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Beyond the Shelves: Decolonizing Your Bookshelf

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. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Podb...

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DMPL Podcast: Daniel Kraus

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 ...

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Beyond the Shelves: Book Picks of the Zodiac

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 giv...

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DMPL Podcast: Austin Frerick

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...

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Beyond the Shelves: Reimagining the Classics

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. Listen to the podcast on YouTube Apple Po...

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DMPL Podcast: Shawntelle Madison

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 ou...

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DMPL Youth Librarian Honored by James Patterson

More than thirty families crowd into the meeting room at Central Library. Music is playing. Bubbles are in the air. At the center of all of this fun is Samantha Reid, a beloved youth librarian here at Central Library. Miss Sam, as she is known to many of her storytime families, was recently reco...

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Beyond the Shelves: Disability Pride Month Book Picks

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. Listen to the podcast on YouTube Apple Podcasts/iTunes |&nb...

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DMPL Podcast: Scott Reister

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 ...

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Beyond the Shelves: Pride Month Book Picks for Kids

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! Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play&...

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DMPL Podcast: AViD Author Joyce Carol Oates

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 ...

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Where to start with Joyce Carol Oates

Joyce Carol Oates is one of our most accomplished storytellers. With more than 60 novels and 40 short story collections it can be difficult to know where to begin reading her works. Oates will be here at Central Library on Thursday, May 30 as a part of the AViD series. If you are looking to read one...

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Beyond the Shelves - All About Book Chat

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 th...

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DMPL Podcast: Gregg Hurwitz

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 ...

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