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.

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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. 

The world on a camel's back
The bookmobile that travels between nomadic villages in Kenya moves on four legs. The author of a new novel based on the real life Camel Bookmobile talks about her effort to bring even more books to the African bush.
Irish poet Sean Lysaght receives O'Shaughnessy Award
Poet Sean Lysaght is in St. Paul to receive the 11th O'Shaughnessy Award for poetry. The award is given each year by the Center for Irish Studies at the University of Saint Thomas. It recognizes contributions to the art by an Irish poet.
The elusive gift of grace
Essayist Anne Lamott's latest book returns to the theme that spirituality can be both difficult and rewarding, but never offers easy answers.
We all know ill-chosen words can hurt. But can well-chosen words heal? Or at least give us insight into the healing process?
Discovering a young poet
When Galway Kinnell, one of the great American poets of our age, first heard Josephine Dickinson, he was immediately drawn in by her work. MPR's Kerri Miller explains why.
Mike Farrell: Actor to activist
Actor Mike Farrell is best known for his portrayal of B.J. Hunnicutt on the long-running TV show, M*A*S*H. But for years, he's been making a name for himself as an advocate for human rights.
Author Kate DiCamillo: "It's the lie I like"
In an interview with MPR's Cathy Wurzer, DiCamillo talks about the book that made her realize she wanted to be a writer.
"Amen Corner" hits the shelves
It's Shefchik's debut murder mystery novel after a 26-year career as a reporter and columnist at the St. Paul Pioneer Press. Shefchik says the phrase "Amen Corner" refers to the most dramatic part of the course.
Writers rate the greats
A book critic asked more than 100 of today's most well-known writers what they think are the top 10 greatest literary works of all time, and got some interesting responses. Midmorning discusses and debates the literary top 10.