The Thread® - Books and Literary News

The Thread from MPR News

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

Ask a Bookseller

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.

Big Books and Bold Ideas

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.

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. Find reviews for new releases, as well as hidden gems you may have missed.

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. 

Storyteller David Sedaris
In a recent Twin Cities appearance, bestselling author David Sedaris read from his new book, "When You Are Engulfed in Flames." Midday broadcasts part of his reading, as well as his interview with Minnesota Public Radio reporter Nikki Tundel.
First-time author draws raves with 'The Story of Edgar Sawtelle'
David Wroblewski's book "The Story of Edgar Sawtelle" has been drawing rave reviews. While it grew out of his desire to write about the special bonds between dogs and humans, an important part of the story is that the title character, Edgar, cannot speak.
A poet's vision for the environment, young artists
The natural world is the canvas and the inspiration for award-winning poet Robert Hass. He talks about his long career, and how he's helping children explore their own creativity and express their thoughts on the environment.
Talking Volumes: A conversation with Michael Ondaatje
Michael Ondaatje talks about his latest book, "Divisadero." It's a novel set in California of the 1970s, about a family torn by a violent act. The conversation with Kerri Miller was recorded at the Fitzgerald Theater on May 27.
Origins unknown
In his new book, linguistics scholar Anatoly Liberman gets to the root of 55 words previously dismissed as being of unknown origin. He joins Midmorning to talk about words united by their etymological obscurity.
Reality literature
Look at any bestseller list, and most likely you'll find a few memoirs. Real life stories about tragic childhoods, abuse and recovery, failure and redemption are all the rage right now. Midmorning examines the popularity of the memoir.
Not a sad young literary man
Keith Gessen is a brave man. He created and edits a caustic literary magazine called "N+1" which has a reputation for its smart and often snarky criticism. Now he's published his own novel and is facing the critics.