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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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STAFF SPOTLIGHT: Marli, Forest Avenue Library manager

Marli Jefferson grew up playing in Evelyn K. Davis Park in the summer and cooling off in the Forest Avenue Library. Now, she is taking on the role of managing the library in a community where she spent a lot of her formative years as a child.  "The aspect of getting kids excited about readin...

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Beyond the Shelves: Reading Through the Decades

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! Apple Podcasts/iT...

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Where to start with James Patterson

James Patterson, one of the most famous and prolific authors of our time, is coming to the Des Moines on Wednesday, April 10 for our 2024 Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) series. This FREE event will be at the Scottish Rite Consistory located in the heart of downtown Des Moines, with plenty of ...

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DMPL Podcast: Megan Bannister, Author of 'Secret Iowa'

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. Listen to the podcast on YouTube ...

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Beyond the Shelves: All About Romance

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. Listen to...

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Beyond the Shelves - 2024 Reading Goals

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. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | Download the episode&nb...

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