August 9, 2016 - MPR’s Euen Kerr reports on poet, novelist and academic Gerald Vizenor’s new novel “Treaty Shirts.” Book is a satirical novel examining the impact of the document in the future, blending Ojibwe history, tradition, and dream narratives with popular culture and science technology to create a surreal but pointed view of modern native life. Report includes interview and reading from Vizenor.
January 7, 2011 - Immigrant farmers are fixtures at farmers' markets in the Twin Cities. But they don't sell as much to restaurants, grocery store chains, or direct to consumers through CSAs. In Minnesota, these are barriers that Hmong, Latino and African farmers face as they try to make a living off the land.
May 21, 2010 - Tim O'Brien pursues a truth in his fiction that is only somewhat based on what he experienced as a soldier in Vietnam. But the resonance of his work, particularly "The Things They Carried" has convinced people that the characters in his stories are drawn more precisely from life.
February 25, 2010 - Elizabeth Gilbert's first memoir, "Eat, Pray, Love," which chronicled her travels and personal renewal after a divorce, became a blockbuster bestseller. In her latest book, "Committed" she explains how she came to make peace with marriage as she gives it a second try with a new partner.
February 16, 2010 - Willa Cather's "My Antonia" captured the beauty of the prairie and the hardscrabble existence of European immigrants on the Nebraska plains. The author of a new stage adaptation of the novel, and a Cather scholar, talk about why the story still resonates.
December 31, 2009 - A portion of the billions of dollars in cuts Governer Tim Pawlenty made to balance the budget last summer are now on hold. Ramsey District Court Judge Kathleen Gearin ruled that a $5.3 million food program cut from the budget should be restored. In question are the remaining cuts. Guests Rep. Marty Seifert (R-Marshall): Former minority leader in the Minnesota House of Representatives. He's currently running for governor. Sen. Tarryl Clark (D-St. Cloud): Assistant majority leader in the Minnesota Senate. She is challenging Republican Michele Bachmann for Congress. David Lillehaug: Former Minnesota U.S. attorney. He's an attorney with Fredrikson and Byron. Sen. Julianne Ortman (R-Chanhassen): Serves on the Minnesota Senate Transportation committee. The toll of grief on a marriage A new debut novel explores the connection between chronic pain and the emotional pain of loss. St. Paul writer Kate Ledger brings her experience observing and writing about doctors to her contemplation of marriage and grief. 10:30 a.m. Guests Kate Ledger: Author of the new novel "Remedies."
December 3, 2009 - NPR film critic Kenneth Turan fills us in on the offerings of this holiday movie season, from adaptations of classic children's books to vampire fiction, apocalyptic sci-fi, and a George Clooney box office triple threat. New Moon", which is based on the second book of the vampire fiction series "Twilight". Kenneth Turan is a film critic for the LA Times. His latest book is called "Free for All: Joe Papp, The Public, and the Greatest Theater Story Ever Told." As more and more books are published every year, Harvard University's head librarian says the future for books and the publishing industry will be a digital one. The transition from print to computer will provide a test of how well we preserve our great works of literature. Devices such as Amazon's Kindle have accelerated publishers' new emphasis on digital books. Guest: Robert Darnton: Librarian at Harvard University and author of "The Case for Books."
October 28, 2009 - Segments from Kerri Miller Book Club events with Louise Erdrich and Diane Ackerman. Louise Erdrich talks about her novel, "Love Medicine" 25 years after the book was published. And Diane Ackerman talks about about the natural history of dawn, the subject of her book, "Dawn Light."
October 28, 2009 - Great writers of fiction and nonfiction have the ability to transport readers to different worlds and different times. Two book lovers join Midmorning to share their favorite books about exotic lands.
October 9, 2009 - On this Midmorning program, host Kerri Miller gets reaction from various individuals on the announcement of President Obama winning the Nobel Peace Prize.