Book Lounge by Libby

Latest Episodes:

Introducing the 2024 PBN Reading Challenge! Dec 14, 2023

Show notes

Come and join Emma and Joe as they share results from the 2023 PBN Reading Challenge and introduce the prompts for 2024! You can download the PDF version of our challenge here and the social sharing size here.

This year's challenge includes:

A genre you don’t normally read

The Humans – Matt Haig

A book with main characters that are a different age than you

The Marlow Murder Club – Robert Thorogood

A book on your TBR longer than 1 year

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell

An audiobook (full cast or dramatized!)

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev – Dawnie Walton
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder – Holly Jackson
One of Us is Dead – Jeneva Rose
Sadie – Courtney Summers

A book in translation

Shoko’s Smile – Choi Eunyoung
The Dinner – Herman Koch
The Good Son – You-Jeong Jeong
Your Second Life Begins When You Realize You Only Have One – Raphaelle Giordano

Reread a childhood favorite

Confessions of Georgia Nicholson series - Louise Rennison
Stranger with My Face – Lois Duncan
Howl’s Moving Castle – Diana Wynne Jones
A Series of Unfortunate Events – Lemony Snicket
Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark - Alvin Schwartz
The Princess Diaries - Meg Cabot
1-800-Where-R-U series - Meg Cabot/Jenny Carroll
A Great and Terrible Beauty - Libba Bray (Gemma Doyle series)

Book with dual POV

Betting on You - Lynn Painter
Icebreaker - Hannah Grace
Beard Science - Penny Reid
The Quiet Tenant - Clemence Michallon

A book out of season

Read a duology

Letters of Enchantment - Rebecca Ross
Six of Crows - Leigh Bardugo
All the Stars and Teeth - Adalyn Grace

A book with a one-word title

Tombs – Junji Ito
Maame – Jessica George
You – Caroline Kepnes
Sadie - Courtney Summers
Haunted by Meg Cabot

A book from any bestseller list

Malibu Rising – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Untamed – Glennon Doyle
Then She Was Gone – Lisa Jewell
The Queen’s Gambit – Walter Tevis
The Storyteller – Dave Grohl
Lessons in Chemistry – Bonnie Garmus
Every Summer After – Carley Fortune
The Invisible Kingdom – Meghan O’Rourke

A book you heard about first on PBN

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!

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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Talking to Gen Z’s Carrie Bradshaw – Eli Rallo Dec 11, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Eli Rallo spills the ink on essay escapades, spills the tea on meeting Sarah Jessica Parker, and spills some wisdom on finding your people. Join Eli and Joe, as they talk about all this, Eli's new book (I Didn't Know I Needed This - out December 12), and 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.

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

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PBN's Best Books of 2023 Dec 07, 2023

Show notes

Emma and Joe share their favorite books of 2023!

Emma’s picks:

For You and Only You by Caroline Kepnes
Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
None of This is True by Lisa Jewell
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
The Woman in Me by Britney Spears
The Soulmate by Sally Hepworth
The September House by Carissa Orlando
The Quiet Tenant by Clemence Michallon
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll
Happy Place by Emily Henry

Joe’s picks:

Black Sheep by Rachel Harrison
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell (narrated by Daniel Henning)
Delicate Condition by Danielle Valentine
Love, Pamela by Pamela Anderson
Pageboy by Elliot Page
Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward
With My LIttle Eye by Joshilyn Jackson
Behind the Seams by Dolly Parton
The Big Reveal by Sasha Velour

Bonus pick: Meet me at the Lake by Carley Fortune

For our favorite YA picks of 2023, be sure to listen to our episode here.

If you want to go back and listen to any of the author interviews or episodes we’ve mentioned, we’ll link them below.

Rachel Harrison & Clay McLeod Chapman

Emily Henry & Julia Whelan

Joe Reads a Big Romance

Emma Reads a Horror

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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December Book Picks Nov 30, 2023

Show notes

Emma and Joe chat about their most anticipated book releases for December! The final book picks episode featuring 2023 releases is here. Grab your hot cocoa and get ready to add a few more things to your TBR as we close out another great year.

Books mentioned in this episode:

December Author Interviews:

I Didn’t Know I Needed This by Eli Rallo
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross

Emma’s Picks:

Here in the Dark by Alexis Soloski
The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner
The Fake Mate by Lana Ferguson
#CrimeTime by Jeneva Rose & Drew Pyne
Feel-Good Productivity by Ali Abdaal
Fourth Wing (1 of 2) [Dramatized Adaptation] Graphic Audio
Gilded Youth by Tom Quinn
Never by Jessa Hastings

Joe’s Picks:

When I Was Your Age by Kenan Thompson
Yours for the Taking by Gabrielle Korn
All the Hidden Paths by Foz Meadowns
Where There’s Smoke by EB Vickers
Heartstopper #5 by Alice Oseman
Murder Crossed Her Mind by Stephen Spotswood
Deep Fried Death by Maddie Day
Two Dead Wives by Adele Parks

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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The Best Juvenile and Young Adult Titles of 2023 Nov 16, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of PBN Joe and Emma are starting to wrap up the year by sharing their favorite juvenile and young adult titles published in 2023. Come and hear what made the cut and why these nerds enjoyed it so much.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Emma’s Titles:

Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Betting on You by Lynn Painter
House of Marionne by J. Elle
The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Divine Rivals & Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
The Scarlet Veil by Shelby Mahurin
All That’s Left to Say by Emery Lord
Highly Suspicious and Unfairly Cute by Talia Hibbert
Just Because by Matthew McConaughey

Joe’s Titles:

Their Vicious Games by Joelle Wellington (July 2023 S&S)
The Forest Demands Its Due by Kosko Jackson (October 2023 Harper)
Beholder by Ryan La Sala (October 2023 Scholastic)
Blood Debts by Terry J. Benton-Walker (April 2023 Tor)
Totally Psychic by Brigid Martin
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune
The Golden Frog Games by Claribel A. Ortega
One of Us is Back by Karen M. McManus
On Air with Zoe Washington by Janae Marks
Suddenly a Murder by Lauren Munoz

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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Dystopian Futures with Naomi Alderman Nov 13, 2023

Show notes

On this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast, Joe chats with author Naomi Alderman about her new book The Future (out November 7). Joe and Naomi talk about how an actual pandemic happening can really change how you write about a pandemic, buying $23 hand sanitizer, and what exactly would happen if the elite had private bunkers to escape to.

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!

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

Witchy Reads Nov 09, 2023

Show notes

Grab your crystal ball, fire up the cauldron, and get ready to get witchy! Today, Joe, Kristin, and Claire share some recommended picks for the witching season. There's something magical in the air as you transition from Halloween horrors but before you get too cozy for the winter season.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Kristin’s Titles:

Hex Life edited by Rachel Autumn Deering
In the House in the Dark of the Wood by Laird Hunt
The Witchery by Sophie Isabelle
The Witching Year by Diana Helmuth
Kiss and Spell by Celestine Martin
The Good House by Tananarieve Due

Claire’s Titles:

The Rules of Magic by Alice Hoffman
Steeped to Death by Gretchen Rue
The Witch’s Heart by Genevieve Gornichec
A Season with the Witch by J.W. Ocker
Hex by Thomas Olde Heuvelt
Slewfoot by Brom
Into the Forest edited by Lindy Ryan

Joe’s Titles:

Cackle by Rachel Harrison
Acts of Violet by Margarita Montimore
After the Forest by Kell Woods
Night of the Witch by Sara Raasch and Beth Revis
Her Majesty’s Royal Coven by Juno Dawson
The Witches of Bone Hill by Ava Morgyn

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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Rebecca Yarros Believes in Happily Ever Afters Nov 06, 2023

Show notes

Emma spends roughly an hour fangirling at bestselling author, Rebecca Yarros, and chats about the highly-anticipated release of Iron Flame. They also discuss work-life balance, the biggest obstacles facing Xaden and Violet, Rebecca's favorite dragon and go-to coffee order, being a Dain apologist, and so much more in this casual, chatty interview.

Books mentioned in this episode:

Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
In the Likely Event by Rebecca Yarros
Undelivered by Jeff Nussbaum
Kindred by Octavia Butler
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
The History of a Difficult Child by Mihret Sibhat
Seven Days in June by Tia Williams

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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Romancelandia Chat with Librarian, Robin Bradford! Nov 02, 2023

Show notes

Emma is joined by librarian, Robin Bradford, to chat about her book, The Reader's Advisory Guide to Romance. They also chat all things Romancelandia, how to talk about spice levels, the cyclical nature of romance trends and tropes, libraries, and a bunch of recommendations! You can find Robin on Twitter @Tuphlos.

Authors mentioned in this episode:

Books mentioned in this episode:

Icebreaker by Hannah Grace
The Last One by Rachel Howzell Hall
Bride by Ali Hazelwood
The Intimacy Experiment by Rosie Danan
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
Ana Maria and the Fox by Liana De la Rosa

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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Reality and Romantic Tropes with Penny Reid Oct 30, 2023

Show notes

Emma catches up with Penny Reid to discuss the ways Penny innovates in self-publishing/indie publishing, her amazing Kickstarter campaign, the Smarty Pants Romance imprint, what happens when you add reality to romance tropes, and the Charles Dickens retelling you didn't know you needed. Plus, hear some scoop on what books you can expect next, news about the Winston Brothers tv show, and which characters still speak to Penny the loudest, even after their books are "done."

Books mentioned in this 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.

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