Iowa Center for the Book

Library of Congress Center for the Book Iowa Affiliate

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress is a community of 56 Affiliated Centers, promoting reading, libraries and literacy through the Library of Congress and its Affiliated Centers across the country.

The Iowa Center for the Book at Ames Public Library celebrates and promotes Iowa's unique literary heritage.

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Great Reads from Great Places

Every year, a list of books representing the literary heritage of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands is distributed by the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book  during the National Book Festival.

The National Book Festival Roadmap to Reading is made possible by the generous support of the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Past Great Reads Lists >>

Iowa's 2024 Great Read for Children

“Ten Beautiful Things” by Molly Griffin, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga

“Ten Beautiful Things”
by Molly Beth Griffin, illustrated by Maribel Lechuga 

Lily and her grandmother search for ten beautiful things as they take a long car ride to Iowa and Lily's new home with Gran. 

A heartfelt story of changing perspectives, Ten Beautiful Things gently explores loss, a new home, and finding beauty wherever you are.

Iowa's 2024 Great Read for Adults

“The Swine Republic: Struggles With the Truth About Agriculture and Water Quality” by Chris Jones

"The Swine Republic: Struggles With the Truth About Agriculture and Water Quality" 
by Chris Jones

The Swine Republic, has been an unexpected hit across Iowa. Jones, a retired University of Iowa researcher, writes for a popular audience about how politics and economics have influenced changes in Iowa’s water quality.

His ability to simplify the complex relationship between agriculture and water makes his science writing uniquely accessible. Jones is passionate about getting the truth about the water we consume out to everyday Iowans, farmers, and scientists alike. 

Literary Events

Library of Congress National Book Festival - August 24, 2024 - Visit loc.gov/bookfest to learn more.

Library of Congress National Book Festival

Saturday, August 24, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST

Livestream at www.loc.gov/bookfest

The festival’s theme this year, “Books Build Us Up,” explores how reading can help connect us and inform our lives. It’s through books that readers can develop strong bonds with writers and their ideas — relationships that open the entire world, real or imagined, to us all.

Throughout the day, attendees will hear conversations from authors of various genres across the festival's many stages.

The National Book Festival is made possible by the generous support of private- and public-sector sponsors who share the Library’s commitment to reading and literacy, led by National Book Festival Co-Chair David M. Rubenstein. Sponsors include: General Motors, James Madison Council, Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, CoStar Group, the John W. Kluge Center, AARP, Friends of the Library of Congress, Diane and Tim Naughton, the Library of Congress Federal Credit Union, and the Junior League of Washington.
C-SPAN’s Book TV will return to the National Book Festival as a media partner to livestream select events and interview featured authors. Media partners also include The Washington Post and NPR.

Around Iowa

All Iowa Reads

June 11-12, 2024

www.statelibraryofiowa.gov/index.php/libraries/programs/all-iowa-reads

 

AViD (Authors Visiting in Des Moines)

www.dmpl.org/attend/featured-programs/AViD

Iowa City Book Festival

October 14-20, 2024

www.iowacityofliterature.org/icbf/

 

Poetry Palooza

www.poetryamp.org/poetry-palooza

at Ames Public Library

Library of Congress National Book Festival

8:00am - 7:00pm
Virtual Event
Library Branch: Online
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Iowa Center for the Book, Author/Writing
Program Details:


The 2024 National Book Festival will be held in the nation’s capital at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center on Saturday, August 24, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. (doors open at 8:30 a.m.). The event is free and open to the public.

Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

Book Discussion: "Inside Voices: A Prison Choir, My Mother, and Me"

7:00pm - 8:30pm
Library Branch: Ames Public Library
Room: Rotary Room
Age Group: Adults
Program Type: Author/Writing
Program Details:

 

Join author Amy Kolen for a discussion of her new memoir: Inside Voices: A Prison Choir, My Mother, and Me.

Ames Public Library connects you to the world of ideas through diverse and inclusive resources and programs. We welcome proposals via our website for programs at www.amespubliclibrary.org/programproposal and exhibits at https://www.amespubliclibrary.org/exhibit-proposal.

More Resources

List of Independent Bookstores (from Midwest Independent Booksellers Association)