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

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 Londo...

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 Die  at the Library TravelwithSara.com Midwest Trav...

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 month...

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...

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...

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 Armfiel...

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 featur...

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...

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, th...

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...

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 po...

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...

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 200...

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 wh...

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...

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...

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...

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 wha...

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 Ordina...

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 book...

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 po...

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 Hap...