DMPL Podcast: Recent Episodes
Des Moines Public Library
The official podcast of the Des Moines Public Library. Featuring interviews with authors, special guests to the library, your favorite library staff, and more!
The latest episode of Beyond the Shelves is all about love! Jes and Sarah discuss the new queer romances they're most excited for this summer.
Show Notes
What They're Reading
- Heir, by Sabaa Tahir
- Great Big Beautiful Life, by Emily Henry
- The Duke Who Didn't, by Courtney Milan
- Disappoint Me, by Nicola Dinan
- Dream On, Ramona Riley, by Ashley Herring Blake
To Be Read
- A Curse Carved in Bone, by Danielle L. Jensen
- Who is Government? by Michael Lewis
- Margo’s Got Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe
- Ready or Not, by Cara Bastone
- Promise Me Sunshine, by Cara Bastone
- Marsha: the Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson, by Tourmaline
- The Lilac People, by Milo Todd
Books About Love
- Kiss Me, Maybe, by Gabriella Gamez
- When the Tides Held the Moon, by Venessa Vida Kelly
- A Gentleman’s Gentleman, by T.J. Alexandar
- The Watermelon Woman (Kanopy)
- Broad City (3 seasons on DVD)
- An Island Princess Starts a Scandal, by Adriana Hererra
- Winging It With You, by Chip Pons
- Ordinary Love, by Marie Rutkoski
- The Birdcage (physical DVD)
- Schitt's Creek (all seasons on DVD)
On the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah chat about this summer's biggest releases and the books they're most excited about. As you might have guessed, they are not necessarily the same thing! Plus, find out which host is a vampire girlie and which is a werewolf girlie.
What They're Reading
- Promise Me Sunshine, by Cara Bastone
- Deep Cuts, by Holly Brickly
- Audition, by Katie Kitamura
- Bunny, by Mona Awad
- The Shots You Take, by Rachel Reid
- Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here, by Jonathan Blitzer
To Be Read
- Great Big Beautiful Life, by Emily Henry
- She’s a Lamb, by Meredith Hambrock
- Exit Zero, by Helene Marie Bertino
- Oathbound, by Tracy Deonn
- The River Has Roots, by Amal El-Mohtar
- When the Clock Broke, by John Ganz
What We're Excited For
- The Listeners, by Maggie Stiefvater (June 3)
- Endling, by Maria Reva (June 3)
- Ride With Me, by Simone Soltani (May 20)
- The Library at Hellebore, by Cassandra Khaw (July 22)
- A Curse Carved in Bone, by Danielle L. Jensen (May 13)
- Bury Your Bones in the Midnight Soil, by V.E. Schwab (June 10)
- The View From Lake Como, by Adriana Trigiani (July 8)
- I Want to Burn This Place Down: Essays, by Maris Kreizman (July 1)
Big Releases
- Atmosphere, by Taylor Jenkins Reid (June 3)
- The Bewitching, by Siliva Moreno Garcia (July 15)
- My Friends, by Fredrick Backman (May 6)
- Katabasis, by R.F. Kuang (August 26)
- These Summer Storms, by Sarah MacClean (July 8)
- The Emperor of Gladness, by Ocean Vuong (May 13)
On this month's podcast, Jes and Sarah talk about the history of Chick Lit - how it started (Bridget Jones's Diary), how the genre was covered in the press, and what new types of books have spawned from it today.
Show Notes What They're Reading
- Everything Is Tuberculosis, by John Green
- Cleat Cute, by Meryl Wilsner
- While the Duke Was Sleeping, by Samara Parish
- Harriet Tubman Live in Concert, by Bob the Drag Queen
- Woodworking, by Emily St. James
- Stag Dance, by Torrey Peters
- The Deep Dark, by Molly Knox Ostertag
To Be Read
- Oathbound, by Tracy Deonn
- First Time Caller, by B.K. Borison
- The Road of Bones, by Demi Winters
- Blood over Bright Haven, by M.L. Wang
- Stop Me if You've Heard This One, by Kristen Arenett
- Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison
Reading Material
- "What is Chick Lit? A Brief History from the Inside," by Lucida Rosenfeld
- "The Power of Chick Lit," by Jane Carrell and Meghan Hall
- "The Great Escape: Modern Women and the Chick Lit Genre," by Maureen Lynch Cooke
The Beyond the Shelves first ever Book Club episode is live! This month, Jes and Sarah both read Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray. They discuss the historical fiction novel about Jessie Redman Fauset, a real life figure dubbed "midwife of the Harlem Renaissance," and her relationship with W.E.B. Du Bois. This podcast does contain spoilers - but you don't have to have read the book to listen and learn more about the Harlem Renaissance era!
Show Notes The Book Club Book Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray
Further Reading * "A History of The Crisis" (NAACP website) * The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson * I Too Sing America: the Harlem Renaissance, at 100 by Wil Haygood * Smoketown, by Mark Whitaker * Joy Goddess: A’lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance, by A’lelia Bundles
Authors in the Book * Blues in Stereo, by Langston Hughes * Cane, by Jean Toomer * Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick: Stories From the Harlem Renaissance, by Zora Neale Hurston * My Soul's High Song, by Countee Cullen * Passing and Quicksand, by Nella Larsen * The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man, by James Weldon Johnson * The Souls of Black Folk, by W.E.B. Du Bois * Home to Harlem, by Claude McKay * Amiable with Big Teeth, by Claude McKay
Timestamps * 0:00 - AViD Lineup/What We're Reading * 11:20 - Book Club Discussion * 46:32 - Book Bulletin
What They're Reading/To Be Read * A Thousand Ships, by Natalie Haynes * A Hard Day for a Hangover, by Darynda Jones * Haunted Ever After, by Jen DeLuca * Crossings, by Ben Goldfarb * The Shots You Take, by Rachel Reid * Blood Over Bright Haven, by M.L. Wang * Witchcraft for Wayward Girls, by Grady Hendrix * Sula, by Toni Morrison * The Knockout Queen, by Rufi Thorpe * Idle Grounds, by Krystelle Bamford * The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride
Book Bulletin * "A Court of Thorns and Roses TV Series Dead at Hulu" (Variety) * "Meet-cute at Mansfield Park: can modern covers turn young readers on to Jane Austen?" (The Guardian) * "Readerlink Will Stop Distributing Mass Market Paperbacks at the End of 2025" (Publishers Weekly) * Women's Prize for Fiction longlist
Jes and Sarah are talking about loving your library during this month's episode of Beyond the Shelves! After talking about unique library services and the best ways you can support your library, they talk about some of their favorite books that feature libraries. Then they dig into a busy Book Bulletin segment (starts at 42:51), full of interesting news.
Next month, Jes and Sarah are hosting their first ever Beyond the Shelves Book Club episode! They're reading Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray. That episode is scheduled to be up on Tuesday, March 11. We encourage you to read the book so you can follow along with their discussion next month!
Show Notes * Show Up for Your Library - ALA Advocacy * One of the best ways to support the library is using your library! * What We're Reading + The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, by Becky Chambers + Y2K: How the 2000s Became Everything, by Colette Shade + House of Earth and Blood, by Sarah J. Maas + Onyx Storm, by Rebecca Yarros + A Bad Day for Sunshine, by Darynda Jones + The Age of Magical Overthinking, by Amanda Montell + Keep Me, by Sara Cate * To Be Read + Sula, by Toni Morrison + Voice Like a Hyacinth, by Mallory Pearson + Water Moon, by Samantha Sotto Yambao + Ana Maria and the Fox, by Liana De la Rosa + Deep End, by Ali Hazelwood * Books About Libraries + The Library at Mount Char, by Scott Hawkins + The Book that Wouldn’t Burn, by Mark Lawrence + The Parliament, by Aimee Pokwatka + The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern + The Cartographers, by Peng Shepherd + Upright Women Wanted, by Sarah Gailey * Library Services + Book Club Sets + TONS of eMagazines on Libby + Comics Plus + Community Fridges * Book Bulletin + Children of Blood and Bone Cast Reveal + Bookshop.org now sells eBooks + Department of Education is ending book ban investigations + Simon & Schuster is no longer requiring book blurbs + Philadelphia Eagles player AJ Brown helps a book become a bestseller after being spotted reading it on the sidelines during a playoff game + Onyx Storm reaction (the headlines - they're bad and misunderstand the book!) + Lady Whistlethreads book drama newsletter
We're in the dead of winter - the perfect time get cozied up in an armchair and read a fun book. This month, Jes and Sarah are talking about books (and TV shows) that bring them during these cold, dark days. The hosts conveniently have grouped their selections into different tropes and categories to help you peruse!
SHOW NOTES * Sign up for the 2025 Reading Challenge: Book Bingo * What They're Reading + The Empire of Gold, by S.A. Chakroborty + House of Sky and Breath, by Sarah J. Maas + The Story of a Lost Child, by Elena Ferrante + City of Night Birds, by Juhea Kim + Private Rites, by Julia Armfield * Books That Bring Us Joy + Books Jes is re-reading - The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller - Toni Morrison's catalog - Fight Night, by Miriam Toews - Tiny Beautiful Things, by Cheryl Strayed + Found Family/Chosen Family/Ragtag Group books - Check Please, by Ngozi Ukazu - The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna - Under the Whispering Door, by T.J. Klune - The Expanse series, by James S.A. Corey - Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel + Kid/Teen Graphic Novels - Garlic and the Vampire, by Bree Paulson - Nimona, by Noelle Stevenson - Squad, by Maggie Tokuda-Hall - Pain Jane and the Mermaid, by Vera Brosgol - Heartstopper, by Alice Oseman + Lyrical Escapism - This Is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar - The Starless Sea, by Erin Morgenstern - The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller - An Ember in the Ashes, by Sabaa Tahir - Starling House, by Alix E. Harrow + Hobby-ing Makes Everything Better - Sew It Yourself, by Daisy Braid - Cross Stitch with Cattitude, by Emma Congdon - Start Here: Instructions for Becoming a Better Cook, by Sohla El-Waylly - Community Group: Fiber Friends + Community and Action - Go to Sleep, I Miss You, by Lucy Knisley - How to Keep House While Drowning, by KC Davis - The Color of Law, by Richard Rothstein - On Tyranny, by Timothy Snyder - The Geography of Bliss, by Eric Weiner + Books that Remind You Humans are Innately Good - Beautyland, by Helene Marie-Helene Bertino - The Wedding People, by Alison Espach - Fresh Water for Flowers, by Valeri Perrin - Light From Uncommon Stars, by Rya Aoki - A Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers - TV Shows by Michael Schur, Bill Lawrence, Elizabeth Merriweather, Quinta Brunson, or Daniel Levy + Popular Self-Help Books - The Anxious Generation, by Jonathan Haidt - Atomic Habits, by James Clear - Brené Brown books - Maybe You Should Talk to Someone, by Lori Gottlieb - Rest is Resistance, by Tricia Hersey
Jes and Sarah are discussing the best of 2024 in the last Beyond the Shelves episode of the year! They go through some of books mentioned on several best of lists, and then give their own top 3 books of the year.
Watch on YouTube
Show Notes * What they're reading + The Vegetarian, by Han Kang + Make the Season Bright, by Ashley Herring Blake + Clean, by Alia Trabucco Zerán + A Fire Endless, by Rebecca Ross + The Love of My Afterlife, by Kristy Greenwood * On the Best Of Lists and other mentioned books + James, by Percival Everett + All Fours, by Miranda July + Martyr!, By Kaveh Akbar + Creation Lake, by Rachel Kushner + Intermezzo, by Sally Rooney + Colored Television, by Danzy Senna + Shred Sisters, by Betsy Lerner + The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio + The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore + Margo’s Got Money Troubles, by Rupi Kaur + The Ministry of Time, by Kaline Bradley + The Familiar, by Leigh Bardugo + Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV, by Emily Nussbaum + Grief is for People, by Sloane Crosley + Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling, by Jason De León + There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, by Hanif Abdurraqib + The Women, by Kristin Hannah + Funny Story, by Emily Henry * Jes' Top 10 + Beautyland, by Helene Marie Bertino + The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore + Headshot, by Rita Bullwinkl + Bury Your Gays, by Chuck Tingle + Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk, by Kathleen Hanna + Rainbow Black, by Maggie Thrash + In Universes, by Emet North + The Bog Wife, by Kay Chronister + There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, by Hanif Abdurraqib + Perfume and Pain, by Anna Dorn * Sarah's Top 10 + Pandora's Jar, by Natalie Haynes + The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna + You Should Be So Lucky, by Cat Sebastian + Where the Lost Wander, by Amy Harmon + A River Enchanted, by Rebecca Ross + The City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty + Barons, by Austin Frerick + This is How You Lose the Time War, by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar + Check and Mate, by Ali Hazelwood + The Book That Wouldn't Burn, by Mark Lawrence
On the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast, children's author and illustrator and Des Moines native Don Tate joins host Aaron Gernes on the show. Don Tate will be at the Forest Avenue Library on Thursday, December 12, at 6:30 PM for a fun talk meant for the whole family. He'll discuss his journey into illustrating and writing, demonstrate some drawing techniques, and invite kids up to help him in learning more about the process. This will be a fun, family friendly event!
Show Notes * Don Tate at the Forest Avenue Library * Don Tate Books
On the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah talk about decolonizing and diversifying your bookshelf, giving you suggestions on books with diverse authors and unique viewpoints.
What They're Reading * Jes + The Bog Wife, by Kay Chronister + Headshot, by Rita Bullwinkel + American Rapture, by CJ Leede * Sarah + The Paradise Problem, by Christina Lauren + Somewhere Beyond the Sea, by TJ Klune + The City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty + The Book of Doors, by Gareth Brown
Book Recs - Decolonizing Your Bookshelf * The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee, by David Treuer * To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, by Moniquill Blackgoose * Shutter, by Ramona Emerson * My Powerful Hair, by Carole Lindstrom * Babel, by R.F. Kuang * The Marrow Thieves, by Cherie Dimaline * The Space Between Worlds, by Micaiah Johnson * Cursed Bunny, by Bora Chung * The Vegetarian, by Han Kang * Betty, by Tiffany McDaniel * Becoming Little Shell, by Christ La Tray * Whiskey Tender, by Deborah Jackson Taffa * And Then She Fell, by Alicia Elliott * Who Am I?, by Julie Buchholtz * Memory Police, by Yoko Ogawa
Iowa native and upcoming Fall Author Series guest Daniel Kraus joins the DMPL Podcast. Daniel is the co-author of Pay the Piper, an unfinished work of George A. Romero's that Kraus completed after Romero's death.
