Talking Volumes
Talking Volumes is a literary collaboration between the Star Tribune and Minnesota Public Radio that brings high-profile authors to the Twin Cities for a live interview, later broadcast on MPR, accompanied by in-depth stories about the writers in the Star Tribune.
Writer Ross Gay's new book is about finding joy in the face of loss
The poet and essayist will discuss his works in St. Paul at the Fitzgerald Theater Nov. 2.
For author and Talking Volumes guest Dani Shapiro, it's the small things that count
Her new novel owes its existence to a chance decision — which is also a major theme of the book.
In Celeste Ng's dark new novel 'Our Missing Hearts,' libraries shine a light
Ng will appear at Talking Volumes Oct. 26.
Author and former nun Karen Armstrong reflects on climate change and 'Sacred Nature'
Talking Volumes guest wonders: Is there a spiritual solution to climate change?
Four writers, including Celeste Ng and Dani Shapiro, coming for Talking Volumes
New season opens Sept. 14 with Karen Armstrong, concludes in November with poet Ross Gay.
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.
How Twin Cities-bound bestselling author Amor Towles built 'The Lincoln Highway'
The author of "A Gentleman in Moscow" talks about how he set the stage for his new 1950s-set adventure.
22 years, 120 great authors: The complete list of Talking Volumes guests, 2000-21
From Atwood to Wilkerson, the Star Tribune-MPR series has spotlighted some of the finest writers of the past two decades.
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.
Craving 'a world without men,' author Lauren Groff found one in 12th-century England
Talking Volumes guest Lauren Groff explores the lives of medieval nuns in "Matrix."
Talking Volumes returns to St. Paul's Fitzgerald with Kate DiCamillo leading an all-star lineup
Authors Lauren Groff, Amor Towles and William Kent Krueger also will appear in person after a year of virtual events.
Race and identity fuel Naima Coster's extraordinary stories of everyday lives
"Writing is the thing that gives my life the greatest joy," says Talking Volumes guest.
Chang-rae Lee made big changes — then created a character who does, too
Chang-rae Lee talks about how he found the story he needed to tell.
Attuned to the Earth's moods, revered Native writer N. Scott Momaday sounds an alarm
"The Earth is getting angry with us," says the Pulitzer winner, part of a special Talking Volumes series on race in America.
In his journey from jail to Yale Law, felon-turned-poet writes 'to remember who I am'
Felon-turned-lawyer/poet Reginald Dwayne Betts kicks off a Talking Volumes series about race.
Special spring Talking Volumes series to focus on race
Four writers of color will discuss their work in the context of race in America.
Americans shouldn't be afraid to inspect our collective 'basement,' says famed author Isabel Wilkerson
She discusses her new book about the structural roots of racism for a Talking Volumes audience.
Pandemic affected how author Sarah M. Broom feels about home
The bestselling writer of "The Yellow House" discusses her "obsession" in a Talking Volumes interview.
Isabel Wilkerson says her new book 'Caste' is 'an X-ray of our country,' exposing what divides us
Author says her book reveals the "bones" underlying our nation's divisions.
Author Sarah M. Broom made childhood home into something much bigger in 'The Yellow House'
Talking Volumes guest rebuilt "The Yellow House" as a metaphor of America.
Meet beloved nature writer Helen Macdonald – and her pet parrot
Interviewed via Zoom from her English cottage, the author introduced Talking Volumes guests to her housemate.
British nature writer Helen Macdonald soars with followup to 'H Is for Hawk'
As species disappear, "H Is for Hawk" author Helen Macdonald takes a bolder stance in her new book.
Famed author Claudia Rankine brings her conversation about race to Minnesotans via Zoom
Watch the writer's appearance as she opened our Talking Volumes book series.
In her new book 'Just Us,' Claudia Rankine invites us all to talk about white privilege
Silence on the issue equals "the constant death of Black people," says the first guest in this year's virtual Talking Volumes series,
Pulitzer-winning writer Isabel Wilkerson joins Talking Volumes lineup
The author of "Caste" will close out the virtual series of literary conversations Oct. 13.
With an all-woman lineup, this year's Talking Volumes book series goes virtual
The annual series will deliver authors Yaa Gyasi, Helen Macdonald, Claudia Rankine and Sarah Broom via Zoom.
Former poet laureate Tracy K. Smith rediscovered poetry's power while crisscrossing rural America
Smith, who might be poetry's most generous ambassador, will discuss that love Nov. 21 in St. Paul as the final guest of this year's Talking Volumes series.
Writer Lindy West tackles everything from abortion to Donald Trump
Fierce and funny writer Lindy West fights misogyny in the media, arguing that bad pop culture breeds bad politics.
Author and ex-nun Karen Armstrong on scripture: 'Religion ... is an art form'
Sacred writings lose their purpose when reduced to an arbiter to resolve feuds, exclude or oppress, argues Talking Volumes guest Karen Armstrong.
Minnesota novelist who thought he'd die in Vietnam wrestles with mortality once more
Tim O'Brien's memoir, "Dad's Maybe Book," is filled with advice and stories for his young sons to savor when he's gone.
Books
Saeed Jones on coming-out memoir: 'I'm living a dream come true, but at what cost?'
In a new memoir, poet Saeed Jones relates his struggles as a young black gay man in Texas.
Books
'Write my life': A stranger's plea inspired Alice Hoffman's new novel
An encounter years ago led to Alice Hoffman's new Holocaust-inspired novel.
Books
Talking Volumes 2019 brings 6 celebrated writers, including Minnesota's own Tim O'Brien
The literary series includes four nonfiction books and a collection by former poet laureate Tracy K. Smith.
Books
Novelist Alexander McCall Smith comes to Minnesota: 'I love writing people's conversations'
The prolific author of the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series doesn't need "a high body count."
Stage & Arts
Sally Field comes to Minn. with new memoir: 'It became my confidante'
As Sally Field pieced together her storied life, a new memoir "became my confidante, my best friend, my companion."
Around the Region
- Nobel laureate Kenzaburo Oe, writer of poetic fiction, dies
- For Japan's star poet Tanikawa, it's fun, not work, at 90
- Aliu lands book deal on how he confronted racism in hockey
- Obama, Patti Smith among PEN America honorees
- PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BEST-SELLERS
- Author Tracey Davis, daughter of Sammy Davis Jr., dies at 59
- Tarantino has deal for 2 books on films, including 1 his own
- Apple Books-Top-10
- McBride, Rankine among nominees for Carnegie literary medals
- Beloved arts facility Poets House suspends operations
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