Book Lounge by Libby
Episodes
January 2026 Book Picks: New Year, New TBRs
18 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As we head into the holiday season, we’re already looking ahead—because nothing pairs better with cocoa and cozy time off than planning your n...
Our Favorite Reads of 2025
11 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We're wrapping up 2025 with a big, bookish bow! In this year-end celebration, Joe is joined by Carmen, Cece, Jananie K. Velu, Kayla, and Meara as eve...
Festive Fiction: Talking Holiday Reads for Cozy Winter Nights
04 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Season 2 is wrapping up with a bow! In this festive finale of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe gathers holiday-lit icons Alexandra Benedict, Jenny Bayliss,...
Page to Screen Magic: Authors on Adaptations
20 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Buckle up, book lovers — we’re going full Hollywood this week in an extended edition of Book Lounge! Joe kicks things off with the iconic Louis Sa...
Food for Thought: Holiday Feasts, Mamrie Hart, and the Books We’re Thankful For
13 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Comedian, writer, and foodie extraordinaire Mamrie Hart joins Joe in the Book Lounge to talk about her new cookbook All I Think About Is Food, her mus...
Science Fiction Double Feature: Exploring New Worlds through Books
06 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s time to go beyond the stars! In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Alex Segura, Daniel H. Wilson, and Ken Liu for a cosmic ...
Library Love Letters
30 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
This episode is our ode to the library—the beating heart of every book lover’s story. In segment one, Joe is joined by authors (and librarians, bo...
Witch Please: Cozy & Witchy Reads for Fall
23 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Witch please! In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re leaning all the way into fall vibes with cozy and witchy reads that’ll keep you warm ...
Haunted Pages: A Halloween Book Lounge Special
16 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a monster-mash of an episode! We’re going big for spooky season with horror favorites, eerie insights, and enough book recommendations to hau...
Beyond the Label: Stories of Disability & Awareness
09 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re going Beyond the Label to explore stories of disability, neurodivergence, and chronic illness — bot...
Back to School, Back to Books: Comfort Reads for Kids (and their grown-ups)
02 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s back-to-school season, which means new routines, new books, and maybe even a little extra stress for kids (and the adults who love them). To he...
Finding Inspiration Again: Breaking out of Reading Ruts & Writing Slumps
25 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Season 2 kicks off with a deep dive into those all-too-familiar reading ruts and writing slumps. In this episode, we explore how to find inspiration a...
Live from ALA: Book Lounge by Libby on the Pop-Top Stage
18 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We’re bringing you something extra special this week—a live recording from the ALA 2025 Pop-Top Stage! Join Joe in conversation with: Henry H....
Reading Andy Warhol with Daniel Henning
04 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special bonus episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe sits down with Daniel Henning to dive deep into the writings and ideas of Andy Warhol. From...
Hispanic Heritage Month: A Conversation on Writing, Identity, and Celebration
21 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
As Season 1 of Book Lounge by Libby comes to a close, we’re getting you ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with thoughtful conversations fea...
Romantasy Rising: The Explosion of a Genre and What’s Next
14 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Romantasy is everywhere right now — and we’re diving deep into the magic, monsters, and swoon-worthy romance fueling its meteoric rise. In this ...
Narratives of Legacy: Indigenous Writers on History, Identity, and Survival
07 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this special episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re joined by celebrated Indigenous authors Angeline Boulley (Firekeeper’s Daughter, Warrior Gi...
The Battle Over Books: Publishers, Libraries & Banned Authors Speak Out
31 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Book bans are rising at an alarming rate—but librarians, authors, and publishers are fighting back. In this powerful episode of Book Lounge by Libby...
Panels with Purpose: Creators on the Power of Graphic Novels
24 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we explore the powerful world of graphic novels. In our first segment, Joe is joined by a brilliant panel of ...
Sun, Sand & Stories: Authors on Crafting the Perfect Summer Read
17 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a book the perfect beach read? In this sunny episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Clémence Michallon, Jonathan Parks-...
Summer Reading Magic: Authors on Writing for Young Readers
10 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What makes a summer read unforgettable for kids and teens? In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Jamie Sumner, Kelsey Impi...
Who’s Behind Your Next Favorite Read? Meet Our Guest Hosts!
03 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Book Lounge, we're handing the mic to the readers behind the recs! Meet our guest hosts who'll be joining us all season long to sha...
From Beach Bags to Bedside Tables: July’s Must-Read Picks
30 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
It’s a bonus episode, book lovers! Joe is joined by friend and fellow bookworm Emma to chat about the July 2025 releases they're most excited to add...
Pride in Publishing: How Queer Stories Shape Readers
26 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Pride 🌈💖! In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re celebrating LGBTQ+ voices and the power of queer storytelling. In the first ...
Behind the Mic: Narrators, Authors, and Producers on the Magic of Audiobooks
19 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 beh...
Welcome to Book Lounge by Libby — A New Chapter Begins
12 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 up...
Hot Reads, Cool Vibes: June 2025 Book Picks
29 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 soaki...
Fresh Reads, Spring Vibes and Big Book Energy: May 2025 Book Picks
24 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
🌸 Spring into Reading: April 2025 New Book Releases 🌸
27 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Surviving the Reaping: What to Read While You Wait
13 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ne...
Spring's Best New Books: March 2025 Picks
27 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 mos...
The Wait for Scythe & Sparrow is On – Read These Next!
13 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 mus...
Announcing the 2025 Libby Book Awards Nominees!
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The nominees are in! 🎉 Joe is joined by his coworker Gabi to unveil the 2025 Libby Book Awards nominees, including some exciting new categories. Fr...
Love at First Chapter: February 2025 Book Picks
30 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Drag & Murder with Holly Stars
23 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
This week on the Professional Book Nerds podcast, Joe is joined by the fabulous Holly Stars! 🎭 Holly dives into her debut queer crime fiction novel...
Big Changes Ahead: End-of-Year Updates from the Professional Book Nerds
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Big changes are coming to the Professional Book Nerds podcast! In this special end-of-year episode, we’re sharing important updates about the future...
Exploring the World of Barbie with Renée Rosen
16 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Step into a world of pink, glamour, and storytelling in this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast! Joe chats with bestselling author Renée ...
Fresh Pages for a Fresh Start: January 2025 Book Picks
12 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Start the new year with a fresh stack of must-reads! In this episode, Joe is joined by Renee to share their most anticipated book releases for January...
Audiobooks to Load Your Libby for the Holiday Season
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to sleigh the holiday season with audiobooks! In this special episode, Joe is joined by Hugo from Penguin Random House to share cozy, captiv...
Best of 2024: Juvenile, Middle Grade & YA Reads
05 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the incredible Juvenile, Middle Grade, and Young Adult books that shaped our reading journeys in 2...
Final Chapter of 2024: December Book Picks
21 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
🎄📚 It’s the most wonderful time of the year—for new books! Joe is joined by his friend and colleague Marissa to unwrap December 2024’s hot...
Chuck Palahniuk Talks Shock Induction, Writing Style & Boston Terriers
18 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast, Joe sits down with legendary author Chuck Palahniuk to discuss his latest novel, SHOCK INDUCTI...
Cozy Reads & Cottage Core Vibes
14 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's fall, y'all 🍂 In this episode, Joe teams up with Claire and Kristin to share the ultimate list of cozy book recommendations. From charming cot...
Skyshade and the Relentless Pursuit of Storytelling with Alex Aster
11 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of The Professional Book Nerds, Joe sits down with bestselling author Alex Aster to dive into the magic of SKYSHADE (out November 12 f...
Claustrophobia and Chill: Thrillers to Take You From Fall to Winter
07 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For those of you who love a thriller, a mystery or a bit of horror year-round, this one is for you. Today Joe is joined by Kara (@thebookkaravan) to t...
November 2024 Book Buzz: Top Releases to Add to Your Reading List
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Happy Halloween 🎃 Today, Joe is joined by fellow Scorpio Jill to talk through November 2024's biggest books! The nerds share what they're most look...
Pages of Terror: Horror Reads for the 2024 Spooky Season
24 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, we've got spooky stories for your nerves! Get ready for Halloween with these horror thrills! From classic slashers to supernatural cr...
Being a Hot Mess with Jeff Kinney
21 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Professional Book Nerds, we’re diving into the world of Jeff Kinney, the mastermind behind the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series! Join ...
Celebrating Queer History with the Queer Liberation Library
17 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Joe as he chats with Kieran Hickey - his friend and founder of the Queer Liberation Library! Kieran shares his inspiration behind creating the qu...
Charting New Waters: TJ Klune & Daniel Henning Discuss SOMEWHERE BEYOND THE SEA
14 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joe is joined by two of his favorite people, author TJ Klune and audiobook narrator Daniel Henning to talk about their work together on Somewhere Beyo...
