Talking Volumes

Talking Volumes is an event discussion series from Minnesota Public Radio and the Star Tribune. Join award-winning journalist and MPR News host Kerri Miller as she talks with notable authors from across the world.

Join us on June 4th: Minnesota author, Leif Enger at the Sheldon Theatre in Red Wing, Minnesota. Talking Volumes is hosted by award-winning journalist Kerri Miller. Tickets available now.

Talking Volumes: Louise Erdrich on ‘The Mighty Red’
We could not celebrate 25 years of Talking Volumes without legendary Minnesota author Louise Erdrich. Her just-published new novel, “The Mighty Red,” is set in the Red River Valley where she grew up.
Talking Volumes: Alice Hoffman on ’When We Flew Away’
Novelist Alice Hoffman’s new middle grade book, “When We Flew Away,” imagines Anne Frank’s life before her family was forced into hiding. She joined MPR News host Kerri Miller on stage for Talking Volumes to talk about the emotional arc of re-creating Frank’s too-short life.
Talking Volumes: Edwidge Danticat on ‘We’re Alone’
The 25th season of Talking Volumes kicked off with Haitian-born writer Edwidge Danticat, who joined host Kerri Miller on the stage of the Fitzgerald Theater to talk about her new book of essays, “We’re Alone.”
Talking Volumes returns in 2024 for 25th season
MPR News and the Star Tribune proudly present the 25th season of Talking Volumes, hosted by Kerri Miller. 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.
Leif Enger’s ‘cheerful refusal’ to accept despair infuses his new dystopian adventure novel
Duluth author Leif Enger’s dystopian novel “I Cheerfully Refuse” is set in and around an alternative Duluth where many of the things Minnesotans take for granted have just stopped working. It’s an adventure story with a bass-playing housepainter at its center, who is forced to take off in a sailboat across Lake Superior after a brush with evil.
Talking Volumes: Margaret Renkl on 'The Comfort of Crows'
New York Times columnist and nature writer Margaret Renkl closed out the 2023 Talking Volumes season with meditations on the joys of a backyard oasis, the inevitable losses of a warming climate and how to live while holding both of those truths in tandem.
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Viet Thanh Nguyen joined host Kerri Miller on stage at the Fitzgerald Theater for Talking Volumes to talk about his new memoir, “A Man of Two Faces.”
Talking Volumes: Ann Patchett on 'Tom Lake'
Ann Patchett and Kate DiCamillo joined host Kerri Miller on stage Sept. 28 for Talking Volumes. They discussed why women are always the ones making dinner, what Ann really thinks of books tours, how she choses to live without regret, and — oh yes — her new novel, "Tom Lake."