KPL Podcast

Welcome back to the KPL Podcast.  This week we spoke with Annie Mare about her latest novel Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon.  Two women meet when one accidentally texts the wrong number.  They begin to chat back and forth and try to meet up in person but learn they are separated by five months.  One of them is in May and other in October for the same year.  Listen to learn more.Author readsA Summer to Die by Lois LowryA/S/L by Jeanne ThortonWar is a Love Song by Danica NavaThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by VE SchwabMedicine River by Mary Annette Pember

Let's get sciency on the KPL Podcast.  This week we spoke with author Jack Lohmann about his book White Light: The Elemental Role of Phosphorus in Our Cells, in Our Food, and In Our World.  This book takes us into the world of phosphorus mining, the environmental and socio economic impact, and food production.Author ReadsCloud Atlas by David MitchellAnimal's People by Indira SinhaPilgrim of Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard

We have a wonderful, delightful discussion about The Seven O' Clock Club with Amelia Ireland. Four strangers come together for grief counseling and get far more than they expected. Author ReadsButter: A Novel about Food and Murder by Asako YuzukiTomorrow, Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin

This week on KPL Podcast we have Julie Iromuanya and we discussed her new novel A Season of Light. This is a story about a tightly bound Nigerian family living in Florida and the wounds that get passed down from generation to generation after they survived the Nigerian Civil War. Author ReadsThe Vulnerables by Sigrid NunezThe Tradition by Jericho Brown

Welcome back to the KPL Podcast.  This week we have bestselling author Molly Harper on the show to discuss, A Proposal to Die For.  Her first foray into whodunit mysteries.  If you're looking for a fun, escapist read then this book is for you.Author readsThe Mysterious Case of Dr. Cream by Dean JobbDeath of a Unicorn by Peter Dickinson

This week on the KPL Podcast check out The Grand Scheme of Things by Warona Jay.  A fascinating book that examines implicit bias in the theater industry.  A black playwright has difficulty getting her play accepted until she has her white male friend submit under his name. The play is accepted and wins awards.  Listen to learn more.Author ReadsAmerican Psycho by Bret Easton EllisSuch a Fun Age by Kiley ReidDrag Your Plow Over the Bones of the Dead by Olga TokarczukMongrel by Hanako Footman

This week we are back with a fake relationship romance between a singer and a baseball player.  The book is No Ordinary Love by Myah Ariel.  The story is wonderful with great characters from the hero/heroine to the secondary characters.  Listen to learn more.You Got A Place Here Too, An Anthology of Black Love Stories by Ebony LaDelleRose in Chains by Julie SotoCan't Get Enough by Kennedy RyanLeft of Forever by Tarah DeWitt

KPL podcast is back with another fun episode.  This week we spoke with Orlando Murrin about his culinary mystery, Knife Skills for Beginners.  If you love food and mysteries then this book is for you.  There's even recipes in the book.  Also check out Orlando's amazing website

We are back again with another great book.  This week we have the Holly Kennedy to discuss, The Sideways Life of Denny Voss.  A neurodivergent man sets out to fight a murder charge and discovers unexpected truths about himself, his family, and the world at large.  Author ReadsBeartown by Fredrik BackmanAmerican Dirt by Jeanine CumminsEleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine by Gail HoneymanBroken Country by Clare Leslie Hall

This week on the podcast we have an amazing new book, The Sexual Evolution, How 500 Million Years Sex, Gender, and Mating Shape Modern Relationships.  Author Nathan Lents spoke about new discoveries and interpretations in the science of sex, gender, and mating.  Listen to learn more. 

This week on the KPL Podcast we have Deanna Raybourn to discuss her latest novel, Kills Well with Others.  This book is the sequel to Killers of a Certain Age. The assassins are back, retirement was not what they expected and unresolved aspects of an old case pulls the ladies back together.Author reads1. The Girl from Greenwich Street by Lauren Willig2. A Royal Experiment: The Private Life of King George III by Janice Hadlow

KPL Podcast presents Clare Pooley and her latest novel, How to Age Disgracefully.  When the town council decides to sell the beloved community center, a group of seniors band together to save the center.  The novel is cleaver and laugh-out-loud funny.  Listen to learn more.Author readsThe Wedding People by Allison EspachMargot's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe

We are back with another great author and book for the KPL Podcast.  Pagan Kennedy spoke with us this week about The Secret History about the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story.  This is a great interview, listen to learn more. 

Marie Benedict is back with another thrilling novel, titled The Queens of Crime.  The story is set during the inter-war years as five famous mystery writer solve the murder of a young nurse. Each of women are successful writers from The Golden Age of Mysteries, Dorothy Sayers, Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Baroness Emma Orczy, and Margery Allingham.Author ReadsDeath on the Nile by Agatha ChristieMurder on the Orient Express by Agatha ChristieGaudy Night by Dorothy Sayers 

Have you ever wanted to know more about your brain?  This week on the podcast we spoke with authors Jorge Cham and Dwayne Godwin about their latest book, Out of Your Mind: The Biggest Mysteries of the Human Brain.  The book takes a deep dive into the brain and how it functions, encompassing our emotions, consciousness, memory, and even AI. 

Another amazing episode is ready.  This week we spoke with author Rufi Thorpe about her new novel, Margo's Got Money Troubles.  This is a hilarious novels about the trials and and tribulations of single motherhood, addiction, family, and sex work. Listen to learn more.Author Reads1. Vantage Point by Sara Sligar2. This is Why We Lied by Karin Slaughter3. Slough House by Mick Herron

We're are back with another great episode.  This week we speak with law professor John Inazu about his book Learning to Disagree. This is a wonderful guide on the art of discourse. Listen to learn more. 

This week on the KPL podcast, I have Kirkwood author, Linda Murphy Marshall.  We had a wonderful discussion about Immersion, her latest novel about her work with the State Department as a multilinguist. Listen to learn more.Ivy Lodge: A Memoir of Translation and Discovery by Linda Murphy MarshallImmersion: A Linguist's Memoir by Linda Murphy Marshall

Happy New Year.  Welcome back to the KPL podcast for 2025.  This week we interviewed author Susan Barker about her new book, Old Soul.  This novel is a horror novel but also a love story that explores the nature of evil. Author ReadsYou Like it Darker by Stephen KingQuestion 7 by Richard Flanagan

This week on the KPL Podcast we provide and list of some of our favorite books of 2024.  We tried to limit ourselves to 4 books apiece so 8 in total.1. Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet by Ben Goldfarb   episode 2262. The Measure by Nikki Erlick3. The Golem of Brooklyn by Adam Mansbach  episode 2564. The Cook's Book: recipes for keeps and essential techniques to master everyday cooking by Bri McKoy   episode 2215. The Talented Mrs Mandelbaum: This of rise and fall of an American organized crime-boss by Margalit Fox6. The Secret History of sharks: the rise of the ocean's most fearsome predators by John Long episode 2497. Ship Fever and Other Stories by Andrea Barrett8. The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong  episode 252

This week on the KPL Podcast, we have bestselling author Adam Mansbach.  We talk Golems, Judaism, and his novel, The Golem of Brooklyn.  This is a timely book that wonders how a Golem in the modern world would work. Listen to learn more.Author Reads1. Rule of Bone by Russell Banks2. 2666 by Roberto Bolano3. Apeirogon by Colum McCann

This week on the KPL Podcast, we have debut author Anne Shaw Heinrich.  We discuss her first novel, God Bless the Child.  This book is an emotionally charged story of motherhood, family, and redemption. Listen to the episode to learn more about this amazing story.Author readsThe Awakening by Kate ChopinNora by Nuala O' ConnorFortune's Rock by Anita Shreve

This week on the podcast, I have awarding winning author and playwright Beth Kander.  We discuss her latest book, I Made It Out of Clay.  A funny rom com that tackles themes of grief, family, and safety.  Eve is still reeling from the death of her father but needs to find a date for her sister's wedding.  So she creates a golem to be her date. Listen to learn more. Author Reads  The Measure by Nikki ErlickThe Husbands by Holly GramazioMade for You by Jenna SatterthwaiteAmerican Rapture by CJ Leede

It's all about audiobooks this week.  If you are ready to travel for the holiday season then you may enjoy the following audiobooks.1. The Measure by Nikki Erlich2. The Housekeepers by Alex Hay3. Mind Games by Nora Roberts4. The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley5. Yellowface by RF Kuang6. Leg by Greg Marshall7. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt8. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros9. Looking for Alaska by John Green10. The Night Swim by Megan Goldin11. The Night of the Living Rez by Morgan Talty12. Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

This week on the KPL podcast we have debut author Julie Leong. Her first novel, The Teller of Small Fortunes,  is a wonderful, whimsical cozy fantasy about a traveling fortune teller who only tells small fortunes.  Along the way she makes friends and uses her gift to locate the daughter of a soldier. Listen to learn more. Author reads1. The City in Glass by Nghi Vo2. The Last Gifts of the Universe by Riley August

Welcome back to the KPL Podcast.  This week we have returning author and fellow librarian Eva Jurczyk to discuss her second novel, That Night in the Library.  Just like her previous book, this story is also set in a rare books library.  A group of students on their last night at the university decide to lock themselves in the basement of the library and throw a party.  As soon as they start, the lights go off and someone dies.  Listen to learn more.Author Reads1. How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix2. Colored Television by Danzy Senna3. Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst

This week on the KPL podcast we have YA author, Jennifer D. Lyle.  Her latest novel Snow Drowned is a compelling book about young teen navigating harrowing circumstances during a once in a century snow storm.  Author Reads1. Do What Godmother Says by LS Stratton2. The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz3. The September House by Carissa Orlando4. The Rise of the Dragon volume 1: an Illustrated history of the Targaryen Dynasty by George RR Martin 

This week on the KPL podcast learn about sharks.  Dr. John Long is a paleontologist with years of experience studying sharks and shark fossils.  His latest book is about how sharks evolved to become the ocean's apex predators. Check out his latest book, The Rise of the Ocean's Most Fearsome Predators, The Secret History of Sharks.Other books by John Long

This week on the KPL podcast we have debut author Chad Beguelin, he is a six time Tony nominee.  He's taken his amazing writing skills and turned to writing books.  His new novel, Showmance is a laugh-out-loud rom com about a man who returns to his home town to direct his musical that flopped on Broadway.  Every rehearsal he learns something new about his musical and his own life. Author Recommendation10 Things that Never Happened by Alexis Hall

This week on the KPL Podcast, Jigisha discusses three underrated books that listeners may enjoy.  The books are Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn, The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker, and The Night Swim by Megan Goldin 

This week on the KPL podcast we new debut author Anna Rasche.  We spent some time discussing her new book The Stone Witch of Florence.  The story is a mystery set in Italy during the Black Plague.  A witch is brought back to Florence by the very men who banished a decade ago to help solve the mystery of the disappearing relics. This is a fascinating historical fiction about gemstones, magic, and one woman's perseverance through adversity.Author Reads:1. Mistress of the Art of Death by Ariana Franklin 2. The Booklover's Library by Madeline Martin3. How to Fall in Love in a Time of Unnameable Disaster by Muriel Lueng

This week on the KPL Podcast, we have part 3 of Behind the Scenes at KPL.  This week we speak with my colleague Nick.  Have you heard of the library of things?  Nick and I discuss some of the things in this collection from IPads, to sewing machines to metal detectors to meta quest.  So many great things to borrow from the Kirkwood Public Library.  Listen to Learn more.Library of things

This week on the podcast we continue with our behind the scenes at the library series with part 2.  We'll learn about library catalog and how books are added to the collection and some new changes that will be happening with our migration to Missouri Evergreen Consortium.  The library and KPAK are joining forces to present a film noir series for our patrons. Listen to learn more.Book Suggestions1. Woe: A housecat's story of despair by Lucy Knisley 2. Crestone3. The Ghost that Ate Us by Daniel Kraus4. Cuckoo

Some exciting new changes are happening at the Kirkwood Public Library.  In this episode we are discussing the new outdoor space that was constructed for our patrons.  In addition, learn about a few new changes happening inside the building. Listen to learn more. Book suggestions:1. Return to Wyldcliffe Heights by Carol Goodman2. Worst Case Scenario by TJ Newman

This week on the KPL Podcast we have Emma Noyes.  She told us about her latest novel, How to Hide in Plain Sight.  This is a wonderful story of family, love, and resilience of the human spirit when coping with mental health.Author ReadsDeath Valley by Melissa BroderThe Darkness Within Us by Trisha LevensellerA Study in Drowning by Ava Reid

This week we have author Tess Callahan on the KPL podcast to tell us about her latest novel, Dawnland.  This is a multigenerational story about a family with secrets set in Cape Cod.  Author RecommedationsFoster by Claire KeeganBetween the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi CoatesSandwich by Catherine Newman

This week on the KPL Podcast we have Ellie Palmer with her new book, Four Weekends and a Funeral.  The story pays homage to 90's rom com movies and is perfect beach read for a hot summer day.Author RecommendationsEmily Henry The Ex Vows by Jessica JoyceSay You'll be mine by Naina KumarFlirting with Disaster by Naina Kumar

This week's KPL podcast episode features Gila Pfeffer talking about her memoir, Nearly Departed: Adventures in Loss, Cancer, and Other Inconveniences.  You'll laugh and you'll cry and you will keep turning the pages. 

This week on the KPL Podcast we have debut author Melanie Sweeney.  Her new novel, Take Me Home is a delightful romcom about two people who seemingly hate each other end of falling for each during a road trip.Author RecommendationsFour Weekends and a Funeral by Ellie PalmerOne on One by Jamie Harrow

This week on the KPL Podcast, check out our interview with Elle Everhart about her new book Hot Summer.  A sapphic romance set against the backdrop of a Love island-inspired reality TV dating show. The novel follows a young woman, Cas Morgan, who finds herself thrust onto the current season of the UK's eponymous hit reality show in the hopes of securing a long-awaited promotion. But her plan goes off course when she enters the villa.

This week on the KPL Podcast we have the winner of the AWP Prize for the Novel. Parul Kapur's Inside the Mirror is set in the aftermath of colonialism, as an impoverished India struggles to remake itself into a modern state. Jaya's story encompasses art, history, political revolt, love, and women's ambition to seize their own power.

This week in the KPL Podcast, we have bestselling author Suzanne Park and we talke about her new book One Last Word.  The main character, Sara Chae is the founder of One Last Word, an app that allows you to send a mes­sage to anyone you want after you pass. Safeguards are in place so the app will only send when you're definitely, absolutely, 100% dead, but when another Sara Chae dies and her obituary is posted online, Sara discovers that drafted messages she had drunkenly uploaded  one night have been released —one each to her emotionally charged mother, to her former best friend who ghosted her, and to her unrequited high school crush.Author ReadsHappiness Falls by Angie KimMy Vampire Plus One by Jenna LevineMissing White Women by Kellye Garrett

We have reached the midpoint of 2024 and are discussing some of the amazing books we have read thus far.  The list includes fiction and non fiction books of 2024.1.Throwbacks home interiors : one of a kind home design from reclaimed & salvaged goods by  Bo Shepherd & Kyle Dubay,2. The Night of the Storm by Nishita Parekh3. Hot springs : photos and stories of how the world soaks, swims, and slows down by Greta Rybus.4. The Djinn Waits a Hundred Years by Shubnam Khan5. Praisesong for the kitchen ghosts : stories and recipes from five generations of Black country cooks  by Crystal Wilkinson ; photographs by Kelly Marshall.6. Queens of London by Heather Webb7.The menopause brain : new science empowers women to navigate the pivotal transition with knowledge and confidence by Lisa Mosconi, PhD.8. The Hidden Life of Cecily Larson by Ellen Baker9. Your first million : why you don't have to be born into a legacy of wealth to leave one behind : an entrepreneur's guide by Arlan Hamilton10. The Goddess of Warsaw by Lisa Barr

This week on the KPL Podcast we have debut author Tasha Coryell.  Love Letters to a Serial Killer is her first novel about a 30-something woman who starts writing an accused killer in jail and falls in love.  Listen to learn moreAuthor RecommendationsThe Poppy War by RF KuangYellowface by RF KuangBabel by RF Kuang

This week we have returning guest Sidney Karger here to tell us all about The Bump, his latest novel.  This is funny, sweet story about a couple that embarks on a road trip before the arrival of their baby.  Plenty of hijinks as well as twists and turns as the couple drives from New York to California.Author Recommendations1. Yellowface by RF Kuang2. Funny Story by Emily Henry3. Everyone On This Train is a Suspect by Benjamin Stevenson

This week on the podcast we have bestselling author Steven Rowley.  He has a new book out, title The Guncle Abroad and its the sequel to The Guncle.  Patrick is back to impart more of life wisdom to his niece and nephew as they grapple with their father's upcoming marriage. Author RecommendationsHello Beautiful by Ann NapolitanoCome and Get It by Kiley Reid

Welcome back to another episode of the KPL Podcast.  This week we spoke with bestselling author Lisa Barr about her latest novel, The Goddess of Warsaw.  This is an exciting novel about a Jewish Holocaust survivor turned actress and assassin.  An enthralling novel about survival and revenge.  Listen to learn more, Author recommendationsFinding Margaret Fuller by Allison PatakiThe Puzzle Master by Danielle Trussoni

This week on the KPL Podcast we have New York Times bestselling author Emiko Jean telling us all about her new book The Return of Ellie Black.  A fast paced thriller about a young girl who returns two years after her disappearance. Annie bot by Sierra Greer

This week on the KPL Podcast we have author and book lover Shannon Reed.  Her latest book is, Why We Read, On Bookworms, Libraries, and Just One More Page Before Lights Out. This a collection of laugh-out-loud-funny stories from her life as a reader and the poignant ways in which books have impacted her students. Author Recommendations1. Nobody's Fool by Richard Russo2. Plainsong by Kent Haruf3. Egg A Dozen Ovatures by Lizzie Stark4. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen

This week on the podcast we have award winning author Jessie Rosen.  We discussed her debut adult novel, The Heirloom.  If you have superstitions about engagement rings then this is the book.  The main character sets on a mission to find the ring's previous owners and the fate of those marriages.  This is a light-hearted book about self-discovery,  Listen to learn more. Author recommendations:The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo PiazzaExpiration Dates by Rebecca Serle Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle by Emily Nagoski and Amelia Nagoski

Welcome back to another episode of the KPL Podcast.  This week we spoke with environmental journalist Ben Goldfarb about road ecology.  Ben is an award winning author and his latest book, Crossing: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet was named one of the best books of 2023 by the New York Times.Author RecommendationsFire weather: A True Story from a Hotter World by John VaillantTrust by Hernan DiazDemon Copperhead by Barbara KingsolverThe Morningside by Tea ObrehtNew York 2140 by Kim Stanley Robinson