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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. 

Poet Louis Jenkins writes about life 'North of the Cities'

Poet Louis Jenkins writes about life 'North of the Cities'

Duluth poet Louis Jenkins writes prose poems -- short paragraphs that turn everyday life into sparkling bits of homespun philosophy and sardonic humor. His new collection is "North of the Cities."
by Stephanie Hemphill

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Jonis Agee imagines criminal life on the Mississippi

Jonis Agee imagines criminal life on the Mississippi

Author Jonis Agee's new novel, "The River Wife," actually tells the story of several wives, five generations of women who live on a piece of land on the Mississippi River in southern Missouri.
by Euan Kerr

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Illustrator says goodbye to Harry Potter series

Illustrator says goodbye to Harry Potter series

Mary GrandPre grew up in Bloomington and was living in St. Paul when she began illustrating the U.S. version of Harry Potter books. As such, she's had advanced knowledge about the books, including how the series finally ends.

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Teen fiction can be fun!

Teen fiction can be fun!

Midday examines the hype around the latest Harry Potter book, and discovers other young adult books that can hook kids into reading.

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Loft Literary Center names new director

Loft Literary Center names new director

The Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis has named Jocelyn Hale as its new executive director. She will succeed Linda Myers, who is retiring in the fall after 13 years at the organization.
by Greta Cunningham

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The importance of reading (and not just Harry Potter)

The importance of reading (and not just Harry Potter)

Dana Gioia, chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, has nothing against the Harry Potter books, the last of which hits store shelves a minute past midnight Saturday. But Gioia argues we'd need a new Harry Potter every month to get kids reading as much as they should.

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Justin Morneau featured in book aimed at youth

Justin Morneau featured in book aimed at youth

Minnesota Twins first baseman Justin Morneau is featured in a new book, "Before the Glory: 20 Baseball Heroes Talk About Growing Up and Turning Hard Times into Home Runs." The book highlights players talking about their childhood and some of the challenges they faced growing up.
by Jim Bickal

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Writer's past inspires new fiction

Writer's past inspires new fiction

Writer Carol Muske-Dukes reaches back to the 1970s, and her past as a creative writing teacher to both the privileged and the imprisoned, for a new work of fiction. In real life, Muske Dukes started a creative writing program for women at Riker's Island prison in New York City.

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