Book Lounge by Libby

Pride Month is a celebration, but it's also a reminder of the journeys so many LGBTQ+ people take to find acceptance, belonging, and hope.  In this special Pride Month episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Kody Keplinger, Ryan Collett, and TJ Alexander for honest, heartfelt conversations about identity, community and the power of seeing yourself reflected in stories.  In the fi...

June is STACKED with incredible new releases, and this month’s Book Picks episode is here to help you build your summer TBR. Joe is joined by Kieran, founder of the Queer Liberation Library, to talk about the most exciting June 2026 book releases across genres — from buzzy literary fiction and swoony romances to twisty thrillers, queer stories, fantasy adventures, and everything in between.  Along...

If your TBR is looking a little too well-behaved, consider this your official invitation to cause some chaos.  Joe is joined by Abby from @crimebythebook to dive headfirst into a stack of mystery and thriller recommendations that are twisty, chilling, and completely unputdownable. From locked-room tension and atmospheric horror-leaning suspense to darkly clever whodunits and cult-favorite thriller...

What makes readers gasp out loud at the end of a thriller? How do authors plant clues without giving everything away? And why do some plot twists stay with us forever?  This week on Book Lounge, Joe is joined by three powerhouse thriller writers — Clare Mackintosh, Jo Piazza, and Lisa Gardner — for an exciting conversation all about The Anatomy of a Twist. Together, they unpack the art of suspense...

This week on Book Lounge, Joe is joined by Meara for a celebration of all things adventure as they talk about adult books that perfectly capture the feeling of reading The Magic Tree House. Whether it’s characters being pulled into another time and place, epic quests across strange worlds, hidden mysteries, or stories filled with wonder and discovery, these are the books that recreate that unforge...

This week, Joe sits down with legendary children’s author Mary Pope Osborne to celebrate the legacy of the Magic Tree House books and the generations of readers who grew up with Jack and Annie’s adventures.  Together, they discuss the original spark that inspired the series, how the personalities of Jack and Annie developed over time and the early days of writing for young readers during the rise...

Continuing our celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month episode, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu to share some of their favorite books that center mental health, healing, growth, and emotional honesty.  Together, they talk about the stories that stay with us, the comfort books can provide during difficult seasons and the powerful role reading can play in helping people feel understood and les...

This week, we’re reflecting on Mental Health Awareness Month. Today, Joe sits down with two mental health professionals to explore the powerful connection between reading, emotional well-being, and community.  Split into two thoughtful segments, this episode invites listeners to reflect on how books, libraries, and small daily habits can support healing, growth, and a sense of stability in an ofte...

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu of thisstoryaintover to celebrate AAPI Month with a stack of incredible Asian lit you’ll want to add to your TBR immediately.  Together, they dive into a wide range of must-read books highlighting stories that span genres, perspectives, and lived experiences. From deeply personal narratives to sweeping, unforgettable storyte...

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe celebrates Asian Heritage Month by spotlighting the global impact of Asian voices in storytelling. Joined by bestselling authors Lisa See and Zoulfa Katouh, the conversation explores how heritage, identity, and lived experience shape the stories we read and why those stories resonate far beyond any one place or perspective.  From the influence of cultur...

Be honest, how many books have you borrowed purely because the cover looked amazing?  This week on Book Lounge, Joe is joined by Bre for a very honest, slightly chaotic, and deeply relatable conversation about judging books by their covers. Before diving into our recommendations, we get into what Bre loves in a cover design.  We also talk about the covers that live rent-free in for Bre, and how sp...

Your TBR is about to get longer.  In this episode of Book Lounge, Joe is joined by Rachel to break down the most exciting book releases coming in May 2026 by sharing what they’re adding to their to-be-read piles. From buzzy debuts and fan-favorite authors to under-the-radar titles you’ll want to grab early, they’re sorting through the chaos of new releases so you don’t have to.  Expect strong opin...

In this episode of Book Lounge, Joe goes behind the scenes of one of the most important—and most misunderstood—parts of publishing: book cover design.  In the first segment, Erin Fitzsimmons (Sourcebooks) and Karina Granda (Hachette Book Group) join Joe to talk about how they got their start in design, what their creative process looks like today, and how book covers have evolved alongside trends,...

Looking for your next great historical fiction read? Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark, host of the Book Gang Podcast, to share standout historical fiction recommendations to add to your TBR.  From immersive, character-driven stories to sweeping narratives that bring the past to life, this episode highlights books that will stick with you long after the final page. Amy brings her expertise in disco...

Christina Baker Kline, Heather Webb and Lauren Tarshis join Joe for a wide-ranging conversation on the enduring appeal of historical fiction and why readers keep coming back for stories rooted in the past.  From immersive research to emotional storytelling, they explore how historical fiction brings real moments to life while still leaving room for imagination. The conversation also dives into the...

Looking for your next favorite author before they blow up? This episode is for you.  Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark of the Book Gang Podcast, an expert in spotlighting debut authors, for a conversation that starts with a little podcast inside baseball. From prepping interviews to working with first-time authors, they dig into what makes debut conversations so special.  Then, it’s all about the b...

Welcome to Season 3 of Book Lounge by Libby! We’re kicking things off with a celebration of debut authors; the moment when years of writing, revising, and hoping finally turn into a book on shelves.  Joe is joined by Casey Scieszka, Katie Bernet, and Leia Ham to talk about what it really takes to publish a first novel. From early drafts and rejections to finding an agent, navigating edits, and see...

Kathleen, known online as KathleenIllustrated, joins Joe for a cozy, creativity-filled conversation. As an illustrator, thrifter, and passionate reader, Kathleen shares the early reading moments that shaped her, her deep love of libraries and Libby, and how storytelling influences her creative life.  The episode also explores her passion for thrifting and sustainability, and the joy of discovering...

What really happens behind the scenes in publishing—and how does an editor make the leap to author?  In this bonus episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe sits down with Emma Brodie—Executive Editor at Clarkson Potter and author of Into the Blue—for a conversation that blends industry insight with creative inspiration.  In the first half, Emma pulls back the curtain on her career in publishing, shari...

What started as a search for representation turned into a movement.  In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Dessa Carroll, founder of Brown Babies n' Books, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit dedicated to creating culturally rooted literacy experiences for families.  Together, they explore:  The inspiration behind launching Brown Babies n’ Books   What it takes to build a grassroots com...

April is here, and with it comes a fresh wave of incredible new reads! 🌸  In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by returning guest (and friend) Emma to talk through the April 2026 book releases they’re most excited to add to their TBR.   Together, they explore a wide range of upcoming titles—from highly anticipated bestsellers to under-the-radar gems—perfect for spring reading. ...

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by a true multi-hyphenate talent—acclaimed audiobook narrator and producer Daniel Henning, whose voice you’ve almost certainly heard bringing stories to life.  Now, Daniel is stepping into the publishing world with his bold new imprint, Starshells of Madness, dedicated to reviving forgotten, unconventional, and culturally significant works. At...

Witchy books have completely cast a spell on readers—and in this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Meara to explore the magic behind the genre.  From cozy magical stories to darker tales of witchcraft and power, Meara shares how she first fell in love with witchy reads and why the genre keeps pulling readers back for more. Meara shares her hallmarks of a great witchy book: beloved...

March is bringing the heat 🔥  In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark of the Book Gang Podcast to talk about the March 2026 book releases they cannot wait to read.  From buzzy debuts to powerhouse authors returning with new stories, we’re breaking down the titles climbing to the top of our TBR piles. Whether you love literary fiction, thrillers, romance, or genre...

On this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re trying something a little different—and we’re very excited about it. Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark from the Book Gang podcast to dive deep into One’s Company by Ashley Hutson, a book Amy has been completely obsessed with.  We start with a breakdown of the book (mostly spoiler-free), unpacking what worked, what lingered, and why One’s Company gets u...