Beyond the Shelves: Best of 2024
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
Release Date: 12/09/2024
6 Nature Books That Will Change How You See the World
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
Join us for our first video episode as we explore books celebrating nature and the environment! From Mary Oliver's contemplative essays to fungi's hidden intelligence, we discuss how the natural world intersects with our lives. Plus: library neighborhoods explained, garlic-scented books (!), and Reading Rainbow's triumphant return with a new host. Nature & Environment Theme Books Currently Reading On Their TBR
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Beyond the Shelves: Horror For Scaredy Cats
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
Sarah and Jes discuss books that will put you in the mood for spooky season but aren't that scary. Show Notes: What They're Reading by Rebecca Ross by Layla Sage by Emily Brontë by Etaf Rum Best Bets: other highly recommended books by Charlotte McConaghy by Patricia Briggs and Fiona Staples by Elena Ferrante by Brian K. Vaughan Books to get you into spooky season: by Daryl Gregory by Tiffany Jackson by Tananarive Due by Mary Wollstonecraft Shelly by Ling Ling Huang by Nick Medina by Kat Dunn by Carissa Orlando Book Bulletin A new update to the...
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Beyond the Shelves: Pocket-Sized Powerhouses
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
Sarah and Jess highlight eight short books under 200 pages to power through the DMPL reading challenge bingo, promote the fall author series, discuss a new bookstore in town, and a new app to track your reading. Show Notes: What They're Reading Kingdom of Claw by Demi Winters American Spirits by Anna Dorn It's Not the End of the World by Jonathan Parks-Ramage 2025 Reading Challenge: Short books to get BINGO by Ore Agbaje-Williams by Premee Mohamed by Yu Miri by Annalee Newitz by Martha Wells by Juneau Black by Nnedi Okorafor by Kang Han To learn more about the reading...
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Beyond the Shelves: Book Club - 'The Phoenix Pencil Company'
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
On the latest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah are discussing what they liked and didn't like about . (Please note - this episode was recorded in early July) What They're Reading Best Bets (Recommended backlist books): Book Bulletin
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Beyond the Shelves: Summer Lovin'
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
The latest episode of Beyond the Shelves is all about love! Jes and Sarah discuss the new queer romances they're most excited for this summer. Show Notes What They're Reading , by Sabaa Tahir , by Emily Henry , by Courtney Milan , by Nicola Dinan , by Ashley Herring Blake To Be Read , by Danielle L. Jensen by Michael Lewis , by Rufi Thorpe , by Cara Bastone , by Cara Bastone , by Tourmaline , by Milo Todd Books About Love , by Gabriella Gamez , by Venessa Vida Kelly , by T.J. Alexandar (Kanopy) (3 seasons on DVD) , by Adriana Hererra by Chip Pons , by Marie Rutkoski ...
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Beyond the Shelves: Summer Reading Preview
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
On the newest episode of Beyond the Shelves, Jes and Sarah chat about this summer's biggest releases and the books they're most excited about. As you might have guessed, they are not necessarily the same thing! Plus, find out which host is a vampire girlie and which is a werewolf girlie. What They're Reading , by Cara Bastone , by Holly Brickly , by Katie Kitamura , by Mona Awad , by Rachel Reid , by Jonathan Blitzer To Be Read , by Emily Henry , by Meredith Hambrock , by Helene Marie Bertino , by Tracy Deonn , by Amal El-Mohtar , by John Ganz What We're Excited For , by Maggie...
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Beyond the Shelves: A History of Chick Lit
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
On this month's podcast, Jes and Sarah talk about the history of Chick Lit - how it started (Bridget Jones's Diary), how the genre was covered in the press, and what new types of books have spawned from it today. Show Notes What They're Reading To Be Read Reading Material
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Beyond the Shelves: Book Club #1, 'Harlem Rhapsody', and Other Fun News
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
The Beyond the Shelves first ever Book Club episode is live! This month, Jes and Sarah both read Harlem Rhapsody, by Victoria Christopher Murray. They discuss the historical fiction novel about Jessie Redman Fauset, a real life figure dubbed "midwife of the Harlem Renaissance," and her relationship with W.E.B. Du Bois. This podcast does contain spoilers - but you don't have to have read the book to listen and learn more about the Harlem Renaissance era! Show Notes The Book Club Book Further Reading Authors in the Book Timestamps 0:00 - AViD Lineup/What We're...
