Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller

Kerri Miller Podcast Tile
Big Books & Bold Ideas with Kerri Miller
MPR News

Where readers meet writers, Fridays at 11 a.m. Listen live or stream later on your favorite podcast app.

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Books Coverage: The Thread | About: Kerri Miller

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From the archives: Quan Barry on her debut novel, 'She Weeps Each Time You're Born'
Poet and novelist Quan Barry returns to MPR News this Friday for Big Books and Bold Ideas. This time, she’ll talk about her new novel, “When I’m Gone Look for Me in the East,” which follows two brothers on a quest in the wilds of Mongolia. To whet you appetite, enjoy this 2015 conversation between Barry and host Kerri Miller when they discuss her novel set in Vietnam, “She Weeps Each Time You’re Born.”
Novelist Ann Hood recounts her days as a flight attendant in 'Fly Girl'
Ann Hood was a recent college grad in 1978 who couldn’t imagine a better way to see the world - and gather experiences for future writing - than being a flight attendant. Her new memoir, “Fly Girl,” chronicles her days flying the friendly and not-so-friendly skies.
From the archives: When traveling, seek experiences, not sites
On this Friday’s Big Books and Bold Ideas, novelist Ann Hood talks about her new memoir, “Fly Girl.” When she first landed a job as a flight attendant, she thought she’d landed the most glamorous job ever. But she soon learned there was a dark side to getting paid to see the world. Since travel is the theme this week, enjoy this mood setter — a 2015 conversation with two travel writers who say we should prioritize adventure over location when deciding where to go.
Author Frederick Joseph examines modern masculinity in 'Patriarchy Blues'
What does it mean to be a man today? In his new book, the award-winning author of “The Black Friend” examines how masculinity and patriarchy join together to make a toxic culture and offers a compelling vision for how to move beyond.
From the archives: Author Ashley C. Ford on her debut memoir, ‘Somebody’s Daughter’
This week’s Big Books and Bold Ideas features a conversation with author and activist Frederick Joseph about his new book, “Patriarchy Blues.” We decided to whet your appetite for that discussion by replaying this one with Ashley C. Ford. Both Ford and Joseph were shaped by daunting childhood experiences and have emerged with powerful lessons about gender, race and class in America.
Author Leila Mottley on her breakout first novel, 'Nightcrawling'
Leila Mottley was just 17 when she began writing what is already one of the breakout novels of the summer. “Nightcrawling” explores police corruption, patriarchy, poverty and what it means to young Black women who are often expected to carry it all.
From the archives: Author and activist Reginald Dwayne Betts on the power of books
This Friday’s Big Books and Bold Ideas will be a conversation between host Kerri Miller and Leila Mottley, who penned “Nightcrawling,” one of the hottest books this summer. As we anticipate that, enjoy this Talking Volumes from 2021 with poet, activist and author Reginald Dwayne Betts. Like Mottley, he brings the deep questions about being a Black person in America to scrutiny in the most beautiful and haunting ways.
Novelist Jakob Guanzon on the divide between scarcity and 'Abundance'
Can a life be measured in dollars and cents? That’s the question at the heart of Jakob Guanzon’s debut novel, “Abundance,” which follows a father and son living on the razor’s edge of poverty.
Activist Robin Marty on her 'Handbook for a Post-Roe America'
Activist and writer Robin Marty feared being prescient when she published “Handbook for a Post-Roe America” in 2019. Now that we are here, she talks with host Kerri Miller about what abortion care will look like after the fall of Roe.