Book Lounge by Libby

Emma speaks with award-winning author, Kennedy Ryan, about her books, The Kingmaker, and Long Shot, to celebrate the Bloom Books editions in print. They also discuss Kennedy's research that goes into her writing, centering women, writing with conviction, belief, her journalism background, motherhood, romance, allllll the tropes, and so much more. CONTENT WARNINGS: Long Shot discusses issues that m...

Today Emma and Joe are sharing the top 5 highest rated and 5 lowest rated titles from their TBR. They discuss reviewing a title before the book is out, review bombing, and the different ways they keep track of books they want to read. Share how you track your TBR with us on social media - we're @probooknerds on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok! Emma's Titles: Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros  All My Rage...

Joe and Emma chat about the "final girl" trope and share some general book recommendations that everyone should read if they're looking for a good "final girl" pick. They share their personal picks that touch on that trope. This episode is filled with book recommendations galore, but they also chat about Tuesday the 17th, Psych, the Y2K panic, Blockbuster, Stephen Graham Jones and his chat with Ji...

On today's episode, Emma is joined by the #1 NYT bestselling author, Sarah Pekkanen, to discuss her new book, Gone Tonight, out on August 1st. Sarah dives into how much this book was a gift to write, the tightknit author community she's a part of, her connection to Colleen Hoover, the ideal writing setup, the audiobook's narrator, Kate Mara, the working title of her next book, and so much more. Re...

Today Emma, Joe and Kristin are taking you to summer camp! Whether you want to make friendship bracelets, lay out by the dock, or run from the serial killer through the mess hall, they've got the recommendations for you. Want to know which of us went to summer camp? Listen to this ep and find out the answer plus catch a great list of summer camp books and books that match the summertime vibes. Kri...

Queen of the beach read, Elin Hilderbrand, speaks with Emma about her newest release, The Five-Star Weekend. They also discuss Elin's retirement, her new 2-book deal with her daughter, what readers can expect from Swan Song, TikTok recipes, social media, her new podcast, and her return to Cleveland, Ohio! Books mentioned in this episode: The Perfect Couple The Blue Bistro 28 Summers Readers can sa...

In this episode, Emma and Joe share another big ole list of books they're most excited for in August 2023. Come and catch the vibe for their end of summer picks! Titles mentioned in this episode: Emma’s Titles:   Good Bad Girl by Alice Feeney The Breakaway by Jennifer Weiner Under the Influence by Noelle Crooks Tom Lake by Ann Patchett The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes Foxglove by Ada...

Joe is joined by Christopher Hartland to talk about his debut novel Against the Stars, an LGBTQIA+, young adult, science fiction romance. Joe and Chris also talk about Dungeons & Dragons, Musicals, and Crazy Ex-Girlfriend. 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 m...

Emma and Joe are joined by author, Sierra Godfrey, to chat about her book A Very Typical Family, which is our latest Big Library Read (BLR) pick. From July 13-27, the ebook and audiobook of A Very Typical Family will be available to readers all over the world without waitlists or holds. Sierra shares more about the inspiration behind the book, being a young docent in a marine lab, how Santa Cruz f...

Joe and Emma share suggested books to complete your PBN 2023 reading challenge! They also discuss how they rate books (mostly based on vibes and mood) and how they can't resist an eye-catching book cover. Books mentioned in this episode: Book with a map The Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros   Book with a bilingual character/Popular YA series   One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus   One of Us is Next...

Emma welcomes debut author, Julie Soto, to the podcast to discuss her novel, Forget Me Not. They also discuss the importance of hometowns, redefining failure, the grumpy sunshine trope, Julie's transition from writing fanfiction to novels, Sacramento, and so much more. Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these...

Emma and Joe share a huge list of books they're most excited for in July 2023. Today's picks fit the peak summer reading vibes, so grab a snack and a cold drink and buckle in for this ep! Titles mentioned in this episode: Joe’s Picks:   Everyone Here Is Lying by Shari Lapena A Song of Salvation by Alechia Dow Overemotional by David Fenne (UK Only)  Thicker Than Water by Megan Collins One of Us is...

Today we're returning to everyone's favorite game: GUESS THAT CLASSIC: Beach Read Edition! After writing plot summaries of classic novels as gossip, we wanted to try a new approach. This time, we rewrote classic descriptions as buzzy Beach Read descriptions and quizzed each other! Guess along with Joe and Emma, and get ready for your next, great beach read. (To avoid spoilers, titles for the game...

PBN favorite, Riley Sager, returns to the podcast to discuss his new book, The Only One Left. Emma and Riley also discuss Duran Duran, "twist overkill," why he set the book in the 1980s, his intense writing schedule, the writer's strike in Hollywood, and some BREAKING NEWS for the next book that's still being written. Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDri...

Joe, Emma, and Jill chat all things Mockingjay in the conclusion to the Hunger Games retrospective series. They share their feelings on the final installment, whether they're happy with the ending, the characters they loved and lost, and some bonus hot takes on The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes! Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Li...

Emma welcomes back author, Claire Legrand, to chat about A Crown of Ivy and Glass, writing unlikeable characters, the ballet inspiration behind the story, believing in your creative process, Crimson Peak era Tom Hiddleston, writing romance scenes, and so much more! Books mentioned in this episode: A Crown of Ivy and Glass audiobook Circe by Madeline Miller Piranesi by Susanna Clarke The Secret His...

Grab your water bottles and sunscreen- today, Joe and Holly are sharing some recommended reads for Pride month 🌈 From rom-coms to memoirs, light to deep, these titles are sure to add to your Pride reflections and celebrations.  Titles mentioned in this episode: Holly's Titles:  The 2000s Made Me Gay: Essays on Pop Culture by Grace Perry  Astrid Parker Doesn't Fail (Bright Falls, #2) by Ashley Her...

Today's guest is a DREAM come true! It's audiobook narrator, actor, performer, and all around talent, Santino Fontana. Emma and Joe have a lively chat about For You and Only You (and the rest of the You series), killing superstitions, trenta coffee orders, keeping it different, Cleveland love, and more! Audiobooks mentioned in this episode: You by Caroline Kepnes For You and Only You by Caroline K...

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 Whisper...

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...

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 t...

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 a...

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...

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....

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 L...