Introducing: Life In Seven Songs
12 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this special episode, we’re featuring a conversation from our friends at Life in Seven Songs, the new podcast from The San Francisco Standard tha...
Lynn Painter's Quest for Happily Ever After
10 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma chats with Lynn Painter about returning to the story of Wes and Liz for Nothing Like the Movies! They also discuss how many versions of this stor...
Magic Unleashed! Chatting Witchlings 3: House of Elephants with Claribel A. Ortega
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Joe for an enchanting conversation with Claribel A. Ortega as she delves into her latest book, Witchlings 3: House of Elephants (out 10/1 from Sc...
Emma Says Goodbye to Pro Book Nerds
03 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma says goodbye to the podcast and shares her favorite memories, plus some final book recs! Books mentioned in this episode: Say You’ll Remem...
Assassins, Dragon Riding Kings, and Immersive Worlds with Sarah A. Parker
30 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma speaks to author Sarah A. Parker about her incredible first book in the Moonfall series, When the Moon Hatched. They also discuss Sarah's writin...
Must-Read October 2024 Book Releases!
26 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we dive into some of our most anticipated book releases of October 2024! From gripping thrillers to heartwarming romances, we’re sharing ...
Spirits and Stories: Exploring A HAUNTED ROAD ATLAS with And That's Why We Drink
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Joe is an absolute fangirl over two of his favorite podcasters. Joe chats with Christine Schiefer and Em Schulz, hosts of And That's ...
Nostalgia and New Beginnings: A Conversation with YA Author, Sarah Dessen!
19 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma chats with one of her favorite authors of all time, Sarah Dessen. They discuss Sarah's writing career, the magic of libraries, the teenage years...
2024 Read an Ebook Day Recommendations from Team OverDrive!
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Read an Ebook Day is coming up on Sept. 18! Emma and Joe talk to some of their coworkers here at OverDrive to find out what book they’ll be reading....
Beyond the Grave: Paranormal Picks for Crime Fans!
12 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Inspired by his upcoming interview with the And That's Why We Drink podcast crew, Joe was joined by a few of his coworkers to share paranormal, crime ...
Al Roker on Books, Libraries and His Reading Journey
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us for an enlightening conversation with the beloved Al Roker as he opens up about his deep connection to books and libraries. In this exclusive ...
September 2024 Book Buzz: Top Releases You Can't Miss!
29 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to update your reading list! In this episode of 'September 2024 Book Buzz,' we dive into the hottest book releases hitting the shelves this ...
A Dreamy Conversation with Hannah Grace
26 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma chats with author, Hannah Grace, about her newest release in the Maple Hills series, Daydream. They also discuss drawing inspiration from Taylor ...
Historical Fantasy to Add to Your Bookshelf!
22 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma chats with Maria and Laura to recommend some of their favorite historical fantasy books. They talk a lot about Divine Rivals, go on a bit of a Le...
Cover Story: Books We Read Just for the Look
15 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Ever picked up a book solely because its cover was too captivating to resist? Join us in this episode of Cover Story as we dive into the world of eye-...
Provoking Strong Emotions with Ava Reid
12 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma interviews Ava Reid about her newest book, Lady Macbeth. Emma and Ava also chat about the writing process, A Series of Unfortunate Events, capric...
Hot Off the Press: August 2024 Must-Read Book Releases!
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Staying cool this summer? Whether you're looking for a book to end the summer by the beach with, or you want to steam things up in the AC, we've got s...
Getting LOUD with Drew Afualo
29 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Joe is joined by Content Creator, Women's Rights Advocate, Podcast Host, Author and Virgo Drew Afualo! They talk about Drew's new boo...
Introducing The Film Library
18 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma and Joe recommend The Film Library podcast! Follow the show: The Film Library: a Kanopy Podcast. Watch season 1 here. Dive into the rich world ...
Escape to Middletide with Sarah Crouch
15 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma welcomes debut author Sarah Crouch to the podcast to discuss her book, Middletide! They chat about the book, the writing process, how Sarah foun...
Buckaroo Banter: Chuck Tingle Talks BURY YOUR GAYS
08 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joe is joined by the mysterious, masked Chuck Tingle to talk about his new, traditionally published book BURY YOUR GAYS (out July 9 from Tor Nightfire...
The Hottest Summer Book Releases - July 2024 Book Picks
27 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Get ready to dive into a treasure trove of captivating stories as we unveil the most anticipated book releases of July 2024! Join Emma and Joe on a th...
Your Guide to Completing the Pro Book Nerds 2024 Reading Challenge
20 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On today's episode, Emma and Joe share some tips and tricks to completing your 2024 Pro Book Nerds Reading Challenge. They also discuss the prompts th...
Behind the Scares: A Conversation with Paul Tremblay on Horror Movie
17 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join Joe for a dive into the world of horror with acclaimed author Paul Tremblay as he unveils details of his new book Horror Movie (out June 11 from ...
Drawn In: Graphic Memoirs (and Biographies) You Can't Put Down
13 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Marissa joins Joe today to talk about graphic memoirs, biographies and novels inspired by life events. They talk about the importance of sharing your ...
Reading From the Heart With Katherine Center
10 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Books with Bite: A New Era of Vampire Reads
06 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 las...
Live Interview with Daniel Handler, aka Lemony Snicket
03 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
June 2024 Book Picks
30 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Live Interview with Harlan Coben, author of Think Twice
27 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Cults: A Dive into Fiction and Nonfiction Reads
23 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we dive into the captivating world of cults! We're recommending both fiction and nonfiction titles that explore that mysterious and chillin...
The House That Gothic Reads Built
16 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 sha...
Talking Crushed Red Cups and Murders at Parties with Cindy R.X. He
13 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Mon...
Beyond the Canon: Redefining and Updating the Classics!
09 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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. The...
Dreaming Big with Carley Fortune
06 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma is thrilled to welcome Carley Fortune to talk about her new book, This Summer Will Be Different. In this fun chat, you'll also hear about Carley'...
All That and a Bag of Chips: 1990s Book Recs
02 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma is joined by Sydney and Jane to discuss 1990s nostalgia, essential books of the 90s, and share a list of fresh books set in their favorite decade...
May 2024 Book Picks
25 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's that magical time again - Joe and Emma are sharing the books being released this May (2024) that they're most looking forward to. The Nerds talk ...
PBN's Hyper-Specific Reading Moods & Recommendations
18 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma and Joe talk about some VERY specific reading moods and offer recommendations to match! Emma’s moods & book picks: A romance book that’...
Don't Lose Your Whimsy - Coming of Ages Stories for All Readers
11 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the pod, Joe is joined by Jane, Quinton and Sarah to chat coming of age stories. Today's recommendations run the gamut from middle grade thro...
Adventuring Through The Wide World with Douglas Westerbeke
08 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Joe talks with fellow Clevelander Douglas Westerbeke about his debut novel A Short Walk Through a Wide World (out April 2 from Avid ...
Nerd Chat: April 2024
04 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma and Joe are back for their casual nerd chat. The nerds discuss what they've been reading, audiobook preferences, comfort reads, the upcoming sola...
High Standards & Vanilla Cappuccinos with Abby Jimenez
01 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma welcomes Abby Jimenez to the podcast to discuss her new book, Just for the Summer! In this casual chat, they also talk high standards, "if he wan...
April Book Picks
28 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma and Joe return for their monthly round up of books they're most looking forward to in the upcoming month! Settle in for a long list of great book...
These Are a Few of Our Favorite Things (Libby Features)
21 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Emma and Joe are joined by their coworker Katie to discuss their favorite new features of the Libby app. They talk about the evolutio...
Romance on Mars - A Conversation with Natasha Pulley
18 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Joe is joined by Natasha Pulley to talk about her new book, The Mars House (out March 19). Natasha shares how her high school astronomy class inspired...
Borrow, Buy, Bin
14 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Joe and Emma play a little game of Borrow, Buy, Bin, a bookish take on the infamous game, Snog, Marry, Avoid. They've provided each o...
How to Be Bold With Tarryn Fisher
11 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma catches up with Tarryn Fisher to discuss her new book, Good Half Gone. Tarryn also shares the inspiration behind the story, her fascination with...
Reading Triumph: Conquering Goals and Slumps
07 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Today on the podcast, Joe and Emma talk with their reading pals Andrea, Melissa and Shannon about how they set reading goals for the year to keep moti...
Nerd Chat: March 2024
04 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Emma and Joe are back with another casual, chatty episode! They discuss Joe's Frieda McFadden reading marathon, Emma's thoughts on House of Flame and ...
March 2024 Book Picks!
29 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
It's that time again - time for Emma and Joe to look at the upcoming month's releases and share what they're most excited for! So many books, so littl...