM

New novel explores growing up Japanese-American

Twin Cities writer David Mura's new novel, "Famous Suicides of the Japanese Empire," explores the Japanese-American experience through the eyes of a boy growing up in Chicago just after World War II.

by Euan Kerr

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September 25, 2008 12:00 AM

The novel behind 'Miracle at Santa Anna'

This weekend Spike Lee's new film "Miracle at Santa Anna" opens nationwide. The movie is based on the novel of the same name by James McBride.

by Euan Kerr

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September 24, 2008 11:48 AM

Shopping for Porcupine

Alaskan nature writer and photographer Seth Kantner says on balance he is glad vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin is attracting attention to his home state. His new essay collection "Shopping for Porcupine" examines the conflict between Alaskan tradition and new economic realities.

by Euan Kerr

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September 24, 2008 12:00 AM

Kathleen Norris investigates noonday demon

There's a spiritual relative of depression that few understand or have explored. Writer Kathleen Norris talks about how the condition, known as acedia, has intersected with her life, and why the monastic life may hold the key to understanding the condition.

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September 16, 2008 1:30 PM

A Liberian life of extremes

Growing up in Liberia, Helene Cooper had an idyllic childhood, but it all came crashing down during the bloody coup of 1980 when the family had to flee Liberia to the U.S.

by Euan Kerr

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September 12, 2008 12:00 AM

David Lebedoff connects authors despite their differences

Award-winning author and Twin Cities lawyer David Lebedoff discusses his new book, "The Same Man: George Orwell and Evelyn Waugh in Love and War."

by David Lebedoff

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September 11, 2008 3:00 PM

Songs for the lovelorn

For centuries, lovelorn souls have written letters addressed to "Juliet, Verona, Italy." They're writing to the heroine of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. A production at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis takes a musical and theatrical look at "The Juliet Letters."

by Marianne Combs

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September 9, 2008 4:30 PM

Zen and now

Millions of people know the 1970s book "Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance." It's the story of author Robert Pirsig's cross-country bike trip with his son Chris. Now, a 21st century biker has recreated Pirsig's journey, and written a book called "Zen and Now."

by Euan Kerr

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September 9, 2008 12:00 AM

Author describes how a stalker changed her life

A new memoir chronicles what happens when an independent woman's loving partner turns into a threat. Kate Brennan uses an alias to shield her identity. Her book reveals what it takes to elude a man whom she believes is determined to destroy her life.

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