Book Lounge by Libby

The Professional Book Nerds 2021 Reading Challenge!

10 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #504 - On today's episode, we share all the tasks for our upcoming reading challenge! We kick off the show with what we've read lately before gett...

Marie Benedict on the Mystery of Mrs. Christie

07 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #503 - Marie Benedict, a true PBN all star, returns to chat about her latest book The Mystery of Mrs. Christie. This was a live Zoom event that yo...

The best audiobooks of 2020 with Robin Whitten of AudioFile Magazine

03 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #502 - Robin Whitten of AudioFile Magazine joins the Nerds to discuss a few of their Best Audiobooks of the year. They also chat about the process...

Talking Tarot with Actress and Author Rachel True

30 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #501 - On today's episode, Jill is joined by actress Rachel True (Rochelle from the iconic 1996 THE CRAFT) to talk about her new book and Tarot de...

EPISODE NUMBER 500!

26 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #500 - On today's episode, the nerds talk about how this podcast came to be, say thank you to all the people who have helped make this happen, and...

Layla Saad on how Me and White Supremacy came to be, writing for young readers, the publishing world

23 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #499 - Layla Saad joined the nerds for a special Zoom event to discuss her bestselling book Me & White Supremacy, the new guided journal which is ...

Getting festive and unexpected with our December books preview!

19 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #498 - On today's episode, Adam and Jill share the new books coming out in December they both plan to read. It's a bit of a genre swap situation a...

Post Spooky Szn and holiday reading traditions with Mallory O'Meara

16 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #497 - On today's episode, Mallory O'Meara joins Adam to chat about their post Halloween reading adventures, holiday bookish traditions, and her u...

Spilling the Tea and interpreting dreams with Ryan La Sala

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #496 - On today's episode, Ryan La Sala is back and we're doing it live! This took place on 11/10 and it was our fabulous Big Library Read live ev...

Interview with Raj Haldar, author of P Is for Pterodactyl and No Reading Allowed

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #495 - On today's episode, Adam sits down with Raj Haldar about his exceptional children's books, his life as a rapper, creating music and stories...

What we're reading and #NaNoWriMo tips

05 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #494 - On today's episode, Adam and Jill share a few book recommendations   Sign up for our live Big Library Read Zoom event with Ryan La Sala –...

Anne Helen Petersen on burnout, stress, and the millennial generation

02 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #493 - On today's episode, we're joined by Anne Helen Petersen, former senior culture writer for Buzzfeed and author of Can't Even: How Millennial...

Bonus Big Library Read episode with RYAN LA SALA!

31 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The latest Big Library Read author is the one and only Ryan La Sala! His book Reverie is a wild fantasy title that can be described as Inception meets...

A cornucopia of new books to read in November!

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #492 - It's that time again! We're wishing October a happy goodbye and previewing the books we are most excited to read in November. We nerd out a...

Talking Gothic Horror with Erin A. Craig

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #491 -- On today's episode, Jill sat down with author Erin A. Craig to talk about their shared love of Daphne Du Maurier's classic Rebecca and oth...

Nonfiction comics and illustrated memoirs

22 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #490- Contrary to the recent opinion of S.E. Hinton, graphic novels rule and they are an incredible way to enjoy a story. Whether it's a re-imagin...

Interview with Ann Cleeves, author of The Darkest Evening

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #489 - On today's episode, Adam interviews Ann Cleeves about her newest novel The Darkest Evening. They chat about Vera Stanhope's origins, the Ag...

Maggie Stiefvater & Kami Garcia discuss their new DC Comics origin stories

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #488- On today's episode, Adam interviews Maggie Stiefvater & Kami Garcia about their respective new origin story graphic novels for DC Comics. B...

V.E. Schwab returns to discuss The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #487 - On today's episode, Adam chats with V.E. Schwab about her groundbreaking new novel, The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue. They discuss the ten...

Answering your book requests and recs based off classic horror stories!

