What We're Reading

Family, friends and skateboarding are at the center of this heartfelt and compelling new young adult novel “Medicine Wheels” by Red Lake Nation writer Byron Graves.

Meg Charlton’s debut novel “Voyagers” examines the power of friendship while the world reels from a mysterious transmission from the solar system.

Darby Bozeman’s novel “Summer’s Never Over” is a satisfying and suspenseful debut set in an isolated summer camp in the mountains of Georgia.

Independent journalist and "domestic war correspondent" Justin Glawe’s new book "If I Am Coming to Your Town, Something Terrible Has Happened" is compelling and eye-opening.

Reaching Rural Readers sends free books to rural Minnesota high school students. This summer's list includes books by Dawn Quigley, K. Woodman-Maynard, and Kenneth Cadow.

Reaching Rural Readers sends free books to rural Minnesota high school students. This summer's list includes books by Dawn Quigley, K. Woodman-Maynard, and Kenneth Cadow.

In “The Creature’s guide to Caring,” science writer Elizabeth Preston uses examples of animal parenting to show how humans have evolved to care for each other.

Children’s librarian Tracy Kampa reviews new books by Melanie Florence, Deborah Underwood, Joslin Brorsen, and Aaron Starmer.

Writer Sarah L. Kaufman’s “Verb Your Enthusiasm” is an elegant guide to the promise, power and poetry of the underrated verb.

"What We're Reading" producer and host Tammy Bobrowsky celebrates KAXE's 50 years with a look back into the archives. Favorites include John Green, Jess Lourey, Byron Graves and more.

Children’s librarian Tracy Kampa reviews new books by Steph Lau, Felicita Sala, Tracey Baptiste and Sara Pennypacker.

Science journalist and writer Annalee Newitz’s “Automatic Noodle” features a group of robots who open a Biangbiang noodle restaurant. Will they be crushed by bad reviews?

Children’s librarian Tracy Kampa reviews new books from Drew Beckmeyer, Mary Logue, and Chanel Miller.

In “Sea of Grass,” Dave Hage and Josephine Marcotty dig into the history, science and future of the North American Prairie — painting a vivid portrait of this diverse, but disappearing ecosystem.

"To Kill a Cook" features a food critic who finds the severed head of a famed French chef in a mold of aspic in this enjoyable romp through the '70s New York restaurant scene.

In the new picture book “The Blue House I Loved” Minnesota author Kao Kalia Yang shares vivid memories of childhood and place. Illustrated by artist and architect Jen Shin.

Minnesota writer David Hakensen takes a deep dive into the life of Helen Hoover, nature writer who lived and wrote in her cabin on Gunflint Lake, in "Her Place in the Woods: The Life of Helen Hoover."

Children’s librarian Tracy Kampa recaps the winners of the 2026 Youth Media Awards celebrating contributions to children's literature. Renée Watson's "All the Blues in the Sky" was this year's Newbery winner.

Children's librarian Tracy Kampa recommends new books from Beth Ferry, Daniel Miyares and Katherine Applegate. Plus, her recap of possible 2026 Newbery Medal contenders.

“The Lighthouse at the Edge of the World” focuses on grief and perseverance, drawing on Greek mythology to create a contemporary fantasy on the shores of Lake Michigan in Chicago.