Libro.fm Podcast

Adrian Bliss on TikTok, Humor, and Writing His First Book Oct 29, 2024

In this episode, hosts Karen Farmer and Craig Silva chat with comedian, actor, and debut author Adrian Bliss. Adrian shares his journey from creating online comedy sketches to writing The Greatest Nobodies of History, which explores humorous and mostly factual stories of overlooked historical figures, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s ferret and Henry VIII’s Groom of the Stool. Adrian reflects on the shift from immediate online feedback to the publishing process and discusses creating an audiobook, collaborating with voice actors, and transitioning from short-form content to long-form storytelling. Plus, he shares his love for history, photography, and his favorite historical tidbits.

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About Adrian: Adrian Bliss is a British comedian, writer, and filmmaker known for his quirky and imaginative humor, often shared through viral sketches on social media. He gained popularity with his humorous historical and literary videos, blending absurdity with a touch of educational satire.

Get Adrian's new book: The Greatest Nobodies of History

Books discussed on today’s episode:

William by Mason Coile
Immaculate Conception by Ling Ling Huang
The River of Doubt by Candice Millard

Banned Books Week: Philomena Polefrone and the ABA's fight to Protect Free Expression Sep 26, 2024

In this episode, Philomena Polefrone, PhD discusses her role in advocating for intellectual freedom through the ABA. The conversation touches on book bans, censorship, and the role of bookstores as spaces for activism. The discussion covers the history of book bans, grassroots organizing, and the legal challenges involved in defending diverse literature.

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About Philomena: Philomena Polefrone is the Advocacy Associate Manager at the American Booksellers Association, where she champions intellectual freedom and free expression. With a background in bookselling and a decade in academia, Philomena brings a unique perspective to her work, blending literature and activism. She leads initiatives like the Set Books Free Project, aimed at combating book bans and promoting access to diverse, often censored literature. Her passion for defending the right to read makes her a key advocate in the fight against censorship.

Books discussed on today’s episode:

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe
Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
And Tango Makes Three by Justin Richardson & Peter Parnell
The 1619 Project by Caitlin Roper, Ilena Silverman & Jake Silverstein
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Temple Folk by Aaliyah Bilal
Catalina by Karla Cornejo Villavicencio

Huda Fahmy (Yes I’m Hot in This) & Anna Hersh (Wild Rumpus) on Community, Creativity, and Youth Lit. Sep 24, 2024

On today’s episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we dive into literacy for young readers with graphic novelist Huda Fahmy and children’s bookshop owner Anna Hersh. We dive into school reading lists, storytime at bookshops, building confidence, the process of turning graphic novels into audiobooks, and even a mischievous cat with a knack for escaping in baby strollers.

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About Huda Fahmy: Huda Fahmy grew up in Dearborn, Michigan, and has loved comics since she was a child. She taught English to middle and high schoolers for eight years before she started writing about her experiences as a visibly Muslim woman in America and was encouraged by her older sister to turn these stories into comics. Huda was a finalist for the National Book Award for her YA graphic novel, Huda F Cares?.

About Anna Hersh: Anna is the co-owner and animal care coordinator at Wild Rumpus Bookstore in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Before Wild Rumpus she worked with exotic animals in sanctuaries.

Books discussed on today’s episode:

Huda F Are You? by Huda Fahmy
Huda F Cares by Huda Fahmy
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh
Not Quite a Ghost by Anne Ursu
Run by Blake Crouch
Endgame by Frank Brady

Mel Saavedra (Steamy Lit) on Romance, Representation, and Resilience Aug 27, 2024

On today's episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we chat with Mel Saavedra, the owner of Steamy Lit Bookstore and the driving force behind Steamy Lit Con. Mel discusses her deep passion for romance literature, the genre's growing popularity, and the importance of representation in romance novels. Mel also delves into her subscription service, the Steam Box, and her new podcast, Romance Unleashed. The episode concludes with a lightning round, Instagram story time, and, as always, some great book recommendations.

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About Mel: Mel Saavedra, founder of Steamy Lit, is a proud Latina, Navy Veteran, and dog mom. A passionate reader of steamy romance, her love for the genre deepened in 2020. Noticing the lack of representation for authors of color in romance, she created Steamy Lit to empower discussions around sexuality and self-love, and to provide a platform for underrepresented authors.

Books discussed on today’s episode:

Brittainy Cherry's 'Elemental series'
The Design of Us by Sajni Patel
I Want to Die but I Still Want to Eat Tteokbokki by Baek Sehee
Old Wounds by Logan-Ashley Kisner
The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods
The Kingmaker by Kennedy Ryan

Stephen Graham Jones (The Only Good Indians) on Writing Horror, Slashers, and Finding His Voice Jul 23, 2024

In today's episode, we interview renowned horror author Stephen Graham Jones. We delve into his latest book, "I Was a Teenage Slasher," and explore his passion for the horror genre. Additionally, we discuss his journey from aspiring farmer to successful writer, and pick his brain for book and movie recommendations!

