Book Lounge by Libby

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 Hil...

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 finis...

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...

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 choic...

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 Clai...

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 epis...

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 Shannon A Day of Fallen Night by Samantha Shannon The Bone Season series by Samantha Shannon Inferno by Catherine Cho...

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   S...

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...

When you think about it, we all have a list of books at the ready to recommend. Very often, these are the same books to new people. Today, we've checked our Goodreads lists, Libby Borrowed Smart Tag, and most recent texts with book buds, and we’re ready to share the books we ALWAYS share when someone asks what they should read next. Books mentioned in this episode: Marissa’s Titles:   The Transall...

Emma is joined by Rachel Koller Croft to discuss her debut novel, Stone Cold Fox! They also chat about villains as main characters, the 1%, found family, and the difference between writing for the screen and writing for the page. SPOILER NOTE: Emma does ask Rachel a MAJOR spoiler at the 20 minute mark. If you haven't read the book yet and don't want to know, skip ahead to 22:35! Books mentioned in...

Today on the pod, the Nerds are offering up some Dystopian Reads to tickle your fancy. Whether you're brand new to the genre or you've already survived a Hunger Games (or two), there are picks here for everyone! Titles Mentioned in this Episode: Joe’s Titles:  Wanderers by Chuck Wendig  Flowers for the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn  Want by Cindy Pon  Uglies by Scott Westerfeld  Jill’s Titles:   The Belle...

New year, new retrospective! We are back with another deep-dive into a favorite series of the past, starting with Book 1 of the Hunger Games trilogy. Joe, Emma, and Jill answer important questions such as Where would Cleveland be located in Panem? and, of course, Who would you choose: Gale versus Peeta? They discuss differences between the book and movie, favorite scenes, and more. We hope you enj...

Today on the pod, Joe talks with Mike Albo about his new book Another Dimension of Us (out January 17). They dive into Mike's process, what it was like growing up in the 80s, feedback from his authenticity readers, the excitement around his audiobook, and of course- curating a new age bookshelf. Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Lib...

Emma, Joe, and Jill are back for the monthly round up of books they're most excited for coming out this month! In this episode, they also chat about gothic ghost stories, an obsession with the tv show, Supernatural, the 90s, Uggs vs. Crocs, preview some upcoming author interviews, and talk about their favorite tropes. Emma’s Picks:   Radiant Sin by Katee Robert   The Writing Retreat by Julia Bartz...

Emma chats with Monica Heisey about her novel, Really Good, Actually. They also discuss divorce at a young age, the triumph of oat milk, writing for television versus writing fiction, the best advice, Toronto Public Library's reading challenge, and how to find the funny in writing and life. Books mentioned: Birds of America by Lorrie Moore Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Garbielle Zevin Ge...

Starting the new year off right with our MOST anticipated books of 2023! This list was so hard to narrow down and we're surely missing a lot of releases, but here are some of the titles we cannot wait to read this year. Emma, Joe, and Jill also chat about our undying love for Santino Fontana, the struggle in pronouncing character names from fantasy books aloud, a term we're coining "murder-coms,"...

Join Joe for a conversation with Grady Hendrix! They talk about his new book, How to Sell a Haunted House, writing structure, Lemony Snicket, and just what it takes to empty out the clutter of a life gone by. 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 epis...

On today's episode of the podcast, the Professional Book Nerds are here to share the prompts for 2023's reading challenge! We read some completed entries from last year's challenge, share the prompts for this year, and tell you what prompt we're most excited about. This episode marks an important milestone for Emma and Joe, too! :) This year's challenge includes: Greek myth retelling  A popular YA...

Today on the pod, Joe chats with Ana Reyes about her debut title (and Reese's Book Club January pick) The House in the Pines. They talk about writing twists, researching in your hometown, and why she thought TS Elliot was her mother's enemy! 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 Marketp...

In today's episode, Jill is joined by Sydney and Jane to share juvenile and young adult titles that showcase body diversity. They share what (if any) representation they saw when they were kids, discuss of these types of books for young readers, and even offer some romance novels with fat bodies for those adults looking for something to read. Books mentioned in this episode: Bodies Are Cool by Tyl...

Aubrey Gordon, co-host of Maintenance Phase, comes on the Professional Book Nerds to talk about her new book "You Just Need to Lose Weight!" and 19 other myths about fat people. She and Jill discuss some of the myths contained in her book, Taylor Swift's "Anti Hero" music video, and ways to break free from yet again setting a diet-related New Year resolution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visi...

2023 is almost here, and with it comes a new month of amazing books we can't wait to read! Emma’s Picks  Spare by Prince Harry, The Duke of Sussex   Just the Nicest Couple by Mary Kubica   Hell Bent by Leigh Bardugo   The Villa by Rachel Hawkins  Really Good, Actually by Monica Heisey   Georgie, All Along by Kate Clayborn   Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert     Jill’s Picks  You...

Emma chats with Scarlett St. Clair about her new book, Queen of Myth and Monsters! They discuss where the action picks up with Adrian and Isolde after King of Battle and Blood, morally grey characters, what growth we might see for these characters in this world in future books, Grimm retellings, how librarians helped Scarlett enjoy reading romance, and more. Note: We had some audio difficulties wi...

Emma, Joe, and Jill discuss the best books they read this year! Join for a lively conversation about the books the nerds loved the most. We loved these books so much that Joe refers to "before" and "after" this book, Jill loves a title so much she'd marry it if she could, and Emma owns five print copies (soon to be seven) of one of these titles. Let us know what books YOU loved this much by sendin...