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The Thread® - Books and Literary 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. 

Heather McElhatton revels in her "Pretty Little Mistakes"

Heather McElhatton revels in her "Pretty Little Mistakes"

It's a rare novel that opens with instructions on how it should be read. But that's exactly how Heather McElhatton's "Pretty Little Mistakes" begins. At the end of each chapter she presents a choice and a reader gets to decide the direction of the story. McElhatton admits the book arose out of a personal crisis.
by Euan Kerr

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Irvine Welsh writes about hatred

Irvine Welsh writes about hatred

Scottish writer Irvine Welsh catapulted onto the international literary scene with "Trainspotting," his disturbing story about heroin addicts in Edinburgh. His latest novel is called "The Bedroom Secrets of the Master Chefs" -- although there's little about food or bedroom secrets in the story. It's really a story about hate.
by Euan Kerr

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Arthur Phillips' latest novel

Arthur Phillips' latest novel

He's written about Americans in Eastern Europe and the search for ancient Egyptian artifacts. Author Arthur Phillips talks about his new novel, a ghost story set in Victorian London.

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Sherman Alexie takes a swipe at violence

Sherman Alexie takes a swipe at violence

Author Sherman Alexie isn't shy about sharing. He's a prolific writer whose novels and short stories often describe the paradoxes of life as a Native American in the 21st century. Alexie says he's been thinking lately about violence. What resulted is a book of gritty fantasy called "Flight" which is about a young man named "Zits.'
by Euan Kerr

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Family secrets

Family secrets

A new memoir explores the fault lines of adoption that emerged when a woman sought out the daughter she gave away. Novelist A.M. Homes has surprising observations on finding the "other" family and on memoirs in general.

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Steven Hall and the Great (Virtual) Shark Hunt

Steven Hall and the Great (Virtual) Shark Hunt

In Steven Hall's new novel "The Raw Shark Texts," a young man wakes up in a room he doesn't recognize. He gets nervous when he realizes he doesn't know where he is. He gets scared when he realizes he doesn't know who he is. Then he learns he's being hunted by a virtual shark....
by Euan Kerr

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Wang Ping's long journey

Wang Ping's long journey

Wang Ping has an intimidating resume. She teaches creative writing at Macalester College in St Paul. She's published fiction, poetry, and an acclaimed book on the Chinese tradition of footbinding. She's just come out with a new collection of short stories. She's an accomplished photographer too. Minnesota Public Radio's Euan Kerr reports Wang Ping says her history is the result of some curious twists of fate.
by Euan Kerr

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U of M President Bruininks' "Search for Meaning"

U of M President Bruininks' "Search for Meaning"

University of Minnesota President Robert Bruininks chose Victor Frankl's "Man's Search for Meaning" as one of the books that has been particularly meaningful in his life.

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Amid tragedy, a place for poetry

Amid tragedy, a place for poetry

U.S. Poet Laureate Donald Hall says literature and poetry can help people mourn and recover from tragedy. MPR's Tom Cran spoke with Hall about the topic during a visit to Minnesota this week.

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Well-known poet marks a milestone

Well-known poet marks a milestone

Countless aspiring writers have been encouraged by Mark Vinz. The Minnesota State University Moorhead professor is retiring after 40 years but he'll continue his 40-year love affair with writing.
by Dan Gunderson

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