Ask a Bookseller
Episodes
Ask a Bookseller: 'Fresh Water for Flowers'
12 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Maureen Palmer of Redbery Books in Cable, Wis., recommends the novel “Fresh Water for Flowers” by Valérie Perrin, translated from French by Hilde...
Ask a Bookseller: 'Mercy Falls'
05 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Often Ask a Bookseller is a place to discover brand new books for your must-read list, but sometimes booksellers get excited about sharing an old favo...
Ask a Bookseller: 'The Most Spectacular Mistake'
21 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bookseller Sarah Rafael Garcia of LibroMobile in Santa Ana California recommended a poetry collection this week: “The Most Spectacular Mistake” by...
Ask a Bookseller: 'A heaping helping of joy'
14 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Dionne Sims, owner of the new pop-up store Black Garnet Books in Minneapolis, recommended a book that’s been bringing her joy lately: "#Very Fat #Ve...
Ask a Bookseller: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
07 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Yes, we know Halloween was last week, but vampires are an any-time-of-year kind of story, right? Especially for a suspense thriller described as “St...
Ask a bookseller, Halloween edition: An apocalyptic read keeps you asking 'what else could happen?'
30 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This Halloween, Gretchen West of Valley Bookseller in Stillwater, Minn., recommends the novel “Leave the World Behind” by Rumaan Alam, which came ...
'Piranesi,' a perfect fall read leading up to Halloween
17 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Chloe Deblois of Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Damariscotta, Maine, recommended the novel “Piranesi” by Susanna Clarke, the bestselling aut...
A bookseller recommends 'The City in the Middle of the Night'
10 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bookseller Julie Goodrich of Beaverdale Books in Des Moines, Iowa, recommends a character-driven science fiction novel: “The City in the Middle of t...
Ask a Bookseller: 'Sharks in the Time of Saviors'
03 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bookseller Christine Reed of Basically Books in Hilo, Hawaii recommends a debut novel by Kawai Strong Washburn called “Sharks in the Time of Savio...
'Vote for Our Future' answers kids' questions about elections
26 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Ask a Bookseller wraps up its monthlong focus on books for young readers with a recommendation for a picture book that teaches kids about elections. B...
A book that gives you 'Some Kind of Happiness' on lonely, blue days
19 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
We're continuing our September focus on great books for kids and teens. This week, Britt Margit of Second Star to the Right Books in Denver, Colo., re...
A West African fantasy with enveloping world-building
12 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
In the month of September, Ask a Bookseller is featuring recommendations for kids and teens. This week, bookseller Linda Stack-Nelson of Wild Rumpus B...
A bookseller recommends 'I Am Every Good Thing' for back to school
05 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Throughout September, MPR News’ Ask a Bookseller will feature recommendations for children and teens to kick off the start of the school year. To s...
A new translation reimagines Beowulf, spotlighting female 'warrior'
29 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bookseller Anthony Ascione of Brilliant Books in Traverse City, Mich., is excited about a new translation of the classic epic poem “Beowulf,” tra...
'Empire of Wild' interweaves mystery and love
22 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bookseller Nadine Teisberg of Birchbark Books in Minneapolis is recommending the novel “Empire of Wild” by Cherie Dimaline. Teisberg calls the nov...
Exploring lives of whales in a time of climate change
08 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Stephen Sparks o...
A visit to a magical small town that you don't want to end
02 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Bookseller Susan Tank of Paulina Springs Books in Sisters, Ore., recommends one of her longtime favorites, the 2010 novel "Mink River" by Brian Doyle....
For fantasy fans looking for their next book series
04 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Jody Hardy from ...
The latest entry in a new wave of memoirs
26 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Derrick Young of...
'A Burning' has booksellers talking
23 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Emilie Sommer at...
Stock up on hot chocolate before reading this book
09 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Lily Tschudi-Ca...
A story of how far people will go for love
24 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to April Gorski fro...
'Woman on the Edge of Time' still captivates
06 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Gwen Danfelt fro...
The history of Wisconsin's love affair with beer
24 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Brian Roegge fro...
A hilarious and razor-sharp debut
10 Jan 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Danny Caine from...
The book that just keeps selling
29 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Francine Tanguay...
'A different way of understanding the story'
22 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Jhoanna Belfer o...
A 'beautifully told' family drama
15 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Gwen Danfelt fro...
The stunning memoir that could make Hemingway jealous
01 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Jinny Amundson f...
Your perfect Halloween read
25 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Aaron Cance of T...
A story of the kidnapped children of Spain
18 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Shirley Mullin o...
'An incredible depiction of small town life'
11 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Adah Fitzgerald ...
A dangerous search for a dozen eggs
27 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Holly Brooks of ...
The wisdom of Anthony Bourdain
20 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Hans Weyandt fro...
Meet 'the greatest American novelist you’ve never heard of'
13 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Lori Feathers fr...
A gateway to Greek mythology
06 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Lillian Schmid a...
If you love Octavia Butler, Colson Whitehead and Toni Morrison
30 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Nialle Sylvan fr...
The intricacies of female friendship
16 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Annie Metcalf fr...
A very different dragon tale
09 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Greta Helmel fro...
An 'excruciatingly beautiful' novel from a celebrated poet
02 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Aaron Cance from...
Colson Whitehead's new novel 'is the work of a master'
26 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Danny Caine at T...
Constantinople; Michelangelo; Elephants
19 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Matt Keliher fro...
The absurd, hilarious classic you shouldn't skip
12 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Brandy O'Briant ...
'Beautiful' essays that address race, family, religion and more
28 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Allison Punch fr...
'Great writing, great style, a nice long page turner'
21 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Darryl Peck of R...
An 'absolutely wonderful' novel of hidden identities
14 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Gerilee Hundt at...
'Hands down, it's the best book I've ever read'
07 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Wesley Minter fr...
The power of an unforgettable character
31 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Lori Fisher from...
It begins with a letter in a cemetery
24 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Rayna Nielsen ...
Where myth, magical realism and women's bodies mix
17 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Jen Murvin fro...
An assassin walks into a library
03 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with David Enyeart ...
A family road trip story unlike any you've read
26 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Matt Keliher f...
Escaping death -- seven or eight times
19 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke to Carol Price from...
From Broadway to your bookshelf
09 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Susan Smelser ...
'Grace and power' on full display in this new story collection
05 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Abbey Paxton f...
A space opera with a side of Byzantine history? Let's do this
22 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Aaron Cance fr...
A myth-like novel that's 'original in its approach to magic'
15 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Joe Chevalier ...
A man looks back on those he lost
08 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Vicki Burger f...
What does a father mean when you've never had one?
01 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Jake Howell f...
What Shakespeare teaches us about tyrants
22 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Chris Upton f...
The totally fascinating history of ... milk?
15 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Sara Rishfort...
Laughs, loss and a spunky goat come together in a new road-trip novel
08 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Dave Richardso...
A story collection with characters so vivid 'you inhabit their bones'
01 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Hannah Oliver ...
Capturing the 'Voices of Mississippi'
25 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Kelle Barfield...
The personal, the political, the poetic
18 Jan 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Danny Caine, t...
The love story of C.S. Lewis and Joy Davidman
23 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Betsy Grant fr...
'Definitely not for the squeamish, but endlessly fascinating'
16 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Josh Myers fro...
This novel delivers a 'mix of horror and elegance'
02 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Annie Metcalf ...
A shadowy book about the end of the world and the power of letters
26 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Margaret Leona...
'Woman World': Where the future is female
19 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Emma Nichols f...
A book that proposes 'every living thing has two bodies'
12 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Daley Farr at ...
A 'fresh, unpredictable' Western with a strong female lead
21 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Aaron Cance fr...
An almost-too-real portrait of modern Russia
14 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Kate Jacobs fr...
Brash, funny and tender: A new poetry collection for your reading list
07 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Danny Caine fr...
Bob Dylan, Woody Guthrie and the history of protest
31 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Ruth Hulbert f...
'The Wedding Portrait' explains activism for a young audience
24 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Sara Luce Look...
An immortal goddess gets her due
18 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Stephanie Schi...
When you suddenly become 'internet famous'
10 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Tom Roberge Ri...
A look at the history of Canada's residential schools
03 Aug 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Mara Panich-Cr...
Take this book on your next picnic, and hope for rain
27 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Rebecca Dowlin...
Twist alert: Here's the 'perfect mystery for summer'
20 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Aubrey Restifo...
Historical fiction and magical realism meet in Alaska
13 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Charlotte Glov...
This novel is 'a thinker's summer read'
06 Jul 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Melissa DeMott...
'The writing is just electric': A bookseller on his favorite read of the year
29 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Matt Keliher o...
A (cute) lesson in how 'you can be different -- and yet still be friends'
08 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Julie Poling f...
Recipes for a good story
01 Jun 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Jake Reiss fro...
Murakami mesmerizes with his fiction, but his nonfiction is not to be missed
25 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Lucas Mcguffie...
'A good, old-fashioned page turner' from Jennifer Egan
18 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Linda Kass fro...
An 'elegant, accessible, transcendent, earthy' poetry collection
04 May 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Nathan Montoya...
When Teddy Roosevelt went to the Amazon
27 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Jinny Amundson...
If the Civil War ended with zombies
20 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Jessica Cox, a...
For Ferrante fans, another story of 'a very strong woman, very well told'
14 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Danny Caine, t...
'You're rooting for the good guys, and you can just smell and breathe the bad guys'
07 Apr 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Anne Waters at...
Would you want to know the exact date of your death?
31 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Val Stadick, t...
An author who starts where most others end
24 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Steve Iwanski ...
A powerful look at black girls' path through the education system
17 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Clarrissa Cro...
'Loaded': A look at the complex history of the Second Amendment
10 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Alyson Jones T...
'Based on a True Story': A creepy, twisty page-turner
03 Mar 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Morgan Miller,...
'Black Panther' fans, here's your next read
24 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Jeffrey Blair...
A novel on the power and pains of sisterhood
10 Feb 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Every week, The Thread checks in with booksellers around the country about their favorite books of the moment. This week, we spoke with Susan Hans O'C...