Recent content from Laurie Hertzel
Picture books with a message
New picture books for children raise consciousness, teach about social justice and celebrate nature.
Bookmark: The importance of staggering books
It's important to have more than one book going at a time — just like it's important to have more than one dog.
Bookmark: Humor, the necessary ingredient
Full, rich and, yes, funny characters can give light and air to a big serious novel.
Diane Wilson, Douglas Kearney among 2022 Minnesota Book Award winners
Nine authors, an illustrator and a book artist went home Tuesday night with awards.
Bookmark: The return of the Uncles and other good news
As Indie Bookstore Day approaches, Milkweed Books, Storied Owl and Uncle Hugo's to reopen; SubText nears 10-year milestone.
Review: 'Search,' by Michelle Huneven
FICTION: A group of idealistic Unitarians search for a new minister and find that they agree on very little.
Why do we keep worn-out books?
Bookmark: Well worn and falling apart, some books are too precious to replace.
From mountains to the sea, Ireland's Dingle Way makes one hiker feel 'wonderfully alive'
The rugged landscape of southwest Ireland touched something deep inside this hiker, drawing her back again and again.
Review: Keillor veers between reality, fantasy and revenge in 'Boom Town: A Lake Wobegon Novel'
FICTION: Garrison Keillor's new novel is about a man named Garrison Keillor who returns to Lake Wobegon and romanticizes his youth.
Retiring Graywolf Press publisher Fiona McCrae wins Kay Sexton Award
The longtime publisher of Graywolf Press will be honored in April at the Minnesota Book Awards.
One Book One Minnesota picks Brian Farrey novel
The newest book to be part of the statewide book club is "The Secret of Dreadwillow Carse."
Don't Miss: 'Cress Watercress' by Gregory Maguire, illustrated by David Litchfield
A charming fable of a rabbit family and its friends — and enemies.
Essay: The great Duluth winter mystery of 1962
A clanking furnace, frigid weather and a missing butter knife made for a memorable Minnesota winter.
Bookmark: Readers revisit the slow read — and sleuth cookie recipes, too
Even when reading slowly, sometimes you race through books. And sometimes you get cookies.
Review: 'French Braid,' by Anne Tyler
FICTION: In her 24th novel, Anne Tyler captures the avoidances and silences of family life.
Review: 'Listening Still,' by Anne Griffin
Don't Miss: What happens in a life when you are afraid to make choices that might hurt those who count on you.
Bookmark: Reading about other people's gardens tides us over until we can plant our own
Three books that remind us there is green under all this snow.
Don't miss: 'Voices From Pejuhutazizi,' by Teresa Peterson and Walter LaBatte Jr.
Don't miss: 'Voices From Pejuhutazizi,' by Teresa Peterson and Walter LaBatte Jr.Dakota storytellers, Teresa Peterson writes, are "loved and respected," seen as keepers of culture,…
Review: 'The Sisters Sweet,' by Elizabeth Weiss
When a Vaudeville twins act is broken up, the remaining girl must figure out how to move on.
Club Book will present National Book Award winner Jason Mott and 8 other writers
The livestream series begins this month with "Hamnet" author Maggie O'Farrell.
Laurie Hertzel: Banning books like 'Maus' is the work of bigots
It's no coincidence that banned books are often written by people who have been persecuted and marginalized.
Finalists announced for Minnesota Book Awards
Mostly first-time nominees on this year's list; awards ceremony will be in-person this spring.
Bookmark: Rediscovering the joy of the 'Slow Read'
If you're planning to read a book, who cares how long it takes to read it? Who's keeping score?
Literary Rocket Man
Minneapolis writer's buzzy debut novel tackles climate change, plague and the salvation of outer space.
His cousin's long-lost book was a poignant surprise for Minn.'s former U.S. Sen. Rudy Boschwitz
Ulrich Boschwitz wrote his novel about a German Jew on the run in the days after Kristallnacht.
Bookmark: Sometimes we keep books so we can give them away
Why, I ask myself, do I have such an absurd number of books?
The Loft Literary Center to delay Wordplay
Annual writers festival will take 2022 off, reconvene in 2023.
Want to make a New Year's promise you can keep? Try these 11 Low Effort Resolutions
Need an emotional boost as we head into what could be another tough year? Make a resolution you know you can achieve.
Bookmark: 10 books to look forward to in 2022
These titles will publish in the first quarter of the year.
Bookmark: In praise of physical books
All kinds of books are good, but physical books can have a magical beauty.
The Puppy Chronicles: Canine Prozac Nation
After a year on one anti-anxiety medication, we switched Angus to generic Prozac. It helps — some. But does it help enough?
Holiday books: Picture books for children
History, stories, laughter and a few tears in these spectacular picture books with Minnesota ties.
Arleta Little named executive director of the Loft Literary Center
Former head of the McKnight Artist Fellowships will replace Britt Udesen, who left in May.
50+ essential books for your winter reading and holiday shopping lists
Page-turners that will make you laugh, cry, reflect and escape when the weather outside is frightening.
Minneapolis printmaker Cathy Ryan wins Book Artist Award for her work about the pandemic
The printmaker will be honored in April at Minnesota Book Awards ceremony.
Best-selling Minnesota author, poet Robert Bly dies at 94
He started out writing bucolic poems about rural Minnesota and became a best-selling author teaching men how to be in touch with their feelings. He was 94.
Statewide book club highlights Kao Kalia Yang memoir
Yang will discuss 'The Song Poet' in a December event for the public.
Don't Miss: 'Woodrow on the Bench,' by Jenna Blum
I'm not sure there is any experience more poignant than caring for an elderly pet in its final months; I'm not sure there's any creature…
Bookmark: The contrary view of book clubs
So are book clubs paradise, or hell? In last week's column, I ran comments from readers who love their book clubs. Today I give you…
Fiona McCrae, who turned Minnesota's Graywolf Press into a national force, is stepping down
Graywolf books have won the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize and the National Book Award, among other laurels.
The ghosts, past and present, that haunt renowned Minnesota novelist Louise Erdrich
Her new novel is a ghost story set in a Minneapolis bookstore very much like Erdrich's own.
Don't Miss: 40th anniversary of 'Bring Warm Clothes'
It's been 40 years since former Star Tribune reporter Peg Meier took a leave of absence from the newspaper, secured a grant and set…
Bookmark: Readers absolutely love their book clubs
A while back, I wrote a column in which I dithered about joining a book club. I belonged to a book club about 20…
Bestselling St. Paul author William Kent Krueger doesn't claim to be a writer: 'I'm a storyteller'
The latest in his Cork O'Connor mystery series brings him to the Fitzgerald Theater Wednesday.
Bookmark: The Minnesota Prison Writing Workshop turns 10
We caught up with workshop founder Jen Bowen.
REVIEW: 'A Line to Kill,' by Anthony Horowitz
FICTION: A wealthy playboy is found murdered during a writers festival, and the line of suspects is long.
Bookmark: Order books now for holidays
Supply chain issues are delaying printing and shipping. Order early to ensure you get what you need.
DON'T MISS: 'The Electricity of Every Living Thing,' by Katherine May
Don't Miss: 'The Electricity of Every Living Thing,' by Katherine May
Meet Gwen Westerman, the new state poet laureate
First Native to hold role hopes to shine a spotlight on the state's many poets and encourage young people to write.
The Puppy Chronicles: The nose knows
A dog's nose is 100 million times more sensitive than yours. Sniffing games and nose work give those mighty snouts a great workout.
The lost manuscript of Kate DiCamillo
Her new book, "The Beatryce Prophecy," sprang from a rediscovered draft that she had abandoned after the death of her beloved mother.
Long-lost manuscript sparked a new book by famed Minneapolis author Kate DiCamillo
Her new book "The Beatryce Prophecy" sprang from a draft she started and then abandoned after the death of her beloved mother.
10 most anticipated, must-read books of the fall
'Harlem Shuffle'Two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner Colson Whitehead tells the story of a cash-strapped furniture salesman in 1960s Harlem who turns to shady ways to provide for…
Review: 'Lieutenant Dangerous,' by Jeff Danziger
Lieutenant Dangerous: A Vietnam War MemoirBy Jeff Danziger. (Steerforth Press, 208 pages, $14.95.) There are moments of wry humor in "Lieutenant Dangerous," a memoir by…
Rain Taxi's Twin Cities Book Festival goes hybrid this fall
The annual Rain Taxi Twin Cities Book Festival usually takes place in October — and it will this year, as well. But get out your…