Kraus talks about how growing up in Iowa shaped his writing, what it's like to put yourself in someone else's shoes in order to compete their work, and more.
Daniel will be on Des Moines on Wednesday, October 23, at 7 PM at the Central Library as part of the 2024 Fall Author Series.
Listen to the podcast on YouTube
Show Notes * Daniel Kraus at the Fall Author Series * Checkout Pay the Piper at the library * Daniel Kraus books
On the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Jes and Sarah give book recommendations for each sign of the zodiac. It's a nice warm-up for the next big Flash Recommendation event, coming up on Wednesday, October 16.
What is Flash Recommendations? It's an event on our social media pages where you give us some information and our Book Chat team gives you a book recommendation. On October 16, head over to our Facebook or Instagram page and let us know a genre and your Zodiac sign. Then you'll get a book rec. It's that simple! Be sure to listen to this episode of the podcast to get some general recs as well.
Don't forget about the last event in our Fall Author Series - Daniel Kraus will be stopping at the Central Library on Wednesday, October 23, at 7 PM.
What We're Reading * Jes + The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey, by Astrid Dahl + Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, by Elena Ferrante + The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio * Sarah + City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty + The Black Bird Oracle, by Deborah Harkness
Picks of the Zodiac * Aries + 1Q84, by Haruki Murakami + Hell of a Book, by Jason Mott * Taurus + The Golem and the Jinni, by Helene Wecker + The Hidden Life of Trees, by Peter Wohlleben + The Cottage Around the Corner, by D.L. Soria * Gemini + Open Throat, by Henry Hoke + The Light Eaters: How the Unseen World of Plant Intelligence Offers a New Understanding of Life on Earth, by Zoë Schlanger * Cancer + The Unlikely Adventures of the Shergill Sisters, by Balli Kaur Jaswal + What the Fireflies Knew, by Kai Harris + Black Candle Women, by Diane Merie Brown * Leo + Maeve Fly, by CJ Leede + Perfume & Pain, by Anna Dorn * Virgo + Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail, by Ashley Herring Blake + The Secrets We Kept, by Lara Prescott + Election, by Tom Perotta * Libra + Evenings and Weekends, by Oisín McKenna + Cleopatra & Frankenstein, by Coco Mellors * Scorpio + The Bandit Queens, by Parini Shroff + When We Were Birds, by Ayanna Lloyd Banwo + Portrait of a Thief, by Grace D. Li * Sagittarius + The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio + All I Want is You, by Falon Ballard * Capricorn + The Violin Conspiracy, by Brendan Slocumb + Educated, by Tara Westover + For the Wolf, by Hannah Whitten * Aquarius + Craft: Stories I Wrote for the Devil, by Ananda Lima + That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America, by Amanda Jones * Pisces + Stay True, by Hua Hsu + The Dreamers, by Karen Thompson Walker + Peaces, by Helen Oyeyemi
Iowa native and upcoming Fall Author Series guest Austin Frerick joins the DMPL Podcast. Austin is the author of Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry.
Austin discusses how the genesis of this book started in a dive bar in Des Moines, the challenges he had as an academic writer writing for a general audience, and more.
Austin will be on Des Moines on Wednesday, September 25, at 7 PM at the Central Library as part of the 2024 Fall Author Series.
Listen to the podcast on YouTube
Show Notes * Austin Frerick at the Fall Author Series * Checkout Barons at the library + The Always Available Audiobook
On the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah find new versions of old classics they want to recommend for their listeners, including the best readalikes for books like The Great Gatsby, 1984, Moby Dick, and more.
Show Notes What They're Reading * Jes + Story of a New Name, by Elena Ferrante + Cue the Sun: The Invention of Reality TV, by Emily Nussbaum + We Used to Live Here, by Marcus Kliewer * Sarah + A Fate Inked in Blood, by Danielle L. Jensen + Winter Lost, by Patricia Briggs
Classics, Reimagined CLASSIC TITLE UPDATED CLASSIC The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald Normal People, by Sally Rooney Lord of the Flies, by William Golding String Follow, by Simon Jacobs The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka Nightbitch, by Rachel Yoder Of Mice and Men, by Jon Steinbeck The Sweetness of Water, by Nathan Harris 1984, by George Orwell Chain Gang All-Stars, by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Moby-Dick, by Herman Melville The Essex Serpent, by Sarah Perry The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger Martyr, by Kaveh Akbar To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee Where the Crawdads Sing, by Delia Owens Walden, by Henry David Thoreau Upstream, by Mary Oliver David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens Demon Copperhead, by Barbara Kingsolver Book Bulletin * Former president Barack Obama's Summer Reading List * The It Ends With Us press tour controversy * Authors sue Claude AI chatbot creator Anthropic for copyright * The Pairing controversy
Fall Author Series author Shawntelle Madison joins us on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast! Madison will be the first author in this year's Fall Author Series, visiting the Central Library on Thursday, September 5, at 7 PM at the Central Library. Her newest book, The Fallen Fruit, comes out on Tuesday, September 3.
Show Notes * Fall Author Series: Shawntelle Madison * Shawntelle Madison books at the library + The Fallen Fruit + Other books * The Fallen Fruit review on Kirkus * What Shawntelle's reading: + The Next Mrs. Parrish, by Liv Constantine + The Luminous Dead, by Caitlin Starling
On the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah talk with Kathleen, a Central Library Librarian that works with The Library of Things and Tech Central. She talks about developing the Library of Things, what items are most popular, how they decide what to purchase, and more!
- Borrow items from the Library of Things
- Borrow Board Games
- Borrow Family Board Games
What Everyone's Reading * Two Twisted Crowns, by Rachel Gillig * The Wishing Game, by Meg Shaffer * Icebreaker, by Hannah Grace * Brat, by Gabriel Smith * Bad Habit, by Alana Portero * My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante * The Wars of the Roses, by Dan Jones * The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, by S.A. Chakraborty * Beautyland, by Marie-Helene Bertino
In honor of Disability Pride Month, Jes and Sarah are discussing some of their favorite books that center characters with disabilities. They also discuss the history of Disability Pride Month and the importance of audiobooks.
You can also listen to the podcast on YouTube.
Disability Pride Month Picks: * Get a Life, Chloe Brown, by Talia Hibbert * Being Heumann, by Judith Huemann * Golem Girl, by Riva Lehrer * Seven Days in June, by Tia Williams * All the Little Bird-Hearts, by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow * True Biz, by Sarah Nović
What Jes and Sarah are reading: * All Fours, by Miranda July * Bury Your Gays, by Chuck Tingle * The Wedding People, by Alison Espach * Margo's Got Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe * This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone * The Book That Broke the World, by Mark Lawrence * Barons, by Austin Frerick
Book Bulletin * The first draft of Rebecca Yarro's next book, Black Onyx, is complete * Ransomware attack at Seattle Public Library - full service is "weeks or even months away" * Hoopla has started providing content ratings on books and concerns on soft censorship * Libro FM's 10 best selling audiobooks of all-time
Audiobook Information * 2016 Rogowsky study on Audiobooks + Summary + Full Study * 2019 Neurological Study on Written vs Spoken Word + Summary + Full Study
Local sportscaster and debut author Scott Reister joins us on the lastest episode of the DMPL Podcast. Reister's new middle grade novel, Baseball Spy, was one of the bestselling baseball books for kids up on its debut in April. Scott says the idea for this book has been in his head since he was taking little league at-bats.
Scott talks about turning the idea into the novel, including how librarians helped. He also discusses his journey through the pubishing process and what the next book in the series entails, among other topics.
Show Notes * Check out Baseball Spy from the library * Scott Reister's Author Page
We're celebrating Pride Month on Beyond the Shelves! Jes and Sarah have combed through our catalog and found some of the best titles for kids this month. These books tell LGBTQ+ stories and celebrate sexuality and gender orientation. Happy Pride!
Show Notes Book Picks
- Kid/Picture Books
- The Good Hair Day, by Christian Trimmer (he/him) and illustrated by J Yang (he/him)
- Free to be Fabulous!, by David McMullin (he/him) and illustrated by Robbie Cathro (he/him)
- Strong, by Rob Kearney (he/him) & Eric Rosswood (he/him) and illustrated by Nidhi Chanani (she/her)
- ABC-Deconstructing Gender, by Asley Molesso (she/her) and Chess Needham (he/him)
- Middle Grade Books
- Paige Not Found, by Jen Wilde (she/they)
- Sir Callie and the Champions of Helston, by Esme Symes-Smith (they/them)
- Just Lizzie, by Karen Wilfrid (she/her)
- Cross My Heart and Never Lie, by Nora Dåsnes (she/her)
- Teen Books
- Canto Contigo, by Jonny Garza Villa (they/them)
- Escaping Mr. Rochester, by L.L. McKinney (she/her)
- Icarus, by K. Ancrum (she/her)
- This Day Changes Everything, by Edward Underhill (he/him)
- The Princess and the Grilled Cheese, by Deya Muniz (they/them)
What We're Reading
- Jes
- God of the Woods, by Liz Moore
- Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk, by Kathleen Hanna
- Poppy War, by RF Kuang
- In Universes, by Emet North
- Sarah
- Winter’s Orbit, by Everina Maxwell
- The Ministry of Time, by Kaliane Bradley
- The Catch, by Amy Lea
- You, Again, by Kate Goldbeck
What’s Happening at DMPL?
- Summer Reading Challenge is Underway!
- AViD Presents: Jasmine Guillory
- Thursday, June 13 | 7PM | Central
- Moderated by Denise Williams
Upcoming AViD author Joyce Carol Oates joins us on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast! She talks about her latest book, Butcher, writing about the dark side of the human psyche, and how exercise helps her writing process.
Joyce Carol Oates will be at the Central Library on Thursday, May 30, at 7 PM for AViD. The event will be moderated by Talk of Iowa host Charity Nebbe.
Show Notes * Joyce Carol Oates' AViD event * Butcher at the library * Other Joyce Carol Oates titles at the library
On the latest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah discuss Book Chat, a reader's advisory service at the Des Moines Public Library. They talk about how to use it, why it's helpful, how they assign Book Chat requests, and more. Plus, an extra long Book Bulletin where we run through some of the controversies and news in the literary world.
Watch the podcast on YouTube >>>
What Jes and Sarah are Reading * The Poppy War, by R.F. Kuang * Funny Story, by Emily Henry * Yours Truly, by Abby Jimenez * Yellowface, by R.F. Kuang * If You'll Have Me, by Eunnie * The True Love Experiment, by Christian Lauren * Winter's Orbit, by Everina Maxwell
Book Bulletin * Nora Roberts takes on some of her readers in a blog post * Readers Take Denver was a disaster + Note: In the time since this was recorded, they have canceled the 2025 Readers Take Denver event) * PEN American cancels 2024 Award Ceremony * The Freydís Moon author scandal * 5 major book publishers suing state of Iowa over book banning
AViD author Gregg Hurwitz joins the DMPL Podcast today! The bestselling author of the Orphan X series chats with host Aaron Gernes about the thriller writer community, his friendship with fellow AViD author Nick Petrie, and some of the elements behind the Orphan X series.
Hurwitz and Petrie will be at the Central Library on Thursday, May 2, at 7 PM for AViD! Doors open at 6 PM. More information can be found at dmpl.org/avid.
You can also watch this episode of the DMPL Podcast on YouTube! Check out it out at this link.
On the latest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah time travel through the decades, picking a plethora of books set in the past 60 years. Plus, Book Bulletin features the inaugural Libby Awards - what they like, what they don't like, and what they have an issue with!
What They're Reading * Where the Lost Wander, by Amy Harmon * Clean Sweep, by Ilona Andrews * The Fragile Threads of Power, by V.E. Schwab * The Pairing, by Casey McQuiston * Normal People, by Sally Rooney * The Reformatory, by Tananarive Due
Decade Book Picks * 1960s + The Women, by Kristin Hannah + The Great Reclamation, by Rachel Heng * 1970s + Bright Young Women, by Jessica Knoll + Secret Identity, by Alex Segura * 1980s + When Crack Was King, by Donovan X. Ramsey + Tell the Wolves I’m Home, by Carol Rifka Brunt * 1990s + Rainbow Black, by Maggie Thrash + Big Girl, by Mecca Jamilah Sullivan * 2000s + Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke, by Eric LaRocca + How Not to Drown in a Glass of Water, by Angie Cruz * 2010s + How We Named the Stars, by Andres N. Ordorica + The Care and Feeding of Ravenously Hungry Girls, by Anissa Gray
Jes and Sarah are joined by DMPL Systems Administrator Katie on the newest epsiode of Beyond the Shelves! Katie knows all the numbers and stats about the library that you can imagine, and she gives us some fun facts about circulation, programs, technolgoy, and more. It's a great peak behind the curtain about parts of the library you probably don't know about!
Also, what famous author recently said he lied about having cancer? Stay tuned all the way to the end of the podcast for the Book Bulletin segment!
What Our Hosts Are Reading * The Salvation Gambit, by Emily Skrutskie * Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, by Benjamin Stevenson * Say You'll Be Mine, by Naina Kumar * Technically Yours, by Denise Williams * A Tempest at Sea, by Sherry Thomas * Come and Get It, by Kiley Reid * Penance, by Eliza Clark
Secret Iowa author Megan Bannister joins the DMPL Podcast. She discusses traveling across the state to discover the fun, unknown sites featured in this book, her favorite roads in Iowa, and what famous authors she outsold at a bookstore in Iowa last year.
Show Notes * Secret Iowa at the library * Iowa Supper Clubs, by Megan Bannister * Megan Bannister's website
It's February, and love is in the air! Get your HEA (happily ever after) by listening to Sarah, a romance aficionado, and Jes discuss the history of the romance genre, current trends, cross-genre romance books, and what some of their favorite stories are within different romance tropes.