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #486 - On today's episode, Adam offers book recommendations from Twitter reader requests and then gets into some "Like this, read that!" style pic...

Interview with Ken Follett, author of The Evening and the Morning

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #485 - On today's episode, Adam is joined by Ken Follett, #1 New York Times best selling author of The Evening and the Morning. Ken's books have s...

Tis' time for our October books preview!

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #484 - Welcome all ye goblins, ghouls, witches, and whatnots! The spooky season has officially arrived and you know what that means... It's our mo...

Interview with Sara Faring, author of White Fox

28 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #483 - On today's episode, Adam catches up with his good buddy Sara Faring! Sara's first book The Tenth Girl was a masterpiece and her new book Wh...

Be my escape

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #482 - On today's episode, Adam shares a bunch of book recommendations to escape the everyday stresses of life and (gestures broadly) all of this....

Interview with Bill Konigsberg, author of The Bridge

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #481 - On today's episode, Adam interviews Bill Konigsberg, awarding-winning and bestselling author of countless important books. Bill's work in w...

Read an Ebook Day recommendations!

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #480 - On today's episode, we're sharing what our coworkers are reading for Read an Ebook Day! September 18th (Friday) is Read an Ebook Day and wh...

Interview with Caroline B. Cooney

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

#479 - On today's episode, Jill interviews Caroline B. Cooney, author of the iconic Face on the Milk Carton, about her new adult book Before She Was H...

Back to school... but with murder!

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #478 - Back to school time has arrived and who doesn't love books set around fancy private schools? Also, there is a lot of murdery mysteries in t...

Interview with Yaa Gyasi, author of Transcendent Kingdom

07 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep 477 - On today's episode, Jill talks with Yaa Gyasi about her new book Transcendent Kingdom. The pair discuss the opioid crisis, family relationshi...

Gather ye round... It's a book rec grab bag episode!

03 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #476 - On today's episode, Jill and Adam catch you up on what they've been reading lately! It's pretty straightforward. They also discuss the amaz...

Getting spooky with Christina Henry, author of The Ghost Tree

31 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #475 - On today's episode, Adam interviews Christina Henry about her newest book, The Ghost Tree. They chat about how Christina lets character cho...

September might be the best new book month ever

27 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #474 - On today's episode, Adam and Jill preview the new books coming out in September that they can't wait to read. Buckle up, because there are ...

Bone Magic and Birds all the way down with Margaret Owen, author of The Merciful Crow and The Faithless Hawk

24 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #473 - On today's episode, Adam interviews Margaret Owen about her books The Merciful Crow and The Faithless Hawk. They talk about her unique magi...

So you want to start a new book series... #PBNread2020

20 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #472 - On today's episode, Adam and Jill share some book recommendations for another task in the Professional Book Nerds 2020 Reading Challenge. T...

Interview with Jordan Ifueko, author of Raybearer

17 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #471 - On today's episode, Adam interviews Jordan Ifueko, debut author of Raybearer. Her book is being compared to Tomi Adeyemi and Sabaa Tahir an...

Book Rec Grab Bag! RomComs, Royalty, and all sorts of Horror

13 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #470 - On today's episode, Adam is joined by Kristin and Emma to dig into what they've been reading lately. Buckle up, because this is random list...

Interview with Francisco X. Stork, author of Illegal

10 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #469 - On today's episode, Adam interviews author Interview with Francisco X. Stork about his newest book, Illegal. They discuss immigration and a...

#PBNread2020 - Books published between 2000 and 2010

06 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. # 468 - On today's episode, Adam and Jill offer up book recommendations for another task in the Professional Book Nerds 2020 Reading Challenge. Th...

Interview with Emily Levesque, author of The Last Stargazers

03 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Jill is joined by Emily Levesque to talk about her new book The Last Stargazers. Emily talks about her experiences working in the ...

