The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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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. 

Ask a Bookseller: ‘Wilder Weather’ by Barbara Boustead
Alena Bruzas of Francie & Finch Bookshop in Lincoln, Neb., recommends “Wilder Weather” by Barbara Boustead.
Looking for a chill? 'The Unveiling' is spooky, discomforting literary horror
There is no comfort or closure in Quan Barry’s latest novel, “The Unveiling,” which follows a group of tourists who get stranded off the coast of Antarctica after a kayaking expedition goes dreadfully wrong.
Maureen Corrigan’s 10 favorite books of 2025 — with plenty for nonfiction lovers
Fresh Air’s book critic says her picks tilt a bit to nonfiction, but the novels that made the cut redress the imbalance by their sweep and intensity. Karen Russell’s “The Antidote” was her favorite.
Ask a Bookseller: ‘Mona’s Eyes’ by Thomas Schlesser
Kelly Evert of Village Books and Paper Dreams in Washington recommends “Mona’s Eyes” by Thomas Schlesser.
Catherine Newman’s witty, warm and wary Rocky returns in ‘Wreck’
If you devoured Catherine Newman’s 2024 novel “Sandwich,” you’ll love her just released sequel, “Wreck.” Newman joins Kerri Miller on this week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas for a laughter-soaked conversation that covers parenthood, aging, mortality and the peculiarities of a long and enduring marriage.
Fargo chef on her perfect bagel, meshing Nordic-Jewish fare and her new cookbook
When Andrea Baumgardner opened BernBaum’s in downtown Fargo in 2016, she was inspired by classic lunch counter delis, like B&H Dairy in New York City. A new cookbook memorializes her recipes.
Books out this week come from Nobel winners and independent presses
Nobel winners Olga Tokarczuk and Peter Handke bring us a reissue and a new book respectively this week. Also, a story from a fictional African country and a commentary on beauty.