The Thread® - Books and Literary News

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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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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. 

3 new poetry collections taking the pulse of the times
Here are three of the first poetry collections to register the still-unfolding social and physical fallout of the pandemic and Trump-era politics.
Ask A Bookseller: 'A Rake of His Own'
In this week’s Ask a Bookseller, Shayne Molt of Indigo Bridge in Lincoln, Neb., recommends the fantasy romance novel “A Rake of His Own” by A.J Lancaster.
A hard look at gun violence in 'The Bodies Keep Coming'
A trauma surgeon looks at how gun violence and racism and health care intersect — and offers solutions for how we can fix a system that harms so many.
Minnesota professor takes sabbatical, finds joy in waiting tables
When a professor takes a sabbatical, they typically don’t end up waiting tables at a local brewery. For Matthew Batt, a University of St. Thomas associate professor of English, that became his reality. He detailed the journey in his book the “Last Supper Club: A Waiters Requiem.”
New book shares the story behind Judy Garland's final MGM musical
David Fantle & Tom Johnson wrote, “C’mon, Get Happy: The Making of Summer Stock,” and will share their insights ahead of the ‘Summer Stock’ screening at the Twin Cities Jewish Film Festival.
Former St. Paul Opera publicist shares her journey of caregiving through Lewy body dementia
MPR News host Cathy Wurzer spoke with Mary Lou Falcone about her new memoir, illustrated by her husband, the late artist Nicky Zann. He died of Lewy body dementia in 2020.
In 'White Holes,' Carlo Rovelli takes readers beyond the black hole horizon
Physicist Carlo Rovelli is unique among modern scientists who write for popular audiences in his ability to capture the purest essence of his science with both precision and lyricism.
'It is our identity, for better or worse': Author and podcaster T.D. Mischke on Minnesota's defining season
Winter sparks joy for some and for others, dread. Author, podcaster and radio show host T.D. Mischke celebrates the season in his new book: Winter’s Song: A Hymn to the North.
'The Comfort of Crows' is fuel to restore spirits in dealing with ecological grief
Here the New York Times columnist and author of ‘Late Migrations’ and ‘Graceland’ Margaret Renkl brings alive in 52 chapters her love for the animals and plants in her yard and nearby parks in Tennessee.