Big Library Read Special episode with Tim Mason

01 Aug 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Playwright and novelist Tim Mason joins Jill and Adam to discuss The Darwin Affair, his historical fiction mystery novel set in London. They also disc...

Previewing August's biggest new books: Spooky recs, fantasies, memoirs, rom coms and so much!

30 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #466 - On today's episode, we're diving into the new book releases we're excited for in August! There are incredible titles coming in all genres a...

Interview with Alisson Wood, author of Being Lolita

27 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #465 - In today's episode, Jill is joined by author Alisson Wood to talk about her new memoir Being Lolita. Alisson's book is the powerful and per...

A social justice conversation with Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal

23 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #464 - Last week, we held a special social justice event via Zoom with Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal, the New York Times bestselling co-authors o...

Interview with Alexis Henderson, author of The Year of the Witching

20 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #463 - On today's episode, Adam interviews debut author Alexis Henderson about her buzzy new book The Year of the Witching. They discuss how horro...

Baby Sitters Club Super Special Episode with Kate and Lauryn from Generation BSC podcast

16 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #462 - Jill is joined by her friends Kate and Lauryn from the Generation BSC podcast to talk all things Baby-Sitters Club! From the beloved books ...

Interview with David Nicholls, author of Sweet Sorrow

13 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #461 - On today's episode, Adam sits down with bestselling author David Nicholls about his new novel Sweet Sorrow. They also discuss the differenc...

So you watched Hamilton... Now what? Musical and book recommendations for all!

09 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #460 - On today's episode, Jill and Adam share some of their favorite musicals and book recommendations based off those productions. Yes, it's obv...

Interview with Kalynn Bayron, author of Cinderella is Dead

06 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep: #459 - On today's episode, Adam interview debut author Kalynn Bayron about her new young adult dark fantasy, Cinderella is Dead. Kalynn wrote this...

Jack the Ripper recs, dog interruptions, and living in a library!

02 Jul 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #458 - On today's episode, Andrea and Abbey return to join the nerds for a classic virtual book recommendation smorgasbord. The group dishes out ...

Interview with Connie Shultz

29 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #457 - On today's episode, Adam and Jill are joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist Connie Schultz to talk about her debut novel, The Daughte...

July's biggest new books and the Black Lives Matter Community Read

25 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #456 - On today's episode, Jill and Adam share the books they're most excited about reading that are coming out in July. They also talk about Over...

A DC Comics panel on addressing racism, LGBT representation, and tough topics through storytelling

22 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #455 - On today's episode, Adam has a Zoom chat with Gene Luen Yang, Alex Sanchez, and Laurie Halse Anderson about their new comics and graphic no...

Camp Candlewick, a book club for students of all ages

18 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #454 - Today's episode is sponsored by Candlewick Press and all about their wonderful Camp Candlewick titles. These make a perfect reading list fo...

Interview with Robyn Schneider, bestselling author of You Don't Live Here

15 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #453 - On today's episode, Adam chats with Robyn Schneider about her life as a writer, the journey she took from writing to the medical field, and...

Read and support Trans authors

11 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #452- On today's episode, Jill and Adam are celebrating #PRIDE Month by highlighting some wonderful books by Trans authors. Trans women are women....

Interview with Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library

08 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #451 - On today's episode, Janet Skeslien Charles sits down with Adam to discuss her new book The Paris Library. This astonishing true story is s...

An Antiracist Reading List

04 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Ep. #450 - On today's episode, Jill and Adam share a list of antiracism books written by black authors. These books are meant to inform and educate re...

Interview with Alex Aster, author of Emblem Island: Curse of the Night Witch

01 Jun 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Episode #449 - Adam interviews Alex Aster, debut LatinX author of Emblem Island, Curse of the Night Witch. They discuss the joy she experiences of tu...

June's biggest new books and some thoughts on the Labyrinth Sequel

28 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Episode #448 - We highlight the new books coming out in June that we are most excited about. We also share what we think about the news that a sequel ...

