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PODCAST

Beyond the Desk

West Allis Public Library

A West Allis Public Library podcast about books, resources, lifelong learning and what makes this Milwaukee area community great. Join WAPL librarians as they chat with fellow staffers, authors, neighbors and each other about stories that moved them—and that they hope will inspire you.

arts books

All Episodes

00:31:32

What We're Reading 4

Beyond the Desk ·

2024/02/26

Librarians Meagan and Sarah talk about what they’ve been reading, including nonfiction books about history, ambition, happiness and spies as well as a couple of novels.Titles discussed in this episode include: The Running Grave by Robert Galbraith, Four Shots in the Night by Henry Hemming, Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah Winfrey, All the Gold Stars by Rainesford Stauffer, The Sisterhood: The Secret History of Women at the CIA by Liza Mundy, Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson,

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00:37:26

Horror Stories

Beyond the Desk ·

2024/01/27

Desirae and library assistant Kate discuss chilling horror stories, including author Jonathan Edward Durham's debut novel, Winterset Hollow. Also mentioned: Skin Thief by Suzan Palumbo; Breakable Things by Cassandra Khaw; Lovecraft Country by Matt Ruff; Watership Down by Richard Adams; What Moves the Dead by T. Kingfisher; and Bunny by Mona Awad. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com, and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music:

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00:37:10

“Year of” Books

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/12/28

Are you looking for inspiration to make the next year your best? Librarians Sarah and Meagan discuss “year of” books, or project books that involve making a change over the course of a year. Titles discussed in this episode include: Coop by Michael Perry, Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes, The Year of Miracles by Ella Risbridger, The Moneyless Man by Mark Boyle and Year of Yoga by Kassandra Reinhardt. Also mentioned: Animal, Vegetable, Miracle by Barbara Kingsolver; Population 485 and Truck by Michael

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00:30:17

The Mystery Guest

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/12/06

Librarians Sarah and Desirae talk about Nita Prose's new novel The Mystery Guest, a sequel to The Maid. Also mentioned: Cassandra in Reverse by Holly Smale. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

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00:37:17

Tom Lake

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/10/25

Librarians Sarah and Meagan talk about the delightful novel Tom Lake by Ann Patchett. In it, a former actress recounts her summer with a famous actor, as she and her adult daughters pick cherries during the pandemic shutdown. Also mentioned: Our Town by Thornton Wilder; Bel Canto, The Dutch House, Truth and Beauty, and State of Wonder by Ann Patchett; Autobiography of a Face by Lucy Grealy; The Sentence by Louise Erdrich; and Our Country Friends by Gary Shteyngart. Check out books and movies at

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00:40:20

Current Reads

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/09/25

West Allis residents and library book clubbers Jen and Jessi join Sarah for a discussion of what they’ve been reading. They also talk about why they enjoy book clubs, how they choose what to read next, odd jobs they’d like to pursue, and more. Titles discussed in this episode include: How Can I Help You by Laura Sims, Murder Is a Piece of Cake by Valerie Burns, the Fox and O’Hare series by Janet Evanovich, Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan, Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor, The

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01:01:52

Cozy Mysteries

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/08/29

Julia the intern hosts this episode and is joined by librarian Sarah as they discuss cozy mysteries. This is a shared favorite genre of the two. They discuss the basics of cozies, what readers can expect when they open up a cozy, and favorite titles of theirs! Titles discussed in this episode include: And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie, A Death in Door County by Annelise Ryan, Shady Hollow by Juneau Black, the Hannah Swensen Series by Joanne Fluke, Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney, Happiness

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00:39:09

LOL Stories

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/07/26

Katie and Sarah talk about books that will tickle your funny bone. Whether you enjoy essays, memoirs or novels, you’ll find a story guaranteed* to make you laugh. Titles discussed in this episode include: King of the Mild Frontier by Chris Crutcher, Big Swiss by Jen Beagin, Hey Ladies! by Michelle Markowitz and Caroline Moss, Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris, The Idiot Girls’ Action-Adventure Club by Laurie Notaro, Pretty in Plaid by Jen Lancaster, Standard Deviation by Katherine Heiny,

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00:30:49

Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/06/26

Intern Julia joins Sarah and Katie to discuss Gabrielle Zevin’s must-read novel Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, which follows Sam and Sadie who design hit video games. It’s an unforgettable, moving tale about storytelling, friendship and the creative process. Also mentioned: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay by Michael Chabon, Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walter, Looking for Alaska and The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green, Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin, Anne Tyler, and The Corrections

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00:39:17

Beach Reads

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/05/25

Just in time for summer, we talk about what we think makes for a good beach read and offer a variety of recommendations, several of which are recent releases. We also chat about why we enjoy reimagined stories, whether inspired by Jane Austen novels, fairy tales or other source material. Titles discussed in this episode include: Book Lovers by Emily Henry; Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld; Hooked, Scarred, Wretched and Twisted by Emily McIntire; This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs; The Last

