Repeatedly named the “Most Literate City in the United States,” the Twin Cities has played host to numerous visiting national writers via book tours, festivals, and lectures. This curation presents broadcasts over the decades of writer’s voices in form of speech, interview, and discussion.
May 8, 1986 - Midday presents the late John Ciardi delivering an address called "Why Read?" Following speech, a segment of New Letters on the Air with Ciardi reading some of his poetry (The Collectors; The Glory; Happiness; For Myra, John L. and Benn; Mutterings; Obsolescence; Habitat; and Perversity).
May 22, 1986 - New York Times reporter Andrew Malcolm, author of Final Harvest: An American Tragedy, speaks to the Minnesota Press Club about his story of the murder of Ruthton, Minnesota, bankers Rudy Blythe and Toby Thulin.
September 27, 1986 - On Weekend, John Louis Anderson answers listener questions about the topic raised by his book, Scandinavian Humor and Other Myths.
November 9, 1987 - Kate Moos presents a feature on author Randy Shilts and his book, And the Band Played On. The book tells history of AIDS disease in U.S., exploring the homophobia of the media as well as the presidency of Ronald Reagan. Reports contains various statements by Shilts.
April 13, 1989 - A Midday broadcast of a speech by author and broadcaster Studs Terkel given in Minneapolis at the Westminster Town Hall Forum. Terkel’s address is entitled "America's Two Faces…Concerning Greed."
April 13, 1989 - MPR’s Euan Kerr reports on commentary from author and oral historian Studs Terkel, who expresses his concern over the lack of knowledge of history in the public sphere. Terkel says it has led to what he describes as shamelessness.
October 23, 1989 - Bill McKibben, author of The End of Nature, talks about our global environment, the damage already done, and the prospects for the future. MPR’s environmental reporter Tom Meersman joins the conversation.
January 5, 1990 - Midday broadcasts a 1989 NPR recording of Carl Sagan, author and astrophysicist, speaking at a Washington D.C. conference co-sponsored by the AMA National Initiative for Science and Technology. Sagan’s address, entitled "Education: Strategies for Change," deals with the dangers of a scientifically illiterate population.
April 18, 1990 - Chinese American writer and activist Bette Bao Lord talks about her book, Legacies: A Chinese Mosaic. Program also includes listener participation.
December 26, 1990 - On this Midday program, a documentary on Iceland satirical poet Kristjan Niels Julius, followed by an interview with author Barry Lopez.