Recent content from Kim Ode
Review: 'Northernmost,' by Peter Geye
FICTION: The final volume of Peter Geye's trilogy takes readers to Minnesota's North Shore, and to 19th-century Norway.
Review: 'Who Are You, Calvin Bledsoe?' by Brock Clarke
FICTION: A lonely middle-aged man takes off with his aunt on a trip of adventures and crimes. And yes, you've read something like this before.
Holiday shopping for the baker in your life? The 12 best new baking books
Add these to your list of holiday must-haves, whether it's for a gift for a favorite baker or for yourself.
Review: 'A Woman of No Importance,' by Sonia Purnell
NONFICTION: The riveting and sometimes harrowing story of Virginia Hall, the one-legged American spy who confounded the Germans.
Review: 'Deep Creek,' by Pam Houston
NONFICTION: In this quietly stunning memoir, Pam Houston finds kindness and solace in unusual places.
Minneapolis bakers tell you how to make holiday breads in 5 minutes
The bread-in-5 duo is back, this time with more butter, to the delight of one of the authors.
There are no stupid questions when it comes to Thanksgiving hot lines
Need help for Thanksgiving? There's lots of advice out there for everyone hosting their first Thanksgiving, or even old hands wondering how to rev up their traditional feast.
Thanksgiving hot lines offer last-minute help for cooks
Last minute questions as you're putting the early (or final) touch to the big meal? Help is nearby.
Feast your eyes on the best baking books of the year
Whether it's for you or a holiday gift, these new baking books will send many to the kitchen in a flurry of flour and sugar.
If the reader disagrees with the critic, who is right?
If you read a review that disagrees with your opinion of the book, do you wonder what you missed?
'Hamilton' biographer comes to St. Paul with another poignant portrait
"Hamilton" biographer sets his sights on another U.S. icon, but don't expect a Broadway musical.
Review: 'Killing It: An Education,' by Camas Davis
NONFICTION: An American food writer heads to France to learn about butchering meat.
For daring sailors, Lake Superior beckons with moments of terror and serenity
The beauty and danger of sailing a great, untamed lake.
Know your sugars, from demerara to muscovado to confectioner's
White or brown, sugar is essential to most baked goods. But each kind has its own character.
Review: 'Gunflint Burning: Fire in the Boundary Waters,' by Cary J. Griffith
NONFICTION: "Gunflint Burning" is a riveting account of the Ham Lake Fire — a disaster that didn't have to happen.
Death doulas provide comfort on final journey: 'We know how to die'
End-of-life doulas fill an emotional gap between doctors, family and attitudes about dying.
Rebuilding Together Twin Cities' Ramp Crew helps people navigate way back into homes
The group of retired Honeywell employees has, since forming in 2012, built more than 30 ramps for people in need.
Confused about bittersweet? Dutch cocoa? And what's up with white chocolate?
Baking with chocolate has its rules, but mostly it boils down to how intense we like our flavors.
Photo project puts cameras in hands of parents with gravely ill children
The idea began as a nice gesture for parents of children hospitalized with serious conditions, not for days, but for months. So much waiting, so…
Jane Freeman, mother of Mike Freeman and a founding force of the DFL Party, dies at 96
The former first lady of Minnesota forged new roles for women.
Mary Anderson, pioneer of women's baseball, dies at 100
Growing up across from Comiskey Park, home to the Chicago White Sox, Mary Julia Orban was bound to develop a love for baseball. But she…
St. Paul grad works to revitalize indigenous languages through children's books
Skyler Kuczaboski, now a freshman at Dartmouth College in Hanover, N.H., has created a children's book in the Ojibwe language.
Art in Bloom draws aspiring Minnesota floral designers: 'It's spring!'
An annual ritual at the Minneapolis Institute of Art begins with a lot of fingers crossed.
Don't call it plain – vanilla is complex, even smoky, and may be a baker's best friend
Despite its reputation as bland, vanilla is a baker's best friend.
Minnesota's gold medal hockey champ Hannah Brandt celebrated on Kemps milk
Milk jugs elbow cereal boxes as Olympic honor comes to dairy cases.
Two Mpls. families' weekly commitment to each other, over dinner, spans 30 years
The two households' weekly dinners are a testament to intention and connection.
Minneapolis man finds 'soul's purpose' in historical photographs of Indians
A Minneapolis man has dedicated his life to the legacy of photographer Edward S. Curtis.
Lake Superior has its own Twitter account – and it's even sassier than Mount St. Helens'
Feel the earth move? Nope, that's just Twitter, home to geologic features that tweet.
Lake Superior explains why it loves Twitter
So who’s behind the geologic banter on Twitter? We contacted @LakeSuperior’s digital ventriloquist, where he tweets from Marquette, Mich. He preferred to keep his…
Review: 'The Great Alone,' by Kristin Hannah
FICTION: Heart-pounding novel about starting over is set in Alaskan wilderness in '70s.
For stroke of luck, try Father of Waters statue in Mpls. City Hall
Superstitious sightseers entering the spectacular five-story rotunda will see "Mississippi: The Father of Waters" lounging in modest Minnesotan nudity.
What's up with different cinnamons? Can I choose wrong? Not really.
Don't worry too much about different cinnamon varieties when baking.
Chaska man bakes bread to share happiness and sustenance
What Chris Boles wants people — especially kids — to understand is that you can do amazing things with your own two hands. The heart often follows.
Review: 'The Stowaway,' by Laurie Gwen Shapiro
NONFICTION: The tale of a young stowaway to Antarctica illuminates American culture as it emerges from the 1920s.
It's January in Minnesota, so just make like a bear and hibernate
Hibernating is rejuvenating, and January is cold, so hunker down.
Regretting that last martini? Here's how to ease a hangover
Did you party heartily and are paying the price? Read on. (But don't hold your breath.)
Oft-burned Vikings fans temper joy to avoid Super Bowl jinx
Vikings fans whisper "Skol!" trying not to tempt their Super Bowl karma.
Edina teen athlete and budding scientist wins national poetry award
A Twin Cities high school student aims to help kids discover through poetry that "it's cool to be you."
Why eclectic Minnesota accompanist Dan Chouinard is 'everyone's go-to guy'
Twin Cities music man Dan Chouinard wants you to put away your ear buds and sing with him.
Twin Cities cook offers love letter to classic Swedish holiday fare in 'Jul'
Patrice Johnson celebrates our "immigrant nation" in new cookbook.
Is trick-or-treating dead? Not really, but it's been tamed
Kids are still celebrating Halloween, but in a safer — if still candy-fueled — way.
'It'll always be Camp Snoopy': Airing it all out with #MinnesotaConfessions
Minnesotans shared a few shameful secrets on Twitter this week — and couldn't stop.
Let pumpkin shine anew in a marbled brownie
Pumpkin gets a reprieve from the spice trend when swirled into a chocolately brownie.
Minnesota's Michele Tafoya: A sports reporter in a man's world
The popular sports reporter reigns by ignoring crowd catcalls, prepping hard and staying focused on the game.
'Fake Food' writer warns consumers about 'pure audacity' of food makers
Author of "fake food" exposé asks: What's really in that burger?
Review: 'Nomadland,' by Jessica Bruder
NONFICTION: Journalist looks at the growing number of "houseless" folks forced to move between seasonal jobs.
Making homemade apple strudel calls for some bare-knuckle baking
Apple strudel is a trifecta of desserts: It's fun to say ("struuuu-dle"), fun to eat and — trust us — fun to make.
'Witness activism' drew Minnesota couple to live outdoors in BWCA for a year
A Minnesota couple's purposeful year in the Boundary Waters is revealed in a new book.
U's Dr. Davis Logsdon is an expert on everything — too bad he's not real
A fictional University of Minnesota professor's quotes fill satirist Andy Borowitz's column in the New Yorker.
Review: 'This Blessed Earth,' by Ted Genoways
NONFICTION: A Nebraska family struggles to keep a small farm afloat.
