Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

In this episode of Beyond the Shelves , the hosts talk about city budget cuts, share their latest can't‑put‑down reads, and dive into the wild world of librarians in pop culture. It's equal parts advocacy, book love, and pure millennial nostalgia. Tune in for laughs, library pride, and a reminder of why stories (and librarians) matter. What we're reading Canon by Page Lewis We Hexed the Moon by Mo...

A lively, book‑packed conversation with special guest Jen from the Franklin Avenue Library as they dive into what they're reading, the hottest upcoming releases, and, most importantly, the inside scoop on this year's Summer Reading Program. From murder mysteries at 30,000 feet to adorable fantasy graphic novels and the power of preventing the summer slide, this episode celebrates stories, communit...

In this episode of Beyond the Shelves , hosts Sarah and Jes kick things off with a lively conversation about what they've been reading lately and the spring publishing season's standout titles. Along the way they craft thoughtful cookbook–novel pairings built around themes like memory, heritage, legacy, flavor, and identity. Watch this episode on Youtube What We're Reading Star Shipped by Cat Seba...

In this lively episode of Beyond the Shelves , the hosts dive deep into Wuthering Heights —the novel, the new film adaptation, and the passionate discourse surrounding both. After a quick roundup of upcoming author events and current reads, the conversation shifts to Emily Brontë's legacy, the novel's complicated publication history, and why this famously chaotic story continues to captivate reade...

This month on Beyond the Shelves , Sarah and Jes unpack the idea of "third spaces"  why we crave them, why they're disappearing, and how libraries have stepped in to fill the gap. Stick around for the Book Bulletin, where they unpack everything from LGBTQ+ publishing setbacks to Shakespearean fan fiction, Bridgerton‑era romance trends, and the wild saga of a possibly‑AI‑written novel. SHOW NOTES W...

In this episode of Beyond the Shelves, Sarah and Jes discuss the 2026 reading challenge, recomend books to complete your bingo board, and in the book bulletin, talk about the hit series Heated Rivalry on HBO.  Learn more about the reading challenge here Watch the video on Youtube SHOW NOTES What We're Reading The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow Discontent by Beatriz Serrano The Correspondent by Virg...

In this episode, Sarah and Jes discuss the best books of the year, great books to give as gifts, the most checked out items at DMPL, and the librarians personal favorite books they read in 2025. Learn more below:   Show Notes What we are reading Jes: On the Calculation of Volume I by Solvej Balle Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke Sarah: Just Our Luck by Denise Williams, The Everlasting by Alix E. Ha...

Join us for our first video episode as we explore books celebrating nature and the environment! From Mary Oliver's contemplative essays to fungi's hidden intelligence, we discuss how the natural world intersects with our lives. Plus: library neighborhoods explained, garlic-scented books (!), and Reading Rainbow's triumphant return with a new host. Nature & Environment Theme Books Upstream by Mary...

Sarah and Jes discuss books that will put you in the mood for spooky season but aren't  that scary.   Show Notes: What They're Reading Wild Reverence by Rebecca Ross Swift and Saddled by Layla Sage Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë A Woman is No Man by Etaf Rum  Best Bets: other highly recommended books Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy Moon Called by Patricia Briggs and Fiona Staples My Brilliant...

Sarah and Jess highlight eight short books under 200 pages to power through the DMPL reading challenge bingo, promote the fall author series, discuss a new bookstore in town, and a new app to track your reading.    Show Notes: What They're Reading Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters American Spirits by Anna Dorn It's Not the End of the World by Jonathan Parks-Ramage 2025 Reading Challenge: Short books...

On the latest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah are discussing what they liked and didn't like about  The Phoenix Pencil Company , by Allison King . (Please note - this episode was recorded in early July) What They're Reading The Listeners, by Maggie Stiefvater Fallen City, by Adrienne Young When the Tides Held the Moon, by Vanessa Vida Kelly The Cemetery of Untold Stories, by Julia Alv...

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 , b...

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 Kit...

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 ,...

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...

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 thei...

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 Readi...

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 R...

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 l...

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...

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 Moine...

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...

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, Sept...

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 Marc...

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 a...