Dmpl Podcast

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

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 Cou

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

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, b

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

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 Republic piece 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.