

Book Lounge by Libby
Book Lounge by Libby
Book Lounge by Libby is your cozy reading corner of the internet. Hosted by Joe Skelley, each episode invites you into candid and thoughtful conversations about books, writing, publishing and the trends shaping what we read (plus reading recommendations you won't want to miss).
Brought to you by Libby, the library app.
Find more at: https://pages.libbylife.com/BL-Links
Book Lounge airs year-round, with two 10-week seasons each year, featuring publishing conversations on Mondays and paired book recommendations on Thursdays- plus monthly Book Release Radar episodes. We release 1–3 episodes per month between seasons.
Reach out to us at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Happy Reading!
Brought to you by Libby, the library app.
Find more at: https://pages.libbylife.com/BL-Links
Book Lounge airs year-round, with two 10-week seasons each year, featuring publishing conversations on Mondays and paired book recommendations on Thursdays- plus monthly Book Release Radar episodes. We release 1–3 episodes per month between seasons.
Reach out to us at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Happy Reading!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 25, 2023 • 1h 8min
June Book Picks
Emma and Joe share a big list of books they're most excited about for June. They also chat about vacation, book mail, the cultural impact of "Juno," fake dating, barn moms, and what types of books they like to read the most during the summer season.Emma’s Picks:
The Five-Star Weekend by Elin Hilderbrand
Unfortunately, Yours by Tessa Bailey
Love, Theoretically by Ali Hazelwood
The Whispers by Ashley Audrain
My Murder by Katie Williams
Girls and Their Horses by Eliza Jane Brazier
Everything’s Fine by Cecillia Rabess
You’re Not Supposed to Die Tonight by Kalynn Bayron
Sing Me to Sleep by Gabi Burton
She Started It by Sian Gilbert
Joe’s Picks:
Pageboy by Elliot Page
The Wind Knows My Name by Isabel Allende
The Grimoire of Grave Fates by Hanna Alkaf
Where Echoes Die by Courtney Gould
The Dos and Donuts of Love by Adiba Jaigirdar
Have You Seen Her by Catherine McKenzie
100 Places to See After You Die by Ken Jennings
Saint Juniper’s Folly by Alex Crespo
The Warning by Kristy Acevedo
The Library of Broken Worlds by Alaya Dawn Johnson
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
Other books mentioned:
Walking with Sam by Andrew McCarthy
Brat by Andrew McCarthy
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

May 18, 2023 • 51min
Kanopy Returns to PBN
Grab the popcorn and join Joe and Rachel as Christian from Kanopy returns to share more films to add to your watch list! Come for the films, stay for the book recs in this double-trouble for your TBR episode of Professional Book Nerds!Titles mentioned in this episode:
The Phantom of the Opera (1925)
The Phantom of the Opera by Gaston Leroux
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Ruinsong by Julia Ember
Soaked in Bleach (2015)
Come At You Are by Michael Azerrad
Serving the Servant by Danny Goldberg
Father Brown (Series 1)
The Innocence of Father Brown by GK Chesterton
Scorched Grace by Margot Douaihy
Trainspotting (1996)
Trainspotting by Irvine Welsh
Dead Men's Trousers by Irvine Welsh
Ophelia (2018)
Ophelia by Lisa Klein
Hamlet by William Shakespeare
The Weight of an Infinite Sky by Carrie La Seur
Catch-22 (1970)
Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
In the Heat of the Night (1967)
In the Heat of the Night by John Ball
The Great Gatsby (1974)
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
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.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

May 15, 2023 • 1h 2min
Talking Complex Relationships with Ore Agbaje-Williams, author of The Three of Us
Today, Joe chats with Ore Agbaje-Williams about her debut title, The Three of Us (out May 16). Ore shares about her work as an editor and her creative process. Ore and Joe talk about writing what you think will sell versus what you enjoy, NaNoWriMo, and of course Twilight.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.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

May 11, 2023 • 50min
Romantasy Reads
Emma, Joe, and Maria chat about Romantic Fantasy aka "Romantasy," Queen Sarah J. Maas, reading things when they're trendy or not, and share a bunch of recommendations.Book's Mentioned: Emma’s Picks:
From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J Maas
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross
Maria’s Picks:
Throne of Glass series by SJM
The Bright and Breaking Sea and A Swift and Savage Tide by Chloe Neill
The Foxglove King by Hannah Witten
A Taste of Gold and Iron by Alexandra Rowland
A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske
Joe’s Picks:
The Watchmaker of Filigree Street by Natasha Pulley
Winter’s Orbit by Everina Maxwell
Song of Scarabs and Fallen Stars by Lindsey Sparks
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

May 8, 2023 • 1h 1min
Turning into a Teenage Monster with Chloe Spencer
Today on the pod, Joe is joined by Chloe Spencer, author of Monstersona. They talk about writing road trip stories, unpacking grief, parental backstories, and Supernatural.Books mentioned in this episode:
Against the Stars by Christopher Hartland
Out of Character by Jenna Miller
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

May 4, 2023 • 48min
Big Library Read interview with Grace M. Cho, author of Tastes Like War
Today Joe is joined by author Grace M. Cho to chat about her book Tastes Like War, which is our latest Big Library Read (BLR) pick. From May 3-17, the ebook and audiobook of Tastes Like War will be available to readers all over the world without waitlists or holds. In Tastes Like War, Grace shares stories of her and her mother's lives, the impact of food, small town life, war, and mental illness.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.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

Apr 27, 2023 • 55min
May's Biggest Books
Emma and Joe chat with podcast regular guest, Kristin, about their most anticipated releases for May 2023! They also discuss Little Mermaid retellings, their book buzzwords that signal immediate interest in a title, Jessica Fletcher, mall kid nostalgia, urban legends, the Winchester brothers, and more.Books mentioned in this episode: Emma’s picks:
The Chateau by Jaclyn Goldis
Meet Me at the Lake by Carley Fortune
Did You Hear About Kitty Karr? by Crystal Smith Paul
The True Love Experiment by Christina Lauren
The Guest by Emma Cline
A Shadow Crown by Melissa Blair
A Taste of London by John Donohue
Joe’s picks:
Witch King by Martha Wells
Four Found Dead by Natalie D. Richards
Titanium Noir by Nick Harkaway
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer
I Like Me Better by Robby Webber
We Don’t Swim Here by Vincent Tirado
The Book That Wouldn’t Burn by Mark Lawrence
Kristin’s picks:
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
Surprisingly Sarah by Terri Libenson
A Novel Disguise by Samantha Larsen
The Diva Delivers on a Promise by Krista Davis
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Torzs
Yellowface by R.F. Kuang
Chain Gang All Stars by Nana Kwame-Adjei-Brenyah
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. 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

Apr 24, 2023 • 1h 10min
Conquering the World with Emily Henry & Julia Whelan
Emma is delighted to welcome back Emily Henry and Julia Whelan to the podcast today to discuss their involvement with Happy Place, out on April 25th! They have lively conversation about the book, their favorite romance tropes, conquering every industry, their happy places, and more.Books mentioned in today's episode:
Beach Read by Emily Henry (audiobook here)
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry (audiobook here)
Book Lovers by Emily Henry (audiobook here)
My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan (audiobook here)
Thank You for Listening by Julia Whelan (audiobook here)
Happy Place by Emily Henry (audiobook)
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. 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

Apr 20, 2023 • 1h 4min
Hunger Games Retrospective Part 2: Catching Fire
In today's episode, Jill returns for the second part in our Hunger Games retrospective. This time, the trio discusses Catching Fire. From fake weddings to very real relationships, new alliances, and more, it's no wonder Catching Fire is PBN's favorite book in the series.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

Apr 17, 2023 • 58min
Rewriting History with Caroline Kepnes
Emma and Joe chat with Caroline Kepnes about FOR YOU AND ONLY YOU. They also chat about Joe Goldberg's character growth, how dreamy Santino Fontana's narration is, what Caroline's go-to coffee order is at Dunkin' and Starbucks, and so much more.Books mentioned in this episode:
You by Caroline Kepnes
Hidden Bodies by Caroline Kepnes
You Love Me by Caroline Kepnes
For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes
Providence by Caroline Kepnes
What Kind of Mother by Clay McCleod Chapman
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


