Host Aaron Gernes chats with our very own librarian Cat Bierling! Cat stopped by the podcast studio with some great reading recommendations for this time of year. For everyone from Science Fiction lovers and History Buffs to Romance lovers and fans of children's books, Cat has an excellent recommendation. For a full list of books mentioned in this episode, visit dmpl.org.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes interviews Dr. Ed Epperly, nationally recognized expert historian of the Villisca Ax Murders. The brutal slaying of eight people that occurred on June 10, 1912 shocked the town of Villisca, IA and launched a years long investigation. To this day, the case remains unsolved. Dr. Epperly has been investigating the history of these events since 1955, when he was a UNI student doing a report on Iowa history. Dr. Epperly will be at the Franklin Avenue library on Tuesday, October 25 at 6:30 PM to share his research and answer questions. As part of the event there will be a screening of the short documentary Axman about Epperly and his obsession with this case.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special guest host Mary Lee Woods interviews Susan Elizabeth Phillips! Phillips is the award-winning and New York Times bestselling author of dozens of books, and a five-time recipient of the RITA, the premier award given by the Romance Writers of America. Phillips talks about First Star I See Tonight the eighth book in her popular Chicago Stars series, her writing habits, and her love of travel. She will be at a special event at Franklin Avenue Library on Tuesday, September 13 at 6:30 PM. For more information about the library and upcoming events visit dmpl.org.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special host Laura Rowley interviews Jenny Lawson! Lawson is the bestselling author of Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things. In her book, Lawson explores her lifelong battle with depression and anxiety in the hysterical style she’s famous for. Lawson also wrote a memoir, Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, which became a #1 New York Times bestseller. Her blog, thebloggess.com, has been nominated for multiple awards and has been recognized by Forbes and The Huffington Post. Lawson was also a contributor to the “Good Mom/Bad Mom” blog for the Houston Chronicle. Lawson will be at Des Moines University as part of this year's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) events on Thursday, July 7 at 7:00 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Host Aaron Gernes interviews two authors who will be in Des Moines for the Wonder of Words Festival, June 18-19, 2016! Charlotte Rogan is the author of the New York Times Best Seller The Lifeboat and novel Now and Again. Charlotte will be on the Main Stage, Saturday the 19th at 3:00 PM. Summer Miller is the author of New Prairie Kitchen, a new cookbook that profiles 25 of the most exciting and groundbreaking chefs, farmers, and producers of artisanal goods from the all over the Midwest. Miller will be on the Main Stage, also on Saturday, at 10:30 AM. Visit wonderofwordsfest.com for more information about the festival.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special host Laura Rowley interviews award winning journalist James Edward Mills. Mills’ book The Adventure Gap chronicles the first all-African American summit attempt on Denali, the highest mountain in North America. Mills uses that mission to explore why minority populations are less likely to seek recreation and adventure in the wilderness and what can be done to bridge that gap. Mills will be at the Forest Avenue Library as part of this year's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) events on Saturday, June 4 at 3:00 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Summer is right around the corner and the Des Moines Public Library Summer Reading Program is starting soon! Patti Graham, an educator from Lovejoy Elementary in Des Moines, and the library's own Miss Michelle from the South Side library, stop by to talk to host Aaron Gernes about this year's Summer Reading program, how Summer Slide affects students, and the importance of reading over the summer. Summer Reading sign up starts on June 1 at all open branches of the Des Moines Public Library. Visit dmpl.org for more info, and to sign up online starting June 1!
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special host Laura Rowley interviews award winning author Pamela Smith Hill. Hill is the author of Laura Ingalls Wilder: A Writer's Life and, most recently, the editor of the bestselling autobiography Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Autobiography of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Hill will be at the Roosevelt High School auditorium as part of this year's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) events on Wednesday, May 11, at 7:00 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special host Mike Woody interviews bestselling author David Morrell about his latest novel Inspector of the Dead, the second instalment of the Thomas De Quincey Mystery trilogy.They also talk about his first novel First Blood, which served as the foundation for the Rambo movie series, and Morrell's time as a professor at the University of Iowa. Morrell will be visiting the Central Library as part of this year's AViD (Author's Visiting in Des Moines) events on Friday, April 29 at 7 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Special host Laura Rowley interviews #1 bestselling author Jacquelyn Mitchard about the book that made her famous, The Deep End of the Ocean, her new book Two If By Sea, and her extraordinary life. Mitchard will be at the Central Library as part of this year's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) events on Wednesday, April 6 at 7 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC
Meet the storm chasers! KCCI Meteorologist Jason Sydejko and Iowa Storm Chasing Network president Zach Sharpe share some incredible stories about chasing storms across the country. Come see Jason and Zach (and their pictures and videos) Wednesday, March 16 at 2:30 PM at the South Side Library. For more information about the Storm Chasing 101 event visit the event page here.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-N
Special host Laura Rowley interviews author Christina Baker Kline about her #1 New York Times bestselling novel Orphan Train and her life as a writer. Christina will be at the Central Library as part of this year's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) events on Monday, March 14 at 7 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-N
Special host Laura Rowley interviews bestselling author Karen Abbott about her book Liar, Temptress, Soldier, Spy. Abbott is the first author joining us for this year's AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines) events. Come see Abbott at the Central Library on Tuesday, March 1 at 7:00 PM. Visit dmpl.org for more information about AViD and the library.
Music credits: "Young, Tough and Terrible" by The Losers / CC BY-NC