Dmpl Podcast

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 moving with her husband John to begin operating Whippoorwill Creak Farm. The book explores the challenges they faced as they transitioned the farm from a conventional operation to an organic and grass-fed operation, as well as the challenges faced in making money in agriculture as a whole.  Mark your calendars: Beth will be at the Central Library on Thursday, July 21, at 5:30 PM! Show Notes Bet the Farm at the library Whippoorwill Creek Farm | Website Whippoorwill Creek Farm | Instagram Beth Hoffman | Twitter

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 seating is first-come, first-served. More information can be found at dmpl.org/avid. During today’s podcast Amanda talks about her family’s personal experience with cults, which cultish groups she wished she had the space to write about in her book, and what movie she says put linguistics on the map!   Show Notes Amanda's Books Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism (2021) Wordslut: A Feminist Guide to Taking Back the English Language (2019) Sounds Like a Cult Amanda on Instagram

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 what her next book has to do with Laura Croft. Angeline will be taking part in Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) on Saturday, March 26, at 5:00 PM as part of the DSM Book Festival. The Book Festival takes place at Capital Square (400 Locust Street) from 9:00 AM-7:00 PM. The event is free, and seating is first-come, first-served. More information about AViD and the DSM Book Festival can be found in the Show Notes below.   Show Notes AViD 2022 DSM Book Festival Angeline Boulley | Website Angeline Boulley | Twitter Angeline Boulley | Facebook Angeline Boulley | Instagram Angeline Boulley | Goodreads Firekeeper's Daughte

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 Ordinary People Change the World children's book series. Brad's newest book, The Lightning Rod, comes out on March 8! Show Notes Brad Melter at AViD The 2022 AViD Series   The Lightning Rod (2022) The Escape Artist (2018) Ordinary People Change the World Other Brad Meltzer books   Brad Meltzer | Website Brad Meltzer | Facebook Brad Meltzer | Twitter Brad Meltzer | Instagram

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 books Tsunami Tattoo, Phuc's tattoo shop Pride and Premeditation, by Tirzah Price Categories fulfilled: YA/Middle Grade book; historical fiction not set during World War II, book about books The Paragon Hotel, by Lyndsey Faye Category fulfilled: Historical fiction not set during World War II

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 podcast) 2022 DMPL Reading Challenge

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 Happened to Paula in the library More on Katherine Dykstra: Website Twitter Instagram Goodreads

On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, host Aaron is joined by Book Chat librarians Janeé and Steph to discuss their favorite books of 2021.  If you're interested in hearing more about our librarians' favorite books, be sure to take part in our Best of 2021 virtual program next Wednesday, December 15, at 6:30 PM on Zoom! Four more Book Chat librarians will be sharing their favorite reads and discussing books with each other and the audience. Register for the program soon, as spots are limited! Book Discussed: Concrete Rose, by Angie Thomas Borders, by Thomas King C is for Country, by Lil Nas X Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law, by Mary Roach All Her Little Secrets, by Wanda M. Morris Fight Night, by Miriam Towes

Today on the podcast, Annie Nelson, a Bereavement Coordinator at Hospice of the Midwest, joins the podcast. With the holidays coming up, she recommends some books about grief and grieving to help us make sense of what can be a tough time of year for many people. Annie's Recommendations On Death and Dying, by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross On Grief and Grieving, by Elisabeth Kubler-Ross Healing Your Grieving Heart, by Alan Wolfeldt It's OK That You're Not OK, by Megan Devine Notes on Grief, by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Crying in H Mart, by Michelle Zauner

On today's DMPL Podcast, host Aaron Gernes chats with Janeé, from the Book Chat team, about some of her favorite horror books in the past year. Janeé is DMPL's horror aficionado, so you can be sure that her picks are some of the best around! Janeé's Book Picks My Heart is a Chainsaw, by Stephen Graham Jones The Final Girl Support Group, by Grady Hendrix Only If You Dare: 13 Stories of Darkness and Doom, by Josh Allen Mary, Will I Die?, by Shawn Sarles

October is Dyslexia Awareness Month. Heidi Kroner is the founder of Decoding Dyslexia Iowa as well as Aspire Academy, a group that raises dyslexia awareness, empowers families to support their children, and influence policymakers and educators on best practices to identify, remediate, and support Iowa students with dyslexia. She's also the founder of Aspire Academy, a tutoring center that helps bring children with dyslexia up to reading at grade level. Show Notes DMPL's decodable book collection Decoding Dyslexia Iowa Aspire Academy Online dyslexia screening

Steph from the Book Chat team joins us today on the DMPL Podcast to talk about books for Latinx Heritage Month! She has a book picked out for adults, young adults, and children and discusses what she loves about each. Be sure to check out the bookmarks in the Show Notes for more Latinx Heritage Month reading suggestions. Show Notes Steph's Picks My Broken Language, by Quiara Alegria Hudes Fat Chance Charlie Vega, by Crystal Maldonado Merci Suarez Changes Gears, by Meg Medina   Reading Lists/Bookmarks Printing Instructions: When looking at printing options, you must DESELECT “fit to print” or “fit to page.” Adult Fiction Nonfiction/Biography Teens Middle Grades Early Readers Pre-readers

On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Aaron Gernes chats with local author Anthony Paustian about his book, A Quarter Million Steps, and Bookpress Publishing, a local publisher where Paustian works as a writing coach. A Quarter Million Steps is an award-winning leadership book that utilizes the Apollo space program as a metaphor that allows you to create success through imagination, creative problem-solving, and more. Show Notes A Quarter Million Steps at the library quartermillionsteps.com Bookpress Publishing

Book Chat librarians Rebecca and Maddie join the DMPL Podcast to discuss Book Chat's newest service, Book a Book Chat Librarian. This service gives you the opportunity to have a librarian visit and chat with your book club, classroom, business, or other organization to discuss books and get reading recommendations. Rebecca and Maddie talk about different scenarios you might want a Book Chat librarian to talk books with you, including with a discussion group and specific classroom scenarios. They also have some great recommendations themselves - check out their list below! Show Notes Book a Book Chat Librarian! Book Suggestions The Rabbit Listened, by Cori Doerrfeld There, There, by Tommy Orange This Tender Land, by William Kent Kruger Count the Ways, by Joyce Maynard The Last Exiles, by Ann Shin The Legend of Skeleton Man, by Joseph Bruchac Born a Crime, by Trevor Noah Heartland, by Sarah Smarsh Sleeper Agent: The Atomic Spy in America Who Got Away, by Ann Hagedorn

On the one-year anniversary of the derecho that ripped through Iowa, meteorologist Terry Swails joins the DMPL Podcast to talk about Swails' newest book, Derecho 911. During the podcast, Swails recalls the events of that day and discusses what makes derechos so hard to predict. He also talks about the aftermath, including the damage, how communities came together, and what steps the National Weather Service is taking in the future to ensure people are as prepared as possible for sudden severe weather events. Check out Derecho 911 from the library Other Terry Swails books

Book Chat librarian Alissa joins host Aaron Gernes on the DMPL Podcast to discuss graphic novels. It's a great conversation about some of the wonderful graphic novels that have been released in recent years with something for people of all ages. Show Notes Book Picks Discussed on the Podcast The Thud, by Mikaël Ross After the Rain, by John Jennings; illustrated by David Brame. Adapted from "On the Road," by Nnedi Okorafor. The Girl from the Sea, by Molly Knox Ostertag The Way of the Hive, by Jay Hosler Other Graphic Novel Picks from Alissa The Deep & Dark Blue, by Niki Smith You Brought Me the Ocean, by Alex Sanchez Flamer, by Mike Curato The Magic Fish, by Trung Le Nguyen Juliet Takes a Breath, by Gabby Rivera Stone Fruit, by Lee Lai The Crossroads at Midnight, by Abby Howard And Now I Spill The Family Secrets: An Illustrated Memoir, by Margaret Kimball

Author and Iowa native Lana Wood Johnson joins us on The DMPL Podcast. Johnson, who grew up in Des Moines, recently released her second novel, Speak for Yourself.  During the course of the podcast, Johnson talks about how she approaches the challenges that come with writing modern young adult books, including how some of her work history helps her when it comes to writing text message and group chat scenes. She also talks about her past in Des Moines and what book she is pretty sure she has the record for checking out at the Franklin Avenue Library. Show Notes Lana Wood Johnson's books: Speak for Yourself (2021) Technically, You Started It (2019) Lana Wood Johnson Online: Website Facebook Instagram Twitter Goodreads Pinterest Cyrano de Bergerac, by Edmond Rostand (the play Speak for Yourself is a retelling of)

On today's DMPL Podcast, librarian Rebecca Cloud, with the Book Chat team, provides some book picks for Pride.  Books Discussed on the Podcast Shadow Life, by Hiromi Goto The Art of Drag, by Jake Hall The Thirty Names of Night, by Zeyn Joukhadar Other Pride Book Picks How to They/Them: A Visual Guide to Nonbinary Pronouns and the World of Gender Fluidity, by Stuart Getty The Pronoun Lowdown: Demystifying and Celebrating Gender Diversity, by Nevo Zisin Beyond the Gender Binary, by Alok Vaid-Menon The New Queer Conscience, by Adam Eli The Gay Agenda: A Modern Queer History and Handbook, by Ashley Molesso and Chess Needham A Queer History of the United States for Young People, by Michael Bronski The Pink Line: Journeys Across the World’s Queer Frontiers, by Mark Gevisser A Quick & Easy Guide to Queer & Trans Identities, by Mady G   REGISTER for the LGBTQIA+ Health Care Program (Thursday, July 15 | 6:00 PM | Zoom)

REGISTER for Rachel McCarthy James' author event on Saturday, June 12, at 2:00 PM. The event will also be available online beginning Monday, June 14, and will be available through Sunday, July 11. In the early 20th century, a series of families were murdered over the course of nearly two decades, including the infamous Villisca Axe Murders. Many theories have abounded over the years, but a 2017 true crime book connects the dots - and proposes a theory that the murders were all committed by one person, making this man one of the most prolific serial killers in history. Rachel McCarthy James, co-author of The Man From the Train, joins The DMPL Podcast today. Together with her father Bill James (of baseball analytics fame), they researched this century-old mystery, connecting dots on the string of gruesome crimes. She talks about how her father roped her into becoming a researcher for the novel, the points of agreement and contention they had, and how she tracked down stories and information from rural newspape