Ep. #447 - Mikel Jollett, author and lead singer of The Airborne Toxic Event

25 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam sits down with Mikel Jollett to discuss his debut novel, Hollywood Park. Mikel grew up in the infamous Synanon Cult and is no...

Ep #446 -- What we're reading and what we're not reading (and what we're watching instead!)

21 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In today's episode, Jill is joined by her friends Sydney and Tiffany! Along with talking about some of the books they have been reading, they also dis...

Interview with Emma Straub

18 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is an interview Jill did at ALA Midwinter with bestselling author Emma Straub. Along with discussing her new book ALL ADULTS HERE, Jil...

Ep. #444 - Serious about Cereal (and book recommendations)

14 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today’s episode is sponsored by Literati. Use https://literati.com/probooknerds to get 25% off your first two orders   On today's episode, we'...

Ep. #443 - Brad Meltzer is Back!

11 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

PBN legend Brad Meltzer returns to chat with Adam about his latest book, The Lincoln Conspiracy. They get into how Brad and his family are handling th...

Ep. #442 - Creatively named quarantine book recommendations episode

07 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We're still here, in our respective homes, dishing out reading recommendations for all the fellow book nerds of the world. Join us as we bring it back...

Ep. #441 - Francesca Serritella

04 May 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam sits down with Francesca Serritella to discuss her first-ever solo novel The Ghost of Harvard! Francesca has been writing be...

Ep. #440: Previewing May's Biggest Books (and Jill's harrowing kitty tale!)

30 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode we're diving into the books coming out in May we can't wait to read! But first, Jill shares an incredible story about her newly ado...

Ep. #439 - Deborah Wiles

27 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews Deborah Wiles about her powerful new book Kent State. This quick read looks at the horrific events of May 4th, 19...

Ep. #438 - A (virtual) round table of recommendations!

23 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What has quickly become our new Thursday tradition is back as two new coworkers join us (Katie and Regis!) to do a round table of recommendations!  ...

Ep. #437 - Lauren Myracle

20 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we Zoom chat with #1 New York Times bestselling author Lauren Myracle! Her new book This Boy is out now and must-read contempora...

Ep. #436 -Dishing out book recs while social distancing

16 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we bring in some coworkers, their kiddos, and a kitty to offer up book recommendations perfect for cozying up in your favorite rea...

Ep. #435 - Louisa Morgan

13 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam Zoom chats with Louisa Morgan about her new book The Age of Witches. They talk about being a novelist during this time of q...

Ep. #434 - Nontraditionally formatted books #PBNread2020

09 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam and Jill are joined by Emma and Maria to share some book picks for another Professional Book Nerds Reading Challenge task. We...

Ep. #433 - Joe Pulizzi

06 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is sponsored by Literati. Visit https://literati.com/probooknerds for 25% off your first two orders. On today's episode, Adam sits do...

Ep. #432: Book Recs in the Time of Corona

02 Apr 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hey Nerds! Hope you're doing okay and continuing to practice social distancing. In case you need some book recommendations in our new world of quarant...

Ep. #431 - Rachel Harrison

30 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews debut author Rachel Harrison about her new book The Return. They talk about her writing horror despite being very...

Ep. #430 - Previewing April's biggest books (and practicing social distancing)

26 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we're looking at the books we can't wait to read in April while our respective homes. We hope you're self quarantining as well and...

Ep. #429 - Emily St. John Mandel

23 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews Emily St. John Mandel about her new book The Glass Hotel. The briefly discuss Station Eleven, her massively popu...

Big Library Read interview with Michael McCreary, author of Funny, You Don't Look Autistic

21 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam and Jill interview Michael McCreary, comedian and author of Funny, You Don't Look Autistic. Michael's book was chosen as the...

Ep. #428 - Interview with Sharon Cameron, author of The Light in Hidden Places

19 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Today's episode is an interview Jill did with Sharon Cameron about her new book The Light in Hidden Places. This historical fiction novel tells the r...

Ep. #427 - Stephanie Wrobel

16 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews Stephanie Wrobel, debut author of Darling Rose Gold, a thrilling family mystery about Munchausen By Proxy that is...

Ep. #426 - Stay home and read one of these books

12 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Hey nerds. It's a scary time right now We're all feeling it. If you're looking for some books to read in the next week, try one of today's recommendat...

Ep. #425 - Dr. Ibram X. Kendi & Jason Reynolds

09 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we have National Book Award-winning author Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and Jason Reynolds, the National Ambassador for Young People's Liter...

Bonus Episode! Colum McCann, National Book Award-winning author of Apeirogon

07 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Surprise! We have a Saturday episode for you because we just had to share this conversation with Colum McCann. Adam sat down with Colum for a live eve...

Ep. #424: Breaking down the Audie Award Winners with Robin Whitten of AudioFile Magazine

05 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Robin Whitten from AudioFIle joins Adam to dive into all the major Audie Award winners for the best audiobooks of 2019! They talk ...

Ep. #423 - Cassandra Clare

02 Mar 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews YA Queen Cassandra Clare! They discuss her new Shadowhunter novel Chain of Gold, her research into Edwardian Engla...

Ep. #422 - March's Biggest Books

27 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Spring has... just kidding, it's dark and dreary here in Nerd land but thankfully March is jampacked with a ton of amazing new books to keep us compan...

Ep. #421 - Elizabeth Little

24 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews mystery author Elizabeth Little in Philadelphia about her new novel Pretty as a Picture. They breakdown the stor...

Ep. #420 - The Professional Book Nerds 2020 Reading Challenge: Microhistories

20 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Jill and Adam dish out some recommendations for the first of the Professional Book Nerds 2020 Reading Challenge... Microhistories!...

Ep. #419 - Layla F. Saad, bestselling author of Me and White Supremacy

17 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews Layla Saad, bestselling author, podcaster, and influencer in the world of social change, race, identity, and leade...

Ep. #418 - Together We Read U.S. with Pat Simmons

13 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews Pat Simmons, the Together We Read digital book club selected author about her latest novel, Lean on Me. Pat has ...

Ep. #417 - Phil Stamper

10 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam chats with debut YA author Phil Stamper! They discuss his brand new novel, The Gravity of Us, writing aspects of himself int...

Ep. #416 - Marie Benedict, PBN All-Star

06 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

"Without Clementine Churchill the history of Winston Churchill and the history of the world would have been a very different story." We've lost count ...

Ep. #415 - Adalyn Grace

03 Feb 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews debut author Adalyn Grace! They discuss her amazing young adult fantasy, All the Stars and Teeth, how she wrote t...

Ep. #414 - February's Biggest Books

30 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

February is almost here, which means it's time for Jill and Adam to share the books they are most looking forward to this month. (BONUS it's a Leap Ye...

Ep. #413: Ryan La Sala

27 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam sits down with Ryan La Sala in Philadelphia to discuss his sprawling fantasy novel Reverie, the vividness of his dreams, and...

Ep. #412: LOIS LOWRY!

23 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever had a moment in time that felt like a dream even while it was happening? That's how we felt getting to interview Lois Lowry for a full h...

Ep. #411 - Scott Simon, author of Sunnyside Plaza and host of NPR's Weekend Edition Saturday

20 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Adam interviews legendary journalist and author Scott Simon about his new books Sunnyside Plaza. The book is all about his time ...

Ep. #410 - Joseph Sieracki and how graphic novels are made

16 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, we're joined by author Joseph Sieracki (and his wife Andrea whose voice you may recognize!)  Joseph has written a stunning graph...

Ep. #409 - Andrea Barber aka Kimmy Gibbler!

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On today's episode, Jill and Adam interview Andrea Barber, who is best known for her iconic character Kimmy Gibbler on Full House and Fuller House....