Libro.fm Podcast

On this episode of the podcast, we chat with Kelly Jensen of Book Riot and Leah Johnson, author and owner of independent bookstore Loudmouth Books, to discuss combatting censorship, the importance of libraries, and much more. READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. About Kelly Jensen: Kelly Jensen is an Editor at Book Riot, the largest independent book website in North America. She covers all things young adult literature and has written about censorship for nearly ten years. She is the author of three critically-acclaimed and award-winning anthologies for young adults. About Leah Johnson: Leah Johnson is an eternal midwesterner and author of award-winning books for children and young adults. Her bestselling debut YA novel, You Should See Me in a Crown, was a Stonewall Honor Book, and the inaugural Reese's Book Club YA pick. In 2021, TIME named You Should See Me in a Crown one of the 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time. Books we discussed on today's episode: Ellie Engle Saves HerselfHopeEverything I Need I Get from YouThe Forest Demands Its DueOutrage MachineThe September House

On today's episode, we sit down with Danny Caine, part owner of The Raven Book Store, poet, and author. We discuss his book How to Resist Amazon and Why and his forthcoming book How to Protect Bookstores and Why, what running a bookstore is like, the need for strong local communities, and why he considers himself a really good grocery shopper. READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. About Danny Caine: Danny Caine is the owner of the Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas. He is the author of the book "How to Resist Amazon and Why," and the forthcoming “How to Protect Bookstores and Why” from Microcosm Publishing. The author of the poetry collections "Continental Breakfast," "El Dorado Freddy's" and "Flavortown," his writing has appeared in Literary Hub, Publishers Weekly, DIAGRAM, Barrelhouse and other publications. He was the recipient of the 2019 Bookseller of the Year Award from the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association. Read Danny’s' books: How to Resist Amazon and WhyHow to Protect Bookstores and Why Books we discussed on today's episode: The NetanyahusHollyThe September House

On today's episode, we sit down with James McBride, a novelist, musician, and educator. We discuss his newest novel 'The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store', the writing process, the state of public education, the power of positive thinking, and much more. Author photo credit: Chia Messina READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. About James McBride: James McBride is an accomplished musician and author of the National Book Award–winning The Good Lord Bird, the #1 bestselling American classic The Color of Water, and the bestsellers Song Yet Sung and Miracle at St. Anna. He is also the author of Kill ’Em and Leave, a James Brown biography. A recipient of the National Humanities Medal in 2016, McBride is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University. Read James' books: Deacon King KongThe Heaven & Earth Grocery StoreThe Color of WaterFive-Carat SoulThe Good Lord Bird Books we discussed on today's episode: The Rise and Fall of the Third ReichHappinessPretend I'm DeadGone to the Wolves

On today's episode, we chat with Nadia Odunayo, Founder and CEO of The StoryGraph, an indie alternative to Amazon-owned Goodreads. We discuss how The StoryGraph was founded, how it grew, and where it's going next, as well as the importance of indie companies in an ever-monopolized industry. READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. About Nadia Odunayo: Nadia is the founder and CEO at The StoryGraph. She studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at University College, Oxford. She is a fan of fiction & storytelling, and how these can be used as tools for education, the process and execution around building products, particularly from scratch, and singing & dance. Books we discussed on today's episode: The Fifth SeasonAmerican KingpinThank You For ListeningCome and Get ItAmerican QueenThe Art ThiefThe Heaven & Earth Grocery StoreHow to Resist Amazon

On today’s episode, we speak with author V.E. Schwab about The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue coming to paperback, the forthcoming addition to the Shades of Magic series, fan art, book tours, and more! Author photo credit: Jenna Maurice READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. About V.E. Schwab: VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, the Villains series, the Cassidy Blake series and the international bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Her work has received critical acclaim, translated into over two dozen languages, and optioned for television and film. When not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters. Listen to V.E. Schwab's books: The Invisible Life of Addie LaRueA Darker Shade of MagicGallantThe Fragile Threads of PowerVicious Books we discussed on today's episode: Little ThievesWoman, EatingPageboyI Kissed Shara Wheeler

In this episode, we speak with Ling Ling Huang, author of Natural Beauty and Grammy Award winning artist, about her debut novel, her journey to becoming an author, and how her music career and writing are intertwined. READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. About Ling Ling Huang: Ling Ling Huang is a violinist and writer. Committed to expanding the concepts of tradition, Ling Ling is an active presence in the New York musical scene, appearing on stages from Carnegie Hall to National Sawdust. Her debut novel, Natural Beauty, was published in April 2023 by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Constance Wu and Drew Comins are producing a series adaptation. Listen to Ling Ling's book: Natural Beauty Books we discussed on today's episode: Venomous LumpsuckerRougeThe Salt Grows HeavyThe Fragile Threads of PowerDemon Copperhead

On today's episode we sat down with author TJ Klune. We discuss his writing in depth, his new book "In the Lives of Puppets", robots, queer representation in literature and media, book banning, and more! READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. About TJ Klune: TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories. Listen to TJ Klune's books: The House in the Cerulean SeaUnder the Whispering DoorIn the Lives of Puppets Books we discussed on today's episode: Silver in the Wood & Drowned CountryThe Stolen HeirHomebodies

On today's episode we sit down with author Sara Nović. We talk not only about her writing, but also the importance of ASL representation—including in audiobooks. Sara is the author of the instant NYT Bestseller True Biz, as well as the books Girl at War and America is Immigrants. For this episode we also released the full video of the interview which can be watched here: https://youtu.be/G3J3uhYPCnM READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Photo credit © Zach Stone Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. Listen to Sara Nović's books: True BizGirl At WarAmerica is Immigrants Books we discussed on today's episode: Deaf RepublicBlack CakeLucky RedI Keep My Exoskeletons to MyselfBig SwissIn the Lives of Puppets

On today's episode we sat down with author Grady Hendrix. Grady is the author of "The Final Girl Support Group", "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires", and most recently "How to Sell a Haunted House". READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT About Grady: Grady Hendrix is an American author, journalist, public speaker, and screenwriter. He has written many books of fiction and non-fiction including: Horrorstör, My Best Friend's Exorcism, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, The Final Girl Support Group, and most recently How to Sell a Haunted House. Hendrix lives in Manhattan and was one of the founders of the New York Asian Film Festival. © Photo by Albert Mitchell via/ Penguin Random House Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. Listen to Grady's books: How to Sell a Haunted HouseThe Final Girl Support GroupMy Best Friend’s ExorcismThe Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying VampiresPaperbacks from HellHorrorstör Books we discussed on today's episode: Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon SandersonTrue Biz by Sara NovicNow Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

On today's episode, we sit down with the owner of Harriett's Bookshop in Philadelphia, PA, Jeannine Cook, and her mother and former librarian, Celia Cook. Harriett’s is an Indie bookshop celebrating women authors, women artists, and women activists under the guiding light of Harriet Tubman. We discussed opening the bookstore as COVID started, expanding to pop-ups and sister stores, delivering books by horseback, and more. READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT Photo via https://jeannineacook.com Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. Learn more about Harriett’s Bookshop: Follow Harriett ’s on InstagramVisit Harriett’s website to buy booksWatch a documentary about the shop Books discussed on this episode: Our Missing HeartsVanishing FleeceTomorrow, and Tomorrow, and TomorrowThe House in the PinesWeywardThe Magicians

On today's episode we sat down with author and screenwriter Neel Patel. Neel is the author of the novel 'Tell Me How to Be' and a collection of short stories titled 'If You See Me, Don't Say Hi'. READ FULL EPISODE TRANSCRIPT About Neel: Neel Patel is a screenwriter and author who grew up in Champaign, Illinois. His writing has appeared in Elle India, The Paris Review, on Buzzfeed.com, and more. His first book, If You See Me, Don't Say Hi, is a New York Times Book Review Editors’ choice, an NPR Best Book of 2018, and has been optioned for television. He lives in Los Angeles, where he writes for TV and film. Photo Credit: Bradford Rogne via/ Macmillan Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. Listen to Neel's books: If You See Me, Don't Say Hi (Stories)Tell Me How to Be (A Novel) Books we discussed on today's episode: Leave the World BehindEileenMy Sister, the Serial KillerTrue BizThe Alloy of LawBeware the WomanYou Will Know MeSisterhood of Sleuths

On today's episode we chatted with the Libro.fm staff and got their picks for audiobooks that make great gifts for the holiday season! Audiobooks make great last minute gifts and with Libro.fm you can gift a specific audiobook or a bundle of credits so your friends and family can choose books they want! READ TRANSCRIPTION BUY A GIFT BUNDLE: https://libro.fm/holiday Books discussed: The Rabbit HutchThe Land of StoriesThe Power of FunLessons in ChemistryRoyal HolidayThe Long Way to a Small, Angry PlanetA Psalm for the Wild-BuiltSo Help Me GolfBombshellThe Paris ApartmentI'm Glad My Mom DiedChokepoint CapitalismBabelThe Invisible Life of Addie LaRueBunny

On today's episode we travelled to Nashville, TN and sat down in-person for a conversation with author and owner of Parnassus Books, Ann Patchett, to discuss bookstores, audiobooks, licorice, and more. READ TRANSCRIPTION About Ann: ANN PATCHETT is the author of seven novels and was the editor of Best American Short Stories, 2006, and has written three books of nonfiction. In November, 2011, she opened Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee, with her business partner Karen Hayes. She has since become a spokesperson for independent booksellers, championing books and bookstores. Author Photo credit: Heidi Ross via http://www.annpatchett.com/about Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook. Some of Ann's books: The Dutch HouseThese Precious DaysCommonwealthBel CantoState of WonderThis Is the Story of a Happy Marriage Other audiobooks mentioned: Now Is Not the Time to PanicThe Hero of This BookLolitaJonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell

On today's episode we have a conversation with novelist Olivie Blake. She is the author of The Atlas Six, The Atlas Paradox, and many more! We discuss how she pivoted careers, how her book went viral on TikTok, and whats coming up next! READ TRANSCRIPTION. About Olivie Olivie Blake is the pseudonym of Alexene Farol Follmuth, a writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. She is the author of multiple novels, anthologies, graphic novels, and film scripts, including the internationally bestselling THE ATLAS SIX from Tor Books, with forthcoming TV adaptation from Amazon Studios and Brightstar Productions. Olivie's books The Atlas SixThe Atlas ParadoxMasters of DeathOne for My EnemyAlone with You in the Ether Other audiobooks mentioned The Secret HistoryCatherine HouseNinth HousePlain Bad HeroinesIf I Had Your FaceLegendbornFault LinesLight from Uncommon StarsThe Last House on Needless Street

On today's episode we have a conversation about banned books, censorship, and more with Traci Thomas (Host of The Stacks Podcast), Martha Hickson (A high school librarian from New Jersey), Kiese Laymon (author of 'Heavy' and Professor of Creative Writing and English at Rice University), and Nicole Lintemuth (owner of Bettie's Pages bookstore in Lowell, MI). TRANSCRIPTION: Read transcription of this episode here Use the promo code LIBROPODCAST for a free audiobook when you sign up for a new membership. Books mentioned LawnboyThis Book Is GayAll Boys Aren't BlueThe Black PeriodThe One Hundred Years of Lenni and MargotFight Like Hell

On today's episode we have a conversation with novelist Emma Straub. She is the author of This Time Tomorrow, Modern Lovers, All Adults Here, and many more! She owns and runs an amazing bookstore, Books Are Magic, based in Brooklyn, New York. TRANSCRIPTION: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kiNJchlDrRmGuUZFm4UNkQxB_7FW1dNOGa3rD5ZQ4T0/edit?usp=sharing About Emma Emma Straub is the New York Times-bestselling author of five novels—This Time Tomorrow, All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures—and the short story collection Other People We Married. Her books have been published in more than 20 languages, and All Adults Here is currently in development as a television series. She and her husband own Books Are Magic, an independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York. Emma's books This Time TomorrowModern LoversAll Adults HereThe VacationersLaura Lamont's Life in PicturesOther People We Married Other audiobooks mentioned

On this week's episode, Karen and Craig chat with the Libro.fm staff about the things we do while we listen to our audiobooks. From long car drives to weight lifting and everything in between. Get more ideas for listening activites on the Libro.fm blog: 18 Things to Do While You Listen to an Audiobook8 Top Audiobook Listening Activities Who we chat with this week: The audiobooks we discuss: Book LoversRed, White, & Royal BlueThe Devil in the White CityCantorasDragonfly in AmberRobogenesisInterview with the VampireLet My People Go SurfingShopgirlStories of Your Life and Others