Dmpl Podcast

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

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