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About Stephen Graham Jones: Stephen Graham Jones is a prolific American horror author known for his unique blend of contemporary horror and Native American themes. Born in West Texas and a member of the Blackfeet Nation, Jones has written numerous acclaimed novels and short stories, including "The Only Good Indians" and "Mongrels." His work often explores themes of identity, cultural heritage, and the supernatural.

Read Stephen Graham Jones’s books:

Books discussed on today's episode:

Please Stop Trying to Leave Me by Alana Saab
Mean Spirited by Nick Roberts
Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs
The Monkey’s Paw by W.W. Jacobs

Interview with Natalie Naudus (Audiobook narrator / Author of 'Gay the Pray Away') Jul 09, 2024

On today's episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we chat with prolific and beloved audiobook narrator Natalie Naudus who shares her journey into the world of audiobooks. We discuss the challenges and rewards of the profession, including the process of bringing characters to life through voice. The episode provides an insider's look at the audiobook industry, and we discuss tips and tricks of the trade, how AI narration is disrupting the industry, her debut novel, and much more.

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About Natalie Naudus: Natalie Naudus is one of the most beloved audiobook narrators working today. She has won an Audie award and nine Earphones awards, and maintains a robust social media following. She lives with her family on a mountain in Virginia. Gay the Pray Away is her debut novel which was released in June 2024.

Read Natalie's book:

Gay the Pray Away

Books discussed on today's episode:

Interesting Facts about Space by Emily Austin
Sucker by Daniel Hornsby
Grey Dog by Elliott Gish
Ring by Koji Suzuki

Interview with Christine Bollow (Co-Owner of Loyalty Bookstore in D.C.) Jun 27, 2024

On today's episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we sit down with Christine Bollow, co-owner and events manager for the DC based, community-oriented Loyalty Bookstore. We discuss the importance of book events to communities, Christine’s previous career in audiobooks, how Loyalty raises up young authors and marginalized voices, and our least favorite household chores.

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Books discussed on today’s episode: Light From Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781250824479-light-from-uncommon-stars

Hollow Kingdom by Kira Jane Buxton https://libro.fm/audiobooks/9781549113482

Interview with Kalima DeSuze (Owner of Cafe con Libros Bookstore in Brooklyn, NY) Jun 26, 2024

In this episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we interview Kalima DeSuze, the owner of Cafe con Libros, an intersectional feminist bookstore and coffee shop in Brooklyn, New York. Kalima discusses the challenges of running a bookstore, the importance of community support, and the decision-making process behind stocking books. She also talks about the power of book clubs as spaces for discussion and connection, and the role of audiobooks in making reading more accessible.

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Books discussed on today’s episode:

The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker

Interview with Mairi Oliver (Owner of Lighthouse Bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland) Jun 25, 2024

On today's episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we speak with Mairi Oliver, a bookseller and owner at Lighthouse Bookshop, a radical bookshop in Edinburgh, Scotland. We discuss the shop's mission as an unapologetically activist radical bookshop and its commitment to promoting diverse voices and fighting for social justice. We also talk about the shop’s Pay It Forward program and the importance of accessibility in the book world.

Photo credit: Rethink Retail

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Books discussed on today’s episode: Namesake: Essays on a Warrior Woman by N.S. Nuseibeh

Interview with Claire Lombardo (Author of 'The Most Fun We Ever Had') May 28, 2024

On today's episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we sit down with NYT Bestselling author Claire Lombardo. We discuss her new book, Same As It Ever Was, as well as her previous novel, The Most Fun We Ever Had. We dive into her love for writing about family dynamics and the process of crafting realistic dialogue. She also shares what it’s like to be a bookseller at Prairie Lights Books and offers book recommendations.

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About Claire Lombardo: Claire Lombardo's debut novel, The Most Fun We Ever Had, was an instant New York Times bestseller and has been translated or is forthcoming in over a dozen languages. Her second novel, Same As It Ever Was, releases in June 2024. Her short fiction has appeared in, among others, Playboy, Barrelhouse Magazine, Little Fiction, and Longform.

Read Claire’s books:

Books discussed on today's episode:

The Berry Pickers by Amanda Peters
The Guncle Abroad by Steven Rowley
The Sentence by Louise Erdrich
Fellowship Point by Alice Elliott Dark
American Mermaid by Julia Langbein
The Shining by Stephen King
Things Have Gotten Worse Since We Last Spoke And Other Misfortunes Hardcover by Eric LaRocca

Interview with Steven Rowley (Author of 'The Guncle' and 'The Celebrants') Apr 26, 2024

In the final episode of our first-ever Libro.fm Podcast Extravaganza, we interview author Steven Rowley. We discuss "The Guncle" and its sequel, themes of grief and humor in his books, his experience narrating his own audiobooks, and more. The episode concludes with the hosts discussing plans for Independent Bookstore Day.

Photo credit: Afonso Salcedo

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About Steven Rowley: Steven Rowley is the New York Times bestselling author of Lily and the Octopus, a Washington Post Notable Book of 2016, The Editor, named by NPR as one of the Best Books of 2019, The Guncle, a Goodreads Choice Awards finalist for 2021 Novel of the Year and winner of the 22nd Thurber Prize for American Humor, and The Celebrants, a TODAY Show Read With Jenna Book Club pick. His fiction has been published in twenty languages. All of his books are in development for feature film or television adaptation.

Read Steven’s books:

Books discussed on today's episode: Weetzie Bat by Francesca Block

Interview with Dr. Darcie Little Badger (Author of 'Elatsoe' and 'Sheine Lende') Apr 25, 2024

In this episode of the Libro.fm Podcast Extravaganza, Craig and Karen interview Dr. Darcie Little Badger, author of "Elatsoe" and the prequel "Sheine Lende." Dr. Little Badger discusses her background as an oceanographer and her transition to full-time writing, the influence of her family on her work, and indigenous futurism.

Photo: Bekah M. Photography

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About Dr. Darcie Little Badger: Darcie Little Badger is a Lipan Apache writer with a PhD in oceanography. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, Elatsoe, was featured in Time Magazine as one of the best 100 fantasy books of all time. Elatsoe also won the Locus award for Best First Novel and is a Nebula, Ignyte, and Lodestar finalist. Her second fantasy novel, A Snake Falls to Earth, received a Nebula Award, an Ignyte Award, and a Newbery Honor and is on the National Book Awards longlist. Her third book, Sheine Lende, is the prequel to Elatsoe and will be published in 2024.

Read Darcie’s books:

Books discussed on today's episode:

Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
The Grip of It by Jac Jemc
James by Percival Everett

Interview with Andrew Sean Greer (Author of 'Less' and 'Less is Lost') Apr 24, 2024

On today’s episode, we sat down with Pulitzer Prize-winning author of ‘Less,’ Andrew Sean Greer. We discuss how he approached writing the sequel ‘Less is Lost’, book recommendations, his favorite burrito in San Francisco, and what it's like to be a crossword clue and question on Jeopardy.

Photo credit: Kaliel Roberts

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About Andrew Sean Greer: Andrew Sean Greer is the author of seven works of fiction, including the bestsellers The Confessions of Max Tivoli and Less. Greer has taught at a number of universities, including Stanford and the Iowa Writers Workshop, been a TODAY show pick, a New York Public Library Cullman Center Fellow, a judge for the National Book Award, and a winner of the California Book Award and the New York Public Library Young Lions Award. He is the recipient of a NEA grant, a Guggenheim Fellowship, and the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Read Andrew's books:

Books discussed on today's episode:

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer
Funny Story by Emily Henry

Interview with Hanif Abdurraqib (Author of 'There's Always This Year') Apr 23, 2024

In this episode, we interview author Hanif Abdurraqib about his new book, "There's Always This Year: On Basketball and Ascension," his writing process, and the themes of aging and mortality in his book. We also discuss his upcoming tour and the importance of place and community in his work, as well as his favorite style of french fry.

Photo: Kate Sweeney (https://www.katesweeneyphotography.com)

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About Hanif Abdurraqib: Hanif Abdurraqib is a poet, essayist, and cultural critic from Columbus, Ohio, and the recipient of a MacArthur Foundation “Genius” grant. His most recent book, A Little Devil in America, was the winner of the Carnegie Medal and the Gordon Burns Prize and a finalist for the National Book Award. His first collection of essays, They Can’t Kill Us Until They Kill Us, was named one of the books of the year by NPR, Esquire, BuzzFeed, O: The Oprah Magazine, Pitchfork, and Chicago Tribune, among others.

Read Hanif’s books:

Books discussed on today's episode:

The Apology by Jimin Han
The Men Can't Be Saved by Ben Purkert
Wandering Stars by Tommy Orange

Introducing the Libro.fm Podcast Extravaganza! Apr 22, 2024

Join Craig and Karen for the first ever Libro.fm Podcast Extravaganza, a week-long celebration of authors, narrators, booksellers, and more leading up to Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday April 27th, 2024! Stay tuned for conversations with authors Hanif Abdurraqib, Andrew Sean Greer, Darcie Little Badger, and Steven Rowley. Libro.fm also has a huge sale and Golden Ticket Giveaway this week—head over to https://libro.fm/ibd for more details.

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Interview with S.A. Cosby (Author of All the Sinners Bleed & Razorblade Tears) Mar 26, 2024

In this episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we sat down with S.A. Cosby, bestselling author of All the Sinners Bleed and Razorblade Tears. We discussed his background and inspiration for becoming a writer, as well as his experiences with growing up in the South and writing a middle-grade book with Questlove.

