Book Lounge by Libby

Latest Episodes:

Behind the Mic: Narrators, Authors, and Producers on the Magic of Audiobooks Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Welcome to the very first episode of Book Lounge by Libby! We’re kicking things off with an ode to audiobooks—the voices, the stories, and the behind-the-scenes magic that makes them so special.

First up, our host Joe chats with thriller author Carter Wilson, narrators Allyson Ryan and Patrick Zeller, and audiobook producers Catherin Bucaria and Almeda Beynon from Sourcebooks Audio to dig into what it really takes to bring a story from the page to your headphones and their work on Carter’s book TELL ME WHAT YOU DID. Then, Jason Reynolds and Dan Zitt join the lounge to talk about the creative process behind Jason’s audio-exclusive project, SOUNDTRACK.

In the second half of the show, guest hosts Carmen, Jananie K. Velu, Kayla, and Meara stop by with some truly excellent audiobook recommendations to keep you listening all year long.

Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel!

Time Stamps:

00:00:00 Title

00:00:16 Intro

00:10:48 Carter Wilson, Allyson Ryan, Patrick Zeller & Sourcebooks Audio

00:55:30 Jason Reynolds & Dan Zitt

01:35:28 Midroll Tip - Find Audiobooks By Duration

01:40:15 Audiobook Recommendations

02:21:11 Outro

Guest Host Recommendations:

Carmen's Picks:

Oye - Melissa Mogollon

You Dreamed of Empires - Alvaro Enrigue

Jananie’s Picks:

Enter Ghost – Isabella Hammad

If An Egyptian Cannot Speak English – Noor Naga

Kayla’s Picks:

Recitatif- Toni Morrison

The Favorites- Layne Fargo

Meara’s Picks:

Everything is Tuberculosis – John Green

The Weight of Blood – Tiffany D Jackson

Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts:

Segment 1:

Part 1:

Carter Wilson – Website

Allyson Ryan – Website

Patrick Zeller – Website

Catherine Bucaria & Almeda Beynon, Sourcebooks Audio – Instagram

Part 2:

Jason Reynolds – Website

Dan Zitt, Penguin Random House Audio – Instagram

Segment 2:

Carmen – @tomesandtextiles Linktree

Jananie K. Velu – @thisstoryaintover Website

Kayla – @booksandlala Linktree

Meara - @mearaisreading Links

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode!

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

We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!

Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge!

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

Welcome to Book Lounge by Libby — A New Chapter Begins Jun 12, 2025

Show notes

Say hello to Book Lounge by Libby, the new name for the podcast formerly known as Professional Book Nerds!

In this intro, host Joe Skelley shares updates on the rebrand, what’s staying the same, and what new vibes you can expect in this next chapter. Plus, get a sneak peek at our first season - episode 1 is dropping next week, featuring a celebration of all things audiobooks.

Pull up a chair—it’s going to be a great season.

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

We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the ⁠Libby App YouTube channel⁠. Keep up with us on social media by following the ⁠Libby App on Instagram⁠!

Want to reach out? Send an email to ⁠bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com⁠. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: ⁠https://plotthreadsshop.com/⁠!

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

Hot Reads, Cool Vibes: June 2025 Book Picks May 29, 2025

Show notes

Joe is joined by his colleague and friend Nahomy for a fresh stack of June 2025 book picks—perfect for summer reading season. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or curled up in the AC, they’ve got something for every kind of reader.

Nahomy shares queer coming-of-age tales, romantic comedies, twisty thrillers, and empowering debuts, while Joe's picks run the gamut from eerie horror to thoughtful sci-fi , with plenty of speculative fiction and heartwarming surprises along the way.

Hit play and load up your Libby shelf with summer reads.

Mark your calendars for June 12 when we debut the podcast rebrand!

Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Nahomy's Picks:

Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid
If We Survive This - Racquel Marie
Sounds Like Love - Ashley Poston
The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club - Gloria Chao
The Summer We Ran - Audrey Ingram
The Other Side of Now - Paige Harbison
We Could Be Magic - Marissa Meyer
Girls Girl Girls – Shoshana von Blanckensee
Under the Neon Lights - Arriel Vinson

Joe’s Picks:

With a Vengeance – Riley Sager
A Girl Walks into the Forest – Madeleine Roux
Kill the Lax Bro – Charlotte Lillie Balogh
Dan in Green Gables – Rey Terciero
Love, Misha – Askel Aden
Arcana: The Lost Heirs – Sam Prentice-Jones
Best of All Worlds - Kenneth Oppel
The Second Chance Convenience Store – Kim Ho-Yeon (Shout-Out: The Dallergut Dream-Making District - Miye Lee)
The Listeners – Maggie Stiefvater
Of Monsters and Mainframes – Barbara Truelove

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 podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!

Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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

Fresh Reads, Spring Vibes and Big Book Energy: May 2025 Book Picks Apr 24, 2025

Show notes

Spring has officially sprung and so have the May 2025 book releases! Joe is joined by colleague and fellow book lover Rachel to share their top picks for this May's freshest reads. From swoony romances and thrilling mysteries to heartfelt queer YA and buzzy debuts, they’ve got a little something for every reader. Plus, stick around for Joe’s rapid-fire lightning round of even more May titles you won’t want to miss!

Whether you're loading up your Libby shelf or just need help picking your next favorite read, we've got you covered with big book energy and plenty of laughs along the way. 🌸📚

Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Rachel’s Picks:

The Tenant - Freida McFadden
The Love Haters - Katherine Center
Problematic Summer Romance - Ali Hazelwood
One Golden Summer - Carley Fortune
Big Dumb Eyes - Nate Bargatze
The Missing Half - Ashley Flowers
Run for the Hills - Kevin Wilson
It's a Love Story - Annabel Monaghan

Joe’s Picks:

The Art of Exile – Andrea Max
Death in the Cards – Mia P. Manansala
When Love Gives You Lemons – Steven Salvatore
The Thrashers – Julie Soto
The Starving Saints – Caitlin Starling
Disco Witches of Fire Island – Blair Fell
The Dark Maestro – Brendan Slocumb
Karen: A Brother Remembers – Kelsey Grammer
Marsha – Tourmaline

Trans History by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett

Shoutouts section:

Murder Land – Carlyn Greenwald
Everyone Sux But You – K. Wroten
And They Were Roommates – Page Powars
Shampoo Unicorn – Sawyer Lovett
The Rebel’s Guide to Pride – Matthew Hubbard
The Busybody Book Club – Freya Sampson
The Manor of Dreams – Christina Li

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 and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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

🌸 Spring into Reading: April 2025 New Book Releases 🌸 Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

April is here, and with it comes a fresh lineup of must-read new books! Join Joe and Madison as they dive into the most exciting releases of the month. From long-awaited sequels to unexpected gems, our TBRs are taking us on quite the journey—just like the changing season!

Whether you're in the mood for something light and breezy or deep and thought-provoking, we've got the perfect springtime read for you. Grab a cozy spot in the sunshine and let’s talk books! 🌿📖✨

You can follow Madison's Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/simon.says.read/

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Madison’s Picks:

Gifted and Talented – Olivie Blake
The Amalfi Curse – Sarah Penner
Their Monstrous Hearts – Yigit Turhan
The Page Turner – Viola Shipman
When the Tides Held the Moon - Venessa Vida Kelley
House of Blight - Maxym M. Martineau
Enigma - RuNyx
The Wind Weaver - Julie Johnson
The Book Club for Troublesome Women - Marie Bostwick
Great Big Beautiful Life – Emily Henry

Joe’s Picks:

The Cat Who Saved the Library – Sosuke Natsukawa
A/S/L - Jeanne Thornton
The Staircase in the Woods – Chuck Wendig
The Cut – CJ Dotson
Make Sure You Die Screaming – Zee Carlstrom
The Last Session – Julia Bartz
Polybius – Collin Armstrong
Deadstream – Mar Romasco-Moore
Run Away with Me – Brian Selznick
Boys with Sharp Teeth – Jenni Howell

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!

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

Surviving the Reaping: What to Read While You Wait Mar 13, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Joe is joined by Nahomy to recommend books for fans of The Hunger Games, whether you're eagerly awaiting Sunrise on the Reaping or need more dystopian reads after devouring it.

From high-stakes competitions and oppressive regimes to survival in broken worlds, these books will keep you on the edge of your seat. Tune in for thrilling recommendations featuring deadly trials, futuristic rebellions, twisted social experiments, and resilient heroes fighting for freedom.

Nahomy’s Titles:

Scythe - Neal Shusterman
The Selection - Kiera Cass
The Grace Year - Kim Liggett
Cinder - Marissa Meyer

Joe’s Titles:

Survive the Dome – Kosoko Jackson
Together in a Broken World – Paul Michael Winters
After the Fall – Ellen Parent
The Art Thieves – Andrea L. Rogers

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!

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

Spring's Best New Books: March 2025 Picks Feb 27, 2025

Show notes

Spring is in the air, and so are a fresh batch of must-read books! In this episode, Joe is joined by Amy Clark from MomAdvice.com to dive into the most exciting new releases hitting shelves in March 2025.

From highly anticipated fiction to captivating nonfiction, they’re sharing the books they can’t wait to read this month. Whether you’re looking for your next page-turner or adding to your never-ending TBR, this episode has something for every book lover.

Tune in and get ready to update your reading list! 📚✨

Make sure you follow Amy on Instagram and check out the Book Gang podcast!

Title’s mentioned in this episode:

Amy’s Titles:

Red Dog Farm - Nathaniel Ian Miller
Dream Count - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
The Jackal's Mistress - Chris Bohjalian
All the Other Mothers Hate Me - Sarah Harman
This Book Will Bury Me - Ashley Winstead
Jane and Dan at the End of the World - Colleen Oakley
Broken Country - Clare Leslie Hall
I Leave It Up to You - Jinwoo Chong
Hot Air - Marcy Dermansky
Promise Me Sunshine - Cara Bastone

Joe’s Titles:

Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert – Bob the Drag Queen
A Wizard of Earthsea - Ursula K. Le Guin, Fred Fordham
How to Survive a Slasher – Justine Pucela Winans
The Bane Witch – Ava Morgyn
Everything is Tuberculosis – John Green
The Unworthy – Agustina Bazterrica
The Buffalo Hunter Hunter – Stephen Graham Jones
The Keeper of Lonely Spirits – EM Anderson
I’ll Love You Forever – Giaae Kwon

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!

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

The Wait for Scythe & Sparrow is On – Read These Next! Feb 13, 2025

Show notes

Waiting for Scythe & Sparrow to hit your shelf? We’ve got you covered! In this episode, Joe is joined by his colleague Meghan to share a list of must-read romances that will keep you hooked while you wait.

These books capture the same vibes you love but each offers a unique journey of its own. Whether you’re craving heart-pounding twists, thought-provoking themes, or unforgettable characters, we’ve got the perfect recommendations to tide you over. Tune in and find your next great read!

If you’d like to watch the video of this episode, check out the Libby App YouTube channel!

Titles mentioned in today’s episode:

Meghan’s Titles:

Desperate Measures by Katee Robert
The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Suzane Valenti
Beautiful Villain by Rebecca Kenney
Truly, Madly, Deeply by LJ Shen

Joe’s Titles:

Lights Out – Navessa Allen
The Hollow and the Haunted – Camilla Raines
The Deer and the Dragon – Piper CJ
My Funny Demon Valentine – Aurora Ascher

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!

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

Announcing the 2025 Libby Book Awards Nominees! Feb 04, 2025

Show notes

The nominees are in! 🎉 Joe is joined by his coworker Gabi to unveil the 2025 Libby Book Awards nominees, including some exciting new categories. From the book club books to the hidden gems readers can’t stop raving about, we’re breaking down the top picks of the year. Who made the list? Tune in to find out!

Check out the nominees on our Libby Life Blog: https://www.libbylife.com/2025-01-29-announcing-the-finalists-for-the-2025-libby-book-awards

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, the Libby App YouTube Channel, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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

Love at First Chapter: February 2025 Book Picks Jan 30, 2025

Show notes

Love is in the air… and so are killer thrillers, swoon-worthy romances, out-of-this-world sci-fi, and so much more! Joe is joined by his friend and coworker Nahomy to chat about the most exciting books hitting shelves this February. Whether you’re in the mood for a chilling horror, a heart-racing fantasy, a cozy graphic novel, or a memoir that stays with you, we’ve got your next great read covered.

Looking for even more bookish fun? Follow Nahomy on Instagram at @nahomyslibrary and subscribe to her YouTube channel Nahomy’s Library for more amazing book recommendations!

If you'd like to watch the video of this episode, check out the Libby App YouTube channel!

Titles mentioned in today's episode:

Nahomy’s Titles: