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 

DMPL Podcast

Horror Book Picks with Janeé

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 

Dyslexia Awareness Month

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 

Latinx Heritage Month Book Picks

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 

Anthony Paustian

 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 

Book a Book Chat Librarian

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 

Terry Swails, Author of 'Derecho 911'

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 

Graphic Novel Book Picks

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)

Lana Wood Johnson

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)

Pride Month Book Picks

 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 newspapers that were more than a century old. 

Solving the Villisca Axe Murders with Rachel McCarthy James

Host Aaron Gernes chats with AViD author Elin Hilderbrand in preparation for her virtual visit on Wednesday, June 9. Among other things, she talks about what it is about summer that she loves so much, the two moments that changed her career, and what hidden gem she thinks everyone should read. Show Notes Elin Hilderbrand | Website Elin Hilderbrand | Facebook Elin Hilderbrand | Instagram Elin Hilderbrand | Twitter Elin's Recommendations Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott Family Happiness, by Laurie Colwin The Guncle, by Steven Rowley Our Woman in Moscow, by Beatriz Williams BLUSH, by Jamie Brenner 

7 Questions with Elin Hilderbrand

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Erica, a librarian at the Franklin Avenue Library, joins us on the podcast today to discuss a selection of picture books that can help kids learn about mental health and feelings such as grief, anger, and anxiety.  Erica's Picks Big Feelings, by Alexandra Penfold, illus. by Suzanne Kaufman It Was Supposed to be Sunny, by Samantha Cotterill Bear Island, by Matthew Cordell The Whatifs, by Emily Kilgore, illus. by Zoe Persico 

Mental Health Awareness Month Picture Books

Iowa author Joseph LeValley joins host Aaron Gernes. LeValley is the author of the Tony Harrington thriller series, about a small-town Iowa newspaper reporter who uncovers conspiracies and solves mysteries using his reporting skills and sources. LeValley's newest novel in the series, The Third Side of Murder, takes Harrington out of Iowa and has him chasing mafiosos in New York City and Italy, while calling on his Iowa connections to help him solve the mystery of his cousin's death.  In the podcast, LeValley discusses his winding path to becoming an author, which featured pit stops as a journalist and as a health care executive. He discusses why it took 33 years for his first book to be completed and what he enjoys most about setting his novels in rural Iowa. Show Notes Check out The Third Side of Murder from the library Other Joseph LeValley books Joseph LeValley | Website Jospeh LeValley | Facebook Joseph LeValley | Twitter 

Iowa Author Joseph LeValley

Marlú joins us to discuss some great books and Kanopy movies! Kanopy is the library's free video streaming service. To use Kanopy*, go to dmpl.kanopy.com and create an account using your library card number and PIN. *You must live in Des Moines, Windsor Heights, or rural Polk County to use Kanopy for free with your Des Moines Public Library card.   Show Notes Marlú's Picks: Book 1: Natalie Tan's Book of Luck and Fortune, by Roselle Lim Kanopy Flick: The Farewell (PG) Book 2: The Low, Low Woods, by Carmen Maria Machado Kanopy Flick: The Witch (R) Book 3: Black Enough, Edited by Ibi Zoboi Kanopy Flick: Moonlight (R) Book 4: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! (English & Spanish available!) Kanopy Flick: Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!   Register for AViD Ibi Zoboi | Tuesday, May 11 | 7:00 PM | Zoom

DMPL Podcast: Kanopy Read Alikes with Marlú

AViD author Tayari Jones takes part in the DMPL Podcast ahead of her virtual visit this coming Saturday. She talks about her favorite story growing up, the scene she considered toughest in her award-winning novel An American Marriage, and when she thinks she writes best.  Tayari Jones will be taking part in AViD on Saturday, March 27, at 3:00 PM as part of the DSM Book Festival. You can register for the event on our AViD page. Show Notes Tayari Jones' Books An American Marriage (2018) Silver Sparrow (2011) The Untelling (2005) Leaving Atlanta (2002) Tayari Jones on the Web Tayari Jones | Website Tayari Jones | Facebook Tayari Jones | Instagram Tayari Jones | Twitter Tayari's Recommendations "Trees" by Joyce Kilmer Mercy, by Lucille Clifton The Tradition, by Jericho Brown The Street, by Ann Petry All the Devils are Here, by Louise Penny The Kindest Lie, by Nancy Johnson A Promised Land, by Barack Obama 

7 Questions with AViD Author Tayari Jones

The official podcast of the Des Moines Public Library. Featuring interviews with authors, special guests to the library, your favorite library staff, and more!

hubhopper

DMPL Podcast

hubhopper