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. 

'Daughter' explores a dysfunctional relationship between father and daughter
“Daughter” is an intensely psychological novel, one that poses questions it doesn't, and maybe can't, answer. There are flashes of Claudia Dey's usually excellent writing, but not consistently enough.
Ask a Bookseller: 'Dear Mothman'
The story follows Noah Romano, an autistic, transgender sixth grader grappling with the death of his best friend.
MPR News' favorite summer reads
Summer is all about the classic beach read and while the season may be coming to a close, bookworms across the newsroom shared their favorite picks.
'The Fraud' asks questions as it unearths stories that need to be told
Zadie Smith's latest novel revisiting a piece of history is packed with great writing and shining passages that go from humorous to deeply philosophical. But it is also very long.
Minnesota novelist Julie Schumacher on 'The English Experience'
Cantankerous professor Jason Fitger returns to anchor Minnesota author Julie Schumacher’s latest novel and the last in his trilogy. This time, he is forced to chaperone a group of inept and needy students on a study abroad program.
'Wednesday's Child' deals in life after loss
The stories in Yiyun Li's book focus chiefly on people trying to put themselves together after loss, dealing with anguish that takes its time and rises from its dormancy at unexpected moments.
'Holly' is one of Stephen King's most political novels to date
“Holly” is a gripping crime novel — one that's very close to the traditional King horror aesthetic. The author hasn't been shy about his politics, but this is one of his most political books to date.
5 YA books for fall that give academia vibes
These new tales offer up eerie magics, mysterious buildings, tentative friendships, and a whole lot of excellent excuses for why someone's homework didn't get done.
Minneapolis writer weaves scams, sibling ties into new novel
You’ve likely heard of capable kids who are basically the adults in their family. That's definitely true of Drew, the central character of Minneapolis writer Laura Zimmermann's darkly humorous new young adult novel “Just Do This One Thing For Me.”
Ask a Bookseller: 'The Wild Guide to Starting School'
This month on Ask a Bookseller, we'll be celebrating the start of school by featuring books for kids and teens.