Book Lounge by Libby

On today's episode of the pod, Joe is joined by Adam Sass to discuss his new book The 99 Boyfriends of Micah Summers. They talk about the importance of queer YA romance, how Adam crafts such compelling characters (and why it can be dangerous to write people you know into your characters), and of course, soy milk. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rat...

Tiffany joins Emma, Jill, and Joe to discuss all things series and how to tackle them when it feels daunting. They also share their favorite series of all time, if they prefer stand-alone books, how they feel about re-reading, and more. It's like book therapy! Titles mentioned in this episode (we've linked the first book in each series): Dublin Murder Squad series by Tana French  A Court of Thorns...

On today's episode Jill is joined by Kathleen West to discuss her new book Home or Away. Kathleen is a hockey mom herself and discusses how her own experiences raising two hockey players played a role in her book, along with writing complicated female friendships and one character with zero redeeming qualities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We talk a lot about the published books, the final stage in the publication process. But what about how authors get there? In today's episode, Jill is joined by Sydney and the two writers discuss how they go about starting a story, the importance of beta readers, and Jill shares her journey to get a literary agent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the podcast, Emma got to chat with Jennifer Lynn Barnes about the epic conclusion to the Inheritance Games trilogy, The Final Gambit. They talk about Avery and her love triangle, The Vampire Diaries, how it's been writing this series the last few years, and how Barnes crafts her characters so thoroughly. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma, Joe, and Jill are back to discuss their must-read books coming out in September. Joe's Picks: The Book Haters’ Book Club by Gretchen Anthony   On the Rooftop by Margaret Wilkerson Sexton  Ghostlight by Kenneth Oppel  Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn   The Gathering Dark: An Anthology of Folk Horror by Various YA Authors  Ghost Eaters by Clay McLeod Chapman  Spells for Forgetting b...

Today's episode of the podcast is a fun one! Emma got to chat with Adalyn Grace about her new book, Belladonna. They discuss where the book title came from (and the sequel!), what the inspiration behind the story was, spicy scenes, Sweeney Todd, book collecting, Hadestown, and so much more. Enjoy! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Y'all, strap in for a long episode as Joe and Emma close out their Twilight Saga retrospective with their thoughts on Midnight Sun and Life & Death. We may be sad to see this time with the Twilight Saga end, but we're so excited to hear what series you'd like us to dive headfirst into next! Let us know your suggestions via email: professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com! We hope you enjoy this episode...

Emma is joined by Alicia Thompson, author of Love in the Time of Serial Killers, to discuss the book, the importance of acknowledgements, Paramore’s prime, and what it’s like to write spicy, relatable romance.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is a special double feature! Joe, Emma and Rachel are joined by Christian from Kanopy to offer up some book and movie recommendations. Titles mentioned in this episode: Joe's Titles True Biz by Sara Novic  Born This Way Presents: Deaf Out Loud  Recitatif by Toni Morrison  Toni Morrison The Pieces I Am  Freak Show by James St. James  Party Monster by James St. James  Freak Show   Pa...

Today Joe is joined by Margot Harrison to talk about her new book We Made It All Up. Margot shares her inspiration for the book, her fascination with fan fiction, and talks TikTok, where she gives retro YA reviews as well as shares stories about life with her hippy mom. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe! You can follow the...

Audrey Blake comes on the podcast to discuss The Girl in His Shadow, the latest Big Library Read title! This episode was recorded as part of a live virtual event on July 26, 2022. For more information visit biglibraryread.com. The Girl in His Shadow eBook The Girl in His Shadow audiobook The Surgeon's Daughter eBook The Surgeon's Daughter audiobook Learn more about the author at audreyblakebooks.c...

On today's episode, Joe talks with Anna Meriano, author of It Sounds Like This, out August 2 from Penguin Young Readers Group. Anna tells Joe about creating characters in the blender method, they share stories from their time in high school marching band, and they talk about the rebrand of Quidditch. (At the time of recording, the name hadn't been finalized yet. IRL Quidditch is now called Quadbal...

Jill, Joe, and Emma share what books they're most excited to read that are due to be published in August. Books mentioned in this episode: Emma’s Picks:   Belladonna by Adalyn Grace  The Final Gambit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes  Love in the Time of Serial Killers by Alicia Thompson  Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood  Just Another Love Song by Kerry Winfrey   The House of Fortune by Jessie Burton  Lig...

On today's episode, Joe talks with brothers Matt and Harrison Query about their new book, Old Country. This book is based off of Matt's viral Reddit post on r/nosleep My wife and I bought a ranch in the mountains last year, and my neighbor had some interesting suggestions on how to manage our new land. They talk about what it's like working together as brothers, having your story discovered via Re...

On this special, bonus episode of The Professional Book Nerds podcast, we wanted to share our live interview with Ruth Ware at the Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma Snow branch. We talk with Ruth about her new book, The It Girl, and what it's been like returning to touring after the pandemic. Special thanks to Cuyahoga County Public Library for hosting and recording this amazing event! Learn m...

In this episode, Joe and Jill talk with Kristin and Quinton to share some of their TBR picks and new favorite comics, graphic novels, and manga inspired by the OverDrive Comics Super Sale (25-50% off until July 31)! Titles mentioned in this episode: Wytches by Scott Snyder Ever After by Olivia Vieweg Deadly Class by Rick Remender Death Note Short Stories by Tsugumi Ohba, Takeshi Obata Hark! A Vagr...

On today's episode of the podcast, Jennifer Hillier chats with Emma about her new thriller, Things We Do In the Dark, the difference between surprising twists and satisfying twists, writing non-linearly, Filipino culture in the story, and some hints about her next project!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Emma chats with Abbey and Kate about their favorite Young Adult reads from the early 2000s. They also discuss how much YA lit has changed over the last 30 years, what books they remember most fondly, all things Sarah Dessen, and more! Content warning: These books from the early 2000s talk about a range of topics that we want listeners to be aware of before they listen; eating d...

Chrysta Bilton is here to talk with Joe about her memoir, Normal Family and what exactly it was like discovering just full her family tree really is. Chrysta shares personal reflections on her relationship with her parents, protecting her energy while unpacking her story, what it was like recording the audiobook for her memoir, and why outdoor bistros are a friend to parents with young kids. Learn...

On today's episode of the podcast, Joe, Jill, and Emma provide some books that might help you check off some items on the 2022 PBN Reading Challenge. We're more than halfway through the year. Are you on track to complete the PBN Reading Challenge? Titles mentioned in this episode: 2021 debuts: Nightbitch - Rachel Yoder The First Day of Spring by Nancy Tucker  Songs in Ursa Major by Emma Brodie Cla...

Linda Holmes returns to the Professional Book Nerds podcast to discuss her new book, Flying Solo, which is set in the same town as her first novel. Linda discusses how Antiques Roadshow inspired her new book, duck decoys, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode of the podcast, Jill, Joe, and Emma share what they're most eager to read in July 2022. They've got thrillers, horror, romance, nonfiction, short stories, and more! July 2022 has so many great books out, there's something for every reader. Books mentioned in this episode: Joe's Picks: Heat Wave – TJ Klune The Witchery – S. Isabelle The Pallbearers Club – Paul Tremblay Acts of Vi...

On today's episode of the podcast, Emma chats with Riley Sager about the inspiration behind The House Across the Lake, writing books under a pen name, the return of in-person author events, and which character from the book he'd most like to have a drink with. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of the podcast, Emma, Jill, Joe and Sydney share strong opinions on the best (and worst) book adaptations, the time Sydney accidentally read Nicholas Sparks, and spoilers for This is Us and The House of Gucci.  Books mentioned in this episode: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han The Time Traveler’s Wife by Audrey Niffenegger Sim...