Dmpl Podcast

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 Oliver The Light Eaters by Zoë Schlinger Fuzz by Mary Roach Entangled Life by Merlin Sheldrake Leave Only Footprints by Connor Knighton Something in the Woods Loves You by Jared K. Anderson Currently Reading Lucky Day by Chuck Tingle Bog Queen by Anna North Flip by Ngozi Ukazu Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid Heart the Lover by Lily King On Their TBR Crafting for Sinners by Jenny Keefer Minor Black Figures by Brandon Taylor All of Us Murderers by K.J. Charles Little Woodchucks by Nick Offerman Soul Searching by Lila Sage      

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 Friend by Elena Ferrante Saga by Brian K. Vaughan Books to get you into spooky season: Revelator by Daryl Gregory White Smoke by Tiffany Jackson The Reformatory by Tananarive Due Frankenstein by  Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly Natural Beauty by Ling Ling Huang Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina Hungerstone by Kat Dunn The September House by Carissa Orlando Book Bulletin A new update to the Libby hold system Jes and Sarah talk about the battle between AI creation and published children's books The last of the Fall Author Series

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 to get BINGO The Thee of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams The Butcher of the Forest by Premee Mohamed Tokyo Ueno Station by Yu Miri Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz All Systems Red by Martha Wells Shady Hollow by Juneau Black Binti by Nnedi Okorafor The Vegetarian by Kang Han To learn more about the reading challenge click here Book Bulletin Shelf Love, a new romance bookstore opened in Des Moines Page Bound is a new book tracking app that combines goodreads and reddit

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 Alvarez All’s Well, by Mona Awad Best Bets (Recommended backlist books): The Duchess Deal, by Tessa Dare Where the Lost Wander, by Amy Harmon Little Devil in America, by Hanif Abdurraquib They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us, by Hanif Abdurraquib Betty, by Tiffany McDaniel Book Bulletin Ali Hazelwood deletes socials for being #TeamGale Jimmy John's launches romance-themed "SMUT" menu in partnership with Walton Goggins Alexis Bledel is narrating the 50th anniversary audiobook edition of Tuck Everlasting NetGalley launches Booktrorvert.com Meta wins AI copyright case

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, by Danielle L. Jensen Who is Government? by Michael Lewis Margo’s Got Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe Ready or Not, by Cara Bastone Promise Me Sunshine, by Cara Bastone Marsha: the Joy and Defiance of Marsha P. Johnson, by Tourmaline The Lilac People, by Milo Todd Books About Love Kiss Me, Maybe, by Gabriella Gamez When the Tides Held the Moon, by Venessa Vida Kelly A Gentleman’s Gentleman, by T.J. Alexandar The Watermelon Woman (Kanopy) Broad City (3 seasons on DVD) An Island Princess Starts a Scandal, by Adriana Hererra Winging It With You, by Chip Pons Ordinary Love, by Marie Rutkoski The Birdcage

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 Kitamura Bunny, by Mona Awad The Shots You Take, by Rachel Reid Everyone Who Is Gone Is Here, by Jonathan Blitzer  To Be Read Great Big Beautiful Life, by Emily Henry She’s a Lamb, by Meredith Hambrock Exit Zero, by Helene Marie Bertino Oathbound, by Tracy Deonn The River Has Roots, by Amal El-Mohtar When the Clock Broke, by John Ganz What We're Excited For The Listeners, by Maggie Stiefvater (June 3) Endling, by Maria Reva (June 3) Ride With Me, by Simone Soltani (May 20) The Library at Hellebore, by Cassandra Khaw (July 22) A Curse Carved in Bone, by Danielle L. Jensen (May 13) Bury Your Bones in t

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, by Bob the Drag Queen Woodworking, by Emily St. James Stag Dance, by Torrey Peters The Deep Dark, by Molly Knox Ostertag To Be Read Oathbound, by Tracy Deonn First Time Caller, by B.K. Borison The Road of Bones, by Demi Winters Blood over Bright Haven, by M.L. Wang Stop Me if You've Heard This One, by Kristen Arenett Song of Solomon, by Toni Morrison Reading Material "What is Chick Lit? A Brief History from the Inside," by Lucida Rosenfeld "The Power of Chick Lit," by Jane Carrell and Meghan Hall "The Great Escape: Modern Women and the Chick Lit Genre," by Maureen Lynch Cooke

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 to listen and learn more about the Harlem Renaissance era! Show Notes The Book Club Book Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray Further Reading "A History of The Crisis" (NAACP website) The Warmth of Other Suns, by Isabel Wilkerson I Too Sing America: the Harlem Renaissance, at 100 by Wil Haygood Smoketown, by Mark Whitaker Joy Goddess: A’lelia Walker and the Harlem Renaissance, by A’lelia Bundles  Authors in the Book Blues in Stereo, by Langston Hughes Cane, by Jean Toomer Hitting a Straight Lick with a Crooked Stick: Stories From the Harlem Renaissance, by Zora Neale Hurston My Soul's High Song

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 their first ever Beyond the Shelves Book Club episode! They're reading Harlem Rhapsody by Victoria Christopher Murray. That episode is scheduled to be up on Tuesday, March 11. We encourage you to read the book so you can follow along with their discussion next month!   Show Notes Show Up for Your Library - ALA Advocacy One of the best ways to support the library is using your library!   What We're Reading The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, by Becky Chambers Y2K: How the 2000s Became Everything, by Colette Shade House of Earth and Blood, by Sarah J. Maas Onyx Storm, by Rebecca Yarros A Bad Day for Sunshine, by D

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 Reading The Empire of Gold, by S.A. Chakroborty House of Sky and Breath, by Sarah J. Maas The Story of a Lost Child, by Elena Ferrante City of Night Birds, by Juhea Kim Private Rites, by Julia Armfield Books That Bring Us Joy Books Jes is re-reading The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller Toni Morrison's catalog Fight Night, by Miriam Toews Tiny Beautiful Things, by Cheryl Strayed Found Family/Chosen Family/Ragtag Group books Check Please, by Ngozi Ukazu The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna Under the Whispering Door, by T.J. Klune The Expanse series, by James S.A. Corey S

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 Ross The Love of My Afterlife, by Kristy Greenwood On the Best Of Lists and other mentioned books James, by Percival Everett All Fours, by Miranda July Martyr!, By Kaveh Akbar Creation Lake, by Rachel Kushner Intermezzo, by Sally Rooney Colored Television, by Danzy Senna Shred Sisters, by Betsy Lerner  The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore Margo’s Got Money Troubles, by Rupi Kaur  The Ministry of Time, by Kaline Bradley  The Familiar, by Leigh Bardugo Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV, by Emily Nussbaum Grief is for People, by Sloane Crosley Soldiers and Kings:

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 learning more about the process. This will be a fun, family friendly event!   Show Notes Don Tate at the Forest Avenue Library Don Tate Books

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 The City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty The Book of Doors, by Gareth Brown   Book Recs - Decolonizing Your Bookshelf The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee, by David Treuer To Shape a Dragon’s Breath, by Moniquill Blackgoose Shutter, by Ramona Emerson My Powerful Hair, by Carole Lindstrom Babel, by R.F. Kuang The Marrow Thieves, by Cherie Dimaline The Space Between Worlds, by Micaiah Johnson Cursed Bunny, by Bora Chung  The Vegetarian, by Han Kang  Betty, by Tiffany McDaniel  Becoming Little Shell, by Christ La Tray  Whiskey Tender, by Deborah Jackson Taffa  And Then She Fell, by Alicia Elliott Who Am

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 Moines on Wednesday, October 23, at 7 PM at the Central Library as part of the 2024 Fall Author Series. Listen to the podcast on YouTube Show Notes Daniel Kraus at the Fall Author Series Checkout Pay the Piper at the library Daniel Kraus books

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 to our Facebook or Instagram page and let us know a genre and your Zodiac sign. Then you'll get a book rec. It's that simple! Be sure to listen to this episode of the podcast to get some general recs as well. Don't forget about the last event in our Fall Author Series - Daniel Kraus will be stopping at the Central Library on Wednesday, October 23, at 7 PM.   What We're Reading Jes The Really Dead Wives of New Jersey, by Astrid Dahl Those Who Leave and Those Who Stay, by Elena Ferrante The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio Sarah City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty The Black Bird Oracle, by Deborah Harkness   Pic

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, September 25, at 7 PM at the Central Library as part of the 2024 Fall Author Series. Listen to the podcast on YouTube   Show Notes Austin Frerick at the Fall Author Series Checkout Barons at the library  The Always Available Audiobook

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 Marcus Kliewer Sarah A Fate Inked in Blood, by Danielle L. Jensen Winter Lost, by Patricia Briggs   Classics, Reimagined CLASSIC TITLE UPDATED CLASSIC The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald Normal People, by Sally Rooney Lord of the Flies, by William Golding String Follow, by Simon Jacobs The Metamorphosis, by Franz Kafka Nightbitch, by Rachel Yoder Of Mice and Men, by Jon Steinbeck The Sweetness of Water, by Nathan Harris 1984, by George Orwell Chain Gang All-Stars, by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah Moby-Dick, by Herman Melville The Essex Serpent, by Sarah Perry The Catcher in the Rye, by J

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 at the library The Fallen Fruit Other books The Fallen Fruit review on Kirkus What Shawntelle's reading: The Next Mrs. Parrish, by Liv Constantine The Luminous Dead, by Caitlin Starling

On the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah talk with Kathleen, a Central Library Librarian that works with The Library of Things and Tech Central. She talks about developing the Library of Things, what items are most popular, how they decide what to purchase, and more! Borrow items from the Library of Things Borrow Board Games Borrow Family Board Games   What Everyone's Reading Two Twisted Crowns, by Rachel Gillig The Wishing Game, by Meg Shaffer Icebreaker, by Hannah Grace Brat, by Gabriel Smith Bad Habit, by Alana Portero My Brilliant Friend, by Elena Ferrante The Wars of the Roses, by Dan Jones The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, by S.A. Chakraborty Beautyland, by Marie-Helene Bertino  

In honor of Disability Pride Month, Jes and Sarah are discussing some of their favorite books that center characters with disabilities. They also discuss the history of Disability Pride Month and the importance of audiobooks. You can also listen to the podcast on YouTube.   Disability Pride Month Picks: Get a Life, Chloe Brown, by Talia Hibbert Being Heumann, by Judith Huemann Golem Girl, by Riva Lehrer Seven Days in June, by Tia Williams All the Little Bird-Hearts, by Viktoria Lloyd-Barlow True Biz, by Sarah Nović   What Jes and Sarah are reading: All Fours, by Miranda July Bury Your Gays, by Chuck Tingle The Wedding People, by Alison Espach Margo's Got Money Troubles, by Rufi Thorpe This is How You Lose the Time War, by Amal El-Mohtar and Max Gladstone The Book That Broke the World, by Mark Lawrence Barons, by Austin Frerick   Book Bulletin The first draft of Rebecca Yarro's next book, Black Onyx, is complete Ransomware attack at Seattle Public Library - full service is "weeks or even mon