Review: 'The History of Bees,' by Maja Lunde, is about chemistry, both agricultural and familial
FICTION: A Norwegian novel explores a dark future without bees, as well as the struggle among parents and children.
Got beets? Got zucchini? Then you have the secrets to tasty quick breads
No sneaky nutrition here. Vegetables are proud ingredients in these quick breads.
Beer Choir combines love of suds and singing: 'Zero talent is required'
In the words of the official theme song: "The Beer Choir is the choir that sings while drinking beer."
We're more distrusting than we used to be, but expert on lying says all is not lost
Amid fake news and alternative facts, it's funny how trusting we remain.
Carve wood, make potica: Minnesota's folk schools teach heritage crafts
Growing movement enables people to learn traditional skills, as well as connect with others.
REVIEW: 'South Pole Station,' by Ashley Shelby.
FICTION: Science needn't fear scrutiny — that is, if it's any good. Same with people.
As language grows more profane, office talk takes a turn for the curse
As conversations at work get bluer, some people are seeing red. But the shift to more casual profanity may be here to stay.
St. Paul is throwing a big party for F. Scott Fitzgerald, and you're invited
International conference honors native Minnesotan and Jazz Age writer.
Review: 'Anything Is Possible,' by Elizabeth Strout
FICTION: Connections of small-town life weave web that is suffocating and affirming.
Bethlehem Lutheran Pastor Chris Nelson dies at 64
Nelson died June 18 at home in Eden Prairie with family and friends after a pancreatic cancer diagnosis in November.
Minnesotan behind viral giant dog Instagrams mauled by a cow — and survives
The Instagrammer of Juji the giant doodle — with more than 100,000 followers — is recuperating and has even posted a photo of the aftermath.
Gluten-free food festival coming to Minneapolis this weekend
The largest local fest of its kind showcases more than 70 exhibitors, with food, speakers and demonstrations.
Mysterious Shoe Tree is University of Minnesota's 'weird landmark'
From a distance, the tree appears home to a dense flock of starlings. As you get closer, you can see that it's an artful tossing of shoes. For decades, students have flung them there — but why?
Swirls of light and dark rye dough make a looker of a loaf
The swirls and curves of dark and light rye add some pizazz where it's least expected, especially with sandwiches.
Minnesotans joining the women's movement in their 60s: 'We're done being quiet'
After a lifetime on the sidelines of activism, many older women are jumping into the game.
Obituary: Gen McCarthy, who managed landscape and floral associations, loved being Irish
Gen McCarthy’s favorite adjective for people she liked was “peppy.” And because she liked most people, the word got a lot of use. “Mom had…
Black Bride editor: Diversity still a challenge in bridal business
Black Bride editor Mary Chatman is coming to the Twin Cities to lead a discussion about inclusiveness.
Richard Johnson, the "Music Man" of Roosevelt High School, dies at age 92
Richard Johnson felt music in his bones, and enabled countless teenagers to feel it in their hearts. From 1963 to 1983, Johnson led the band…
One, two, three, four! What makes a protest song really soar?
Protest songs have a long history, but the forms and the culture may be changing their purpose.
Think ice is hot? So do the frozen fingers behind a local ice sculpting business
Ice sculptor's frozen gift to her neighborhood falls prey to unseasonable warmth.
Prior Lake bakery invites you to write a valentine the old-fashioned way — on a typewriter
The free event allows customers to write a valentine on several old-school typewriters.
Resistance is futile with one of these luscious Valentine's Day desserts
Making sweets for your sweetie is a piece of cake — and pie — and custard.
Having trouble with Medicare forms? Minneapolis social worker is here to help
A Minneapolis social worker helps boomers learn their Medicare A, B, C and D's.
The joy of reading a familiar book
In the midst of the seasonal bout of decluttering, the question always arises: Why are we holding onto books we've already read?The answer doesn't vary:…
Mary Tyler Moore was an icon of independence for many women
Mary Richards may not be an icon to younger viewers who grew up wanting to sip cosmopolitans with Carrie Bradshaw or vanquish vampires alongside Buffy…
