

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

Mar 30, 2023 • 49min
April's Biggest Books
Joe and Emma are back to share the books they're most looking forward to in April 2023. From misleading covers, to West Side Story (the 60s version ONLY), to adding to your never-ending TBR, this episode has it all!Books mentioned in this episode:Joe’s Titles:
With My Little Eye by Joshilyn Jackson
Before We Were Innocent by Ella Berman
Camp Zero by Michelle Min Sterling
Sisters of the Lost Nation by Nick Medina
We Love to Entertain by Sarah Strohmeyer
Chita: A Memoir by Chita Rivera
The Big Reveal by Sasha Velour
Spell Bound by FT Lukens
Hungry Ghost by Victoria Ying
Emma’s Titles:
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club by J. Ryan Stradal
You Could Make This Place Beautiful by Maggie Smith
For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes
This Bird Has Flown by Susanna Hoffs
Never Vacation with Your Ex by Emily Wibberley, Austin Siegemund-Broka
Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline
House of Cotton by Monica Brashears
The Lake House by Sarah Beth Durst
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. 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

Mar 23, 2023 • 41min
Ch-Ch-Changes
It's the end of an era as Jill has decided to retire from PBN (but don't worry, she's not leaving OverDrive so you'll still hear her voice on some episodes!). Emma and Joe announce some big and exciting changes to the podcast! This episode also contains some nostalgia, reflection, and book recommendations based on what they've read recently.Emma’s recent reads:
The Five Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Romantic Comedy by Curtis Sittenfeld
Joe’s recent reads:
The Haunting of Alejandra by V. Castro
The Three of Us by Ore Agbaje-Williams
Jill’s recent reads:
The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
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

Mar 20, 2023 • 54min
Food Obsessions with Dan Ahdoot, author of Undercooked
Today on the podcast Joe is joined by actor, writer, and comedian Dan Ahdoot to talk about his new book Undercooked: How I let Food Become My Life Navigator and How Maybe That's a Dumb Way to Live. They talk about what cuisine Dan would live off of for the rest of his life, pitch podcast ideas to Shark Tank, and discuss what it's like to meet your word count when you thought you were already finished writing.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. 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

Mar 16, 2023 • 38min
Young Adult Botanical Books
Jill is joined by OverDrive librarian, Claire, to chat about all things delicate and dangerous with this botanical cover trend. While the floral trend has been around for awhile, there's been an uptick in covers that have botanical elements that look more alluring and dangerous. They discuss what is it about these covers, what genres seem to use this style, and a whole host of book recs if you've been meaning to check out something creepy and covered in flowers. Emma was unable to join but Jill calls out some of her favorite picks, too! Jill’s Picks:
Horrid by Katrina Leno
The Sacrifice by Rin Chupeco
Where Darkness Blooms by Andrea Hannah
Claire’s Picks:
Delicious Monsters by Liselle Sambury
This Poison Heart by Kalynn Bayron
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland
Emma’s Picks:
Blood and Moonlight by Erin Beaty
Foxglove by Adalyn Grace
The Depths by Nicole Lesperance
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 here.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

Mar 13, 2023 • 31min
Getting educated on The Teachers with Alexandra Robbins
On today's episode, Jill is joined by investigative journalist Alexandra Robbins to discuss her new book The Teachers. Told over the course of one school year, The Teachers follows three teachers from across the United States as they navigate the classroom. Alexandra discusses the challenges face in the classroom -- and speaks from her own experience as a substitute. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mar 9, 2023 • 40min
Greek Myth Retellings
Looking for ideas for the "Greek Myth Retellings" category of the Professional Book Nerds 2023 Reading Challenge? Emma, Joe, and Jill share their recommendations if you're in the mood for a classic Greek myth with a twist. They also chat about Sailor Moon, Hadestown, the influence of BookTok, the Clytemnestra fire, and more.Emma’s Picks:
Atalanta by Jennifer Saint
The Shadow of Perseus by Claire Hollywood
Lifestyles of Gods and Monsters by Emily Roberson
We Can Be Heroes by Kyrie McCauley
Joe’s Picks:
Lies We Sing to the Sea by Sarah Underwood
Pandora by Susan Stokes-Chapman
Daughter of Sparta by Claire M. Andrews
Elektra by Jennifer Saint
Jill’s Picks:
Stone Blind by Natalie Haynes
Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
A Thousand Ships by Natalie Haynes
Never Look Back by Lilliam Rivera
Other books mentioned in this episode:
Mythology by Edith Hamilton
Dark Olympus series by Katee Roberts
The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller
Circe by Madeline Miller
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
Blood of Troy by Claire Andrews
Storm of Olympus by Claire Andrews
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 here.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

Mar 2, 2023 • 54min
GUESS THAT CLASSIC
On today's episode, we're trying something new. Join us for everyone's favorite game, GUESS THAT CLASSIC! We wrote up descriptions of classic literature in modern day gossip, and then we quizzed each other. Guess along with us or sit back and enjoy the hot tea! (To avoid spoilers, titles are not included in the episode description)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. 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

Feb 27, 2023 • 1h 5min
Craft and Complex Characters with Samantha Shannon
Emma chats with returning guest, Samantha Shannon, to talk about A Day of Fallen Night, returning to the Roots of Chaos world, crafting complex female characters, immortality, dragons, and Katniss Everdeen.Books mentioned in this episode: The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha ShannonA Day of Fallen Night by Samantha ShannonThe Bone Season series by Samantha ShannonInferno by Catherine ChoThe Final Strife by Saara El-ArifiReaders 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 here.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

Feb 23, 2023 • 57min
March's Biggest Books
Joe, Emma, and Jill are back to share the books they're most looking forward to in March 2023. They chat about witch trials, séances, and of course, quote Twilight. Come for the books, stay for the silly goofy moods. Books Mentioned in This Episode:Emma’s Picks:
Clytemnestra by Costanza Casati
Pineapple Street by Jenny Jackson
The Foxglove King by Hannah Whitten
Paris by Paris Hilton
Stars and Smoke by Marie Lu
Bitter Medicine by Mia Tsai
Thirst for Salt by Madelaine Lucas
The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland
Jill’s Picks:
Weyward by Emilia Hart
What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jimenez
The London Séance Society by Sarah Penner
Flux by Jinwoo Chong
Woman of the Year by Darcey Bell
The Dance Tree by Kiran Millwood Hargrave
The Teachers by Alexandra Robbins
Hang the Moon by Jeannette Walls
Joe’s Picks:
Community Board by Tara Conklin
The Golden Spoon by Jessa Maxwell
The Jump by Brittney Morris
The Memory Eater by Rebecca Mahoney
The Witch and the Vampire by Francesca Flores
In Nightfall by Suzanne Young
Lucha of the Night Forest by Tehlor Kay Mejia
The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
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. 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

Feb 20, 2023 • 42min
Final Girls, Sequels, and Slasher Films with Stephen Graham Jones
On today's episode, horror writer Stephen Graham Jones comes on to discuss his latest book Don't Fear the Reaper, the sequel to My Heart is a Chainsaw. Stephen and Jill discuss the important role sequels play in a trilogy, the SCREAM film franchise, final girls, and, of course, his iconic character Jade Daniels.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