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00:32:42

The Secret History

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/04/24

Thirty years after it was published, The Secret History by Donna Tartt remains as influential as ever, mentioned on cover blurbs and social media. It even informs the Dark Academia subculture. Librarians Meagan and Sarah discuss the atmospheric campus novel and talk about the joys of rereading. Check out books and movies at countycat.mcfls.org, wplc.overdrive.com and hoopladigital.com. For more about WAPL, visit westallislibrary.org. Music: Tim Moor via Pixabay

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00:35:38

Leigh Bardugo’s Alex Stern

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/03/24

Were you excited about the return of Alex Stern? Four years after Ninth House, Hell Bent heads back to the Yale campus, where magic is practiced in secret societies. Librarians Sarah and Desirae discuss why they enjoy the mystery/fantasy series, plus they talk about what magic they’d like to practice. Titles discussed in this episode include: Ninth House and Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo. Also mentioned: Shadow and Bone, Six of Crows and Crooked Kingdom by Leigh Bardugo; The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo

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00:35:42

Q&A With Liam Callanan

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/02/24

WAPL librarian Sarah talks with Liam Callanan about his latest novel, When in Rome. It’s about a woman who must choose between the chance to save a struggling convent and a life with her old flame. Plus, Sarah and Callanan talk about Paris, Milwaukee and Wisconsin State Fair cream puffs. Titles discussed in this episode include: When in Rome, Paris by the Book, The Cloud Atlas and All Saints by Liam Callanan. Also mentioned: The podcast The Bittersweet Life, Ninth House and Hell Bent by Leigh

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00:34:53

Love Stories

Beyond the Desk ·

2023/01/24

WAPL librarians Desirae and Katie talk about their favorite love stories. They chat about sports themed romance, as well as other novels they recommend. Plus, they talk about fanfiction and romance tropes they love and hate. Titles and series discussed in this episode include: The Hellions Angles series by Lia Riley; the Playbook series by Alexa Martin; the Chicago Stars series by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; the Spoiler Alert series by Olivia Dade; the Hundred Oaks series by Miranda Kenneally; If the

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00:39:00

Reading Resolutions

Beyond the Desk ·

2022/12/27

Do you have reading resolutions for the new year? Whether you want to focus your efforts on reading outside your comfort zone or simply want to read more, check out these suggestions from librarians Katie, Meagan and Sarah. They also talk about book discovery resources and what they’re looking forward to reading next. Titles mentioned in this episode include: Empire of Pain and Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe; Rust Belt Femme by Raechel Anne Jolie; Olga Dies Dreaming by by Xochitl Gonzalez; The

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00:37:20

Gift Ideas

Beyond the Desk ·

2022/11/29

In this episode, we welcome WAPL librarian Gina to the podcast. She, Desirae and Sarah suggest gift ideas, both fiction and nonfiction, for the various book lovers in your life—and maybe for yourself. Titles discussed in this episode include: The Boys by Katie Hafner; Go to Sleep (I Miss You) by Lucy Knisley; Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff; How to Keep House While Drowning by KC Davis; Dinner in One by Melissa Clark; The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart; The Witch’s Heart by

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00:35:51

Native American Heritage Month

Beyond the Desk ·

2022/10/25

We welcome Meagan, an adult services librarian at WAPL, to the podcast. She joins Sarah to recommend books you might enjoy during Native American Heritage Month and beyond. Titles discussed in this episode include: The Heartbeat of Wounded Knee by David Treuer, Sabrina & Corina by Kali Fajardo-Anstine, Carry: A Memoir of Survival on Stolen Land by Toni Jensen, The Sentence by Louise Erdrich, My Heart Is a Chainsaw by Stephen Graham Jones and Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer. Read about

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00:28:26

Q&A With Anna Lardinois

Beyond the Desk ·

2022/09/26

Intern Beth P. chats with local author Anna Lardinois about haunted history in Wisconsin and the release of her new book, Madison Ghosts and Legends, a companion book to Milwaukee Ghosts and Legends. Lardinois reveals some of her top spots for paranormal activity and discloses how she researches Wisconsin history to find stories for her books. She also talks about being a tour guide for shipwreck tours in Milwaukee and shares what attracts her to storytelling. Titles discussed in this episode:

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00:33:20

Olga Dies Dreaming

Beyond the Desk ·

2022/08/26

To celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, which begins Sept. 15, WAPL librarians Sarah, Desirae and Katie discuss Olga Dies Dreaming by Xochitl Gonzalez. The novel follows a wedding planner and her politician brother and involves family relationships, romantic relationships, Puerto Rican culture and politics, and much more. Plus, they offer readalikes that touch on aspects of the book. Also mentioned: Birds of Paradise by Diana Abu-Jaber, Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn, I’ll Give

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00:34:47

What We’re Reading 3

Beyond the Desk ·

2022/07/25

Are you in the mood for a summer read, narrative nonfiction book, mystery or thriller? WAPL staffers Sarah, Desirae and Beth P. talk about their recent reads plus what they’re looking forward to reading next. Titles and authors discussed in this episode include: Early Morning Riser by Katherine Heiny, The Café by the Sea by Jenny Colgan, Maine by J. Courtney Sullivan, The 57 Bus by Dashka Slater, The Bomber Mafia by Malcolm Gladwell, An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen, Behind

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