The Thread® - Books and Literary News

The Thread from MPR 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 back for its 25th season. Join us at the Fitzgerald Theater for four special events with renowned authors, celebrating our anniversary with a special $25 ticket price for MPR members and Star Tribune subscribers. Buy tickets here.

A writer lost his singing voice, then discovered the 'gymnastics' of speech
New Yorker writer John Colapinto developed a vocal polyp when he began "wailing" with a rock group without proper warmup. His new book explores the human voice's physicality, frailty and feats .
Goade becomes first Native American to win Caldecott Medal
Illustrator Michaela Goade became the first Native American to win the prestigious Randolph Caldecott Medal for best children's picture story, cited for "We Are Water Protectors," a celebration of nature and condemnation of the "black snake" Dakota Access Pipeline.
International crime thrillers to crack open
Sure — we’re three weeks into 2021, but if you’re still catching up on books you missed in 2020, you’re in good company. MPR News host Kerri Miller shares three crime novels published outside of the U.S. that you should not miss.
'When You Trap A Tiger' and 'We Are Water Protectors' win top children's book honors
America's librarians award Tae Keller's “When You Trap A Tiger” the Newbery Medal and “We Are Water Protectors” illustrated by Michaela Goade and written by Carole Lindstrom won the Caldecott medal.
The Trojan women — and many more — speak up in 'A Thousand Ships'
Natalie Haynes's new book tells the epic story of the Trojan War from the perspectives of the women involved in it. And that means all the women — from Troy and Sparta, goddesses, Amazons and more.
Alyda Gilkey on the life and legacy of her son David, who put 'Pictures on the Radio'
Photographer David Gilkey died in 2016 while on assignment in Afghanistan. His mother, Alyda Gilkey, remembers the man behind the lens: an adventurous soul who had a way of putting his subjects at ease.
Just move: Scientist author debunks myths about exercise and sleep
Paleoanthropologist Daniel Lieberman says the concept of "getting exercise" is relatively new. His new book, “Exercised,” examines why we run, lift and walk for a workout when our ancestors didn't.