

Book Lounge by Libby
Book Lounge by Libby
The Professional Book Nerds podcast is now, Book Lounge by LibbyBook Lounge by Libby is the podcast where authors, book lovers, and industry insiders come together to talk about the stories we love and the impact they have. Hosted by Joe Skelley, each episode invites you into a cozy, candid conversation about books, writing, publishing, and the trends shaping the literary world.PLUS, every episode features book recommendations from some of your favorite online content creators.Book Lounge airs two seasons per year, along with special monthly episodes. Whether you're into sweeping romances, chilling thrillers, epic fantasies, or powerful memoirs, there's something in the Lounge for every reader. So, grab your favorite drink, get cozy, and meet us in the Book Lounge.Find more at: https://pages.libbylife.com/BL-Links Brought to you by Libby, the library app.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 11, 2023 • 43min
Talking to Gen Z’s Carrie Bradshaw – Eli Rallo
In this episode, Eli Rallo spills the ink on essay escapades, spills the tea on meeting Sarah Jessica Parker, and spills some wisdom on finding your people. Join Eli and Joe, as they talk about all this, Eli's new book (I Didn't Know I Needed This - out December 12), and more!Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dec 7, 2023 • 1h 11min
PBN's Best Books of 2023
Emma and Joe share their favorite books of 2023!Emma’s picks:
For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
The September House by Carissa Orlando
The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Happy Place by Emily Henry
Joe’s picks:
Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell (narrated by Daniel Henning)
Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson
Pageboy by Elliot Page
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
With My LIttle Eye by Joshilyn Jackson
Behind the Seams by Dolly Parton
The Big Reveal by Sasha Velour
Bonus pick: Meet me at the Lake by Carley Fortune For our favorite YA picks of 2023, be sure to listen to our episode here. If you want to go back and listen to any of the author interviews or episodes we’ve mentioned, we’ll link them below. Rachel Harrison & Clay McLeod Chapman Caroline Kepnes Santino Fontana Ana Reyes Rebecca Yarros Jessica Knoll Emily Henry & Julia Whelan Joe Reads a Big Romance Emma Reads a HorrorReaders can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 30, 2023 • 44min
December Book Picks
Emma and Joe chat about their most anticipated book releases for December! The final book picks episode featuring 2023 releases is here. Grab your hot cocoa and get ready to add a few more things to your TBR as we close out another great year.Books mentioned in this episode: December Author Interviews:
I Didn’t Know I Needed This by Eli Rallo
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
Emma’s Picks:
Here in the Dark by Alexis Soloski
The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
#CrimeTime by Jeneva Rose & Drew Pyne
Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
Fourth Wing (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] Graphic Audio
Gilded Youth by Tom Quinn
Never by Jessa Hastings
Joe’s Picks:
When I Was Your Age by Kenan Thompson
Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn
All the Hidden Paths by Foz Meadowns
Where There’s Smoke by EB Vickers
Heartstopper #5 by Alice Oseman
Murder Crossed Her Mind by Stephen Spotswood
Deep Fried Death by Maddie Day
Two Dead Wives by Adele Parks
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 16, 2023 • 49min
The Best Juvenile and Young Adult Titles of 2023
On this episode of PBN Joe and Emma are starting to wrap up the year by sharing their favorite juvenile and young adult titles published in 2023. Come and hear what made the cut and why these nerds enjoyed it so much.Titles mentioned in this episode:Emma’s Titles:
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Betting on You by Lynn Painter
House of Marionne by J. Elle
The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Divine Rivals & Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin
All That’s Left to Say by Emery Lord
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Just Because by Matthew McConaughey
Joe’s Titles:
Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington (July 2023 S&S)
The Forest Demands Its Due by Kosko Jackson (October 2023 Harper)
Beholder by Ryan La Sala (October 2023 Scholastic)
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker (April 2023 Tor)
Totally Psychic by Brigid Martin
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
The Golden Frog Games by Claribel A. Ortega
One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus
On Air with Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Munoz
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 13, 2023 • 44min
Dystopian Futures with Naomi Alderman
On this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast, Joe chats with author Naomi Alderman about her new book The Future (out November 7). Joe and Naomi talk about how an actual pandemic happening can really change how you write about a pandemic, buying $23 hand sanitizer, and what exactly would happen if the elite had private bunkers to escape to.Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 9, 2023 • 1h 10min
Witchy Reads
Grab your crystal ball, fire up the cauldron, and get ready to get witchy! Today, Joe, Kristin, and Claire share some recommended picks for the witching season. There's something magical in the air as you transition from Halloween horrors but before you get too cozy for the winter season.Titles mentioned in this episode:Kristin’s Titles:
Hex Life edited by Rachel Autumn Deering
In the House in the Dark of the Wood by Laird Hunt
The Witchery by Sophie Isabelle
The Witching Year by Diana Helmuth
Kiss and Spell by Celestine Martin
The Good House by Tananarieve Due
Claire’s Titles:
The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue
The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
A Season with the Witch by J.W. Ocker
Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
Slewfoot by Brom
Into the Forest edited by Lindy Ryan
Joe’s Titles:
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore
After the Forest by Kell Woods
Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis
Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
The Witches of Bone Hill by Ava Morgyn
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 6, 2023 • 51min
Rebecca Yarros Believes in Happily Ever Afters
Emma spends roughly an hour fangirling at bestselling author, Rebecca Yarros, and chats about the highly-anticipated release of Iron Flame. They also discuss work-life balance, the biggest obstacles facing Xaden and Violet, Rebecca's favorite dragon and go-to coffee order, being a Dain apologist, and so much more in this casual, chatty interview.Books mentioned in this episode:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
Undelivered by Jeff Nussbaum
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
The History of a Difficult Child by Mihret Sibhat
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Nov 2, 2023 • 52min
Romancelandia Chat with Librarian, Robin Bradford!
Emma is joined by librarian, Robin Bradford, to chat about her book, The Reader's Advisory Guide to Romance. They also chat all things Romancelandia, how to talk about spice levels, the cyclical nature of romance trends and tropes, libraries, and a bunch of recommendations! You can find Robin on Twitter @Tuphlos. Authors mentioned in this episode:
Katee Robert
Jill Shalvis
Tasha Harrison
D.L. White
Naima Simone
Tracey Livesay
Eva Leigh
Rosie Danan
Samantha Chase
Dylan Allen
Rachel Howzell Hall
Books mentioned in this episode:
Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 30, 2023 • 1h 7min
Reality and Romantic Tropes with Penny Reid
Emma catches up with Penny Reid to discuss the ways Penny innovates in self-publishing/indie publishing, her amazing Kickstarter campaign, the Smarty Pants Romance imprint, what happens when you add reality to romance tropes, and the Charles Dickens retelling you didn't know you needed. Plus, hear some scoop on what books you can expect next, news about the Winston Brothers tv show, and which characters still speak to Penny the loudest, even after their books are "done." Books mentioned in this episode:
Truth or Beard
Prom King (coming soon)
Drama King
Ten Trends to Seduce Your Bestfriend
Marriage and Murder
Beard Science
Beard in Hiding
Totally Folked
Folk Around and Find Out
Marriage of Inconvenience
All Folked Up (coming July 2024)
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Oct 26, 2023 • 53min
November Book Picks
Emma and Joe's favorite episode of the month is here with a roundup of November book releases! Grab a warm beverage and your TBR list!Author Interviews this month: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros The Future by Naomi Alderman Emma’s Picks
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Betting on You by Lynn Painter
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry
Enchanted Hill by Emily Bain Murphy
Endgame by Omid Scobie
Welcome to the O.C. by Josh Schwartz, Stephanie Savage, Alan Sepinwall
Wish of the Wicked by Danielle Paige
Joe’s Picks
The Fiction Writer by Jillian Cantor
The Core of an Onion by Mark Kurlansky
Bookshops & Bonedust by Travis Baldree
The Manor House by Gilly Macmillan
Only She Came Back by Margot Harrison
No One Left But You by Tash McAdam
Wren Martin Ruins it All by Amanda DeWitt
Gorgeous Gruesome Faces by Linda Cheng
Dolls of Our Lives by Mary Mahoney (audio only currently)
Data Baby by Susannah Breslin
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices