Book Lounge by Libby

We’re bringing you something extra special this week—a live recording from the ALA 2025 Pop-Top Stage! Join Joe in conversation with: Henry H. Neff - ⁠website⁠ Mary Roach - ⁠website⁠ Michelle Jabès-Corpora - ⁠website⁠ Olivia Worley - ⁠website⁠ Rex Ogle - ⁠website⁠ Sasha Bonét - ⁠website⁠ Terah Shelton Harris - ⁠website⁠ as they talk books, libraries, and the joy of connecting readers with stories. This bonus episode is a celebration of community and a peek inside the excitement of ALA. Book Lounge by Libby will be back with Season 2 next week—stay tuned for more amazing conversations with authors, narrators, and book lovers. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Intro 00:02:15 LIVE At ALA! 00:49:12 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in ⁠Libby⁠. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy⁠! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the ⁠Libby Life Blog⁠! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the ⁠Libby App YouTube channel⁠. Keep up with us on social media by following the ⁠Libby App on Instagram⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe sits down with Daniel Henning to dive deep into the writings and ideas of Andy Warhol. From The Philosophy of Andy Warhol to Popism: The Warhol Sixties to a: a novel, this conversation explores the iconic artist’s impact on art, culture, and how we see the world today. Whether you’re a longtime Warhol fan or new to his work, you’ll walk away seeing his brilliance—and contradictions—in a whole new light. You can find out more about Daniel and his work on his website. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:16 Intro 00:01:52 Interview with Daniel Henning 01:00:20 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in ⁠Libby⁠. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our ⁠Cumulative List⁠ for the whole season, or ⁠this list for today’s episode⁠! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the ⁠Libby Life Blog⁠! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the ⁠Libby App YouTube channel⁠. Keep up with us on social media by following the ⁠Libby App on Instagram⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Season 1 of Book Lounge by Libby comes to a close, we’re getting you ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with thoughtful conversations featuring Ann Dávila Cardinal, Isabel Cañas, Cleyvis Natera, Isabel Ibañez, and Tamara Yajía. 🌎 Together, they explore how heritage and identity shape their writing and the stories they share with the world. In Segment 2, Bre, Carmen, and Cece return with their top book recommendations to keep your shelves stacked with incredible Hispanic voices. 📚✨ ✨ Season 2 of Book Lounge by Libby arrives at the end of September! Want to watch the show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel. Articles Mentioned and referenced in the Intro & Episode: https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/hispanic-heritage-month.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAbout%20National%20Hispanic%20Heritage%20Month,and%20Central%20and%20South%20America. https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/why-fiction-from-latin-america-is-growing-in-popularity https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/english/community/blog/posts/the-obscured-roots-of-magical-realism/#:~:text=Magical%20Realism%20is%20a%20genre,those%20that%20were%20not%20literate. https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/what-is-magical-realism https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/english/community/blog/posts/the-obscured-roots-of-magical-realism/ https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2022/10/latin-american-literary-traditions-through-time https://www.fountaindale.org/magical-realism-and-the-latin-american-boom/ https://bookriot.com/new-latino-boom/ https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/why-fiction-from-latin-america-is-growing-in-popularity https://coughtibridge.medium.com/alejo-carpentier-surrealism-and-the-birth-of-magical-realism-ca87f029040c Guest Host Recommendations: Bre The