Currently Reading * The Book the Wouldn't Burn, by Mark Lawrence * Ruthless Vows, by Rebecca Ross * Beautyland, by Marie-Helene Bertino * Good Material, by Dolly Alderton * Light from Uncommon Stars, by Ryka Aoki * The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, by Shannon Chakraborty
Trope Picks * Enemies to Lovers + Act Your Age, Eve Brown, by Talia Hibbert * Grumpy Sunshine + Well Met, by Jen Deluca + It Happened One Summer, by Tessa Bailey, + Delilah Green Doesn't Care, by Ashley Herring Blake * Only One Bed + The Rogue Not Taken, by Sarah Maclean + Float Plan, by Trish Doller + Happy Place, by Emily Henry * Marriage of Convenience + How to Catch a Queen, by Alyssa Cole + Tempest, by Beverly Jenkins * Forbidden Love + Red, White, and Royal Blue, by Casey McQuiston + Hate to Want You, by Alisha Rai * Fake Dating + Boyfriend Material, by Alexis Hall + Yours Truly, by Abby Jimenez * Second Chance + Seven Days in June, by Tia Williams + Recipe for Persuasion, by Sonali Dev * Amnesia/Mistaken Identity + The Girl With the Make Believe Husband, by Julia Quinn + Spoiler Alert, by Olivia Dade. * Sports: + Check Please, by Ngozi Ukazu + Intercepted, by Alexa Martin + Bromance Book Club, by Lyssa Kay Adams * Funny-Paranormal + My Roommate is a Vampire, by Jenna Levine
Other Books Discussed * Ghosts, by Dolly Alderton * Patricia Briggs - books * Laurell K. Hamilton - books * Johanna Lindsey - books
Welcome to the New Year! On the latest episode of 2024, Jes and Sarah review their 2023 reading goals and talk about what they want to do in 2024.
Show notes * What they're reading: + The Berry Pickers, by Amanda Peters + Mall Goth, by Kate Leth + If You'll Have Me, by Eunnie + A Guest in the House, by Emily Carroll + Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries, by Heather Fawcett + Seven Days in June, by Tia Williams + The Book that Wouldn't Burn, by Mark Lawrence + The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah * Other books discussed: + Who is Maud Dixon?, by Alexandra Andrews + Shutter, by Ramona Emerson + How Can I Help You?, by Laura Sims * News items + Storygraph is so popular the app crashed to start the year + Cait Corrain loses her publisher and agent after review bombing fellow debut authors + A federal judge blocks enforcement of an Iowa law banning books in schools + What's in and out in 2024
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, hosts Jess and Sarah talk about their favorite books of 2023, as well as some of the most common books on the best of 2023 lists across the book media sphere.
Show Notes What They're Reading * Bookshops & Bonedust, by Travis Baldree * Calamity, by Constance Fay * Assistant to the Villain, by Hannah Nicole Maehrer * The Quiet Tenant, by Clemence Michallon
Best Of Lists * The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History, by Ned Blackhawk * The Wren, by Anne Enright * Loot, by Tania James * The MANIAC, by Benjamin Labatut * The Biography of X, by Catherine Lacey * Terrace Story, by Hillary Leichter * The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride * The Berry Pickers, by Amanda Peters * How to Say Babylon, by Safiya Sinclair * Land of Milk and Honey, by C Pam Zhang
Jess' Five (plus one) * Chang Gang All-Stars, by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah * Death Valley, by Melissa Broder * I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself, by Marisa Crade * I Who Have Never Known Men, by Jacqueline Harpman * Iris Kelly Doesn't Date, by Ashley Herring Blake * A Council of Dolls, by Mona Susan Power
Sarah's Five * The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, by Shannon Chakraborty * Yours Truly, by Abby Jimenez * True Love Experiment, by Cristina Lauren * Knockout, by Sarah MacLean * Eating to Extinction, by Dan Saladino
Andrew Sean Greer, author of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Less, its sequel Less is Lost, and four other novels, is the keynote speaker at this year's 23rd annual Iowa Author Awards Dinner. He speaks with host Aaron Gernes about the surprise that is winning the Pulitzer Prize, what it's like to sit as a judge for a major literary award, and what he's going to talk about this Friday in Des Moines.
Show Notes
- Iowa Author Awards Dinner
- About Andrew
- Andrew's Books at the Library
- Andrew Sean Greer | Website
- Andrew Sean Greer | Instagram
On the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast, host Aaron Gernes speaks with one of the headliners at this year's Community Table Festival, Toni Simmons. Simmons is a longtime professional storyteller who has traveled across the country, telling stories and hosting workshops on storytelling.
During the podcast, Toni discusses what storytelling is and how it differs from something like a one-person show. She also talks about her past as a children's librarian right here in Des Moines!
Show Notes * Toni Simmons | Website * Toni Simmons | Facebook * Toni Simmons | Instagram
On this month's Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah are talking all things spooky season. They discuss some of their favorite horror movies and TV shows and the book adaptations that go along with them.
Show Notes Spooky Season Books * The Haunting of Hill House, by Shirly Jackson + Netflix * The Turn of the Screw, by Henry James + Netflix (as The Haunting of Bly Manor) * The Fall of the House of Usher, by Edgar Allen Poe + Netflix * The Midnight Club, by Christopher Pike + Netflix * Interview with a Vampire, by Anne Rice + 1994 film - Hulu + 2022 TV series - AMC+ * We Have Always Lived in the Castle, by Shirley Jackson + Prime Video, Peacock, AMC+, Roku Channel, Kanopy, Pluto TV * iZombie, by Chris Roberson + Netflix * A Discovery of Witches, by Deborah Harkness + AMC+ (check out from the library) * Wynonna Earp, by Beau Smith + Netflix, Hulu * Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman + Hulu * My Best Friend’s Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix + Prime Video * The Changeling, by Victor LaValle + Applie TV * Lovecraft Country, by Matt Ruff + Max * The Initial Insult, by Mindy McGinnis * The Last Laugh, by Mindy McGinnis * What Moves the Dead, by T. Kingfisher * Misery, by Stephen King * The Shining, by Stephen King * Turn of the Key, by Ruth Ware
What We're Reading * Fourth Wing, by Rebecca Yarros * The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, by Shannon Chakraborty * Eating to Extinction, by Dan Saladino * The Vaster Wilds, by Lauren Groff * Death Valley, by Melissa Border * A Council of Dolls, by Mona Susan Power * The Violin Conspiracy, by Brenden Slocumb * Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma, by Claire Dederer
Best Bets * Psalm for the Wild-Built, by Becky Chambers * The True Love Experiment, by Christina Lauren
First Dibs * Anita DeMonte Laughs Last, by Xochitl Gonzalez * The Fairytale Life of Dorothy Gale, by Virginia Kantra
Jes and Sarah are taking us back to middle school this month! They're talking about some of their favorite books from when they were in middle school and giving you some readalikes for those books today!
Show Notes Middle School Books and Readalikes Weetzie Bat, by Francesca Lia Block * One Last Stop, by Casey McQuiston * Stray City, by Chelsey Johnson
Shadow Children series, by Margaret Peterson Haddix * How Beautiful We Were, by Imbolo Mbue * War Girls, by Tochi Onyebuchi
Fear Street series, by R.L. Stine * My Heart is a Chainsaw, by Stephen Graham Jones * Camp Damascus, by Chuck Tingle
Island series, by Gordon Korman * Into the Jungle, by Erica Ferencik * The River, by Peter Heller
The Face on the Milk Carton, by Caroline B. Cooney * Dear Child, by Romy Hausmann * A Girl Named Anna, by Lizzy Barber
From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, by E.L. Konigsburg * Where'd You Go, Bernadette, by Maria Semple * The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie, by C. Alan Bradley
What We're Reading * The Wallflower Wager, by Tessa Dare * Brave the Wild River: The Untold Story of Two Women Who Mapped the Botany of the Grand Canyon, by Melissa L. Sevigny * How Can I Help You, by Laura Sims * Thornhedge, by T. Kingfisher * The Forest Brims Over, by Maru Ayase; translated by Haydn Trowell
First Dibs * A Bold Return to Giving a Damn: One Farm, Six Generations, and the Future of Food, by Will Harris * Say You'll Be Mine, by Naina Kumar
Best Bets * Fight Night, by Miriam Toews * The Secret Lives of Church Ladies, by Deesha Philyaw
We're talking Vacation Reads on the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves! Jes and Sarah are talking about what makes a great vacation read, as well as some great "escapism" books if you can't get out on vacation for awhile. Plus, what they're reading, best bets, and first dibs!
Show Notes Vacation Read Recs * Dial A for Aunties, by Jesse Q. Sutanto * The Dead Romantics, by Ashley Poston
Escapism Books * Lake Books + Dark Matter, by Blake Crouch + It Happened One Summer, by Tessa Bailey * Road Trip Books + Mrs. Nash's Ashes, by Sarah Alder + In the Face of the Sun, by Denny S. Bryce * Beach Books + The Perfect Ruin, by Shanora Williams + The Unhoneymooners, by Christina Lauren * Books Abroad + Who is Maud Dixon?, by Alexandra Andrews + My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante
What We're Reading * All-Night Pharmacy, by Ruth Madievsky * Excavations, by Hannah Michell * Seven Year Slip, by Ashley Poston * A Court of Thorns and Roses series, by Sarah J. Maas
First Dibs * The Future, by Naomi Alderman * Death Valley, by Melissa Broder
Best Bets * + Untethered Sky, by Fonda Lee + The Man Who Could Move Clouds, by Ingrid Rojas Contreras
Jes and Sarah are joined by special guest Paige on the latest episode of Beyond the Shelves! This month they're talking all about being a librarian - why they became one, what their day-to-day is like, and they share some fun stories about working on the floor.
Don't forget - Summer Reading is underway! Adults can take part in the Summer Checkout Challenge, and kids can take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. Learn more at dmpl.org/summer-reading.
Show Notes What We're Reading
- From Hollywood with Love, by Scott Meslow
- Yours Truly, by Abby Jimenez
- Fourth Wing, by Rebecca Yarros
- Rouge, by Mona Awad
- Love, Theoretically, by Ali Hazelwood
- Daily Rituals: How Artists Work, by Mason Currey
First Dibs
- Baking Yesteryear, by B. Dylan Hollis
- Let Us Descend, by Jesmyn Ward
- Do Your Worst, by Rosie Danan
Best Bets
- What the Wind Knows, by Amy Harmon
- Love in Color: Mythical Tales from Around the World, Retold, by Bolu Babalola
- Lore Olympus, by Rachel Smythe
- Olga Dies Dreaming, by Xochitl Gonzalez
- Fight Night, by Miriam Toews
Jes and Sarah are back and celebrating Pride with a super-sized episode! They'll share some of their favorite joyful LGBTQIA+ related titles in a variety of genres. Plus, here what they're reading right now, and stick around for a couple new segments - First Dibs and Best Bets.
Don't forget - Summer Reading is underway! Adults can take part in the Summer Checkout Challenge, and kids can take part in the Summer Reading Challenge. Learn more at dmpl.org/summer-reading.
Show Notes * Books Mentioned on the Podcast (includes What We're Reading, Pride Picks, First Dibs, and Best Bets) * Extended Pride Picks Lists + Fiction + Mystery + Sci-Fi/Fantasy + Romance + Nonfiction + Young Adult + Middle Grade + Kids
AViD Author Emily St. John Mandel joins host Aaron Gernes on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast. Mandel will be in Des Moines at the Central Library on Wednesday, May 10, at 7 PM. Doors open at 6 PM.
During the podcast, she discusses the simulation hypothesis, revisiting characters, and the ways in which being born Canadian impacts how she views America, the country she calls home now.
Show Notes Emily's AViD Event
Emily's Book Picks
- White Cat, Black Dog, by Kelly Link
- Lauren Groff books
- Laura Van den Berg books
On the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah talk about reading logs, why you might want to track your reading, and all the different ways you can track and apps you can use to do so.
Show Notes Ways to Track Your Reading: * Book Riot's Spreadsheet (Google Doc) * Goodreads * The StoryGraph * LibraryThing * Beanstack
What Sarah and Jes are reading: * Rust, by Eliese Colette Goldbach * Soul Taken, by Patricia Briggs * A Promise of Fire, by Amanda Bouchet * A House with Good Bones, by T. Kingfisher * Ninth House, by Leigh Bardugo * White Cat, Black Dog, by Kelly Link * How to Sell a Haunted House, by Grady Hendrix * Manhunt, by Gretchen Felker-Martin
AViD Author J. Ryan Stradal joins host Aaron Gernes on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast. Stradal will be at the Central Library on Monday, May 1, at 7 PM for the program. During the podcast, Stradal talks about what he misses about the midwest, the Succession-esque struggles of family business, and how the first chapter in Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club was inspired by emotional events that occurred in his own life.
Show Notes * AViD Presents: J. Ryan Stradal * J. Ryan's Books + Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club (2023) + The Lager Queen of Minnesota (2019) + Kitchens of the Great Midwest (2015) * J. Ryan's Suggestions: + The Overstory, by Richard Powers + They're Going to Love You, by Meg Howrey + The Crow Valley Karaoke Championships, by Ali Bryan
Innocence Project attorney and criminal justice advocate M. Chris Fabricant takes part in the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast. Fabricant is the author of Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System, a book that highlights the flaws and outright fabrications inherent in forensic sciences and how they put innocent people not only behind bars, but on death row.
Fabricant talks with host Aaron Gernes ahead of his visit to the Central Library on Saturday, April 29. The program will start at 12:30 PM.
You can also watch the podcast on YouTube.
Show Notes * Author Spotlight: M. Chris Fabricant at the Central Library (Saturday, April 29, 12:30 PM) * Junk Science and the American Criminal Justice System at the library * "What If the Worst Crime Never Happened?" - The New Republicpiece mentioned in the podcast featuring Michael West and Steven Hayne
Jes and Sarah are back for another episdoe of Beyond the Shelves! This month, they're talking about cross-genre book picks and discussing how you can use the free database Novelist to find books you'll enjoy.
Show Notes * Novelist * Books mentioned + Gideon the Ninth by Tamsyn Muir + The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell + Don't Fear the Reaper by Stephen Graham Jones + Upgrade by Blake Crouch + Bloodmarked by Tracy Deonn + On the Savage Side by Tiffany McDaniel + Love & Other Disasters by Anita Kelly + Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour + The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles + Exalted by Anna Dorn + Big Swiss by Jen Beagin + Boyfriend Material by Alexis Hall + The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty + The Sweetness of Water, by Nathan Harris + Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins + Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon + Our Best Intentions by Vibhuti Jain + The Viscount Made Me Do It by Diana Quincy + The Book Eaters by Sunyi Dean + Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews
AViD author Sarah Penner joins Aaron Gernes on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast. Penner is coming to Des Moines to kick off the 2023 Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) series on Saturday, March 25, 2023.
