Talk of Iowa on IPR News and Studio One

Summer brings with it many pleasures, and one of those pleasures is the time to dig into a great book.  Host Charity Nebbe previews books for summer reading lists with Paul Ingram and Jan Weismiller of Prairie Lights Books in Iowa City and Annie Leonard of The Next Chapter bookstore in Knoxville. 

Annie Leonard of The Next Chapter's Summer Reading List

Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown

Viking, June 2013, History

Jan Weismiller of Prairie Lights Books' Summer Reading List

The Newlyweds by Nell Freudenberger

Paul Ingram of Prairie Lights Books' Summer Reading List

Pacific by Tom Drury

Lost World of Fossil Lake by Lance Grande

Little Elvises by Timothy Hallinan

Legend has it that in 1903, for several nights in a row the small town of Van Meter was terrorized by a giant bat-like creature. One-hundred ten years later, Talk of Iowa tries to uncover the truth with author Chad Lewis, a paranormal investigator and co-author of the new book "The Van Meter Visitor: A True and Mysterious Encounter with the Unknown."

Thanks to the drought and various blights and diseases, the term evergreen doesn’t seem very appropriate in Iowa right now.  Today on Talk of Iowa, it’s Horticulture Day.  Host Charity Nebbe sits down with forester Mark Vitosh about the state of evergreens in Iowa. Horticulturist Richard Jauron also joins the conversation to answer your questions.

They excel at swimming, holding their breath and have coats that humans envy. Today on Talk of Iowa, host Charity Nebbe sits down with Iowa State wildlife biologist, Jim Pease, to discuss the mammals of Iowa's wetlands. They talk about river otters, muskrats, beaver and mink, and share some tips on how to spy some of these fascinating swimmers.

Women have worked in agriculture since agriculture began, but for many years they were limited to supporting roles. Talk of Iowa seeks out women's voices in agriculture, through history and today.  Jenny Barker-Devine, author of "On Behalf of the Family Farm: Iowa Farm Women's Activism since 1945" discusses how the roles of farm women changed during the 20th century.

On Sunday many mothers will be recognized with flowers, cards and attention from their loved ones, but there is a whole classification of mothers who really get very little respect.  Today on Talk of Iowa it’s Horticulture Day.  Host Charity Nebbe speaks with entomologist Donald Lewis, who will give some overdue recognition to the mothers in the insect world. He and Richard Jauron will also answer your questions.

Host Charity Nebbe explores art created by veterans in their post-military lives. We hear examples of poetry from Hugh Martin, winner of The Iowa Review's Jeff Sharlet Memorial Award for Veterans.  Also, we hear journalism and creative non-fiction from Randy Brown.  And the music and military reflections of Lem Genovese. 

There is no substitute for seeing a soaring red tailed hawk, circling turkey vulture or bald eagle snatching a fish out of a river, but the paintings of the late James Landenberger capture some of the majesty of these moments.  Talk of Iowa talks about Iowa's birds of prey with Jon Stravers, is the the Driftless Area Coordinator for the National Audubon Society's

Iowans are a week out from the traditional tomato planting time, but once again many gardens are covered in snow.  Today on Talk of Iowa, it’s Horticulture Day.  Host Charity Nebbe finds out how this strange weather may affect gardens, and she talks hostas with hosta fanatic Dick Gladon, Associate Professor of Horticulture at Iowa State University. Richard Jauron, of Iowa State University Extension Horticulture answers planting questions, as well.

Fire is the original way to cook and it’s making a comeback in Iowa. Today on Talk of Iowa, Charity Nebbe hosts a discussion on wood fired ovens, a growing trend in the restaurant business. Food Critic Jim Duncan shares how these ovens are being used in restaurants around the state and Matt Steigerwald talks about the wood fired pizza oven at his Lincoln Wine Bar in Mt. Vernon.

The National Medal for Museum and Library service is the nation’s highest honor given to museums or libraries for service to the community.  This year there were two winners in Iowa. Both the Marshalltown Public Library and the National Czech and Slovak Museum and Library in Cedar Rapids have connected with their communities in some innovative ways.  

People in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area who just experienced a hail storm may be checking their roofs for damage.  Home improvement expert Bill McAnally talks about how to know when you need a new roof, how to decide what kind to get, and why color is important.

This is the season for planting, and next comes the season for fighting weeds.  Today on Talk of Iowa, it’s Horticulture Day. Bob Hartzler, an ISU extension weed specialist joins the program to talk about doing battle with volunteer trees and invasive species like multiflora rose and honeysuckle.  And, horticulturist Richard Jauron and Bob answer your questions. 

Josiah Bushnell Grinnell was a congressman, a minister, the founder of Grinnell College and a radical.  Today on Talk of Iowa, Charity Nebbe talks with a group of students at Grinnell College, who spent the semester exploring the life and beliefs of JB Grinnell.  She will talk with them about what they uncovered on the life, works, and legacy of a complicated man.

Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald lived hard and died young. But while their wild lifestyle did not endure, the novels of F. Scott Fitzgerald continue to captivate modern readers.  Today on "Talk of Iowa" we'll talk with R. Clifton Spargo, author of "Beautiful Fools: The Last Affair of Zelda and Scott Fitzgerald."

New safety rules from the Food and Drug Administration may affect those of us who buy our food at farmer's markets and will certainly affect those who sell their produce at these markets.  Angela Shaw, Assistant Professor of Food Safety from Iowa State University, will explain these new rules.  We also talk about food safety precautions for home gardeners.  Horticulturist Richard

A rich American girl goes to England where she meets and marries an English lord with an amazing house and a cash flow problem; that's the true story of the hit series "Downton Abbey."

"Talk of Iowa" explores the roles of women on the farm in history, literature, popular culture and the present.  We talk with Zachary Michael Jack, author of "The Midwest Farmer's Daughter: In Search of an American Icon." Also joining the conversation, Cheryl Tevis of Iowa Women In Agriculture, and Denise O'Brien, founder of the