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Reading Reality, Blending Books and Reality TV

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

Release Date: 09/15/2026

Reading Reality, Blending Books and Reality TV

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

What We're Reading    by Omar El Akkad by Stacey Yu by Nina LaCour by Andrea Uptmor  by Herman Melville by Yu-Mei Balasingamchow by H.D. Carlton by Woody Brown Fall Releases by Tananarive Due by Alma Katsu  by Rebecca Birrell  by Mathilda Zeller  Reality TV Book Recs Romance  by Kate Stayman-London  by Alison Cochrun by Alexis Hall Horror/Speculative/Dystopian  by Blair Braverman by Kiersten White by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah  General Fiction  ...

Special Episode: AViD with Shannon Chakraborty

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

Our regularly scheduled episode of Beyond the Shelves is a little bit delayed, but we have a special episode for you while you wait! On May 14, The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi and The Tapestry of Fate author Shannon Chakraborty took part in our annual Authors Visiting in Des Moines series. This is a recording of that appearance. The program was moderated by author and library employee Linden Thompson.

Beyond The Shelves: Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim Book Club

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

In this episode of Beyond The Shelves Jes and Sarah host a book club for Sublimation by Isabel J. Kim and discuss some book news ranging from a controversial trademark to AI narrations and a rage bait article coming out of the UK. What we’re reading Brittanée Nicole Amy James Natalie Haynes...

Beyond The Shelves: Librarians in Pop Culture

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

In this episode of Beyond the Shelves, the hosts talk about city budget cuts, share their latest can’t‑put‑down reads, and dive into the wild world of librarians in pop culture. It’s equal parts advocacy, book love, and pure millennial nostalgia. Tune in for laughs, library pride, and a reminder of why stories (and librarians) matter. What we’re reading by Page Lewis by Mollyhall Seeley by Alison Cochrun by Claire Barner To Be Read (TBR) by Annakeara Stinson by Emma Brodie by Isabel J. Kim by Omar El Akkad Pop culture Librarians Tammy 2 from Parks...

Beyond The Shelves: Inside the Summer Reading Magic

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

A lively, book‑packed conversation with special guest Jen from the Franklin Avenue Library as they dive into what they’re reading, the hottest upcoming releases, and, most importantly, the inside scoop on this year’s Summer Reading Program. From murder mysteries at 30,000 feet to adorable fantasy graphic novels and the power of preventing the summer slide, this episode celebrates stories, community, and the joy of getting books into kids’ hands all summer long. SHOW NOTES What We're Reading by Deveny Perry by Michael W. Twitty   by Lena Dunham by Julia Langbein by Caro...

Tasty Recommendations: Pairing Cookbooks with Novels

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

In this episode of Beyond the Shelves, hosts Sarah and Jes kick things off with a lively conversation about what they’ve been reading lately and the spring publishing season’s standout titles. Along the way they craft thoughtful cookbook–novel pairings built around themes like memory, heritage, legacy, flavor, and identity. What We’re Reading by Cat Sebastian by Andy Weir by Nina McConigley by Lindy West by Saba Sams by Melissa Albert Exciting new releases by Shannon Chakraborty by Alexa Martin by Anna Dorn by Kylie Lee Baker by Cara Claire Burke Cookbooks and Novels ...

Beyond the Shelves: Brontë, the Big Screen, and the Backlash

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

In this lively episode of Beyond the Shelves, the hosts dive deep into Wuthering Heights—the novel, the new film adaptation, and the passionate discourse surrounding both. After a quick roundup of upcoming author events and current reads, the conversation shifts to Emily Brontë’s legacy, the novel’s complicated publication history, and why this famously chaotic story continues to captivate readers nearly 200 years later. SHOW NOTES What We're Reading by Claire Ohshetsky (also mentioned by Claire Ohshetsky) by Chole Michele Howarth by Rachel Reid by Lauren Asher by Deveny...

Beyond The Shelves - Libraries as Third Spaces

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

This month on Beyond the Shelves, Sarah and Jes unpack the idea of “third spaces” why we crave them, why they’re disappearing, and how libraries have stepped in to fill the gap. Stick around for the Book Bulletin, where they unpack everything from LGBTQ+ publishing setbacks to Shakespearean fan fiction, Bridgerton‑era romance trends, and the wild saga of a possibly‑AI‑written novel. SHOW NOTES What We're Reading by Linda Holmes by Ilona Andrews by Annie Hartnett by Emily Brontë To Be Read by Kalie Cassidy by Sally Franson by Addie E. Citchens by Evan Friss ...

Beyond The Shelves: 2026 Reading Challenge Recommendations

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

In this episode of Beyond the Shelves, Sarah and Jes discuss the 2026 reading challenge, recomend books to complete your bingo board, and in the book bulletin, talk about the hit series Heated Rivalry on HBO. Learn more about the reading challenge SHOW NOTES What We’re Reading by Alix E. Harrow by Beatriz Serrano by Virginia Evans by Rachel Reid by Ned Blackhawk   Big Reads of 2026 by Emma Straub by Evelyn Clarke by Maria Semple by Natalie Haynes Reading Challenge by Emily Krempholtz by Mason Coile by Lily Brooks-Dalton by Annika Norlin by Jordi Lafebre by Daniel...

Beyond The Shelves: Best Books of 2025

Beyond the Shelves: A Podcast from the Des Moines Public Library

In this episode, Sarah and Jes discuss the best books of the year, great books to give as gifts, the most checked out items at DMPL, and the librarians personal favorite books they read in 2025. Learn more below: Show Notes What we are reading Jes: by Solvej Balle by Caro Claire Burke Sarah: by Denise Williams, by Alix E. Harrow Best Bets (good gifts) by Annalee Newitz, by Suleika Jaouad, by Brad Meltzer and Joel Mensch, by Kate Sidley Best of the Year Lists Books 1. by Lily King 2. by Katie Kitamura 3. by Ocean Vuong 4. by R.F Kuang 5. to me by Arundhati Roy 6. by Stephen...

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