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Beyond the Shelves: Library Lovers Month
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
Jes and Sarah are talking about loving your library during this month's episode of Beyond the Shelves! After talking about unique library services and the best ways you can support your library, they talk about some of their favorite books that feature libraries. Then they dig into a busy Book Bulletin segment (starts at 42:51), full of interesting news. Next month, Jes and Sarah are hosting their first ever Beyond the Shelves Book Club episode! They're reading . That episode is scheduled to be up on Tuesday, March 11. We encourage you to read the book so you can follow along with their...
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Beyond the Shelves: Books That Bring Us Joy
Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library
We're in the dead of winter - the perfect time get cozied up in an armchair and read a fun book. This month, Jes and Sarah are talking about books (and TV shows) that bring them during these cold, dark days. The hosts conveniently have grouped their selections into different tropes and categories to help you peruse! SHOW NOTES What They're Reading Books That Bring Us Joy Books Jes is re-reading Found Family/Chosen Family/Ragtag Group books Kid/Teen Graphic Novels Lyrical Escapism Hobby-ing Makes Everything Better Community and Action ...
info_outlineJes and Sarah are discussing the best of 2024 in the last Beyond the Shelves episode of the year! They go through some of books mentioned on several best of lists, and then give their own top 3 books of the year.
Show Notes
- What they're reading
- The Vegetarian, by Han Kang
- Make the Season Bright, by Ashley Herring Blake
- Clean, by Alia Trabucco Zerán
- A Fire Endless, by Rebecca Ross
- The Love of My Afterlife, by Kristy Greenwood
- On the Best Of Lists and other mentioned books
- James, by Percival Everett
- All Fours, by Miranda July
- Martyr!, By Kaveh Akbar
- Creation Lake, by Rachel Kushner
- Intermezzo, by Sally Rooney
- Colored Television, by Danzy Senna
- Shred Sisters, by Betsy Lerner
- The Husbands, by Holly Gramazio
- The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore
- Margo’s Got Money Troubles, by Rupi Kaur
- The Ministry of Time, by Kaline Bradley
- The Familiar, by Leigh Bardugo
- Cue the Sun!: The Invention of Reality TV, by Emily Nussbaum
- Grief is for People, by Sloane Crosley
- Soldiers and Kings: Survival and Hope in the World of Human Smuggling, by Jason De León
- There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, by Hanif Abdurraqib
- The Women, by Kristin Hannah
- Funny Story, by Emily Henry
- Jes' Top 10
- Beautyland, by Helene Marie Bertino
- The God of the Woods, by Liz Moore
- Headshot, by Rita Bullwinkl
- Bury Your Gays, by Chuck Tingle
- Rebel Girl: My Life as a Feminist Punk, by Kathleen Hanna
- Rainbow Black, by Maggie Thrash
- In Universes, by Emet North
- The Bog Wife, by Kay Chronister
- There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension, by Hanif Abdurraqib
- Perfume and Pain, by Anna Dorn
- Sarah's Top 10
- Pandora's Jar, by Natalie Haynes
- The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches, by Sangu Mandanna
- You Should Be So Lucky, by Cat Sebastian
- Where the Lost Wander, by Amy Harmon
- A River Enchanted, by Rebecca Ross
- The City of Brass, by S.A. Chakraborty
- Barons, by Austin Frerick
- This is How You Lose the Time War, by Max Gladstone and Amal El-Mohtar
- Check and Mate, by Ali Hazelwood
- The Book That Wouldn't Burn, by Mark Lawrence