Show Notes * Sarah Penner at AViD * The DSM Book Festival * Sarah's Books + The London Séance Society (2023) + The Lost Apothecary (2021) * Sarah on the Web + Publisher's Weekly review of The London Séance Society + Reviews of The Lost Apothecary - NPR - New York Times + The London Séance Society buzz - Goodreads - most anticipated books of 2023 - Good Housekeeping - best books of 2023 * Social Links + Sarah Penner | Website + Sarah Penner | Twitter + Sarah Penner | Instagram + Sarah Penner | Facebook
On the newest epsidoe of Beyond the Shelves, hosts Jes and Sarah talk about the 2023 Authors Visiting in Des Moines lineup. Then, in the spirit of the Oscars, they discuss their favorite and least-favorite book-to-film (and TV) adaptations before doing buy, borrow, or skip with Lessons in Chemistry.
Travel writer Sara Broers joins the DMPL Podcast today to discuss here 2022 book, 100 Things to Do in Iowa Before You Die. Sara talks about how she chose the items in her book, her favorite Iowa hidden gems, and what you should do in order to find some off-the-map hidden treasures when you travel.
Show Notes
- 100 Things to Do in Iowa Before You Dieat the Library
- TravelwithSara.com
- Midwest Travel Network
- Sara's Social feeds
- Pintrest
Welcome to Beyond the Shelves, a new podcast hosted by the Des Moines Public Library! This podcast is hosted by DMPL Librarians Brooklyn and Jes, both of whom are on the Book Chat team. In this first episode, they introduce themselves and talk about their reading goals this year, while also providing recommendations to each other in regards to those goals.
Beyond the Shelves will be released monthly. You can find it in the DMPL Podcast feed.
The latest episode of the DMPL Podcast features Des Moines author Sean Adams. Sean wrote the 2020 acclaimed novel The Heap, and released his newest novel, The Thing in the Snow, this month. He's also the moderator for the upcoming author visit from Stephen Markley. Markley recently released The Deluge, and previously has written Ohio.
Adams talks about his book, his friendship with Markley, and what he's excited to ask Markley about.
Show Notes
- Author Spotlight: Stephen Markley | Saturday, January 28, 7 PM | Central Library
- Stephen Markley
- Books at the Library
- New York Times review of The Deluge
- Interview with Seth Myers
- Website
- Sean Adams
- Books at the Library
- Website
Victor D.O. Santos, author of several children's books, including My Dad, My Rock, joins the DMPL Podcast today. Victor will be taking part in the Des Moines Public Library's Iowa Author Series this Thursday, November 17. The program begins at 5:30 PM at the Central Library and is free to all!
On the podcast, Victor talks about getting started as a children's author two years ago, the process of independently publishing children's books, and why he and his wife are raising their children in a trilingual household.
Show Notes
- Victor at the Iowa Author Series
- Borrow My Dad, My Rock
- Victor on Instagram
- Victor's other books
Crashing waves, falling leaves, a shadowy forest - books that provide a strong sense a place are what we're talking about on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast. Book Chat team member Rebecca talks about three new books that she thinks of when she thinks "atmosphere."
Rebecca's Picks * What Moves the Dead, by T. Kingfisher * Daisy Darker, by Alice Feeney * Our Wives Under the Sea, by Julia Armfield
Other Book Suggestions * Her Body and Other Parties, by Carmen Maria Machado * Crooked House, by Agatha Christie * Just Like Home, by Sarah Gailey * White is for Witching, by Helen Oyeyemi * Black Rabbit Hall, by Eve Chase * Wilder Girls, by Rory Power * Moon of the Crusted Snow, by Waubgeshig Rice * Five Little Indians, by Michelle Good * Once There Were Wolves, by Charlotte McConaghy * Stephen Graham Jones books * Alice Hoffman books
Iowa Author Award Honoree Heather Gudenkauf is the latest guest on the DMPL Podcast! She discusses her newest book, The Overnight Guest, as well as her 14-year career.
Gudenkauf is one of three honorees at the 2022 Iowa Author Awards Dinner, which takes place Friday, October 14, at 6:30 PM at the Embassy Suites in downtown Des Moines. The program, titled The Magic of Libraries, will also feature honorees Art Cullen and Nate Staniforth.
Show Notes * 2022 Iowa Author Awards * Heather Gudenkauf books * Authors Heather mentions: + Kimberly Bell + Lisa Unger + Pam Jenoff + Kristina McMorris * Books Heather mentions:
+ *My Ántonia*, by Willa Cather
+ *Autopsy*, by Patricia Cornwell
+ *Night Will Find You*, by Julia Heaberlin
+ *Where Coyotes Howl*, by Sandra Dallas
This week is Banned Books Week! Veronica Fowler, the ACLU of Iowa Communications Director, joins us to discuss Banned Books and the Freedom to Read.
This is one of many things happening at the library this week celebrating the Freedom to Read. Check out our social media accounts, including Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and Twitter, to see videos from staff discussing banned books and which are their favorites.
Check out our Banned Books site, for a Q&A with our Director, Susan A. Woody. And then be sure to check out our new Raygun store, where you can purchase a “I Read Banned Books” shirt!
Rachel Mans McKenny, author of The Butterfly Effect, is the newest guest on the DMPL Podcast! Rachel stopped by as she gets ready to appear at the Iowa Author Spotlight Series on Thursday, September 15, at 5:30 PM at the Central Library. The Butterfly Effect was selected as the 2022 All Iowa Reads book.
During the podcast, Rachel and host Aaron Gernes chat about writing about Central Iowa, the ways in which writing a novel is different than short pieces, and how the pandemic impacted the cover of The Butterfly Effect.
Show Notes * The Iowa Author Spotlight Series Presents Rachel Mans McKenny + Thursday, September 15, 5:30 PM | Central Library * The Butterfly Effect at the library * Blind Date with a Book (a podcast Rachel co-hosts)
AViD author Karin Slaughter joins host Aaron Gernes on the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast! Karin will be in Des Moines on Wednesday, August 24, at 7:00 PM as part of the AViD series. Her best selling novels include Cop Town, Pretty Girls, The Good Daughter, and Pieces of Her, among others. Her newest book, Girl, Forgotten, arrives at the library and in bookstores on Tuesday, August 23.
Show Notes * Event Info * Karin's Book Recs + Empire of the Summer Moon, by S.C. Gwynne + Things We Do in the Dark, by Jennifer Hillier
What's the "spark" that shaped the lives of our local leaders? Each month, librarian Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez as they share their "Spark Story," the specific experience that sparked them to create change in the community. In addition, we’ll hear details about the work they are doing and what keeps them motivated to stay involved. Previously a video series, Elizabeth is bringing the series to podcast form each month, found on the DMPL Podcast feed.
This month's guest is Dr. Richard L. Deming. Dr. Deming is the Medical Director of MercyOne Cancer Center in Des Moines and the founder of of Above + Beyond Cancer, a nonprofit organization dedicated to elevating the lives of those touched by cancer.
It's Iowa State Fair time, and the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast is sure to make you hungry to head to the fairgrounds. Kay Fenton Smith is the author of Baking Blue Ribbons: Stories and Recipes from the Iowa State Fair Food Competitions. Smith and host Aaron Gernes talk about what happens during the food competitions, popular foods throughout history, and some of her favorite recipes in the book.
Show Notes * Baking Blue Ribbons at the Library * Blue Ribbon Foundation * Elwell Family Food Center
Author Chuy Renteria joins the DMPL Podcast to talk about his memoir, We Heard It When We Were Young.' The book details Chuy's life growing up Mexican-American in West Liberty, Iowa, the first minority-majority town in Iowa. During the talk, Chuy and host Aaron Gernes talk about his experience dancing as a "b-boy," long summer nights in a small town, and how growing up in the 1990s and early 2000s was a different experience than what kids have today.
SHOW NOTES
- We Heard It When We Were Young at the library
- Chuy Renteria in Little Village Magazine
On today's DMPL Podcast, Sarah from the Book Chat team is talking about some of her favorite recent romance reads. Listen to the podcast, and then be sure to come to Meet Cute, Book Chat's romance event on Wednesday, June 15!
Show Notes * Meet Cute: Reading Romance with Denise and Elisa + Come to the Franklin Avenue Library on Wednesday, June 15, at 6:00 PM to learn about romance books from people who know them best! Meet local author Denise Williams (The Fastest Way to Fall and other titles) and Bookstagramer @LovinglyRead * Sarah's Picks + The Viscount Made Me Do It, by Diana Quincy + Love in Color, by Bolu Babalola + Spanish Love Deception, by Elena Armas
AViD Author Jason Mott joins us on the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast! During this chat, he talks about the development of Hell of a Book, including when how the special cameo by Nic Cage came to be. He also talks about the book's amazing reception and what surprising nonfiction topic he enjoys reading.
Mott will take part in Authors Visiting in Des Moines on Wednesday, May 25, at 7:00 PM at the Central Library. The event is free and open to the public. Learn more on our AViD page.
Show Notes * Jason Mott's Books + Hell of a Book (2021) + The Crossing (2018) + The Wonder of All Things (2014) + The Returned (2013) * Jason Mott | Website * Jason Mott | Facebook * Jason Mott | Twitter * Books Mentioned + Meditations, by Marcus Aurelius
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, host Aaron Gernes sits down with Beth Hoffman, author of Bet the Farm: The Dollars and Sense of Growing Food in America. The book traces the journey Beth and her husband have taken as they started farming on a 5th generation family farm in south central Iowa.
Beth was a long-time food and agriculture reporter, covering the industry for 25 years before moving with her husband John to begin operating Whippoorwill Creak Farm. The book explores the challenges they faced as they transitioned the farm from a conventional operation to an organic and grass-fed operation, as well as the challenges faced in making money in agriculture as a whole.
Mark your calendars: Beth will be at the Central Library on Thursday, July 21, at 5:30 PM!
Show Notes * Bet the Farm at the library * Whippoorwill Creek Farm | Website * Whippoorwill Creek Farm | Instagram * Beth Hoffman | Twitter
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, we’re joined by Amanda Montell! Amanda is the author of Cultish: the Language of Fanaticism, and she co-hosts the hit podcast “Sounds like a Cult.” She is also the next author in our Authors Visiting in Des Moines series! Amanda will be in Des Moines on Thursday, April 21, at 7:00 PM at the Central Library. Doors open at 6:00 PM for this free event, and seating is first-come, first-served. More information can be found at dmpl.org/avid.
During today’s podcast Amanda talks about her family’s personal experience with cults, which cultish groups she wished she had the space to write about in her book, and what movie she says put linguistics on the map!
Show Notes Amanda's Books
- Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism (2021)
- Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language (2019)
Sounds Like a Cult
Amanda on Instagram
The newest episode of the DMPL Podcast features Angeline Boulley, author of the hit novel Firekeeper's Daughter. Boulley chats with host Aaron Gernes about the whirlwind of a year she's had since her book was released to rave reviews from both the professional press and readers. She also discusses a story from high school that in part inspired her to write Firekeeper's Daughter and reveals what her next book has to do with Laura Croft. Angeline will be taking part in Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) on Saturday, March 26, at 5:00 PM as part of the DSM Book Festival. The Book Festival takes place at Capital Square (400 Locust Street) from 9:00 AM-7:00 PM. The event is free, and seating is first-come, first-served. More information about AViD and the DSM Book Festival can be found in the Show Notes below.
Show Notes * AViD 2022 * DSM Book Festival * Angeline Boulley | Website * Angeline Boulley | Twitter * Angeline Boulley | Facebook * Angeline Boulley | Instagram * Angeline Boulley | Goodreads * Firekeeper's Daughter at the library * Louise Erdrich books * The Last Time They Met, by Anita Shreve * Sadie, by Courtney Summers
AViD author Brad Meltzer joins us on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast! Brad will be kicking off the AViD series on Thursday, March 17, at 7:00 PM at the Central Library. But before coming to town, he comes on the podcast to discuss how excited he is to be back on the road again. He also talks about what he finds so enthralling about being a novelist, and what inspired him to write his Ordinary People Change the World children's book series. Brad's newest book, The Lightning Rod, comes out on March 8!
Show Notes * Brad Melter at AViD * The 2022 AViD Series
- The Lightning Rod (2022)
- The Escape Artist (2018)
- Ordinary People Change the World
-
Other Brad Meltzer books
-
Brad Meltzer | Website
- Brad Meltzer | Facebook
- Brad Meltzer | Twitter
- Brad Meltzer | Instagram
The DMPL Podcast returns with Book Chat team member Carrie! She's chatting about books she loves that fulfill one or more categories of the 2022 Reading Challenge. If you haven't signed up for the Reading Challenge, do so now! It's a great chance to win books and win prizes in the process.
Show Notes Carrie's Suggestions * Sigh, Gone, by Phuc Tran + Categories fulfilled: BIPOC memoir, book about books + Tsunami Tattoo, Phuc's tattoo shop * Pride and Premeditation, by Tirzah Price + Categories fulfilled: YA/Middle Grade book; historical fiction not set during World War II, book about books * The Paragon Hotel, by Lyndsey Faye + Category fulfilled: Historical fiction not set during World War II
On the most recent episode of the DMPL Podcast, local author Amy Lee Lillard joins the show to discuss her debut short story collection, Dig Me Out. Amy and host Aaron Gernes her popular podcast Broads and Books. Show Notes * Amy Lee Lillard | Website * Amy Lee Lillard | Facebook * Amy Lee Lillard | Twitter * Amy Lee Lillard | Instagram * Broads and Books * Dig Me Out at the Library * Dig Me Out
On the latest DMPL Podcast, Book Chat librarian Rebecca joins host Aaron Gernes and completes a Book Chat request for him! You'll find out what Book Chat is, how it works, and then hear an example of how librarians handpick titles for patrons using Book Chat as she picks out some books she thinks Aaron will enjoy.
Show Notes * Book Chat * Book Chat Email Example (includes the books discussed on the podcast) * 2022 DMPL Reading Challenge
On today's podcast, author Katherine Dykstra chats with host Aaron Gernes about her 2021 book What Happened To Paula: On the Death of an American Girl. The book details the 1970 disappearance and death of Cedar Rapids teenager Paula Oberbroeckling, reflecting on who or what may have caused her death, and also reflects on what it means to be a woman over the past half-century.
