Dmpl Podcast

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

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   Pic

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

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 mon

Local sportscaster and debut author Scott Reister joins us on the latest 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

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 Cru

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 ​​​

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 Neve