KDLcast

Three of our librarians explore award-winning middle-grade and teen books and the books they are most excited about that are coming out later this year. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit https://www.kdl.org/blog/kdlcast-book-talk-12-award-winning-teen-and-middle-grade-books. Recorded March 5, 2018.

We talk about the books to which we gave five-star reviews on Goodreads. There's a joy to tracking the books you read. Our discussion runs the gamut from food to art in fiction, how we feel about different writing styles and favorite TV shows. Find KDL on Goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/86141-kent-district-library. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit https://www.kdl.org/blog/kdlcast-book-talk-11-five-star-goodreads-reviews. Recorded Dec. 13, 2017.

We talk about books that were better, different or even worse that we thought they’d be. We also discuss reading for different reasons like for pure pleasure or for a challenge. The titles run the gamut from history, classics, superheroes, new fantasies and more. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit https://www.kdl.org/blog/kdlcast-book-talk-10-books-surprised-us. Recorded Oct. 5, 2017.

How amazing are our favorite genres of literature? Let us count the ways! Three KDL librarians talk about books that showcase their go-to book genres, covering nonfiction, romance, science fiction, historical mystery and more. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, https://www.kdl.org/blog/kdlcast-book-talk-9-picks-our-favorite-genres. Recorded Aug. 29, 2017

Three of our staff reveal the books that shaped them into the people they've become. In the course of that conversation, they cover topics like generational books, teen novels suited for all ages and the ways books can expand our way of thinking. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit http://www.kdl.org/kdlcast-book-talk-8-books-define-us. Recorded May 16, 2017.

For the young and the young at heart, four of our staff share their favorite teen reads in the latest KDLcast Book Talk. They cover adventure, fantasy, historical fiction and more. or a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit http://www.kdl.org/kdlcast-book-talk-7-teen-books. Recorded May 15, 2017.

We talk to Keith Hall, owner of The Grilling Company in Belmont, Mich., about the KDL Rib Cook-Off coming up on Aug. 12. Keith shares tips for grilling a great rack of ribs and expounds upon the fun of joining a grilling competition and sides that hit the spot with your barbecue. Sign up for the rib cook-off at www.kdl.org/ribcookoff.

Learn about the great possibilities of genealogy research with Adam Oster, an Adult Librarian at our Kentwood Branch. Adam talks about his love of exploring family history, how exciting genealogy can be and some tips for your own genealogical research. For our upcoming genealogy programs, visit http://bit.ly/2sK0oXs.

When real life just doesn't cut it, science fiction and fantasy is one of our favorite genres to fill the void. In our latest KDLcast Book Talk, three of our staff explore a wide range of their favorite books, films and shows in this broad category. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit http://www.kdl.org/kdlcast-book-talk-6-sci-fi-and-fantasy-favorites. Recorded May 1, 2017.

We love a good story but there's something so irresistible about a true good story: It puts into perspective all that is past and possible. Three of our librarians convene for KDLcast Book Talk No. 5 to share their favorite nonfiction books in a wide-ranging discussion that covers everything from audiobooks to memoirs, humor, sports and more. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit http://www.kdl.org/kdlcast-book-talk-5-nonfiction. Recorded March 22, 2017.

We're thrilled to devote our first episode to exclusively kids' titles! For KDLcast Book Talk No. 4, three of our staff join to discuss some of their favorite juvenile books (both fiction and nonfiction) and picture books. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit http://www.kdl.org/kdlcast-book-talk-4-childrens-books. Recorded Feb. 20, 2017.

This special KDLcast is a joint production with Loud in the Library (@user-928162047), a podcast with Forest Hills Public Schools teacher librarians Tracy Chrenka and Chris Patrick. The three of us have a conversation with Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, the authors of All American Boys, before their March 27 presentation at the KDL Wyoming branch for our Grandville and Wyoming Read program. We talk about the unique process of writing All American Boys, how the book talks about race and the experience of having conversations on difficult subjects.

Asking a librarian the title of his or her favorite book is like asking a parent to choose their favorite child: an impossible task! Nevertheless, we bravely soldier on for you, dear reader, in KDLcast Book Talk No. 3, in which three of our librarians talk about their top 2016 titles. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit http://www.kdl.org/kdlcast-book-talk-3-our-favorites-2016. Recorded Jan. 13, 2017.

Grand Rapids-based The Bootstrap Boys talk about how they came from different musical backgrounds to form a classic country band, how being a classic country band has unique challenges and their experiences recording music videos in unique places. The Bootstrap Boys will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017, at our Cascade Township Branch, 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE, as part of our free Sunday Afternoon Live indoor concert series.

What is it about a favorite book that makes it irresistible to read again? Four of our librarians share their favorite titles to reread. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit http://www.kdl.org/kdlcast-book-talk-2-our-favorite-re-reads Recorded Dec. 21, 2016.

You can take the boy out of the brewery but not the brewery out of the boy, says Dave Ringler of Cedar Springs Brewing Company. Ringler, who honed his craft by working at breweries in Germany and Michigan, chats about how he founded Cedar Springs Brewing Co., the atmosphere he strives for and the history of beer.The brewery, located at 95 N. Main, Cedar Springs, will offer a tour and discounted tasting flight as part of our KD aLe series at 6:30 p.m. on Jan. 25, 2017.

Rommie Bailey of Kitzingen Brewery in Wyoming, Mich., chats about being an entrepreneur, his obsession with hefeweizen-style beer and his unique path from Germany to brewery owner. Kitzingen Brewery provided Kent District Library patrons a brewery tour on Jan. 11 as part of our KD aLe series. For more KD aLe events, visit http://www.kdl.org/events?title=kd+ale.

Three of our librarians sit down for our inaugural KDLcast Book Talk to each discuss their favorite author and their top three titles by that author. Recorded Nov. 23, 2016. For a full list and links to our catalog of all the titles and authors we talked about, visit http://www.kdl.org/were-kicking-new-book-talk-series.

Grand Rapids indie-folk group The Crane Wives formed in 2010 and have gone on to release four full-length albums. They chat about their creative process, the local music scene and what it means, to them, to be a successful musician. The Crane Wives will perform at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 13, 2016, at our Cascade Township Branch, 2870 Jacksmith Ave. SE, as part of our free Sunday Afternoon Live indoor concert series.

Prolific science fiction author Timothy Zahn, recently in town for the Grand Con Gaming Convention, talks about Star Wars, his writing process and the popularity of his Star Wars character, Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Thrawn Trilogy. Find his stories in our catalog at http://bit.ly/2dMlW2G.

Jason Lummen chats about the origins of The Peoples Cider Company, which debuted in Grand Rapids in 2011, and his philosophy to cider and business. Join us for a KDL Uncorked tour and tasting at 6:30 p.m. on Nov. 9 at The People's Cider Co. Find our full KDL Uncorked series line-up at www.kdl.org/events?&title=uncorked. (Note: Some occasional cursing in the interview.)

Kayla Rae Cellars owner Karen Grossman shares the Rockford, Mich., winery's top sellers; what Michigan's wine and cider industry has to offer; and advice for attending a tasting. Sign up at http://bit.ly/2ckQiDy to enjoy exclusive discounts during our KDL Uncorked wine tasting at Kayla Rae Cellars on Oct. 13 at 6:30 p.m. Find our full KDL Uncorked series line-up at www.kdl.org/events?&title=uncorked.

Fourth-generation farmer Andy Sietsema talks about the family business of Sietsema Orchards & Cider Mill in Ada, Mich., and the craft of making hard cider. Join us for our KDL Uncorked tour of the orchards and cider mill on Sept. 28, 2016 at 6 p.m. See our full KDL Uncorked series line-up at http://www.kdl.org/events?&title=uncorked

Are we alone in the universe? Jason Smolinski, an assistant professor of physics and astronomy at Calvin College, talks about discoveries of planets outside our solar system and the conditions required for life to exist. (Recorded at the Grandville Branch)

Grand Rapids author Adam Schuitema, an associate professor of English at Kendall College of Art and Design, chats about the fourth annual Write Michigan short story contest, his most recent work Haymaker, and the literary life.

Join uber-hiker Tom Funke, author of Explorer’s Guide 50 Hikes in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, as he shares stories and hiking tips about the places he’s visited. (Recorded at the Englehardt Branch in Lowell)

Think you’ve been everywhere in Michigan? Learn about the hidden treasures you may have missed, tucked away along Michigan’s back roads, with travel author Ron Rademacher. (Recorded at the Byron Township Branch)

Make your backyard a safe, attractive place for a variety of birds so you don’t have to go far to enjoy observing them. Kristin Tindall, a nature educator at Blandford Nature Center, shares some suggestions. (Recorded at the Cascade Township Branch)

Ondrea Spychalski, the Water Programs Outreach Coordinator for the West Michigan Environmental Action Council, talks about the organization’s rain barrel program and how to acquire and set up your own rain barrel. (Recorded at the Wyoming Branch)

Travel along the back roads with author and Michigan expert Ron Rademacher and discover hidden state treasures you may have missed. (Recorded at the Grandville Branch)

Chef Teri Reese talks about how to add gluten-free foods to your life. (Recorded at the Grandville Branch)