Photo credit: From the author @leoking8473

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About S.A. Cosby: S. A. Cosby is an Anthony Award-winning writer from Southeastern Virginia. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller Razorblade Tears & Blacktop Wasteland, which won the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, was a New York Times Notable Book, and was named a best book of the year by NPR, The Guardian, andLibrary Journal, among others. When not writing, he is an avid hiker and chess player.

Read S.A. Cosby’s books:

Books discussed on today's episode: Ozark Dogs Everybody Knows Beware the Woman Lowdown Road She’s Not Sorry Sociopath: A Memoir

Interview with Casey McQuiston (Author of Red, White & Royal Blue, One Last Stop) Feb 21, 2024

In this episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we sat down in person with Casey McQuiston, bestselling author of Red, White, and Royal Blue, One Last Stop, and I Kissed Shara Wheeler. We discussed audiobooks, their writing process, their upcoming novel ‘The Pairing,’ and what it was like to work at Cold Stone Creamery and sing whenever they got tipped.

Photo credit: Sylvia Rosokoff

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About Casey McQuiston: Casey lives at the intersection of fun, escapist romantic adventure and smart-mouthed characters with bad manners and big hearts. They were born and raised in the Deep South, which taught them how to love a good story and a great biscuit, and now lives and works in New York City with their dog, Pepper.

Read Casey’s books:

Books discussed on today's episode: Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries Emily Wilde’s Map of the Otherlands *The Prospects

Interview with Abraham Verghese (Author of 'The Covenant of Water') Jan 30, 2024

In this episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we sat down in person with bestselling author and physician, Dr. Abraham Verghese. His most recent novel ‘The Covenant of Water’ was an instant New York Times Bestseller, an Oprah Book Club Pick, and one of Barack Obama’s top books of 2023. We discuss his research process, how he auditioned to narrate his own book, how his work as a physician impacts his writing, and his recipe for “bachelor chicken”.

Photo credit: Christopher Michel - via CC BY-SA 3

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About Abraham Verghese: Abraham Verghese, MD, MACP, is a best-selling author and a physician with a reputation for his focus on healing in an era where technology often overwhelms the human side of medicine. He received the Heinz Award in 2014 and was awarded the National Humanities Medal, presented by President Barack Obama, in 2015.

Read Abraham’s books:

Books discussed on today's episode:

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett
The Brothers Karamazov by Fyodor Dostoyevsky
Disorientation by Elaine Hsieh Chou
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus
The Fetishist by Katherine Min

Interview with Stacey Abrams (Author, Politician, and Activist) Dec 19, 2023

In this episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we speak with writer, small business owner, politician, and voting rights activist Stacey Abrams. We cover her newest novel, her work in politics, book banning, her romance writer alter-ego, and more.

Photo credit: Gage Skidmore via CC BY-SA 3. license.

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About Stacey Abrams: Stacey Abrams is the four-time New York Times bestselling author of Stacey’s Extraordinary Words, While Justice Sleeps, Our Time is Now, and Lead from the Outside; an entrepreneur; and a political leader. She is the award-winning producer of the documentary, All In: The Fight for Democracy, which made the 2021 Academy Award shortlist for best documentary.

Read Stacey's books:

Books discussed on today's episode:

What You Are Looking For Is in the Library by Michiko Aoyama
Network Effect by Martha Wells
The Last Lion by William Manchester
Killers of a Certain Age by Deanna Raybourn
How to Loiter In a Turf War by Coco Solid

Interview with Kacen Callender (Author of Stars in Your Eyes, Felix Ever After) Nov 28, 2023

In this episode of the Libro.fm Podcast, we were lucky enough to interview award-winning author Kacen Callender about their new book, "Stars in Your Eyes." We also discuss the importance of finding community and connection in their work, their experience in publishing, book banning, and more!

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About Kacen Callender: Kacen Callender is a Saint Thomian author of children's fiction and fantasy, best known for their Stonewall Book Award and Lambda Literary Award-winning middle grade debut Hurricane Child. Their fantasy novel, Queen of the Conquered, is the 2020 winner of the World Fantasy Award and King and the Dragonflies won the 2020 National Book Award for Young People's Literature.

Read Kacen's books:

Books we discussed on today's episode:

Night of the Mannequins by Stephen Graham Jones
Hitchcock's Blondes by Laurence Leamer
One in a Millennial by Kate Kennedy
Black Sun by Rebecca Roanhorse

Interview with Kelsey Norris (Author of House Gone Quiet) Oct 31, 2023

We sat down with author Kelsey Norris, whose debut collection of short stories, 'House Gone Quiet,' released on October 17th, 2023. We discussed the themes of her stories—the search for home and a sense of community and belonging—, her journey to becoming a full-time writer, multi-narrator audiobooks, the publishing industry, and more.

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About Kelsey Norris: Kelsey Norris is a writer and editor from Alabama. She earned an MFA from Vanderbilt University and has worked as a teacher in Namibia, a school librarian, and a bookseller. Her work has been published in The Kenyon Review, Black Warrior Review, and The Rumpus, among others. She is currently based in Washington, DC.

Get Kelsey's book:

House Gone Quiet (Stories)

Books we discussed on today's episode:

Stars in Your Eyes by Kacen Callender
Tell Me I'm Worthless by Alison Rumfitt
Sisters of the Lost Marsh by Lucy Strange
The Changeling by Victor LaValle
Quietly Hostile by Samantha Irby
The Vaster Wilds by Lauren Groff

Banned Books Week 2023 w/ Kelly Jensen (Book Riot) & Leah Johnson (Author) Oct 03, 2023

On this episode of the podcast, we chat with Kelly Jensen of Book Riot and Leah Johnson, author and owner of independent bookstore Loudmouth Books, to discuss combatting censorship, the importance of libraries, and much more.

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About Kelly Jensen: Kelly Jensen is an Editor at Book Riot, the largest independent book website in North America. She covers all things young adult literature and has written about censorship for nearly ten years. She is the author of three critically-acclaimed and award-winning anthologies for young adults.

About Leah Johnson: Leah Johnson is an eternal midwesterner and author of award-winning books for children and young adults. Her bestselling debut YA novel, You Should See Me in a Crown, was a Stonewall Honor Book, and the inaugural Reese's Book Club YA pick. In 2021, TIME named You Should See Me in a Crown one of the 100 Best Young Adult Books of All Time.

Books we discussed on today's episode:

Ellie Engle Saves Herself by Leah Johnson
Hope by Andrew Ridker
Everything I Need I Get from You by Kaitlyn Tiffany
The Forest Demands Its Due by Kosoko Jackson
Outrage Machine by Tobias Rose-Stockwell
The September House by Carissa Orlando

Interview with Danny Caine (Author of How to Resist Amazon and Why) Sep 19, 2023

On today's episode, we sit down with Danny Caine, part owner of The Raven Book Store, poet, and author. We discuss his book How to Resist Amazon and Why and his forthcoming book How to Protect Bookstores and Why, what running a bookstore is like, the need for strong local communities, and why he considers himself a really good grocery shopper.

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About Danny Caine: Danny Caine is the owner of the Raven Book Store in Lawrence, Kansas. He is the author of the book "How to Resist Amazon and Why," and the forthcoming “How to Protect Bookstores and Why” from Microcosm Publishing. The author of the poetry collections "Continental Breakfast," "El Dorado Freddy's" and "Flavortown," his writing has appeared in Literary Hub, Publishers Weekly, DIAGRAM, Barrelhouse and other publications. He was the recipient of the 2019 Bookseller of the Year Award from the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association.

Read Danny’s' books:

Books we discussed on today's episode:

The Netanyahus by Joshua Cohen
Holly by Stephen King
The September House by Carissa Orlando

Interview with James McBride Aug 29, 2023

On today's episode, we sit down with James McBride, a novelist, musician, and educator. We discuss his newest novel 'The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store', the writing process, the state of public education, the power of positive thinking, and much more.

Author photo credit: Chia Messina

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About James McBride: James McBride is an accomplished musician and author of the National Book Award–winning The Good Lord Bird, the #1 bestselling American classic The Color of Water, and the bestsellers Song Yet Sung and Miracle at St. Anna. He is also the author of Kill ’Em and Leave, a James Brown biography. A recipient of the National Humanities Medal in 2016, McBride is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University.

Read James' books:

Books we discussed on today's episode:

The Rise and Fall of the Third Reich by William L. Shirer
Happiness by Matthieu Ricard
Pretend I'm Dead by Jen Beagin
Gone to the Wolves by John Wray

Interview with Nadia Odunayo (Founder and CEO of The StoryGraph) Aug 01, 2023

On today's episode, we chat with Nadia Odunayo, Founder and CEO of The StoryGraph, an indie alternative to Amazon-owned Goodreads. We discuss how The StoryGraph was founded, how it grew, and where it's going next, as well as the importance of indie companies in an ever-monopolized industry.

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About Nadia Odunayo: Nadia is the founder and CEO at The StoryGraph. She studied Philosophy, Politics, and Economics at University College, Oxford. She is a fan of fiction & storytelling, and how these can be used as tools for education, the process and execution around building products, particularly from scratch, and singing & dance.

Books we discussed on today's episode:

The Fifth Season by N. K. Jemisin
American Kingpin by Nick Bilton
Thank You For Listening by Julia Whelan
Come and Get It by Kiley Reid
American Queen by Sierra Simone
The Art Thief by Michael Finkel
The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store by James McBride
How to Resist Amazon and Why by Danny Caine

Interview with V. E. Schwab (Author of 'The Invisible Life Of Addie La Rue') Jun 27, 2023

On today’s episode, we speak with author V.E. Schwab about The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue coming to paperback, the forthcoming addition to the Shades of Magic series, fan art, book tours, and more!

Author photo credit: Jenna Maurice

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About V.E. Schwab: VICTORIA “V. E.” SCHWAB is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty books, including the acclaimed Shades of Magic series, the Villains series, the Cassidy Blake series and the international bestseller The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. Her work has received critical acclaim, translated into over two dozen languages, and optioned for television and film. When not haunting Paris streets or trudging up English hillsides, she lives in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is usually tucked in the corner of a coffee shop, dreaming up monsters.

Listen to V.E. Schwab's books:

Books we discussed on today's episode:

Little Thieves by Margaret Owen
Woman, Eating by Claire Kohda
Pageboy by Elliot Page
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston

Interview with Ling Ling Huang (Author of "Natural Beauty") May 30, 2023

In this episode, we speak with Ling Ling Huang, author of Natural Beauty and Grammy Award winning artist, about her debut novel, her journey to becoming an author, and how her music career and writing are intertwined.

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About Ling Ling Huang: Ling Ling Huang is a violinist and writer. Committed to expanding the concepts of tradition, Ling Ling is an active presence in the New York musical scene, appearing on stages from Carnegie Hall to National Sawdust. Her debut novel, Natural Beauty, was published in April 2023 by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Constance Wu and Drew Comins are producing a series adaptation.

Listen to Ling Ling's book:

Natural Beauty

Books we discussed on today's episode:

Venomous Lumpsucker by Ned Beauman
Rouge by Mona Awad
The Salt Grows Heavy by Cassandra Khaw
The Fragile Threads of Power by V. E. Schwab
Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver

Interview with TJ Klune May 02, 2023

On today's episode we sat down with author TJ Klune. We discuss his writing in depth, his new book "In the Lives of Puppets", robots, queer representation in literature and media, book banning, and more!

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About TJ Klune: TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, The Extraordinaries, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.

Listen to TJ Klune's books:

Books we discussed on today's episode:

Silver in the Wood & Drowned Country by Emily Tesh
The Stolen Heir by Holly Black
Homebodies by Tembe Denton-Hurst

Interview with Sara Nović (Author of "True Biz") Mar 28, 2023

On today's episode we sit down with author Sara Nović. We talk not only about her writing, but also the importance of ASL representation—including in audiobooks. Sara is the author of the instant NYT Bestseller True Biz, as well as the books Girl at War and America is Immigrants.

For this episode we also released the full video of the interview which can be watched here: https://youtu.be/G3J3uhYPCnM

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Photo credit © Zach Stone

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Listen to Sara Nović's books:

Books we discussed on today's episode:

Deaf Republic by Ilya Kaminsky
Black Cake by Charmaine Wilkerson
Lucky Red by Claudia Cravens
I Keep My Exoskeletons to Myself by Marisa Crane
Big Swiss by Jen Beagin
In the Lives of Puppets by TJ Klune

Interview with Grady Hendrix Feb 27, 2023

On today's episode we sat down with author Grady Hendrix. Grady is the author of "The Final Girl Support Group", "The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires", and most recently "How to Sell a Haunted House".

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About Grady: Grady Hendrix is an American author, journalist, public speaker, and screenwriter. He has written many books of fiction and non-fiction including: Horrorstör, My Best Friend's Exorcism, The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires, The Final Girl Support Group, and most recently How to Sell a Haunted House. Hendrix lives in Manhattan and was one of the founders of the New York Asian Film Festival.

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Listen to Grady's books:

Books we discussed on today's episode:

Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson
True Biz by Sara Novic
Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson
The Survivalists by Kashana Cauley

Interview with Jeannine Cook & Celia Cook of Harriett's Bookshop Feb 07, 2023

On today's episode, we sit down with the owner of Harriett's Bookshop in Philadelphia, PA, Jeannine Cook, and her mother and former librarian, Celia Cook. Harriett’s is an Indie bookshop celebrating women authors, women artists, and women activists under the guiding light of Harriet Tubman. We discussed opening the bookstore as COVID started, expanding to pop-ups and sister stores, delivering books by horseback, and more.

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Photo via https://jeannineacook.com

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Learn more about Harriett’s Bookshop:

Books discussed on this episode:

Our Missing Hearts by Celeste Ng
Vanishing Fleece by Clara Parkes
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin
The House in the Pines by Ana Reyes
Weyward by Emilia Hart
The Magicians by Lev Grossman

Interview with Neel Patel Jan 10, 2023

On today's episode we sat down with author and screenwriter Neel Patel. Neel is the author of the novel 'Tell Me How to Be' and a collection of short stories titled 'If You See Me, Don't Say Hi'.

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About Neel: Neel Patel is a screenwriter and author who grew up in Champaign, Illinois. His writing has appeared in Elle India, The Paris Review, on Buzzfeed.com, and more. His first book, If You See Me, Don't Say Hi, is a New York Times Book Review Editors’ choice, an NPR Best Book of 2018, and has been optioned for television. He lives in Los Angeles, where he writes for TV and film.

Photo Credit: Bradford Rogne via/ Macmillan

Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook.

Listen to Neel's books:

Books we discussed on today's episode:

Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite
True Biz by Sara Novic
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
Beware the Woman by Megan Abbott
You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott
Sisterhood of Sleuths by Jennifer Chambliss Bertman

Audiobooks as Holiday Gifts! Dec 16, 2022

On today's episode we chatted with the Libro.fm staff and got their picks for audiobooks that make great gifts for the holiday season! Audiobooks make great last minute gifts and with Libro.fm you can gift a specific audiobook or a bundle of credits so your friends and family can choose books they want!

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BUY A GIFT BUNDLE: https://libro.fm/holiday

Books discussed:

The Rabbit Hutch by Tess Gunty
The Land of Stories by Chris Colfer
The Power of Fun by Catherine Price
Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory
The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers
So Help Me Golf by Rick Reilly
Bombshell by Sarah MacLean
The Paris Apartment by Lucy Foley
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Chokepoint Capitalism by Rebecca Giblin & Cory Doctorow
Babel by R. F. Kuang
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V. E. Schwab
Bunny by Mona Awad

Interview with Ann Patchett Nov 16, 2022

On today's episode we travelled to Nashville, TN and sat down in-person for a conversation with author and owner of Parnassus Books, Ann Patchett, to discuss bookstores, audiobooks, licorice, and more.

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About Ann: ANN PATCHETT is the author of seven novels and was the editor of Best American Short Stories, 2006, and has written three books of nonfiction. In November, 2011, she opened Parnassus Books in Nashville, Tennessee, with her business partner Karen Hayes. She has since become a spokesperson for independent booksellers, championing books and bookstores.

Author Photo credit: Heidi Ross via http://www.annpatchett.com/about

Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook.

Some of Ann's books:

Other audiobooks mentioned:

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson
The Hero of This Book by Elizabeth McCracken
Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov
Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Interview with Olivie Blake Oct 17, 2022

On today's episode we have a conversation with novelist Olivie Blake. She is the author of The Atlas Six, The Atlas Paradox, and many more! We discuss how she pivoted careers, how her book went viral on TikTok, and whats coming up next!

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About Olivie Olivie Blake is the pseudonym of Alexene Farol Follmuth, a writer based out of Los Angeles, CA. She is the author of multiple novels, anthologies, graphic novels, and film scripts, including the internationally bestselling THE ATLAS SIX from Tor Books, with forthcoming TV adaptation from Amazon Studios and Brightstar Productions.

Olivie's books

Other audiobooks mentioned

The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas
Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo
Plain Bad Heroines by Emily M. Danforth
If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
Fault Lines by Emily Itami
Light from Uncommon Stars by Ryka Aoki
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward

Banned Books: A Conversation Sep 19, 2022

On today's episode we have a conversation about banned books, censorship, and more with Traci Thomas (Host of The Stacks Podcast), Martha Hickson (A high school librarian from New Jersey), Kiese Laymon (author of 'Heavy' and Professor of Creative Writing and English at Rice University), and Nicole Lintemuth (owner of Bettie's Pages bookstore in Lowell, MI).

TRANSCRIPTION: Read transcription of this episode here

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Books mentioned

Lawnboy by Jonathan Evison
Gender Queer: A Memoir by Maia Kobabe
Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Alison Bechdel
This Book Is Gay by Juno Dawson
All Boys Aren't Blue by George M. Johnson
The Black Period by Hafizah Augustus Geter
The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot by Marianne Cronin
Brown and Gay in LA by Anthony Christian Ocampo
Fight Like Hell by Kim Kelly

Interview with Emma Straub Sep 12, 2022

On today's episode we have a conversation with novelist Emma Straub. She is the author of This Time Tomorrow, Modern Lovers, All Adults Here, and many more! She owns and runs an amazing bookstore, Books Are Magic, based in Brooklyn, New York.

TRANSCRIPTION: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kiNJchlDrRmGuUZFm4UNkQxB_7FW1dNOGa3rD5ZQ4T0/edit?usp=sharing

About Emma Emma Straub is the New York Times-bestselling author of five novels—This Time Tomorrow, All Adults Here, The Vacationers, Modern Lovers, Laura Lamont's Life in Pictures—and the short story collection Other People We Married. Her books have been published in more than 20 languages, and All Adults Here is currently in development as a television series. She and her husband own Books Are Magic, an independent bookstore in Brooklyn, New York.

Emma's books

Other audiobooks mentioned

The Female Persuasion by Meg Wolitzer
A Swim in a Pond in the Rain by George Saunders
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
On the Come Up by Angie Thomas
Cult Classic by Sloane Crosley
Recitatif by Toni Morrison
Heartburn by Nora Ephron
Heiresses by Laura Thompson
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy

Interview with Clint Smith Aug 08, 2022

On today's episode we chat with Clint Smith a staff writer at The Atlantic. He is the author of the narrative nonfiction book, How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America, and the poetry collection Counting Descent.

Episode Transcription

About this month's guest: Clint has received fellowships from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, New America, the Emerson Collective, the Art For Justice Fund, Cave Canem, and the National Science Foundation. His essays, poems, and scholarly writing have been published in The New Yorker, The New York Times Magazine, The New Republic, Poetry Magazine, The Paris Review, the Harvard Educational Review, and elsewhere. He is a former National Poetry Slam champion and a recipient of the Jerome J. Shestack Prize from the American Poetry Review.

Photo credit: Carletta Girma via/ author website

Clint's books:

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Audiobooks mentioned in this episode:

The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois by Honoree Fanonne Jeffers
The Movement Made Us by David J. Dennis Jr. & David J. Dennis Sr.
An Immense World by Ed Yong
Lost & Found: A Memoir by Kathryn Schulz
The Prophets by Robert Jones, Jr.
Dirty Work by Eyal Press

Interview with Julia Whelan Jul 29, 2022

On today's episode we chat with author and narrator Julia Whelan. She is an Audie award winning narrator who has narrated over 500 books and also authored multiple books of her own. We discuss a wide range of topics including her new book Thank You For Listening (on sale 8/2/22), the audiobook industry, how narration works, what AI means to the industry and more!

About this month's guest: Whelan is one of the top narrators recording today. She was named Audible’s Narrator of the Year in 2014 and is a Grammy-nominated audiobook director. She has acquired multiple Audies and Society of Voice Arts Awards, including for the performance of her own novel, My Oxford Year. She has won dozens of Earphone Awards, The Audie Award for Best Female Narrator of 2019, and was presented with Audiofile Magazine’s Lifetime Achievement Golden Voice Award in 2020.

Photo by Kei Moreno via/ HarperCollins Publishers

She can be found on Instagram @JustJuliaWhelan, Twitter @JustJuliaWhelan, and TikTok @JustJuliaWhelan.

Julia's books:

Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm memberhsip to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook.

Audiobooks mentioned in this episode:

The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
Book Lovers by Emily Henry
Educated by Tara Westover
Yerba Buena by Nina LaCour
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Interview with Kendra Winchester Jul 11, 2022

On this month's episode we chat with Kendra Winchester of Book Riot and Read Appalachia. We talk about audiobooks and why they DO count as reading, Disability Pride Month, Appalachian writing and literature, podcasting, and more.

About this month's guest: Kendra Winchester is a Contributing Editor for Book Riot where she writes about audiobooks and disability literature. She is also the Founder of Read Appalachia, which celebrates Appalachian literature and writing. Previously, Kendra co-founded and served as Executive Director for Reading Women, a podcast that gained an international following over its six-season run. In her off hours, you can find her writing on her Substack, Winchester Ave, and posting photos of her Corgis on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester.

Photo via/ BookRiot.com

Use promo code: LIBROPODCAST when signing up for a Libro.fm membership to get an extra free credit to use on any audiobook.

Audiobooks mentioned in this episode:

Demystifying Disability by Emily Ladau
Disability Visibility by Alice Wong
True Biz by Sara Novic
Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Just by Looking at Him by Ryan O'Connell
Left Behind: A Novel of the Earth's Last Days by Tim LaHaye & Jerry B. Jenkins

What we do when we listen Jun 13, 2022

On this week's episode, Karen and Craig chat with the Libro.fm staff about the things we do while we listen to our audiobooks. From long car drives to weight lifting and everything in between.

Get more ideas for listening activites on the Libro.fm blog:

Who we chat with this week:

Jenna Clark (Software engineer)
Madi Mullen (Product manager)
Nick Johnson (Creative director)
Avery Johnson (Android developer)

The audiobooks we discuss:

Book Lovers by Emily Henry
100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting by Miles Rapoport and E.J. Dionne
Red, White, & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Cantoras by Carolina De Robertis
Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
Robogenesis by Daniel H. Wilson
Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice
Let My People Go Surfing by Yvon Chouinard
Shopgirl by Steve Martin
Alias Grace by Margaret Atwood
Stories of Your Life and Others by Ted Chiang

Meet the founders Apr 27, 2022

Welcome to the first ever episode of the Libro.fm podcast!

On today's episode we interview the founders of Libro.fm, Mark, Nick, and Carl about how the business got started, how it grew to where it is today, and where it's headed in the future!

Use the promocode LIBROPODCAST for a free audiobook when you sign up for a new membership.

Learn more at:

http://www.libro.fm

Trailer for the Libro.fm podcast Apr 02, 2022

Trailer for the Libro.fm podcast, a monthly series of interviews and conversations about audiobooks with authors, narrators, booksellers, and the Libro.fm staff.

Subscribe wherever you ger your podcasts, and follow us on social media, @LibroFM, on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.

Visit our website, https://libro.fm/podcast, to learn more about the show.

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