Cemetery Boys - Aiden Thomas The Spy - Paulo Coelho Vampires of El Norte - Isabel Cañas The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina - Zoraida Cordova Carmen Saints of the Household - Ari Tison Children of the Land - Marcelo Hernandez Castillo Magical/Realism - Vanessa Angelica Villarreal The Bewitching - Silvia Moreno-Garcia Cece The Poet X - Elizabeth Acevedo Cantoras - Caro de Robertis Wild Beauty - Anna-Marie McLemore Fever Dream - Samanta Schweblin Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts: Segment 1: Ann Dávila Cardinal - Website Isabel Cañas - Website Cleyvis Natera - Website Isabel Ibañez - Website Tamara Yajía - Instagram Segment 2: Bre - Links Carmen – Links Cece – Links Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:16 Intro 00:12:29 Segment 1- Part 1: Ann Dávila Cardinal & Isabel Cañas 00:48:31 Segment 1 – Part 2: Cleyvis Natera, Isabel Ibañez & Tamara Yajía 01:33:18 BREAK – Libby Tip: Creating & Using Tags! 01:39:05 Segment 2 – Book Recs with Bre, Carmen & Cece! 02:32:08 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Romantasy is everywhere right now — and we’re diving deep into the magic, monsters, and swoon-worthy romance fueling its meteoric rise. In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe sits down with three of the biggest names in the genre — Jennifer L. Armentrout, Olivia Rose Darling, and Katee Robert — to talk about how romantasy took over bookshelves, why it resonates with readers, and where it’s headed next. Then Meara shares romantasy recommendations to load up your TBR. Plus, in a Libby Life exclusive, our guests play a rapid-fire round of Romantasy Trope: Love It or Hate It — with some delightfully unexpected answers. Want to watch the show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel. Articles Mentioned in the Intro & Episode: https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/what-is-romantasy-anyway Guest Host Recommendations: Meara Metal Slinger - Rachel Schneider Lore of the Wilds - Analeigh Sbrana Sorcery of Thorns - Margaret Rogerson Bring Me Your Midnight - Rachel Griffin Devils Like Us - L.T. Thompson Joe Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon – Ann Mare Captive Prince – CS Pascat Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts: Segment 1: Jennifer L. Armentrout - Website Olivia Rose Darling - Website Katee Robert - Website Segment 2: Meara - Links Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:16 Intro 00:06:12 Segment 1 – Jennifer L. Armentrout, Olivia Rose Darling & Katee Robert 01:14:47 BREAK – Libby Tip: Early Return Reward! 01:18:04 Segment 2 – Romantasy Recs with Meara 01:49:01 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re joined by celebrated Indigenous authors Angeline Boulley (Firekeeper’s Daughter, Warrior Girl Unearthed) and Carole Lindstrom (We Are Water Protectors, Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior) for a powerful conversation on legacy, language, and literature. Together, we discuss what it means to write from and for their communities, the responsibility of storytelling, and how their work connects generations past, present, and future. This episode is a celebration of Indigenous identity, survival, and the resilience of story — and an invitation to listen, learn, and uplift. Plus, Bre and Cece stop by with a few incredible book recs from Indigenous voices you won't want to miss. 📲 Libby Life Exclusive: Head to LibbyLife.com for a bonus moment from the Lounge, where Angeline and Carole share how their ancestors live on through their words. Want the video episode? Check it out now on the Libby Life YouTube channel! Articles Mentioned in the Intro & Episode: https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day https://indigenousreadsrising.com/ Guest Host Recommendations: Bre Never Whistle at Night - ed. Shane Hawk The Marrow Thieves - Cherie Dimaline White Horse - Erika T. Wurth The Buffalo Hunter Hunter - Stephen Graham Jones Cece #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women - ed. Lisa Charleyboy & Mary Beth Leatherdale The Break - Katherena Vermette Sabrina & Corina - Kali Fajardo-Anstine Ready When You Are - Gary Lonesborough Joe Métis Like Me – Tasha Hilderman My Life: Growing Up Native in America – ed. IllumiNative Fierce Aunties! - Laurel Goodluck, Ill. Steph Littlebird Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts: Segment 1: Angeline Boulley - Website Carole Lindstrom - Website Segment 2: Bre - Links Cece - Links Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:16 Intro 00:04:51 Segment 1 – Angeline Boulley & Carole Lindstrom 00:58:09 BREAK – Libby Tip: Audiobook Tips & Tricks 01:00:58 Segment 2 – Indigenous Recs with Bre & Cece 01:46:52 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Book bans are rising at an alarming rate—but librarians, authors, and publishers are fighting back. In this powerful episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by librarian and intellectual freedom advocate Amanda Jones, bestselling author Kalynn Bayron (This Poison Heart), veteran librarian and censorship expert Pat R. Scales, and Skip Dye, SVP at Penguin Random House. Together, they dive into the impact of censorship on libraries, communities, and the future of publishing. Plus, stick around for a banned books spotlight featuring Joe, Bre, and Meara, where they share a few of their must-read titles that have faced bans or challenges. 📚 Let’s talk about what it means to protect the freedom to read. Want the video version of the show? Visit the Libby App YouTube channel! Articles Mentioned in the Intro & Episode: What's a book ban anyway? Depends on who you ask Manuscripts Don’t Burn: a Timeline of Literary Censorship, Destruction, and Liberation American Library Association Names Skip Dye Honorary Member The Persistent Problem of Colorism: Skin Tone, Status, and Inequality Under fire from state, Hillsborough’s Ayres pledges to pull more books Guest Host Recommendations: Bre The Bluest Eye - Toni Morrison Invisible Man - Ralph Ellison Their Eyes Were Watching God – Zora Neale Hurston Meara Pet - Akwaeke Emezi The Midnight Lie - Marie Rutkoski Fahrenheit 451 – Ray Bradbury Joe Flamer – Mike Curato The Magic Fish – Trung Le Nguyen All Boys Aren’t Blue - George M. Johnson Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts: Segment 1: Amanda Jones - Links Kalynn Bayron - Website Pat R. Scales - LinkedIn Skip Dye – Penguin Random House Segment 2: Bre - Links Meara - Links Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:16 Intro 00:05:54 Segment 1, Part 1: Amanda Jones, Kalynn Bayron, Pat R. Scales 00:50:33 Segment 1, Part 2: Skip Dye 01:17:54 BREAK 01:19:01 Segment 2: Book Recommendations with Bre, Meara & Joe 02:11:38 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we explore the powerful world of graphic novels. In our first segment, Joe is joined by a brilliant panel of creators—mother-daughter duo Hallie Bateman & Suzy Hopkins, Maia Kobabe, and Mattie Lubchansky—to discuss how graphic novels have evolved, the importance of accessibility, the unique creative process behind visual storytelling, and the lasting impact of their work. Then in segment two, guest hosts Bre, Carmen, and Cece stop by with stellar graphic novel recommendations for your TBR—whether you’re a long-time fan or just getting started. Articles Mentioned in the Intro: The rise of the graphic novel: Mainstream and small screen, they're not just for kids anymore History of Graphic Novels: Ancient Times to 1920 Guest Host Recommendations: Carmen Tales from La Vida edited by Frederick Luis Aldama Miss Quinces by Kat Fajardo Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler On Tyranny by Timothy Snyder Cece Camp Prodigy by Caroline Palmer On a Sunbeam by Tillie Walden Squad by Maggie Tokuda-Hall (author) & Lisa Sterle (illustrator) Check, Please! Book 1: #Hockey by Ngozi Ukazu Bre Monster by Naoki Urasawa Bitterroot by Walker, Brown, Greene, Renzi, and Cowles Earthdivers by Stephen Graham Jones The Best we Could Do by Thi Bui Joe Animorphs vol. 1 – KA Applegate, Michael Grant Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts: Segment 1: Hallie Bateman - Website Suzy Hopkins - Instagram Maia Kobabe - Website Mattie Lubchansky - Website Segment 2: Bre – Links Carmen – Links Cece - Links Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:16 Intro 00:05:52 Segment 1 – Hallie Bateman & Suzy Hopkins, Maia Kobabe & Mattie Lubchansky 00:54:50 BREAK – Check out PlotThreadsShop.com & a Libby Tip – Deep Search! 00:57:55 Segment 2 – Bre, Carmen & Cece 01:43:11 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a book the perfect beach read? In this sunny episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Clémence Michallon, Jonathan Parks-Ramage, Megan Miranda, and Sara Hamdan for a lively conversation about the art of crafting a summer page-turner. From thrillers to romances and everything in between, they unpack what “beach read” really means, how they keep readers hooked, and—crucially—their go-to writing snacks. Then in segment two, Amy, Bre, Cece, Jananie, and Kayla stop by with top-tier book recommendations to toss in your tote bag, whether you're headed to the coast or just catching rays on your lunch break. Pack your sunscreen and press play! Check out the video version of this episode on the Libby App YouTube Channel. Guest Host Recommendations: Amy Allen Clark Sister, Sinner by Claire Hoffman (biography) Slanting Towards the Sea by Lidija Hilje Bre The Oath – TM Richardson The Wishing Pool – Tananarive Due Jananie Never Been Better – Leanne Toshiko Simpson The Bandit Queens – Parini Shroff Cece Cleat Cute – Meryl Wilsner Guillotine – Delilah S. Dawson Drowning – TJ Newman Kayla Every Time I Go on Vacation, Someone Dies - Catherine Mack Sweethand- N.G. Peltier A House on the Bottom of the Lake – Josh Mallerman Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts: Segment 1 Clémence Michallon - Website Jonathan Parks-Ramage - Website Megan Miranda - Website Sara Hamdan - Website Segment 2 Amy Allen Clark - Links Bre - Links Cece - Links Jananie K. Velu - Links Kayla - Links Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:16 Intro 00:08:18 Segment 1 - Clémence Michallon, Jonathan Parks-Ramage, Megan Miranda, Sara Hamdan 00:54:57 BREAK – Check out Plot Threads Shop! 00:56:10 Segment 2 – Book Recommendations with Amy, Bre and Jananie! 01:30:24 Segment 2 – Book Recommendations with Cece and Kayla! 01:44:46 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What makes a summer read unforgettable for kids and teens? In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Jamie Sumner, Kelsey Impicciche, and Julie Soto for a sunny conversation all about Summer Reading Magic. They explore what defines a great summer book across different age groups, how they tailor their writing to young readers, and the power of stories to inspire, comfort, and reflect today’s youth. The group also shares nostalgic memories of library reading programs, talks about trends and representation in current kidlit and YA, and offers insight into helping young readers fall in love with books—this summer and beyond. Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel! Guest Host Recommendations: Part 1: Carmen Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa A Cruel Thirst by Angela Montoya Ballad & Dagger-An Outlaw Saints Novel by Daniel José Older Cece To Night Owl from Dogfish by Holly Goldberg Sloan & Meg Wolitzer This Is What It Feels Like by Rebecca Barrow Fireborne by Rosaria Munda Joe Witchlings – Claribel A. Ortega Scepter of Memories – Claribel A. Ortega The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers – Adam Sass Cursed Boys and Broken Hearts – Adam Sass Surrender Your Sons – Adam Sass Your Lonely Nights Are Over – Adam Sass Part 2: Bre The Last Dragon on Mars by Scott Reintgen Hide and Seeker by Daka Harmon Root Magic by Eden Royce Meara The Girl Who Kept the Castle by Ryan Graudin The Vanquishers by Kalynn Bayron We Are All So Good at Smiling by Amber McBride Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts: Segment 1: Jamie Sumner - Website Julie Soto - Website Kelsey Impicciche - Website Segment 2: Bre - Links Carmen - Links Cece - Links Meara - Links Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:16 Intro 00:05:09 Segment 1 – Jamie Sumner & Kelsey Impicciche 00:55:47 Segment 1 – Julie Soto 01:25:30 BREAK – Libby Tip: Read Alongs, Filters and more! 01:31:01 Segment 2 – Book Recommendations with Carmen & Cece 02:00:36 Segment 2 – Book Recommendations with Bre & Meara! 02:43:21 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Book Lounge, we're handing the mic to the readers behind the recs! Meet our guest hosts who'll be joining us all season long to share their themed picks! To get to know everyone, they'll be answering our version of the New BookTuber Tag - diving into their reading tastes, love of libraries and vibe essentials - so you can get to know the people helping you grow your TBR. Whether you're into horror, romance, fantasy or anything in between, there's a guest you're about to fall in love with! Find our guest hosts online: Amy Allen Clark Bre Carmen Cece Jananie K. Velu Kayla Meara Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:16 Intro 00:01:26 Amy Allen Clark - Mom Advice 00:14:01 Carmen - Tomes and Textiles 00:21:07 Cece - Problems of a Book Nerd 00:26:45 Mid Way Break 00:28:20 Bre - Loc'd Booktician 00:36:18 Kayla - Books and Lala 00:40:59 Meara - Meara is Reading 00:50:05 Jananie K. Velu - This Story Ain't Over 00:54:56 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a bonus episode, book lovers! Joe is joined by friend and fellow bookworm Emma to chat about the July 2025 releases they're most excited to add to their TBR piles. Whether you’re craving rom-coms, thrillers, fantasy, or something a little spooky, here's a stack of reads to keep your summer sizzling. From campus drama and romantic tension to magical greenhouses, haunted tunnels, and dragon-slaying heroines—there’s something for everyone this month. Add these titles to your TBR and check them out on Libby! Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the ⁠Libby App YouTube channel⁠! Titles mentioned in this episode Emma’s Picks: ⁠Mean Moms⁠ by Emma Rosenblum ⁠Rose in Chains⁠ by Julie Soto (⁠https://share.libbyapp.com/title/11316498⁠) ⁠The Irresistible Urge to Fall for Your Enemy⁠ by Brigitte Knightley ⁠Wrath of the Dragons⁠ by Olivia Rose Darling ⁠A Forbidden Alchemy⁠ by Stacey McEwan ⁠Our Last Resort⁠ by Clémence Michallon ⁠Arcana Academy⁠ by Elise Kova ⁠Maid for Each Other⁠ by Lynn Painter ⁠Overruled⁠ by Lana Ferguson Joe's Picks: ⁠The Enchanted Greenhouse⁠ – Sarah Beth Durst ⁠Rush Week⁠ – Michelle Brandon ⁠The Art of Vanishing⁠ – Morgan Pager ⁠Mayra⁠ – Nicky Gonzalez ⁠The Bewitching⁠ – Silva Moreno-Garcia ⁠Miss Camper⁠ – Kat Fajardo ⁠Predatory Natures⁠ – Amy Goldsmith ⁠The Yomigaeri Tunnel⁠ – Kelly Murashige ⁠This is Where We Die⁠ – Cindy RX He Links from this episode: You can follow Emma's bookish updates on ⁠Instagram⁠ Find out more about Amy Allen Clark's ⁠2025 Summer Reading Guide⁠! Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode 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 Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the ⁠Libby App YouTube channel⁠. Keep up with us on social media by following the ⁠Libby App on Instagram⁠! Want to reach out? Send an email to ⁠bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com⁠. Want some cool bookish swag (including swag for our podcast)? Check out our merch store at: ⁠https://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Pride 🌈💖! In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re celebrating LGBTQ+ voices and the power of queer storytelling. In the first half of the show, Joe sits down for heartfelt, honest conversations with authors Andrew Joseph White, Juno Dawson, Susie Dumond, and Emily Austin. Each shares their unique experience as a queer writer—what inspires them, the challenges they face, and the joy of connecting with readers who see themselves in their stories. Then, our guest hosts Carmen, Cece, Jananie, Kayla, and Meara return to the lounge with a list of incredible Pride Month reads to add to your TBR—this year and every year. Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel! Guest Host Recommendations: Carmen's Picks: Blackouts - Justin Torres The Sunbearer Trials - Aiden Thomas These Vengeful Gods – Gabe Cole Novoa Bad Girls – Camila Sosa Villada Cece’s Picks: Juliet Takes a Breath - Gabby Rivera Love & Other Disasters - Anita Kelly Hell Followed With Us – Andrew Joseph White Jananie’s Picks: Fundamentally – Nussaibah Younis The Legend of Meneka – Kritka H. Rao Marriage of a Thousand Lies – SJ Sindu Kayla’s Picks: Felix Ever After- Kacen Callender Monstrilio- Gerardo Sámano Córdova It Came from the Closet – ed. Joe Vallese Meara’s Picks: This Princess Kills Monsters - Ry Herman The Space Between Worlds - Micaiah Johnson That Inevitable Victorian Thing - E.K. Johnston Joe’s Picks: Messy Roots – Laura Gao Bath Haus – PJ Vernon Hombrecito – Santiago Jose Sanchez Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts: Segment 1: Part 1: Juno Dawson - ⁠Instagram⁠ Susie Dumond - ⁠Website⁠ Part 2: Andrew Joseph White - Website Part 3: Emily Austin - Website Segment 2: Carmen - @tomesandtextiles Linktree Cece - @ceceewing_ Linktree Jananie K. Velu – @thisstoryaintover Website Kayla - @booksandlala Linktree Meara - @mearaisreading Links Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to the very first episode of Book Lounge by Libby! We’re kicking things off with an ode to audiobooks—the voices, the stories, and the behind-the-scenes magic that makes them so special. First up, our host Joe chats with thriller author Carter Wilson, narrators Allyson Ryan and Patrick Zeller, and audiobook producers Catherin Bucaria and Almeda Beynon from Sourcebooks Audio to dig into what it really takes to bring a story from the page to your headphones and their work on Carter’s book TELL ME WHAT YOU DID. Then, Jason Reynolds and Dan Zitt join the lounge to talk about the creative process behind Jason’s audio-exclusive project, SOUNDTRACK. In the second half of the show, guest hosts Carmen, Jananie K. Velu, Kayla, and Meara stop by with some truly excellent audiobook recommendations to keep you listening all year long. Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel! Guest Host Recommendations: Carmen's Picks: Oye - Melissa Mogollon You Dreamed of Empires - Alvaro Enrigue Jananie’s Picks: Enter Ghost – Isabella Hammad If An Egyptian Cannot Speak English – Noor Naga Kayla’s Picks: Recitatif- Toni Morrison The Favorites- Layne Fargo Meara’s Picks: Everything is Tuberculosis – John Green The Weight of Blood – Tiffany D Jackson Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts: Segment 1: Part 1: Carter Wilson – Website Allyson Ryan – Website Patrick Zeller – Website Catherine Bucaria & Almeda Beynon, Sourcebooks Audio – Instagram Part 2: Jason Reynolds – Website Dan Zitt, Penguin Random House Audio – Instagram Segment 2: Carmen – @tomesandtextiles Linktree Jananie K. Velu – @thisstoryaintover Website Kayla – @booksandlala Linktree Meara - @mearaisreading Links Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Say hello to Book Lounge by Libby, the new name for the podcast formerly known as Professional Book Nerds! In this intro, host Joe Skelley shares updates on the rebrand, what’s staying the same, and what new vibes you can expect in this next chapter. Plus, get a sneak peek at our first season - episode 1 is dropping next week, featuring a celebration of all things audiobooks. Pull up a chair—it’s going to be a great season. -- Looking for more bookish content? Check out the ⁠Libby Life Blog⁠! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the ⁠Libby App YouTube channel⁠. Keep up with us on social media by following the ⁠Libby App on Instagram⁠! Want to reach out? Send an email to ⁠bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com⁠. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: ⁠https://plotthreadsshop.com/⁠! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Joe is joined by his colleague and friend Nahomy for a fresh stack of June 2025 book picks—perfect for summer reading season. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or curled up in the AC, they’ve got something for every kind of reader. Nahomy shares queer coming-of-age tales, romantic comedies, twisty thrillers, and empowering debuts, while Joe's picks run the gamut from eerie horror to thoughtful sci-fi , with plenty of speculative fiction and heartwarming surprises along the way. Hit play and load up your Libby shelf with summer reads. Mark your calendars for June 12 when we debut the podcast rebrand! Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel! Titles mentioned in this episode: Nahomy's Picks: Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid If We Survive This - Racquel Marie Sounds Like Love - Ashley Poston The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club - Gloria Chao The Summer We Ran - Audrey Ingram The Other Side of Now - Paige Harbison We Could Be Magic - Marissa Meyer Girls Girl Girls – Shoshana von Blanckensee Under the Neon Lights - Arriel Vinson Joe’s Picks: With a Vengeance – Riley Sager A Girl Walks into the Forest – Madeleine Roux Kill the Lax Bro – Charlotte Lillie Balogh Dan in Green Gables – Rey Terciero Love, Misha – Askel Aden Arcana: The Lost Heirs – Sam Prentice-Jones Best of All Worlds - Kenneth Oppel The Second Chance Convenience Store – Kim Ho-Yeon (Shout-Out: The Dallergut Dream-Making District - Miye Lee) The Listeners – Maggie Stiefvater Of Monsters and Mainframes – Barbara Truelove Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode 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 podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring has officially sprung and so have the May 2025 book releases! Joe is joined by colleague and fellow book lover Rachel to share their top picks for this May's freshest reads. From swoony romances and thrilling mysteries to heartfelt queer YA and buzzy debuts, they’ve got a little something for every reader. Plus, stick around for Joe’s rapid-fire lightning round of even more May titles you won’t want to miss! Whether you're loading up your Libby shelf or just need help picking your next favorite read, we've got you covered with big book energy and plenty of laughs along the way. 🌸📚 Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel! Titles mentioned in this episode: Rachel’s Picks: The Tenant - Freida McFadden The Love Haters - Katherine Center Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood One Golden Summer - Carley Fortune Big Dumb Eyes - Nate Bargatze The Missing Half - Ashley Flowers Run for the Hills - Kevin Wilson It's a Love Story - Annabel Monaghan Joe’s Picks: The Art of Exile – Andrea Max Death in the Cards – Mia P. Manansala When Love Gives You Lemons – Steven Salvatore The Thrashers – Julie Soto The Starving Saints – Caitlin Starling Disco Witches of Fire Island – Blair Fell The Dark Maestro – Brendan Slocumb Karen: A Brother Remembers – Kelsey Grammer Marsha – Tourmaline Trans History by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett Shoutouts section: Murder Land – Carlyn Greenwald Everyone Sux But You – K. Wroten And They Were Roommates – Page Powars Shampoo Unicorn – Sawyer Lovett The Rebel’s Guide to Pride – Matthew Hubbard The Busybody Book Club – Freya Sampson The Manor of Dreams – Christina Li Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode 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 and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

April is here, and with it comes a fresh lineup of must-read new books! Join Joe and Madison as they dive into the most exciting releases of the month. From long-awaited sequels to unexpected gems, our TBRs are taking us on quite the journey—just like the changing season! Whether you're in the mood for something light and breezy or deep and thought-provoking, we've got the perfect springtime read for you. Grab a cozy spot in the sunshine and let’s talk books! 🌿📖✨ You can follow Madison's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/simon.says.read/ Titles mentioned in this episode: Madison’s Picks: Gifted and Talented – Olivie Blake The Amalfi Curse – Sarah Penner Their Monstrous Hearts – Yigit Turhan The Page Turner – Viola Shipman When the Tides Held the Moon - Venessa Vida Kelley House of Blight - Maxym M. Martineau Enigma - RuNyx The Wind Weaver - Julie Johnson The Book Club for Troublesome Women - Marie Bostwick Great Big Beautiful Life – Emily Henry Joe’s Picks: The Cat Who Saved the Library – Sosuke Natsukawa A/S/L - Jeanne Thornton The Staircase in the Woods – Chuck Wendig The Cut – CJ Dotson Make Sure You Die Screaming – Zee Carlstrom The Last Session – Julia Bartz Polybius – Collin Armstrong Deadstream – Mar Romasco-Moore Run Away with Me – Brian Selznick Boys with Sharp Teeth – Jenni Howell Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode 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 and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Joe is joined by Nahomy to recommend books for fans of The Hunger Games, whether you're eagerly awaiting Sunrise on the Reaping or need more dystopian reads after devouring it. From high-stakes competitions and oppressive regimes to survival in broken worlds, these books will keep you on the edge of your seat. Tune in for thrilling recommendations featuring deadly trials, futuristic rebellions, twisted social experiments, and resilient heroes fighting for freedom. Nahomy’s Titles: Scythe - Neal Shusterman The Selection - Kiera Cass The Grace Year - Kim Liggett Cinder - Marissa Meyer Joe’s Titles: Survive the Dome – Kosoko Jackson Together in a Broken World – Paul Michael Winters After the Fall – Ellen Parent The Art Thieves – Andrea L. Rogers Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode 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 and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring is in the air, and so are a fresh batch of must-read books! In this episode, Joe is joined by Amy Clark from MomAdvice.com to dive into the most exciting new releases hitting shelves in March 2025. From highly anticipated fiction to captivating nonfiction, they’re sharing the books they can’t wait to read this month. Whether you’re looking for your next page-turner or adding to your never-ending TBR, this episode has something for every book lover. Tune in and get ready to update your reading list! 📚✨ Make sure you follow Amy on Instagram and check out the Book Gang podcast! Title’s mentioned in this episode: Amy’s Titles: Red Dog Farm - Nathaniel Ian Miller Dream Count - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie The Jackal's Mistress - Chris Bohjalian All the Other Mothers Hate Me - Sarah Harman This Book Will Bury Me - Ashley Winstead Jane and Dan at the End of the World - Colleen Oakley Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall I Leave It Up to You - Jinwoo Chong Hot Air - Marcy Dermansky Promise Me Sunshine - Cara Bastone Joe’s Titles: Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert – Bob the Drag Queen A Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula K. Le Guin, Fred Fordham How to Survive a Slasher – Justine Pucela Winans The Bane Witch – Ava Morgyn Everything is Tuberculosis – John Green The Unworthy – Agustina Bazterrica The Buffalo Hunter Hunter – Stephen Graham Jones The Keeper of Lonely Spirits – EM Anderson I’ll Love You Forever – Giaae Kwon Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode 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 and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Waiting for Scythe & Sparrow to hit your shelf? We’ve got you covered! In this episode, Joe is joined by his colleague Meghan to share a list of must-read romances that will keep you hooked while you wait. These books capture the same vibes you love but each offers a unique journey of its own. Whether you’re craving heart-pounding twists, thought-provoking themes, or unforgettable characters, we’ve got the perfect recommendations to tide you over. Tune in and find your next great read! If you’d like to watch the video of this episode, check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Titles mentioned in today’s episode: Meghan’s Titles: Desperate Measures by Katee Robert The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Suzane Valenti Beautiful Villain by Rebecca Kenney Truly, Madly, Deeply by LJ Shen Joe’s Titles: Lights Out – Navessa Allen The Hollow and the Haunted – Camilla Raines The Deer and the Dragon – Piper CJ My Funny Demon Valentine – Aurora Ascher Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode 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 and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices