Authors Visiting in Des Moines (AViD) author Susan Orlean joins us on the podcast today, along with special guest host Laura Rawley. Orlean will open the 2019 AViD series as one of the DSM Book Festival's headlining authors. She will be speaking on Saturday, March 30, at 4:00 PM at Capital Square (400 Locust Street). Orlean is the author of several best-selling books, including The Orchid Thief. Last year, her book The Library Book became an international best seller. The book doubles as a love letter to libraries and a true clime exploration of the unsolved 1986 Los Angeles Public Library fire.
Discussed on the podcast:
More information:
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Central Iowa author Tracey Garvis Graves joins the podcast for today's episode. Graves new book, The Girl He Used to Know, hits library shelves and bookstores everywhere on April 2. Graves is best well-known for her debut novel, On the Island. She initially self-published that book, and it eventually became a New York Times bestseller.
Graves talks about the amazing journey On the Island took, one that landed her a full-time book deal. "I couldn't really wrap my brain around it," Graves says of the fact that she shared a bestsellers list on Amazon with books in The Hunger Games and Fifty Shades of Grey series.
Her new book, The Girl He Used to Know, prominently features a character on the autism spectrum. Graves says she did a lot of work to make sure she was authentic in her dialogue and the actions of that character, Annika. "I read up to six nonfiction books about Asperger’s and being on the spectrum," she says. "Then I read a lot of blog posts and internet articles about what the spouses of people who are on the spectrum" love about their significant others and enjoy about their relationships.
In lieu of Valentine's Day this week, we invited Iowa Romance Novelists President Jan Walters on the podcast. Jan shares with us a new book from an Iowa author and a romantic paranormal series she loves that was recently completed. She also talks about her own books and shares how working with Iowa Romance Novelists has made her a better writer.
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Kevin Gannon, Ph.D., is a history professor at Grand View University. Kevin will be moderating the Becoming American series that begins next Monday at 6:00 PM at the Franklin Avenue Library. Becoming American is a documentary film and discussion series examining immigration.
Gannon discusses his prolific web presence, including his twitter account - @thetattooedprof - and his website, thetattooedprof.com. He discusses the upcoming series, his thoughts on immigration and social justice, and his experience being part of the Ava DuVernay-directed and Oscar-nominated documentary, 13th.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Iowa native Paul Kix joins us on the DMPL Podcast today. Kix, who grew up in Hubbard, is the author of The Saboteur. The book details the life of Robert de La Rochefoucauld, a French aristocrat-turned-resistance fighter in WWII. During the podcast, Kix talks about:
You can find more of Kix's work, including magazine stories and other long-form pieces, at his website, paulkix.com.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Iowa photographer and artist Barry Phipps joins us on the podcast today. Barry recently published a collection of photos called From Gravity to What Cheer: Iowa Photographs. The book has several striking photos of sites across Iowa, with a focus on color and architecture. Several of those photos are currently on display at the Central Library Art Gallery through January 23.
During the podcast, Barry talks about moving to Iowa City in 2012, how the photos developed from a personal project of curiosity to the published book, and his past life as a DJ and as a part of a 90s rock band that played at Lollapalooza and appeared on MTV.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
It's time to talk about our favorite books of 2018. Steph, Gen, and Becky are all on the podcast today to talk about their favorite adult, young adult, and children's books of the year, respectively.
You can find a list of the books they discuss, as well as other books they enjoyed this year, at The DMPL Blog - dmpl.org/blog.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Pulitzer Prize winning writer Art Cullen joins us on the podcast. Cullen, editor of The Storm Lake Times, won the 2017 Pulitzer Prize in Editorial Writing. His work detailed the role deceptive agricultural corporations played in a lawsuit between three rural Iowa counties and Des Moines Water Works regarding water pollution.
In the wake of that award, Cullen was approached by a handful of publishers about writing a book. He wrote Storm Lake: A Chronicle of Change, Resilience, and Hope from a Heartland Newspaper, a book about both his life and the life of a community in northwest Iowa that has been challenged by changes in the meat-packing industry and shaped by diversity.
In the podcast, Cullen talks about practicing journalism in a small community, the positive impact The Storm Lake Times has had on the town's large immigrant population, and more.
Dani Lin joins us on the DMPL Podcast! She has two programs at the library this month:
1) Stress Free, Nourishing Meals: Tuesday, July 17, 6:00 PM, North Side Library
2) Superhero Foods!: Monday, July 30, 6:00 PM, East Side Library
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
AViD author Russell Shorto joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast! Shorto wrote Revolution Song, which is a narrative history of the American Revolution. Shorto shares with Rowley why he settled on the six real-life characters that he chose to tell the story of the Revolution. He also shares a little bit about his next project, which is the story of the mafia - and also a family story.
Shorto will be at the Central Library as part of the 2018 AViD series on Thursday, June 14, at 7:00 PM.
AViD author Lea Berman joins special guest host Laura Rowley on the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast! She co-wrote Treating People Well with Jeremy Bernard. Both served as White House Social Secretaries - Berman under President George W. Bush and Bernard under President Barack Obama. During the interview, she talks about why she sees civility and manners as something that needs to be discussed in the current day and age. She also shares a couple of stories from her time at the White House.
Berman and Jeremy Bernard will be at the Central Library as part of the 2018 AViD series on Tuesday, May 15, at 7:00 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
On the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast, Aaron talks with Becky and Jen about the first ever MyDMPL Con. Learn how you can create a wand in Diagon Alley, plant a Baby Groot, take part in a costume contest for prizes, and more! Becky and Jen talk about the schedule at this family-friendly event and what they're most excited about. MyDMPL Con takes place on Sunday, May 6, from 1:00-5:00 PM at the Central Library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
AViD author Stephanie Powell Watts joins us on the podcast! Guest host Laura Rowley talks with Watts about her career, her writing process, and how her original idea for No One is Coming to Save Us morphed into something completely different. Don’t forget, she’ll be at Des Moines University on Thursday, May 3, at 7:00 PM!
Amor Towles is coming to Des Moines for AViD! He speaks with guest host Laura Rowley about his newest book, A Gentleman in Moscow. They also chat about his writing process, life in New York City, and what his idea of perfect happiness is. Mark your calendars for Monday, April 23, at 7:00 PM for Amor’s visit – and don’t forget it’s at Roosevelt High School!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
AViD author John Lescroart joins us on the podcast! He chats with special guest host Laura Rowley about his unique path to becoming a best-selling author and what motivates him. Lescroart will be at the Central Library on Tuesday, April 10, at 7:00 PM. Learn more about AViD!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Children’s author and illustrator David LaRochelle comes on the podcast! He’ll be at the Franklin Avenue Library on Monday, April 16, at 5:30 PM. LaRochelle talks about his love for children’s books, how he writes them, and why being a picture book author is like being a director.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Our newest Podcast Picks podcast has Jen and Carrie in the studio! They’re talking about mysteries with a romantic twist to them. Check it out!
The series Jen and Carrie discussed are:
‘Veronica Speedwell,’ by Deanna Raybourn
‘Jackson Brodie,’ by Kate Atkinson
‘Kincaid & Jones,’ by Deborah Crombie
‘42nd Street Library,’ by Con Lehane
‘Magic Men Mysteries,’ by Elly Griffiths
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Forest Avenue Children’s Librarian Erica Eis talks about her favorite picture books with winter themes! She also talks about the importance of storytime, finding books your child is interested in, and ways to encourage them to continue reading, no matter their skill level.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Librarians Kevin and Kate tell us about lesser-known books that you should consider for your book club this next year. They also talk about what makes for a good book club discussion!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Long-time Des Moines sports personality Larry Cotlar joins the podcast! Cotlar chats about some of the highlights of his lengthy sports media career, which has spanned more than three decades. He explains how things have changed, for good and bad, and then gives us a preview of his upcoming program at the Franklin Avenue Library. Cotlar will be at Franklin on Tuesday, November 7, at 6:30 PM to discuss the upcoming men’s college basketball season for each of the Division I programs in the state (Iowa, Iowa State, UNI, and Drake).
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Paranormal investigator Chad Lewis joins the show to talk about the wild and spooky things that he’s seen throughout his career. From hunting for the Tata Duende in Central America to looking for spooky sights throughout the Midwest, Chad has lots of experience with the supernatural. He’ll be presenting two programs in Des Moines: he’ll be at the Franklin Avenue Library on Tuesday, October 24, at 6:30 PM, and at the South Side Library on Wednesday, October 25, at 6:30 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Librarians Sarah and Steph hop on the podcast to talk about our patrons’ favorite books! The books discussed are all books that readers chose during our “Book Your Escape” adult summer reading program this past year. There are mysteries, graphic novels, and more! Hear what books readers and listeners like you recommend!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Aaron talks with Becky and Jen about manga titles! We talk about some the different types of manga (shojo and shonen) and what makes it so unique and popular, especially among teens. Then Becky and Jen talk about their favorite titles as well as some of the classics of the genre.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
State Librarian of Iowa Michael Scott talks about the role of the State Library, increasing broadband access throughout Iowa, and his fascinating career path that led him to Des Moines.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes interviews Rachelle Chase, author of Lost Buxton. In 1900, at a time when Jim Crow, segregation, and the Ku Klux Klan kept blacks and whites separated, residents in Buxton, Iowa—a thriving coal mining town established by Consolidation Coal Company—lived, worked, and went to school side by side. African Americans—miners, teachers, business owners, doctors, lawyers, and more—made up more than half of the population for the first 10 years and remained the largest ethnic group until 1914. By 1922, Buxton was a ghost town. Using photographs and rare audio clips from interviews with former Buxton residents, Chase will share what made Buxton so unique, both in terms of the residents and the town itself—and why Buxton is still being talked about today. Chase will present Buxton, Iowa: A Coal Mining Town Ahead of Its Time at the Forest Ave. Library on Saturday, July 29th at 2:00 PM.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC