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12 Jul, 2025

August’s Open Book Club: Go Tell It on the Mountain by James Baldwin

By |July 12th, 2025|Adults, Events, Library News, Open Book Club, Reader Services|

With lyrical precision, psychological directness, resonating symbolic power, and a rage that is at once unrelenting and compassionate, Baldwin tells the story of the stepson of the minister of a storefront Pentecostal church in Harlem one Saturday in March of 1935. Originally published in 1953, Baldwin said of his first novel, ”Mountain is the book I had to write if I was ever going to write anything else.” 

5 Jun, 2025

First Fifty Pages Podcast with Emilia Hart

By |June 5th, 2025|Adults, First Fifty Pages, Library News, Podcasts, Reader Services|

In this episode of The First Fifty Pages, Kelsey and Jenn talk with rising star Emilia Hart about her latest novel, The Sirens—a story of two sets of sisters separated by time and connected by the power of the sea. We chat about compelling female characters, how the past informs our present, and why meeting readers is such a rewarding experience. Dangerous temptations await!

19 May, 2025

First Fifty Pages Podcast with Tim Johnston

By |May 19th, 2025|Adults, First Fifty Pages, Library News, Podcasts, Reader Services|

In this episode, Kelsey and Jenn talk with best-selling author Tim Johnston about his latest novel, Distant Sons—the All Iowa Reads selection for Adult Fiction for 2025. Random acts of misfortune, themes of masculinity and shame, and a small town haunted by great tragedy. It may surprise you or it could devastate you, but at the very least, be prepared to feel all the feels!

3 May, 2025

All Iowa Reads Book Discussion: Distant Sons by Tim Johnston on May 12

By |May 3rd, 2025|Adults, Events, Library News, Open Book Club, Reader Services|

Established in 2003, the purpose of All Iowa Reads is to foster a sense of unity through reading. Iowans are encouraged to come together in their communities to read and talk about a single book title in the same calendar year. Join the Sioux City Public Library for a discussion on this year's book, Distant Sons by Tim Johnston.