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Binge-then-Read: Hallmark Holidays

'Tis the season for cheesy holiday movies from Hallmark to Netflix to Apple TV and more! There are some wild titles out there from You, Me, & The Christmas Trees to The Santa Stakeout to A Royal Queens Christmas and more. In the spirit of the season we made a list of 25 of our favorite feel-good...

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DMPL Podcast: Iowa Children's Author Victor D.O. Santos

Victor D.O. Santos, author of several children's books, including My Dad, My Rock, joins the DMPL Podcast today. Victor will be taking part in the Des Moines Public Library's Iowa Author Series this Thursday, November 17. The program begins at 5:30 PM at the Central Library and is free to all! On...

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DMPL Podcast: Atmospheric Book Picks with Rebecca

Crashing waves, falling leaves, a shadowy forest - books that provide a strong sense a place are what we're talking about on the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast. Book Chat team member Rebecca talks about three new books that she thinks of when she thinks "atmosphere." Apple Podcasts/iTunes...

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DMPL Podcast: Iowa Author Award Honoree Heather Gudenkauf

Iowa Author Award Honoree Heather Gudenkauf is the latest guest on the DMPL Podcast! She discusses her newest book, The Overnight Guest, as well as her 14-year career.  Gudenkauf is one of three honorees at the 2022 Iowa Author Awards Dinner, which takes place Friday, October 14, at 6:30 PM ...

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Binge-then-Read: Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power

This month for Binge-then-Read we are covering books to read if you have been enjoying the Amazon original series Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The DMPL Book Chat team has put together a list of epic fantasy novels that immerse you in far away lands, magic, quests, and impeccable storytelli...

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Banned Books DMPL Staff Love and Recommend

This week we asked our staff to share some of their favorite Banned Books on our TikTok and Instagram Reels. We compiled the list of their recommendations below for you to add to your holds list. ...

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DMPL Podcast: Banned Books Week with the ACLU of Iowa

This week is Banned Books Week! Veronica Fowler, the ACLU of Iowa Communications Director, joins us to discuss Banned Books and the Freedom to Read. This is one of many things happening at the library this week celebrating the Freedom to Read. Check out our social media accounts, including Instag...

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The 10 Most Challenged Books of 2021

Each year, the American Library Association releases their list of the 10 most challenged books. The ALA tracks challenges to library, school, and university materials each year as part of their work to ensure free access to information. In 2021, 1,597 books were targeted for various reasons - the 1...

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DMPL Podcast: Rachel Mans McKenny

Rachel Mans McKenny, author of The Butterfly Effect, is the newest guest on the DMPL Podcast! Rachel stopped by as she gets ready to appear at the Iowa Author Spotlight Series on Thursday, September 15, at 5:30 PM at the Central Library. The Butterfly Effect was selected as the 2022 A...

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Binge-then-Read: A League of Their Own

This month Amazon Prime released the TV adaptation of the classic movie A League of Their Own. If you are loving watching the Rockford Peaches and the story of the women's baseball league, or are a fan of the original movie this book list is for you! The following books have everything we love about...

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DMPL Podcast: Karin Slaughter

AViD author Karin Slaughter joins host Aaron Gernes on the newest episode of the DMPL Podcast! Karin will be in Des Moines on Wednesday, August 24, at 7:00 PM as part of the AViD series. Her best selling novels include Cop Town, Pretty Girls, The Good Daughter, and Pieces of Her, amon...

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Iowa State Fair: Book Recommendations Based on Your Favorite Foods and Activities

Happy Iowa State Fair Season! To celebrate our Book Chat Librarians made recommendations for books you might like based on your favorite fair foods and activities. Keep reading and let us know on social media which books you will be checking out.  If at the Iowa State Fair you love:  ...

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Spark Stories: Dr. Richard L. Deming

What's the "spark" that shaped the lives of our local leaders? Each month, librarian Elizabeth Hoover de Galvez as they share their "Spark Story," the specific experience that sparked them to create change in the community. In addition, we’ll hear details about the work they are doing and what keeps...

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DMPL Podcast: 'Baking Blue Ribbons' with Kay Fenton Smith

It's State Fair time, and the latest episode of the DMPL Podcast is sure to make you hungry to head to the fairgrounds. Kay Fenton Smith is the author of Baking Blue Ribbons: Stories and Recipes from the Iowa State Fair Food Competitions. Smith and host Aaron Gernes talk about what happens duri...

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DMPL Podcast: Series Starters

On the latest DMPL Podcast, host Aaron Gernes chats with Haley, a Book Chat librarian, about series starters - books that are the first titles in their respective series. Apple Podcasts/iTunes | Google Play | Spotify | Stitcher | Podbean | Dow...

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