Show Notes What Happened to Paula in the library
More on Katherine Dykstra:
- Website
- Goodreads
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, host Aaron is joined by Book Chat librarians Janeé and Steph to discuss their favorite books of 2021.
If you're interested in hearing more about our librarians' favorite books, be sure to take part in our Best of 2021 virtual program next Wednesday, December 15, at 6:30 PM on Zoom! Four more Book Chat librarians will be sharing their favorite reads and discussing books with each other and the audience. Register for the program soon, as spots are limited!
Book Discussed: * Concrete Rose, by Angie Thomas * Borders, by Thomas King * C is for Country, by Lil Nas X * Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, by Mary Roach * All Her Little Secrets, by Wanda M. Morris * Fight Night, by Miriam Towes
Today on the podcast, Annie Nelson, a Bereavement Coordinator at Hospice of the Midwest, joins the podcast. With the holidays coming up, she recommends some books about grief and grieving to help us make sense of what can be a tough time of year for many people.
Annie's Recommendations * On Death and Dying, by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross * On Grief and Grieving, by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross * Healing Your Grieving Heart, by Alan Wolfeldt * It's OK That You're Not OK, by Megan Devine * Notes on Grief, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie * Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner
On today's DMPL Podcast, host Aaron Gernes chats with Janeé, from the Book Chat team, about some of her favorite horror books in the past year. Janeé is DMPL's horror aficionado, so you can be sure that her picks are some of the best around!
Janeé's Book Picks * My Heart is a Chainsaw, by Stephen Graham Jones * The Final Girl Support Group, by Grady Hendrix * Only If You Dare: 13 Stories of Darkness and Doom, by Josh Allen * Mary, Will I Die?, by Shawn Sarles
October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Heidi Kroner is the founder of Decoding Dyslexia Iowa as well as Aspire Academy, a group that raises dyslexia awareness, empowers families to support their children, and influence policymakers and educators on best practices to identify, remediate, and support Iowa students with dyslexia. She's also the founder of Aspire Academy, a tutoring center that helps bring children with dyslexia up to reading at grade level.
Show Notes * DMPL's decodable book collection * Decoding Dyslexia Iowa * Aspire Academy * Online dyslexia screening
Steph from the Book Chat team joins us today on the DMPL Podcast to talk about books for Latinx Heritage Month! She has a book picked out for adults, young adults, and children and discusses what she loves about each. Be sure to check out the bookmarks in the Show Notes for more Latinx Heritage Month reading suggestions.
Show Notes Steph's Picks * My Broken Language, by Quiara Alegria Hudes * Fat Chance Charlie Vega, by Crystal Maldonado * Merci Suarez Changes Gears, by Meg Medina
Reading Lists/Bookmarks Printing Instructions: When looking at printing options, you must DESELECT “fit to print” or “fit to page.”
- Adult Fiction
- Nonfiction/Biography
- Teens
- Middle Grades
- Early Readers
- Pre-readers
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Aaron Gernes chats with local author Anthony Paustian about his book, A Quarter Million Steps, and Bookpress Publishing, a local publisher where Paustian works as a writing coach. A Quarter Million Steps is an award-winning leadership book that utilizes the Apollo space program as a metaphor that allows you to create success through imagination, creative problem-solving, and more.
Show Notes * A Quarter Million Steps at the library * quartermillionsteps.com * Bookpress Publishing
Book Chat librarians Rebecca and Maddie join the DMPL Podcast to discuss Book Chat's newest service, Book a Book Chat Librarian. This service gives you the opportunity to have a librarian visit and chat with your book club, classroom, business, or other organization to discuss books and get reading recommendations.
Rebecca and Maddie talk about different scenarios you might want a Book Chat librarian to talk books with you, including with a discussion group and specific classroom scenarios. They also have some great recommendations themselves - check out their list below!
Show Notes * Book a Book Chat Librarian!
Book Suggestions * The Rabbit Listened, by Cori Doerrfeld * There, There, by Tommy Orange * This Tender Land, by William Kent Kruger * Count the Ways, by Joyce Maynard * The Last Exiles, by Ann Shin * The Legend of Skeleton Man, by Joseph Bruchac * Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah * Heartland, by Sarah Smarsh * Sleeper Agent: The Atomic Spy in America Who Got Away, by Ann Hagedorn
On the one-year anniversary of the derecho that ripped through Iowa, meteorologist Terry Swails joins the DMPL Podcast to talk about Swails' newest book, Derecho 911. During the podcast, Swails recalls the events of that day and discusses what makes derechos so hard to predict.
He also talks about the aftermath, including the damage, how communities came together, and what steps the National Weather Service is taking in the future to ensure people are as prepared as possible for sudden severe weather events.
- Check out Derecho 911 from the library
- Other Terry Swails books
Book Chat librarian Alissa joins host Aaron Gernes on the DMPL Podcast to discuss graphic novels. It's a great conversation about some of the wonderful graphic novels that have been released in recent years with something for people of all ages.
Show Notes Book Picks Discussed on the Podcast * The Thud, by Mikaël Ross * After the Rain, by John Jennings; illustrated by David Brame. Adapted from "On the Road," by Nnedi Okorafor. * The Girl from the Sea, by Molly Knox Ostertag * The Way of the Hive, by Jay Hosler
Other Graphic Novel Picks from Alissa * The Deep & Dark Blue, by Niki Smith * You Brought Me the Ocean, by Alex Sanchez * Flamer, by Mike Curato * The Magic Fish, by Trung Le Nguyen * Juliet Takes a Breath, by Gabby Rivera * Stone Fruit, by Lee Lai * The Crossroads at Midnight, by Abby Howard * And Now I Spill The Family Secrets: An Illustrated Memoir, by Margaret Kimball
Author and Iowa native Lana Wood Johnson joins us on The DMPL Podcast. Johnson, who grew up in Des Moines, recently released her second novel, Speak for Yourself.
During the course of the podcast, Johnson talks about how she approaches the challenges that come with writing modern young adult books, including how some of her work history helps her when it comes to writing text message and group chat scenes. She also talks about her past in Des Moines and what book she is pretty sure she has the record for checking out at the Franklin Avenue Library.
Show Notes Lana Wood Johnson's books:
- Speak for Yourself (2021)
- Technically, You Started It (2019)
Lana Wood Johnson Online:
- Website
- Goodreads
Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand (the play Speak for Yourself is a retelling of)
On today's DMPL Podcast, librarian Rebecca Cloud, with the Book Chat team, provides some book picks for Pride.
Books Discussed on the Podcast * Shadow Life, by Hiromi Goto * The Art of Drag, by Jake Hall * The Thirty Names of Night, by Zeyn Joukhadar
Other Pride Book Picks * How to They/Them: A Visual Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and the World of Gender Fluidity, by Stuart Getty * The Pronoun Lowdown: Demystifying and Celebrating Gender Diversity, by Nevo Zisin * Beyond the Gender Binary, by Alok Vaid-Menon * The New Queer Conscience, by Adam Eli * The Gay Agenda: A Modern Queer History and Handbook, by Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham * A Queer History of the United States for Young People, by Michael Bronski * The Pink Line: Journeys Across the World’s Queer Frontiers, by Mark Gevisser * A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities, by Mady G
REGISTER for the LGBTQIA+ Health Care Program (Thursday, July 15 | 6:00 PM | Zoom)
REGISTER for Rachel McCarthy James' author event on Saturday, June 12, at 2:00 PM. The event will also be available online beginning Monday, June 14, and will be available through Sunday, July 11.
In the early 20th century, a series of families were murdered over the course of nearly two decades, including the infamous Villisca Axe Murders. Many theories have abounded over the years, but a 2017 true crime book connects the dots - and proposes a theory that the murders were all committed by one person, making this man one of the most prolific serial killers in history.
Rachel McCarthy James, co-author of The Man From the Train, joins The DMPL Podcast today. Together with her father Bill James (of baseball analytics fame), they researched this century-old mystery, connecting dots on the string of gruesome crimes. She talks about how her father roped her into becoming a researcher for the novel, the points of agreement and contention they had, and how she tracked down stories and information from rural newspapers that were more than a century old.
Host Aaron Gernes chats with AViD author Elin Hilderbrand in preparation for her virtual visit on Wednesday, June 9. Among other things, she talks about what it is about summer that she loves so much, the two moments that changed her career, and what hidden gem she thinks everyone should read.
Show Notes * Elin Hilderbrand | Website * Elin Hilderbrand | Facebook * Elin Hilderbrand | Instagram * Elin Hilderbrand | Twitter
Elin's Recommendations * Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott * Family Happiness, by Laurie Colwin * The Guncle, by Steven Rowley * Our Woman in Moscow, by Beatriz Williams * BLUSH, by Jamie Brenner
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Erica, a librarian at the Franklin Avenue Library, joins us on the podcast today to discuss a selection of picture books that can help kids learn about mental health and feelings such as grief, anger, and anxiety.
Erica's Picks * Big Feelings, by Alexandra Penfold, illus. by Suzanne Kaufman * It Was Supposed to be Sunny, by Samantha Cotterill * Bear Island, by Matthew Cordell * The Whatifs, by Emily Kilgore, illus. by Zoe Persico
Iowa author Joseph LeValley joins host Aaron Gernes. LeValley is the author of the Tony Harrington thriller series, about a small-town Iowa newspaper reporter who uncovers conspiracies and solves mysteries using his reporting skills and sources.
LeValley's newest novel in the series, The Third Side of Murder, takes Harrington out of Iowa and has him chasing mafiosos in New York City and Italy, while calling on his Iowa connections to help him solve the mystery of his cousin's death.
In the podcast, LeValley discusses his winding path to becoming an author, which featured pit stops as a journalist and as a health care executive. He discusses why it took 33 years for his first book to be completed and what he enjoys most about setting his novels in rural Iowa.
Show Notes * Check out The Third Side of Murder from the library * Other Joseph LeValley books * Joseph LeValley | Website * Jospeh LeValley | Facebook * Joseph LeValley | Twitter
Marlú joins us to discuss some great books and Kanopy movies! Kanopy is the library's free video streaming service. To use Kanopy*, go to dmpl.kanopy.com and create an account using your library card number and PIN.
*You must live in Des Moines, Windsor Heights, or rural Polk County to use Kanopy for free with your Des Moines Public Library card.
Show Notes Marlú's Picks: * Book 1: Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune, by Roselle Lim * Kanopy Flick: The Farewell (PG) * Book 2: The Low, Low Woods, by Carmen Maria Machado * Kanopy Flick: The Witch (R) * Book 3: Black Enough, Edited by Ibi Zoboi * Kanopy Flick: Moonlight (R) * Book 4: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (English & Spanish available!) * Kanopy Flick: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!
Register for AViD Ibi Zoboi | Tuesday, May 11 | 7:00 PM | Zoom
AViD author Tayari Jones takes part in the DMPL Podcast ahead of her virtual visit this coming Saturday. She talks about her favorite story growing up, the scene she considered toughest in her award-winning novel An American Marriage, and when she thinks she writes best.
Tayari Jones will be taking part in AViD on Saturday, March 27, at 3:00 PM as part of the DSM Book Festival. You can register for the event on our AViD page.
Show Notes Tayari Jones' Books * An American Marriage (2018) * Silver Sparrow (2011) * The Untelling (2005) * Leaving Atlanta (2002)
Tayari Jones on the Web * Tayari Jones | Website * Tayari Jones | Facebook * Tayari Jones | Instagram * Tayari Jones | Twitter
Tayari's Recommendations * "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer * Mercy, by Lucille Clifton * The Tradition, by Jericho Brown * The Street, by Ann Petry * All the Devils are Here, by Louise Penny * The Kindest Lie, by Nancy Johnson * A Promised Land, by Barack Obama
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Jenny from the Book Chat team joins us to talk about books with crazy plots and premises. As Jenny describes them, these books feature "a thriller sympathetic towards the murderer, a heist that focuses on student debt, and a remake of an old favorite children's book as an adult horror story."
Show Notes Jenny's Picks Discussed on the Podcast * My Sister, the Serial Killer, by Oyikan Braithwaite * The Assistants, by Camille Perri * Meddling Kids, by Edgar Cantero
Other "MAD" Books, with Notes from Jenny * Playing Nice, by J.P. Delaney: A couple finds out the son they’ve been raising for two years was switched at birth and have some terrible choices to make. But the couple raising their biological child is not what they seem. Part family drama, part courtroom adventure, part thriller. * My Best Friend’s Exorcism, by Grady Hendrix: Abby has been best friends with Gretchen since she was the only girl who didn’t stand her up at her roller-rink birthday party. In absolute 80s style, best friend drama gets complicated when one of the girls may be possessed by a demon. The exorcist is a bodybuilder. This book is wonderfully weird. * A Madness so Discreet, by Mindy McGinnis: A teenage girl is in an 1890s mental institution for being pregnant, fakes a lobotomy to escape with a Sherlock-Holmes-esque doctor to track down a serial killer. Suffragettes, corrupt politicians, positive portrayals of people with mental health problems, and just so much adventure. I straight up forgot about Zoom Game Night because I was too engrossed reading this!
Other Links * AViD Homepage * Register for AViD: Tayari Jones * Register for AViD: Hanif Abdurraqib * Book Chat
Author and Iowa native Greer Macallister is the guest on the latest episode of The DMPL Podcast. Her newest novel, The Arctic Fury, follows an all-female expedition to the north as they try to uncover what happened to the lost Franklin expedition.
Greer discusses why she wanted to set a book in this ice cold setting and how she assembled the Ocean's 13-esque crew of characters. She also lets us know what she's working on next - it's a big change!
Spoilers are discussed from about 13:20-29:50.
Show Notes * The Arctic Fury at DMPL * Other Greer Macallister books at DMPL * Greer Macallister | website * Greer Macallister | Facebook * Greer Macallister | Twitter * Greer Macallister | Instagram
AViD author Robert Kolker joins us on the DMPL Podcast! We talk about how he came to know the Galvin family, the subject of his newest, critically acclaimed book Hidden Valley Road. Kolker also discusses the challenges of structuring of narrative nonfiction books and reveals which classic novel he just completed and loved.
Show Notes Kolker's Books * Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family (2020) * Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery (2013)
Books Mentioned by Kolker * Random Family: Love, Drugs, Trouble, and Coming of Age in the Bronx, by Adrian Nicole LeBlanc * These Truths, by Jill Lepore * War and Peace, by Leo Tolstoy * The Brothers Karamazov, by Fyodor Dostoevsky * Mike Nichols: A Life, by Mark Harris
Kolker's Favorite Self-Authored Pieces * "The World’s Smallest Ukulele," Bloomberg Businessweek, May 12, 2016 * "Nine Blocks from Home," New York Magazine, July 7, 2006
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Iowa author Darcy Maulsby is the guest on the latest DMPL Podcast! Her newest book, Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes, is a culinary history of Des Moines restaurants During the podcast, Maulsby and host Aaron Gernes discuss restaurants of days' past, including Babe's, Johnny & Kay's, King Ying Low, and more. It's a must-read for anyone who want's to feel nostalgia as well as those who are interested in Des Moines history.
- The Italian influences of Des Moines
- Famous Des Moines figures such as Babe Bisignano and Edna Griffin
- The fall and rise of downtown through the restaurants
- What Des Moines' culinary future holds
- and much more!Show Notes
- Classic Restaurants of Des Moines and Their Recipes on our shelves
- Other Darcy Maulsby books on our shelves
- Darcy Maulsby | website
- Darcy Maulsby | Facebook
- Darcy Maulsby | Instagram
- Darcy Maulsby | Twitter
Theresa and Lynn join us today on the DMPL Podcast! The two Library Assistants love the DMPL Reading Challenge, and they've picked three books each to discuss - one in each of three different categories.
Show Notes Theresa's Books * Educated, by Tara Westover - A book based on its cover * My Antonia, by Willa Cather - A book she enjoyed in school * One Summer: America, 1927, by Bill Bryson - A book about a significant historical event
Lynn's Books * Vesper Flights, by Helen Macdonald - A book of essays or short stories * The Widows of Malabar Hill, by Sujata Massey - A book recommended by a Book Chat librarian * Perestroika in Paris, by Jane Smiley - A book with a non-human main character(s)
Other Related Links * DMPL Reading Challenge * DMPL Express * Book Chat
Show Notes * Adam Higginbotham | Website * Adam Higginbotham | Twitter * Midnight in Chernobyl * Books and stories discussed: + M.R. James: Collected Ghost Stories and Ghost Stories of an Antiquary + "Life at the Top," by Adam Higginbotham (The New Yorker, February 4, 2013) + Naples '44, by Norman Lewis (GoodReads link) + The Power Broker: Robert Moses and the Fall of New York, by Robert Caro + How the Word is Passed: A Reckoning with the History of Slavery Across America, by Clint Smith
Janeé and Rebecca, with the Book Chat team, join host Aaron to chat about their favorite books this year. What made them laugh? What made them cry? What made 2020 a great year for reading? Listen to the podcast to find out, and be sure to check out the show notes to see other books they loved that they didn't discuss.
Show Notes Book Chat Janeé's Books * Picture Books
+ *I Am Every Good Thing,* by Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Gordon C. James
+ *Anti-Racist Baby*, by Ibram X. Kandi
+ *We Will Rock Our Classmates*, by Ryan T. Higgins
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Middle Grade
- Class Act, by Jerry Craft
- Twins, by Varian Johnson
- The Talk: Conversations About Race, Love, and Truth, by Wade Hudson and Cheryl Willis Hudson
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Teen Fiction
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Cemetery Boys, by Aiden Thomas
- Clap When You Land, by Elizabeth Acevedo
- Long Way Down: The Graphic Novel, by Jason Reynolds
- The Magic Fish, by Trung Le Nguyen
Rebecca's Books * This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar * The Magic Fish, by Trung Le Nguyen * The House in the Cerulean Sea, by T.J. Klune * The Only Good Indians, by Stephen Graham Jones * Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia * Are You Listening?, by Tillie Walden * One to Watch, by Kate Stayman-London * Frogcatchers, by Jeff Lemire * Cemetery Boys, by Aiden Thomas * All My Mother’s Lovers, by Ilana Masad
It's the first episode in our latest AViD Podcast Series! Kate Quinn in answering seven questions about her books, what she reads, how she writes, and more. After you're done listening to the podcast, be sure to register for her AViD event next Wednesday, December 9, at 7:00 PM! You can do so at the AViD Page below.
Show Notes * AViD Page * Kate's Info + Kate Quinn | Website + Kate Quinn | Facebook + Kate Quinn | Instagram + Kate Quinn | Twitter * Kate's Books + The Huntress (2019) + Ribbons of Scarlet (2019) + The Alice Network (2017) + The Empress of Rome Saga - Lady of the Eternal City (#4) (2015) - Empress of the Seven Hills (#3) (2012) - Mistress of Rome (#2) (2011) - Daughters of Rome (#1) (2010) + The Borgia Chronicles - The Lion and the Rose (#2) (2014) - The Serpent and the Pearl (#1) (2014) * Kate's Recommendations + Empire of Gold, by S.A. Chakraborty + In This House of Brede, by Rumer Godden + Conclave, by Robert Harris + Munich, by Robert Harris + Island Queen, by Vanessa Riley (to be released July 2021) + Half Sick of Shadows, by Laura Sebastian
Eisner-nominated artist Scott Chantler joins us on the DMPL Podcast today to discuss his newest graphic novel Bix. It's a biography of Leon Bismark "Bix" Beiderbecke, a Davenport native and a revered member of the Golden Age of Jazz in the 1920s and 1930s.
Chantler and host Aaron Gernes talk about Chatler's creative process in writing graphic novels and about the trials and tribulations of Bix's life that lead to his tragic death at an early age.
Show Notes * Bix on library shelves * Other Scott Chantler books at DMPL * Scott Chantler | Website * Scott Chantler | Instagram * Scott Chantler | Facebook * Scott Chantler | YouTube
Gen and Katie from the Book Chat team join the podcast today to talk about books that give them "all the feels." They both picked one "swoony" book, one "scary" book, and one "funny" book to share.
Book Picks * The Bookish Life of Nina Hill, by Abbi Waxman * The Only Good Indians, by Stephen Graham Jones * The New One, by Mike Birbiglia * A Duke in Shining Armor, by Loretta Chase + Sequel: Ten Things I Hate About the Duke * The Murders of Molly Southbourne, by Tade Thompson + Sequel: The Survival of Molly Southbourne * S*, Actually: The Definitive, 100% Objective Guide to Modern Cinema, by Lindy West
On today's podcast, host Aaron Gernes talks with Iowa author Debra Landwehr Engle, whose novel Twenty came out this past spring. It follows an Iowa woman who makes an important decision about her life after grieving the losses of her daughter, mother, and marriage.
Show Notes * Twenty in the catalog * Other books by Debra Landwehr Engle * Debra Landwehr Engle | Website | Facebook | Twitter
On today's DMPL Podcast, Janeé with the Book Chat team is here to discuss her favorite genre, horror. She's picked out six books - two children's, two YA/Teen, and two adult titles - to chat with us about today.
Show Notes * Book Chat * DMPL Express
Janeé's Picks * Clown in a Cornfield, by Adam Ceasar * Harrow Lake, by Kat Ellis * Hide and Seeker, by Daka Hermon * The Puppet's Payback and Other Chilling Tales, by Mary Downing Hahn * The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, by Grady Hendrix * Killadelphia Vol. 1: Sins of the Father, written by Rodney Barnes
On today's podcast, host Aaron Gernes is joined by Iowa author S.C. Sherman. Earlier this year Sherman released Beer Money: A Tale of the Iowa City Beer Mafia, a historical fiction novel about the events that led up to the real-life Iowa City Beer Riots.
Show Notes * Borrow Beer Money from the library * S.C. Sherman's Website * S.C. Sherman | Facebook * S.C. Sherman | Twitter
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, we celebrate Latinx Heritage Month with some great books by Latinx authors. Janeé is up first to talk about kid's books, and then we're joined by Elizabeth, who gives us some adult book selections:
Show Notes Book Links * Vamos! Let's Go Eat, by Raul the Third; illustrations by Elaine Bay * We Are Not From Here, by Jenny Torres Sanchez * Merci Suárez Changes Gears, by Meg Medina * Mexican Gothic, by Silvia Moreno-Garcia * The Undocumented Americans, by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio
Elizabeth's Other Book Picks: * The Last Great Road Bum: A Novel by Héctor Tobar
#ownvoices Fiction
- The Taste of Sugar by Marisel Vera
- Afterlife by Julia Alvarez
- A Long Petal of the Sea byIsabel Allende
- Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
#ownvoices Nonfiction
- Once I Was You: A Memoir of Love and Hate in a Torn America by Maria Hinojosa
- More Than Ready: Be Strong and Be You... and Other Lessons for Women of Color on the Rise by Cecilia Muñoz
- Unforgetting: A Memoir of Family, Migration, Gangs, and Revolution in the Americas by Roberto Lovato
- Children of the Land by Marcelo Hernandez Castillo
- Spirit Run: A 6,000-Mile Marathon Through North America's Stolen Land by Noe Alvarez
Upcoming Programs * Calle Sur: Music and Bilingual Virtual Storytime/Calle Sur: Música, y Cuentos y Canciones Bilingües | September 24 | 4:00 PM * Voting Rights in Iowa: Don't Be Intimidated, Vote | September 24 | 7:00 PM * Flu Shot Clinic with Polk County Health | September 28 | 5:00 PM * Teen Chefs: Homemade Tortillas with Marianela Blanco | September 30 | 5:30 PM * Fall Book Bites | October 1 | 6:30 PM
Today on the podcast, Carrie recommends some books that are in non-traditional formats. This is one of the twelve categories in this year's ongoing DMPL Reading Challenge. Don't forget - it's not too late to sign up and take part in the Reading Challenge!
Carrie's Picks * Loving Vs. Virginia, by Patricia Hruby Powell * They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei * Dear Committee Members, by Julie Schumacker * The Boy Next Door, by Meg Cabot * Belonging, by Nora Krug * The Poet X, by Elizabeth Acevedo
Events and Programs Mentioned: * 2020 DMPL Reading Challenge * Library Learning Bag * Upcoming Program: Don't Be Intimidated, Vote
Iowa author Kali White joins us on the newest edition of the DMPL Podcast. White's newest novel, The Monsters We Make, was released last month. It is set in Des Moines in the mid 1980s and is partially based on the real-life Des Moines Register paperboy disappearances of that time. You may know her from her previous works The Space Between and The Good Divide, which she wrote under the name Kali VanBaale.
White and host Aaron Gernes talk about the intense research White did for the novel to ensure its accuracy, as well as why she decided to write under a new pen name.
NOTE: Spoilers for The Monsters We Make are discussed from 9:45-25:30.
Show Notes Kali's Books * The Monsters We Make(2020) - Borrow from the library * The Good Divide(2016) - Borrow from the library * The Space Between (2006) - Borrow from the library
Kali Online * Website * Facebook * Instagram * Twitter
Upcoming Events * Upcoming Book Discussions * Reid Forgrave Virtual Q & A
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Book Chat's Alissa joins us to discuss Magical Realism books. As Alissa says in the podcast, magical realism is "a realist fiction that blends magic into the everyday world," with deep roots Latin American literary traditions.
Books Discussed on the Podcast * The Astonishing Color of After, by Emily X.R. Pan * When the Moon Was Ours, by Anna-Marie McLemore * American Street, by Ibi Aanu Zoboi
Alissa's Other Recommendations * The Water Dancer, by Ta-Nehisi Coates * The Night Circus, by Erin Morgenstern * Don't Date Rosa Santos, by Nina Moreno * With the Fire on High, by Elizabeth Acevedo * The Night Tiger, by Yangsze Choo * Bone Gap, by Laura Ruby * Midnight's Children, by Salman Rushdie * Summer of Salt, by Katrina Leno * The Weight of Feathers, by Anna-Marie McLemore * The Murmur of Bees, by Sofia Segovia
Dr. Richard Deming joins the DMPL Podcast today to discuss his new book, Above and Beyond Cancer.
Dr. Deming is the director at the MercyOne Cancer Center in Des Moines and the founder of Above + Beyond Cancer, an organization dedicated to elevating the lives of those impacted by cancer.
During the podcast, Dr. Deming and host Aaron Gernes chat about the journey cancer patients and their loved ones take, what it's like being an oncologist during a pandemic, and the fun writing process that Dr. Deming embarked on for this book, with assistance and support from Drake Community Press.
Links * Drake Community Press * Order Above and Beyond Cancer * Above and Beyond Cancer links + Website + Facebook + Twitter + Instagram
Today on the podcast, we welcome Iowa author Cheryl Mullenbach. Cheryl has penned several books, including her newest, Stagecoach Women, which comes out next month. The book encompasses the expansive history of women in the old west, including drivers, bandits, gunslingers, and more. During the podcast, Cheryl talks about how old newspapers inspired her love of history. She also brings up similarities between the world today and the world of the old west in terms of the challenges women face, and she reads a bit from her new book.
Cheryl will be hosting a program about Stagecoach Women at the South Side Library on Wednesday, March 25, at 6:00 PM.
Show Notes:
- Cheryl Mullenbach's website
- Cheryl Mullenbach's books at the library
Iowa author Nicole Baart joins us on the DMPL Podcast today. She is the author of nine books, including her latest, You Were Always Mine. You Were Always Mine is a domestic suspense novel centered on a widow, her late husband's suspicious death, and the family she must hold together through her grief.
"A good book has to have a little bit of romance and a dead body or two," says Baart. During the podcast, she discusses how she balances being a mother of five children with being an author. She also talks about adoption (which plays a key role in You Were Always Mine) and being an adoptive parent, and she provides some insight on how anyone can write a novel in a year.
Show Notes and Links
- You Were Always Mine
- Other Nicole Baart Books
- Nicole Baart | website
- Nicole Baart | Facebook
- Nicole Baart | Instagram
- Nicole Baart | Twitter
The DMPL Podcast welcomes Natalie Benson to the show today. She will be hosting a five-week program at the Franklin Avenue Library titled A History of Modern Art. During the podcast, Benson discusses what exactly the nebulous that is modern art encompasses. She talks about well-known modern artists, such as Vincent Van Gogh and Pablo Picasso, as well as famous paintings from the time, including A Burial at Ornans, one of the first pieces that depicted the life of ordinary people and, in a sense, began the era of Modern Art.
A History of Modern Art begins on Monday, February 10, at 6:30 PM at the Franklin Avenue Library. It will continue on successive Mondays - February 17 & 24 and March 2 & 9 - at the same time. Each session will delve into a different topic or movement of modern art, such as surrealism, cubisim, and impressionism. Each session will also be self-contained, so guests should feel to attend as they are able without feeling like they missed out if they miss a week.
