Book Lounge by Libby

Latest Episodes:

Drawn In: Graphic Memoirs (and Biographies) You Can't Put Down Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

Marissa joins Joe today to talk about graphic memoirs, biographies and novels inspired by life events. They talk about the importance of sharing your story, how we can find community and a sense of self, and learn so much by listening to the stories of others. Come for the recommendations, stay for a full aside on The Salem Witch Trials.

Article mentioned in our Salem Witch Trials aside:

From New England Law Boston - The True Legal Horror Story of the Salem Witch Trials

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Marissa’s Titles:

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol
Ducks by Kate Beaton
Messy Roots by Laura Gao
The Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt by Andrea Wulf and Illustrated by Lillian Melcher
The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf
Cheeky by Ariella Elovic

Joe’s Titles:

Talking to Strangers by Marianne Boucher
An Outbreak of Witchcraft by Debroah Noyes
Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Brave Face by Shawn David Hutchinson
Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode 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).

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Reading From the Heart With Katherine Center Jun 10, 2024

Show notes

On today's episode, Emma is joined by NYT bestselling author, Katherine Center, to chat about her newest book, The Rom-Commers. They also discuss the craft of writing a romance novel, reading from your heart, the impact of libraries, line dancing 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 titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

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Books with Bite: A New Era of Vampire Reads Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

Emma and Joe are joined by Andrea and Meghan to discuss a new era of vampire reads! We've seen a huge increase in books featuring vampires in the last few years and wanted to share some recent books and upcoming releases we're most excited about to usher in a new era.

Emma’s Picks:

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison
We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft
To You Shall All Flesh Come by Lumen Reese
Immortal Pleasures by V. Castro
Lucy Undying by Kiersten White

Joe’s Picks:

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings
Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco and book 2 Court of Wanderers came out in April
The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland
My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine
The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

Andrea’s Picks:

The Scarlet Veil #2 by Shelby Mahurin
Book 1: The Scarlet Veil
The Madness by Dawn Kurtagich
Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen
Book 2: Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen
The Songbird & The Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
Book 1: The Serpent & the Wings of Night
Book 2: The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King

Meghan’s Picks:

A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley
Sign of the Slayer by Sharina Harris
Bloodline by Jenn Alexander
Filthy Rich Vampire by Geneva Lee
Vampires Never Say Die by Gloria Duke

Other books and things mentioned:

Kathy Reichs new book, Fire and Bones
Dawn Kurtagich interview and Dawn’s return to the podcast

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.

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Live Interview with Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket Jun 03, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Joe sits down for a live conversation with Daniel Handler AKA Lemony Snicket, for the release of his memoir And Then? And Then? What Else?, hosted at Cuyahoga County Public Library! Joe and Daniel talk about Tim Curry, sharing your personal life publicly, and what it's like being Lemony Snicket.

Special thanks to Cuyahoga County Public Library for hosting this incredible event. The live event was hosted and recorded on Thursday, May 23, 2024 at the Parma-Snow Library Branch to a sold-out auditorium.

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

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June 2024 Book Picks May 30, 2024

Show notes

Emma and Joe's monthly round-up of books is back with June picks! Grab a beverage and get ready for a long-list of summer-y picks! For Emma and Joe that usually means mystery and romance, but there's also a dash of cooking, graphic novels, YA, and family sagas.

Author Interviews:

The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center
Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay

Joe’s Picks:

Middle of the Night by Riley Sager

Willie, Waylon, and the Boys by Brian Fairbanks
Birds Aren’t Real by Peter McIndoe, Connor Gaydos
Lula Dean’s Little Library of Banned Books by Kirsten Miller
The Salad Lab by Darlene Schrijver (TikTok Tie In)
Annie LeBlanc is Not Dead Yet by Molly Morris
Hombrecito by Santiago Jose Sanchez
One Killer Problem by Justine Pucella Winans
Now, Conjurers by Freddie Kolsch
Brownstone by Samuel Teer
One of our Kind by Nicola Yoon

Emma’s Picks:

Swan Song by Elin Hilderbrand
Leather & Lark by Brynne Weaver
A Novel Love Story by Ashely Poston
A Talent for Murder by Peter Swanson
Blood in the Cut by Alejandro Nodarse
Just Some Stupid Love Story by Katelyn Doyle
Such a Bad Influence by Olivia Muenter
A Daughter of Fair Verona by Christina Dodd
The Unwedding by Ally Condie
A Love Like the Sun by Riss M. Neilson

Need a refresher on what our most anticipated books of the year are? Listen here: PBN’s Most Anticipated Books of 2024 episode

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!

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Live Interview with Harlan Coben, author of Think Twice May 27, 2024

Show notes

On today's episode, Emma sits down for a live conversation with the #1 New York Times bestselling author, Harlan Coben, for the release of Think Twice. Hosted at Cuyahoga County Public Library, Emma and Harlan chat about the writing process, his plans for Myron, being the "twist guy," his Netflix adaptations, Stephen King, and Queen Camilla.

Special thanks to Cuyahoga County Public Library for hosting this amazing event. The live event was recorded on Monday, May 20, 2024 at the Parma-Snow Library Branch to a sold-out auditorium of 400 fantastic readers.

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.

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Cults: A Dive into Fiction and Nonfiction Reads May 23, 2024

Show notes

Join us as we dive into the captivating world of cults! We're recommending both fiction and nonfiction titles that explore that mysterious and chilling allure... From gripping thrillers to eye-opening accounts, we've got recommendations that will keep you on the edge of your seat. We'll wax poetic on cult dynamics and discuss the enduring fascination with these enigmatic communities.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Jill’s Titles:

The Road to Jonestown by Jeff Guinn
The Last Housewife by Ashley Winstead
The Sullivanians by Alexander Stille
The Centre by Ayesha Manazir Siddiqi

Joe’s Titles:

Member of the Family by Dianne Lake
Those Who Prey by Jennifer Moffett
The Project by Courtney Summers
Sex Cult Nun by Faith Jones

Emma’s Titles:

The Girls by Emma Cline
Say You’re Sorry by Karen Rose
The Lightness by Emily Temple
Heartbreaker by Claudia Dey

Meredith’s Titles:

Scarred: The True Story of How I Escaped NXIVM, the Cult That Bound My Life by Sarah Edmondson
Fierce Little Thing by Miranda Beverly-Whittmore
A Billion Years by Mike Rinder
Don’t Call It a Cult by Sarah Berman
Cults & Exteme Belief - A&E (Kanopy)

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

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The House That Gothic Reads Built May 16, 2024

Show notes

Emma and Joe welcome back Claire and Kristin to chat about modern gothic reads. They discuss the characteristics they enjoy in a modern gothic and share a wide variety of books to get your creepy, vibey, gothic fix!

Emma’s Picks:

The Clinic by Cate Quinn
A Place for Vanishing by Ann Fraistat
The Heiress by Rachel Hawkins
One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig (Sheperd King series)

Claire’s Picks:

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne
The Haunting of Velkwood by Gwendolyn Kiste
A Botanical Daughter by Noah Medlock
Thirst by Marina Yuszczuk

Kristin’s Picks:

Bluebeard’s Castle by Anna Biller
The Black Tree Atop the Hill by Karla Yvette
House of Hunger by Alexis Henderson
When the Reckoning Comes by LaTanya McQueen

Joe’s Picks:

Vampires of el Norte by Isabel Canas
House of Cotton by Monica Brashears
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
House of Hollow by Krystal Sutherland

Check out our Botanical Books episode from 2023 here. Other books mentioned in this episode included The Hacienda by Isabel Canas, The Only One Left by Riley Sager, and Home Before Dark by Riley Sager.

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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talking Crushed Red Cups and Murders at Parties with Cindy R.X. He May 13, 2024

Show notes

The mean girl gets murdered in this one (not a spoiler)! Dive into the mind of Cindy RX He as she delves deep into her debut title, Perfect Little Monsters. Find out why it's hard to trick thriller readers with your twists, what makes the queen bee so compelling, and where Cindy's inspiration came from for this story.

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

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Beyond the Canon: Redefining and Updating the Classics! May 09, 2024

Show notes

Join Joe and Emma on this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast as they dive deep into the ever-evolving landscape of the literary canon. They shine a spotlight on contemporary books that challenge traditional notions of what it means to be considered "canonical" and explore the complexities of defining literary greatness.

Emma and Joe offer up some modern works and their potential to reshape our understanding of literature and join a new canon. From diverse voices to innovative storytelling techniques, they celebrate the richness and diversity of contemporary literature that deserves a place in the canon.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Emma’s Titles: