CURRENTLY READING
The Thief Of Words by Anthony Bukoski
Tuesday, January 13 through Friday, January 16, 2026
Read by Norman Gilliland
The lightly interconnected stories in this riveting collection take place in the Polish American community of northern Wisconsin, where refugees from World War II were resettled. Exploring themes of dislocation and assimilation, love and loneliness, and generational conflict, Bukoski admirably paints portraits of people doing their best, despite the odds and their sometimes-thwarted attempts to follow the urgings of their better angels.
(University of Wisconsin Press; ISBN: 9780299351748)
“The Thief of Words”: From The Thief of Words by Anthony Bukoski. Originally published in Hypertext. Reprinted by permission of the University of Wisconsin Press. © Anthony Bukoski. All rights reserved.
“A World of Accordions” and “A Sea Story”: From The Thief of Words by Anthony Bukoski. Reprinted by permission of the University of Wisconsin Press. © 2025 by Anthony Bukoski. All rights reserved.
THEME: Artur Rubinstein The Chopin Collection The Waltzes, Frederic Chopin, Waltz in A Minor, Opus 34, Nr. 2; Waltz in F Major, Opus 34 Nr 3
“Thief Of Words” is available at bookstores and here.
Readings are archived for one week following the broadcast day of the last chapter due to publisher 
copyright restrictions.
Latest Episodes
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The Thief Of Words 3 of 4 – Forget Me Not
Lily and Pete are in love. But when Pete enlists in the Military and receives special secret clearance, he becomes unresponsive to Lily and her letters. Feeling ignored and unloved, […]
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The Thief Of Words 2 of 4 – The Penitent
A high school, long-distance runner feels guilty for his many sins, including faking an injury. But after spending time with his married, philandering uncle he has questions. What is guilt? […]
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The Thief Of Words 1 of 4 – The Thief Of Words
A man recalls the time a Snowy Owl was poisoned at the mill where his father worked and the stories and lessons that came as a result of the incident. […]
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Shelter And Storm 11 Of 11 – Slow Blues
While recovering from a crippling bout of Lyme disease, Tamara learns of the slow blue butterfly, a rarity that only exists in a small area less than 50 miles from […]
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Shelter And Storm 10 Of 11 – River Bellweathers Part 2 & Night Vision
The number of native mussels increases in some areas of the state but greatly decreases in others. The DNR enlists citizen scientist volunteers to monitor the state’s waterways. Then, Jennie […]
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Coming Next
The Piano Shop On The Left Bank by Thad Carhart
Monday, january 19 through thursday, february 5, 2026
Read by jim fleming
Every morning as he walked his children to school, American ex-pat Carhart passed a small shop, Desforges Pianos, which called to him. But every time he went in he was rebuffed. Eventually he gained entry to a place of magic; a hangout where university professors and car mechanics from the neighborhood gathered to discuss music, love and life.