Today on the podcast, we welcome John Peragine to the podcast. Peragine is a writer that lives in Davenport. He's the author of 14 books, including A History of Iowa Wines: Vines on the Prairie, which was published last year.
During the podcast, Peragine tells us how German immigrants and a New York lawyer were intregral in ramping up the Iowa wine scene in the 19th century. He describes how Iowa, which was sixth in the nation in grape production in 1919, found itself bottoming out in the middle of the 20th century due to politics, agriculture, and weather, before blossoming again as a state known for hearty, sweet grapes.
Finally, Peragine discusses what it's like to be a ghostwriter. Peragine has been the pen behind more than 100 books in addition to his own published materials. He talks about the challenges he faces trying to find someone else's voice.
- Borrow A History of Iowa Wines
- John Peragine's Website
Librarians Carrie Anderson and Sarah Lane join the podcast today to discuss their favorite books of 2019.
Carrie's Books
Furious Hours: Murder, Fraud, and the Last Trial of Harper Lee, by Casey Cep
Carrie's review: Harper Lee fans will love how it delves into her psyche and the history of her writing life. There's a lot of interesting history here too, such as politics of the time in Alabama, and the history of life insurance. Cep tells all of this in a very engaging way.
The Unlikely Escape of Uriah Heep, by H.G. Parry
Carrie's review: This novel takes place in a world a lot like ours, except for one thing - certain people can bring characters out from books out into the real world. The result is a wonderful book that I recommend for bibliophiles of all types. It's full of wit and swashbuckling adventure, and it has real heart.
Twenty-One Truths about Love, by Matthew Dicks
Carrie's review: This book follows Daniel and Jill Mayrock. Daniel has just quit his job to open up a bookshop when they find out his wife Jill is pregnant. The book has a unique format - it's written from Dan's perspective through his lists. I loved this book. Books written in unusual formats can be gimmicky, but this one is not. It works really well for the story and it holds its own.
Sarah's Books
Bromance Book Club, by Lyssa Kay Adams
Sarah's review: This was my favorite romance book of the year. It turns the romance genre on its head without talking away any of the heartfelt sentiment you want in a romance book. This book hits you in all the feels while still being realistic and down to earth. I loved hearing men talk about wooing one's wife through communication and emotional depth.
Circe, by Madeline Miller
Sarah's review: Technically this book was published in 2018, but Madeline Miller came to Des Moines as part of AViD in 2019, so I'm counting it. I listened to the audiobook; it is riveting and beautifully narrated.
Finding Dorothy, by Elizabeth Letts
Sarah's review: This book tells of the story of Maude Gage Baum, the real-life wife of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz author L. Frank Baum. Though the book is fiction, Letts weaves nonfiction elements into her writing, creating a truly unique narrative. Finding Dorothy is an engrossing narrative about a little-known woman in history.
Illustrator Claire Sedovic, of Des Moines, joins us on the podcast to talk about her journey to becoming a published illustrator. Odd Animal ABCs, was published earlier this year (the book was written by June Smalls, of Virginia). During the podcast, Sedovic talks about:
On becoming a published illustrator: "It may sound kind of archaic, but one way illustrators get themselves known is that we send out postcards."
The "odd animals" she had to research and draw: "The one that immediately comes to mind, because 'X' is obviously such a hard letter to think of things for, is xenops. It's a bird from South America, and it kind of looks like a sparrow... My favorite had to be the tree kangaroo though. It sounds like it's made up, but it looks like a teddy bear."
On her decision to quit her full-time job to focus on her illustrating: "This was something I had been passionate about for awhile, and it came to the point where there just was never going to be the 'right time' to leave that job and leap into this career. I just had to make the decision to do it, and I've never regretted that.
Today, we welcome Thaddeus Russell on the DMPL Podcast. Russell is the author of A Renegade History of the United States, a counter-history of the United States. The book examines groups of people that Russell says shaped the country without being etched into history books, including "drunkards, laggards, prostitutes, and pirates." This provocative perspective claims the country's personality has been influenced by "the Puritan work ethic" and its opposite - those that have lived on the fringes of society, ignoring that work ethic.
Russell will be at Peace Tree Brewing Company in Des Moines next Tuesday, November 19, at 7:00 pm to discuss his book and answer questions. See the podcast links below for ticket information.
Content Advisory: The conversation does involve adult topics, including sex work.
Podcast Links:
- Thaddeus Russell at Peace Tree Brewing Company
- Thaddeus Russell Website
- A Renegade History of the United States in DMPL's catalog
Wini Moranville joins us on the DMPL Podcast. The former longtime Datebook Diner columnist has a new cookbook out - The Little Women Cookbook. The book is a love letter to the classic novel Little Women, using scenes from the book to create recipes that are classic, yet modern. Moranville discusses her research into 19th century cooking, the challenges behind coming up with these recipes, and why the book is a great cookbook for people of all skill levels.
The DMPL Podcast welcomes author and Iowa native Greer Macallister to the podcast. Greer and host Aaron Gernes chat about her most recent novel, Woman 99, which is largely set in a woman's insane asylum in the late 19th century. The book was called "A gorgeous ode to the power of female courage" by New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn.
Spoilers are discussed in the podcast, but a warning is given beforehand! This conversation takes place from around 15:30-20:30.
The DMPL Podcast welcomes Bill Jamerson to show this week. Jamerson, a singer-storyteller, is coming to the Franklin Avenue Library next week to present his program Dollar-A-Day Boys: A Musical Tribute to the Civilian Conservation Corps. The program will take place on Wednesday, October 23, at 6:30 PM.
Bill Jamerson's website
David Thoreson joins host Aaron Gernes on the DMPL Podcast this week. Thoreson will be coming to the Franklin Avenue Library on Tuesday, September 24, at 6:30 PM, to discuss the changes in the Northwest Passage that have occurred due to climate change.
Thoreson has sailed more than 65,000 nautical miles across the globe, including being the only North American sailor to navigate the Northwest Passage in both directions. He is also an outstanding photographer, with two published photo books (Over the Horizon and One Island, One Ocean) documenting his travels.
David Thoreson's website
David Thoreson's studio
Host Aaron Gernes talks with NASA Space Launch System Quality Engineer Dr. K. Renee Horton. Dr. Horton will be in Des Moines next week, July 15-17, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. She discusses what drew her to space exploration, how she overcame challenges to become a renowned member of her field, and why she enjoys traveling across the country to discuss space, science, and engineering.
It all started when she was eight years old. "I remember standing on the front lawn of our house in Ames," says Sarvinder Naberhaus. She was singing a song she had written for her neighbors. "It was called 'Round Love," she says. The lyrics included round love, square love, everywhere love love. "It was the '60s, you have to remember," she says with a laugh.
Some five decades later, Naberhaus, who lives in Ames, used her songwriting skills to create children's books. She's now the author of three published books, including Blue Sky White Stars, a book that was published in 2017 to wide acclaim. The book compares aspects of the American flag to aspects of the American experience, drawing on history and featuring striking diversity. Blue Sky White Stars was named one of the ten best children's books of the year by Time, received a Crystal Kite Award, and was honored as a Notable Children's Book by the American Library Association. Last year, it was part of Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, where it was mailed for free to tens of thousands of children across the country. The paperback, bilingual version of Blue Sky White Stars was published this week.
Naberhaus' favorite analogy in the book is comparing the "well worn" face of Abraham Lincoln with a "well worn" war-torn flag. "I imagined every wrinkle on his face was a soldier that died, a decision that had to be made, a battle that was lost," she says. "They carved his face. It was a well worn face."
During the podcast, Naberhaus talks about moving with her family from India to Ames when she was four years old. She also discusses her sparse writing style, why she sometimes has to take frantic notes on her phone, and the "rules" that she broke while working with renowned illustrator Kadir Nelson on the book.
- Sarvinder Naberhaus' books
- Sarvinder Naberhaus' website
- Sarvinder Naberhaus' Soundcloud
All Summer Long is now underway! Learn more about the Des Moines Public Library's summer reading program as Ms. Paige, the youth librarian at the North Side Library, joins host Aaron Gernes. Be sure to go to dmpl.org/summerreading for more information!
The 2019 AViD podcast series concludes as C.J. Chivers joins Aaron Gernes. Chivers, author of The Fighters, discusses the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and the process of gathering the stories of the soldiers highlighted in his book. Chivers will be at the Central Library for Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) on Thursday, May 23, at 7:00 PM.
The 2019 AViD podcast series concludes as C.J. Chivers joins Aaron Gernes. Chivers, author of The Fighters, discusses the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and the process of gathering the stories of the soldiers highlighted in his book. Chivers will be at the Central Library for Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) on Thursday, May 23, at 7:00 PM.
AViD author Madeline Miller joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the DMPL Podcast. Miller discusses her critically-acclaimed novel, Circe. She discusses recasting Circe into a feminist hero and how women were given short shrift and often demeaned in ancient storytelling. It’s a great conversation on literature and the flawed perspectives of the Greeks and others from millennia ago.
Paige and Jen talk about the 2nd annual MyDMPL Con, coming to Central Library on Sunday, May 5, from 1:00-5:00 PM. Learn more about the free family-friendly festival for all fandoms.
AViD author Chigozie Obioma joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the DMPL Podcast. The Nigerian-born author talks about his new, critically-acclaimed novel, An Orchestra of Minorities, and how he came to write such a tragic story.
Obioma will be at the Central Library on Monday, April 22, at 7:00 PM for AViD. Doors open at 6:00 PM. Learn more at dmpl.org/avid.
AViD author Laurie Frankel joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the DMPL Podcast. Frankel's most recent novel, This is How it Always Is, is the story of a family raising a transgender child. Frankel herself is the mother of a transgender girl. She and Rowley have a fun and frank discussion on the complexities of parenting, including the difference in keeping your child safe and keeping your child happy.
Frankel will be at the Central Library on Thursday, April 18, at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:00 PM. For more information, go to dmpl.org/avid.
On the newest DMPL Podcast, we're talking about the first ever DSM Book Festival! It takes place this Saturday, March 30, beginning at 10:00 AM at Capital Square in downtown Des Moines (400 Locust St.)
Colleen Murphy, the Events Director for the Greater Des Moines Partnership, takes us through everything that's happening. The festival includes the first AViD author of 2019, Susan Orlean. It also includes headlining authors Ted Genoways, Garth Stein, and Nnedi Okorafor. Murphy also discusses the great events and programs, including free family activities, music, drinks, and more. Des Moines Public Library Director Susan Woody is even co-hosting a program called "How to Build a Book Club and Bloody Mary from Scratch."
DSM Book Festival Website
Full Schedule
Kids Programs
Adult Programs
Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) author Susan Orlean joins us on the podcast today, along with special guest host Laura Rawley. Orlean will open the 2019 AViD series as one of the DSM Book Festival's headlining authors. She will be speaking on Saturday, March 30, at 4:00 PM at Capital Square (400 Locust Street). Orlean is the author of several best-selling books, including The Orchid Thief. Last year, her book The Library Book became an international best seller. The book doubles as a love letter to libraries and a true clime exploration of the unsolved 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire.
Discussed on the podcast:
- Orlean on growing up in the Midwest: "I don't think it's accident that there are loads of writers that come out of the Midwest, because there’s a quality of detached observation from the rest of the world."
- On the passage in her book describing the Los Angeles Public Library Fire: "I was fortunate because the fire department kept a log that was just about minute-to-minute about the fire... it was as if I had a highly refined, exact account of hte fire minute-to-minute."
- On the modern role of libraries: "The way that we receive information has evolved, and I think libraries continue to embrace that and be a place – and I think being a place is an important part of this – where knowledge and information is shared and distributed."
More information:
- Susan Orlean AViD Author Page
- AViD 2019
- DSM Book Festival
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Central Iowa author Tracey Garvis Graves joins the podcast for today's episode. Graves new book, The Girl He Used to Know, hits library shelves and bookstores everywhere on April 2. Graves is best well-known for her debut novel, On the Island. She initially self-published that book, and it eventually became a New York Times bestseller.
Graves talks about the amazing journey On the Island took, one that landed her a full-time book deal. "I couldn't really wrap my brain around it," Graves says of the fact that she shared a bestsellers list on Amazon with books in The Hunger Games and Fifty Shades of Grey series.
Her new book, The Girl He Used to Know, prominently features a character on the autism spectrum. Graves says she did a lot of work to make sure she was authentic in her dialogue and the actions of that character, Annika. "I read up to six nonfiction books about Asperger’s and being on the spectrum," she says. "Then I read a lot of blog posts and internet articles about what the spouses of people who are on the spectrum" love about their significant others and enjoy about their relationships.
In lieu of Valentine's Day this week, we invited Iowa Romance Novelists President Jan Walters on the podcast. Jan shares with us a new book from an Iowa author and a romantic paranormal series she loves that was recently completed. She also talks about her own books and shares how working with Iowa Romance Novelists has made her a better writer.
Related Links:
- Game of Scones, by Mary Lee Ashford
- The Charley Davidson series, by Darynda Jones (first book: First Grave on the Right)
- Jan Walters' website, with information on her books
- Iowa Romance Novelists Facebook page
Kevin Gannon, Ph.D., is a history professor at Grand View University. Kevin will be moderating the Becoming American series that begins next Monday at 6:00 PM at the Franklin Avenue Library. Becoming American is a documentary film and discussion series examining immigration.
Gannon discusses his prolific web presence, including his twitter account - @thetattooedprof - and his website, thetattooedprof.com. He discusses the upcoming series, his thoughts on immigration and social justice, and his experience being part of the Ava DuVernay-directed and Oscar-nominated documentary, 13th.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Iowa native Paul Kix joins us on the DMPL Podcast today. Kix, who grew up in Hubbard, is the author of The Saboteur. The book details the life of Robert de La Rochefoucauld, a French aristocrat-turned-resistance fighter in WWII. During the podcast, Kix talks about:
- Finding out about La Rochefoucauld's life in an obituary and creating a book proposal.
- Why La Rochefoucauld's incredible story hadn't been told to English audiences yet.
- Working with French sources to follow-up and confirm extraordinary details while knowing a limited amount of French.
- How he wrote the book 500 words at a time while continuing his full-time job as deputy editor at ESPN: The Magazine.
- The most unbelievable parts of La Rochefoucauld's life - and there were several to choose from.
You can find more of Kix's work, including magazine stories and other long-form pieces, at his website, paulkix.com.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Iowa photographer and artist Barry Phipps joins us on the podcast today. Barry recently published a collection of photos called From Gravity to What Cheer: Iowa Photographs. The book has several striking photos of sites across Iowa, with a focus on color and architecture. Several of those photos are currently on display at the Central Library Art Gallery through January 23.
During the podcast, Barry talks about moving to Iowa City in 2012, how the photos developed from a personal project of curiosity to the published book, and his past life as a DJ and as a part of a 90s rock band that played at Lollapalooza and appeared on MTV.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
It's time to talk about our favorite books of 2018. Steph, Gen, and Becky are all on the podcast today to talk about their favorite adult, young adult, and children's books of the year, respectively.
You can find a list of the books they discuss, as well as other books they enjoyed this year, at The DMPL Blog - dmpl.org/blog.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Pulitzer Prize winning writer Art Cullen joins us on the podcast. Cullen, editor of The Storm Lake Times, won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing. His work detailed the role deceptive agricultural corporations played in a lawsuit between three rural Iowa counties and Des Moines Water Works regarding water pollution.
In the wake of that award, Cullen was approached by a handful of publishers about writing a book. He wrote Storm Lake: A Chronicle of Change, Resilience, and Hope from a Heartland Newspaper, a book about both his life and the life of a community in northwest Iowa that has been challenged by changes in the meat-packing industry and shaped by diversity.
In the podcast, Cullen talks about practicing journalism in a small community, the positive impact The Storm Lake Times has had on the town's large immigrant population, and more.
Dani Lin joins us on the DMPL Podcast! She has two programs at the library this month:
1) Stress Free, Nourishing Meals: Tuesday, July 17, 6:00 PM, North Side Library
2) Superhero Foods!: Monday, July 30, 6:00 PM, East Side Library
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
AViD author Russell Shorto joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast! Shorto wrote Revolution Song, which is a narrative history of the American Revolution. Shorto shares with Rowley why he settled on the six real-life characters that he chose to tell the story of the Revolution. He also shares a little bit about his next project, which is the story of the mafia - and also a family story.
Shorto will be at the Central Library as part of the 2018 AViD series on Thursday, June 14, at 7:00 PM.
AViD author Lea Berman joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast! She co-wrote Treating People Well with Jeremy Bernard. Both served as White House Social Secretaries - Berman under President George W. Bush and Bernard under President Barack Obama. During the interview, she talks about why she sees civility and manners as something that needs to be discussed in the current day and age. She also shares a couple of stories from her time at the White House.
Berman and Jeremy Bernard will be at the Central Library as part of the 2018 AViD series on Tuesday, May 15, at 7:00 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Aaron talks with Becky and Jen about the first ever MyDMPL Con. Learn how you can create a wand in Diagon Alley, plant a Baby Groot, take part in a costume contest for prizes, and more! Becky and Jen talk about the schedule at this family-friendly event and what they're most excited about. MyDMPL Con takes place on Sunday, May 6, from 1:00-5:00 PM at the Central Library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
AViD author Stephanie Powell Watts joins us on the podcast! Guest host Laura Rowley talks with Watts about her career, her writing process, and how her original idea for No One is Coming to Save Us morphed into something completely different. Don’t forget, she’ll be at Des Moines University on Thursday, May 3, at 7:00 PM!
Amor Towles is coming to Des Moines for AViD! He speaks with guest host Laura Rowley about his newest book, A Gentleman in Moscow. They also chat about his writing process, life in New York City, and what his idea of perfect happiness is. Mark your calendars for Monday, April 23, at 7:00 PM for Amor’s visit – and don’t forget it’s at Roosevelt High School!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
AViD author John Lescroart joins us on the podcast! He chats with special guest host Laura Rowley about his unique path to becoming a best-selling author and what motivates him. Lescroart will be at the Central Library on Tuesday, April 10, at 7:00 PM. Learn more about AViD!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Children’s author and illustrator David LaRochelle comes on the podcast! He’ll be at the Franklin Avenue Library on Monday, April 16, at 5:30 PM. LaRochelle talks about his love for children’s books, how he writes them, and why being a picture book author is like being a director.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Our newest Podcast Picks podcast has Jen and Carrie in the studio! They’re talking about mysteries with a romantic twist to them. Check it out!
The series Jen and Carrie discussed are:
‘Veronica Speedwell,’ by Deanna Raybourn
‘Jackson Brodie,’ by Kate Atkinson
‘Kincaid & Jones,’ by Deborah Crombie
‘42nd Street Library,’ by Con Lehane
‘Magic Men Mysteries,’ by Elly Griffiths
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Forest Avenue Children’s Librarian Erica Eis talks about her favorite picture books with winter themes! She also talks about the importance of storytime, finding books your child is interested in, and ways to encourage them to continue reading, no matter their skill level.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Librarians Kevin and Kate tell us about lesser-known books that you should consider for your book club this next year. They also talk about what makes for a good book club discussion!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Long-time Des Moines sports personality Larry Cotlar joins the podcast! Cotlar chats about some of the highlights of his lengthy sports media career, which has spanned more than three decades. He explains how things have changed, for good and bad, and then gives us a preview of his upcoming program at the Franklin Avenue Library. Cotlar will be at Franklin on Tuesday, November 7, at 6:30 PM to discuss the upcoming men’s college basketball season for each of the Division I programs in the state (Iowa, Iowa State, UNI, and Drake).
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Paranormal investigator Chad Lewis joins the show to talk about the wild and spooky things that he’s seen throughout his career. From hunting for the Tata Duende in Central America to looking for spooky sights throughout the Midwest, Chad has lots of experience with the supernatural. He’ll be presenting two programs in Des Moines: he’ll be at the Franklin Avenue Library on Tuesday, October 24, at 6:30 PM, and at the South Side Library on Wednesday, October 25, at 6:30 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Librarians Sarah and Steph hop on the podcast to talk about our patrons’ favorite books! The books discussed are all books that readers chose during our “Book Your Escape” adult summer reading program this past year. There are mysteries, graphic novels, and more! Hear what books readers and listeners like you recommend!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Aaron talks with Becky and Jen about manga titles! We talk about some the different types of manga (shojo and shonen) and what makes it so unique and popular, especially among teens. Then Becky and Jen talk about their favorite titles as well as some of the classics of the genre.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
State Librarian of Iowa Michael Scott talks about the role of the State Library, increasing broadband access throughout Iowa, and his fascinating career path that led him to Des Moines.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes interviews Rachelle Chase, author of Lost Buxton. In 1900, at a time when Jim Crow, segregation, and the Ku Klux Klan kept blacks and whites separated, residents in Buxton, Iowa—a thriving coal mining town established by Consolidation Coal Company—lived, worked, and went to school side by side. African Americans—miners, teachers, business owners, doctors, lawyers, and more—made up more than half of the population for the first 10 years and remained the largest ethnic group until 1914. By 1922, Buxton was a ghost town. Using photographs and rare audio clips from interviews with former Buxton residents, Chase will share what made Buxton so unique, both in terms of the residents and the town itself—and why Buxton is still being talked about today. Chase will present Buxton, Iowa: A Coal Mining Town Ahead of Its Time at the Forest Ave. Library on Saturday, July 29th at 2:00 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Heather Gudenkauf wraps up the AViD lecture series on Tuesday, May 30 at the Central Library. Gudenkauf, who lives in Dubuque, will be celebrating the release of her newest novel, Not a Sound. Gudenkauf is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of seven novels, including One Breath Away, The Weight of Silence, and These Things Hidden. She graduated from the University of Iowa with a degree in elementary education, has spent her career working with students of all ages, and continues to work in education as a Title I Reading Coordinator in Dubuque, Iowa.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes is joined in the studio by DMPL librarian Carla Tibboel. Carla discusses All Things Irish. Books mentioned in this episode include The Case of the Missing Books, Road to McCarthy: Around the World in Search of Ireland, Brooklyn, and Real Irish Food. For links to each of these books in our catalog visit this book list.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special guest host Laura Rowley interviews famed and award-winning author Nathan Hill! Hill is the author of the best-selling novel The Nix. His debut novel, The Nix was recognized as one of 2016’s best books by The New York Times, The Washington Post, Newsday, Library Journal, and Entertainment Weekly, among others. A native Iowan, Hill received a BA in English and Journalism at the University of Iowa before attaining his MFA in Creative Writing at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Hill has taught writing at Florida Gulf Coast University and is an Associate Professor of English at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota. He currently resides in Naples, Florida. Hill will be at the Central Library as part of the 2017 AViD series on Thursday, May 11 at 7:00 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special guest host Mike Draper interviews bestselling author Jon Ronson! Ronson is a Welsh nonfiction author, documentary maker, and screenwriter. He’s written ten books, including the best-sellers So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, The Psychopath Test, and The Men Who Stare at Goats. Ronson regularly contributes to The Guardian and BBC Radio 4, where his series Jon Ronson On... has been shortlisted for the Sony Award four times. In the United States, Jon is a regular contributor to This American Life, GQ, The New York Times Book Review, and has appeared at TED and on The Daily Show. Ronson will be at Sheslow Auditorium on the Drake University campus as part of the 2017 AViD series on Wednesday, April 12 at 7:00 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special guest host Laura Rowley interviews famed and award-winning author Eloisa James! James is the New York Times bestselling author of 27 romance novels. She has been nominated for a RITA – the highest award in romance fiction – several times, and she won her first RITA in 2003. James graduated from Harvard and received post-graduate degrees from Oxford University and Yale University. In addition to being an author, James is a Shakespeare professor at Fordham University. James will be at the Central Library as part of the 2017 AViD series on Tuesday, March 21 at 7:00 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes is joined in the studio by DMPL librarian Sarah Lane! Sarah really upped the creativity with her picks, and chose eight genre bending romances to talk about (genre bending is when a work has elements of two or more genres). Books mentioned in this episode include Food: A Love Story, Never Let Me Go, and Dark Matter. For links to each of these books in our catalog visit this collection. For more information about the library, great free events, and more visit our home online at dmpl.org.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes speaks with award-winning author Michelle Hoover! Hoover is the author of two novels, including Bottomland, the 2017 All Iowa Reads title. Hoover is currently the Fannie Hurst Writer-in-Residence at Brandeis University in Boston, where she teaches advanced fiction workshops and works with students on honors and thesis projects. Hoover is the co-founder and head of the GrubStreet Novel Incubator program in Boston. Hoover will be at the Central Library as the first author in the 2017 AViD series on Tuesday, March 7 at 7:00 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes chats with DMPL librarian Stephanie Fruhling! Stephanie came to the studio armed with fantastic reading recommendations to check out while keeping warm indoors this winter (preferably with a warm beverage and some PJ's, if you ask this podcast crew). Books mentioned in this episode include The City Baker's Guide to Country Living, Just One Damned Thing After Another, and Soul of an Octopus: a Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness. For links to each of these books in our catalog visit this collection.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes chats with our very own librarian Cat Bierling! Cat stopped by the podcast studio with some great reading recommendations for this time of year. For everyone from Science Fiction lovers and History Buffs to Romance lovers and fans of children's books, Cat has an excellent recommendation. For a full list of books mentioned in this episode, visit dmpl.org.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes interviews Dr. Ed Epperly, nationally recognized expert historian of the Villisca Ax Murders. The brutal slaying of eight people that occurred on June 10, 1912 shocked the town of Villisca, IA and launched a years long investigation. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Dr. Epperly has been investigating the history of these events since 1955, when he was a UNI student doing a report on Iowa history. Dr. Epperly will be at the Franklin Avenue library on Tuesday, October 25 at 6:30 PM to share his research and answer questions. As part of the event there will be a screening of the short documentary Axman about Epperly and his obsession with this case.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special guest host Mary Lee Woods interviews Susan Elizabeth Phillips! Phillips is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of dozens of books, and a five-time recipient of the RITA, the premier award given by the Romance Writers of America. Phillips talks about First Star I See Tonight the eighth book in her popular Chicago Stars series, her writing habits, and her love of travel. She will be at a special event at Franklin Avenue Library on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30 PM. For more information about the library and upcoming events visit dmpl.org.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special host Laura Rowley interviews Jenny Lawson! Lawson is the bestselling author of Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things. In her book, Lawson explores her lifelong battle with depression and anxiety in the hysterical style she’s famous for. Lawson also wrote a memoir, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her blog, thebloggess.com, has been nominated for multiple awards and has been recognized by Forbes and The Huffington Post. Lawson was also a contributor to the “Good Mom/Bad Mom” blog for the Houston Chronicle. Lawson will be at Des Moines University as part of this year's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) events on Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes interviews two authors who will be in Des Moines for the Wonder of Words Festival, June 18-19, 2016! Charlotte Rogan is the author of the New York Times Best Seller The Lifeboat and novel Now and Again. Charlotte will be on the Main Stage, Saturday the 19th at 3:00 PM. Summer Miller is the author of New Prairie Kitchen, a new cookbook that profiles 25 of the most exciting and groundbreaking chefs, farmers, and producers of artisanal goods from the all over the Midwest. Miller will be on the Main Stage, also on Saturday, at 10:30 AM. Visit wonderofwordsfest.com for more information about the festival.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special host Laura Rowley interviews award winning journalist James Edward Mills. Mills’ book The Adventure Gap chronicles the first all-African American summit attempt on Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Mills uses that mission to explore why minority populations are less likely to seek recreation and adventure in the wilderness and what can be done to bridge that gap. Mills will be at the Forest Avenue Library as part of this year's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) events on Saturday, June 4 at 3:00 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Summer is right around the corner and the Des Moines Public Library Summer Reading Program is starting soon! Patti Graham, an educator from Lovejoy Elementary in Des Moines, and the library's own Miss Michelle from the South Side library, stop by to talk to host Aaron Gernes about this year's Summer Reading program, how Summer Slide affects students, and the importance of reading over the summer. Summer Reading sign up starts on June 1 at all open branches of the Des Moines Public Library. Visit dmpl.org for more info, and to sign up online starting June 1!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special host Laura Rowley interviews award winning author Pamela Smith Hill. Hill is the author of Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer's Life and, most recently, the editor of the bestselling autobiography Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Hill will be at the Roosevelt High School auditorium as part of this year's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) events on Wednesday, May 11, at 7:00 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC