Professional Book Nerds

Welcome to the very first episode of Book Lounge by Libby! We’re kicking things off with an ode to audiobooks—the voices, the stories, and the behind-the-scenes magic that makes them so special.  First up, our host Joe chats with thriller author Carter Wilson, narrators Allyson Ryan and Patrick Zeller, and audiobook producers Catherin Bucaria and Almeda Beynon from Sourcebooks Audio to dig into what it really takes to bring a story from the page to your headphones and their work on Carter’s book TELL ME WHAT YOU DID. Then, Jason Reynolds and Dan Zitt join the lounge to talk about the creative process behind Jason’s audio-exclusive project, SOUNDTRACK.  In the second half of the show, guest hosts Carmen, Jananie K. Velu, Kayla, and Meara stop by with some truly excellent audiobook recommendations to keep you listening all year long.  Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel!  Guest Host Recommendations:   Carmen's Picks:  Oye - Melissa Mogollon  

Say hello to Book Lounge by Libby, the new name for the podcast formerly known as Professional Book Nerds! In this intro, host Joe Skelley shares updates on the rebrand, what’s staying the same, and what new vibes you can expect in this next chapter. Plus, get a sneak peek at our first season - episode 1 is dropping next week, featuring a celebration of all things audiobooks. Pull up a chair—it’s going to be a great season. -- Looking for more bookish content? Check out the ⁠Libby Life Blog⁠!  We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify⁠, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the ⁠Libby App YouTube channel⁠. Keep up with us on social media by following the ⁠Libby App on Instagram⁠!   Want to reach out? Send an email to ⁠bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com⁠. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: ⁠https://plotthreadsshop.com/⁠!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho

Joe is joined by his colleague and friend Nahomy for a fresh stack of June 2025 book picks—perfect for summer reading season. Whether you’re soaking up the sun or curled up in the AC, they’ve got something for every kind of reader.  Nahomy shares queer coming-of-age tales, romantic comedies, twisty thrillers, and empowering debuts, while Joe's picks run the gamut from eerie horror to thoughtful sci-fi , with plenty of speculative fiction and heartwarming surprises along the way.  Hit play and load up your Libby shelf with summer reads.  Mark your calendars for June 12 when we debut the podcast rebrand!  Want to watch the video version of our show? Watch now on the Libby App YouTube channel!  Titles mentioned in this episode:  Nahomy's Picks:  Atmosphere - Taylor Jenkins Reid   If We Survive This - Racquel Marie   Sounds Like Love - Ashley Poston   The Ex-Girlfriend Murder Club - Gloria Chao   The Summer We Ran - Audrey Ingram   The Other Side of Now - Paige Harbison   We C

Spring has officially sprung and so have the May 2025 book releases! Joe is joined by colleague and fellow book lover Rachel to share their top picks for this May's freshest reads. From swoony romances and thrilling mysteries to heartfelt queer YA and buzzy debuts, they’ve got a little something for every reader. Plus, stick around for Joe’s rapid-fire lightning round of even more May titles you won’t want to miss!  Whether you're loading up your Libby shelf or just need help picking your next favorite read, we've got you covered with big book energy and plenty of laughs along the way.

April is here, and with it comes a fresh lineup of must-read new books! Join Joe and Madison as they dive into the most exciting releases of the month. From long-awaited sequels to unexpected gems, our TBRs are taking us on quite the journey—just like the changing season! Whether you're in the mood for something light and breezy or deep and thought-provoking, we've got the perfect springtime read for you. Grab a cozy spot in the sunshine and let’s talk books!

In this episode, Joe is joined by Nahomy to recommend books for fans of The Hunger Games, whether you're eagerly awaiting Sunrise on the Reaping or need more dystopian reads after devouring it. From high-stakes competitions and oppressive regimes to survival in broken worlds, these books will keep you on the edge of your seat. Tune in for thrilling recommendations featuring deadly trials, futuristic rebellions, twisted social experiments, and resilient heroes fighting for freedom. Nahomy’s Titles:  Scythe - Neal Shusterman  The Selection - Kiera Cass  The Grace Year - Kim Liggett   Cinder - Marissa Meyer  Joe’s Titles:  Survive the Dome – Kosoko Jackson  Together in a Broken World – Paul Michael Winters   After the Fall – Ellen Parent  The Art Thieves – Andrea L. Rogers    Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.  Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!  We hope

Spring is in the air, and so are a fresh batch of must-read books! In this episode, Joe is joined by Amy Clark from MomAdvice.com to dive into the most exciting new releases hitting shelves in March 2025. From highly anticipated fiction to captivating nonfiction, they’re sharing the books they can’t wait to read this month. Whether you’re looking for your next page-turner or adding to your never-ending TBR, this episode has something for every book lover. Tune in and get ready to update your reading list!

Waiting for Scythe & Sparrow to hit your shelf? We’ve got you covered! In this episode, Joe is joined by his colleague Meghan to share a list of must-read romances that will keep you hooked while you wait. These books capture the same vibes you love but each offers a unique journey of its own. Whether you’re craving heart-pounding twists, thought-provoking themes, or unforgettable characters, we’ve got the perfect recommendations to tide you over. Tune in and find your next great read! If you’d like to watch the video of this episode, check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Titles mentioned in today’s episode: Meghan’s Titles:   Desperate Measures by Katee Robert    The Awakening by Caroline Peckham and Suzane Valenti   Beautiful Villain by Rebecca Kenney Truly, Madly, Deeply by LJ Shen Joe’s Titles:  Lights Out – Navessa Allen The Hollow and the Haunted – Camilla Raines The Deer and the Dragon – Piper CJ My Funny Demon Valentine – Aurora Ascher Readers can sample and borrow the ti

The nominees are in!

Love is in the air… and so are killer thrillers, swoon-worthy romances, out-of-this-world sci-fi, and so much more! Joe is joined by his friend and coworker Nahomy to chat about the most exciting books hitting shelves this February. Whether you’re in the mood for a chilling horror, a heart-racing fantasy, a cozy graphic novel, or a memoir that stays with you, we’ve got your next great read covered. Looking for even more bookish fun? Follow Nahomy on Instagram at @nahomyslibrary and subscribe to her YouTube channel Nahomy’s Library for more amazing book recommendations! If you'd like to watch the video of this episode, check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Titles mentioned in today's episode: Nahomy’s Titles:   Listen to Your Sister - Neena Viel  We All Live Here - Jojo Moyes  Three Days in June -Anne Tyler  The Bones Beneath My Skin - TJ Klune  All Better Now - Neal Shusterman  The History of Everything - Victoria Evans  But Not Too Bold - Hache Pueyo  Joe’s Titles:  The Dollhouse Acad

This week on the Professional Book Nerds podcast, Joe is joined by the fabulous Holly Stars!

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 of the show that you won’t want to miss. Plus, Joe reflects on the final Professional Book Nerds Reading Challenge and how he wrapped up the year of reading. Tune in for all the details and to celebrate the end of this chapter with us! We hope you enjoy our last episode of the year this Monday, December 23 with drag queen Holly Stars! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and we'll see you in the new year! You can follow Libby on Instagram here! Joe’s Titles:  A Genre you don’t normally read -   The Mars House – Natasha Pulley  A book with MCs a different age than you –   Why is This Night Different from All Other Nights – Lemony Snicket  A book on your TBR longer than 1 year -  Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn  An audiobook (full cast or dramatized) -   The Golden Spoon – Jessa Maxwell  A book in translation –   Marigold Mind Laundry – Jungeun Yun 

Step into a world of pink, glamour, and storytelling in this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast! Joe chats with bestselling author Renée Rosen about her dazzling new novel Let’s Call Her Barbie (out January 21 from Penguin). They dive into Renee’s writing process, the inspiration behind the book, and their shared love of Barbie—from childhood memories to cherished collections. If you’ve ever admired Barbie’s iconic style or dreamed of creating your own timeless stories, this episode is a must-listen!

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 2025. From thrilling debuts to long-awaited sequels, they’ve got something for every reader to kick off the year right. Grab your TBR list and settle in for a cozy chat packed with exciting recommendations. Ready to dive into 2025? Let’s turn the page together! Titles mentioned in today's episode: Author Interview Books Releasing this Month:   Murder in the Dressing Room – Holly Stars (1/14)  Let’s Call Her Barbie – Renée Rosen (1/21)  Renee’s Titles:   I’ll Come To You – Rebecca Kauffman  She Doesn’t Have A Clue - Jenny Elder Moke  Ace, Marvel, Spy - Jenni L. Walsh  The Good Mother Myth - Nancy Reddy  Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working - Dan Heath  Beautiful Ugly - Alice Feeney  The Favorites - Layne Fargo   Let’s Call Her Barbie – Renée Rosen The Socialialites - Caroline Lamond  Simply Jamie – Jamie Oliver    Joe’s Titles:  

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, captivating, and downright delightful audiobooks from Penguin Random House Audio that are perfect to Load Your Libby app. Whether you’re traveling over the river and through the woods, taking a moment of peace from the holiday hustle, or simply looking to escape into a great story, we’ve got you covered. Tune in for recommendations to keep your holiday spirits bright and your shelves stacked with audio treasures! Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio for sponsoring the 2024 Check Our Your Library Fiction & Film tour. Titles mentioned in this episode: Hugo’s Titles:   James - Percival Everett   We Solve Murders - Richard Osman   From Here to the Great Unknown - Lisa Marie Presley   Wandering Stars - Tommy Orange   Martyr! - Kaveh Akbar   Be Ready When Luck Happens - Ina Garten   Impossible Creatures - Katherine Rundell   All the Colors of the Dark - 

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 2024!

In this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast, Joe sits down with legendary author Chuck Palahniuk to discuss his latest novel, SHOCK INDUCTION (out now from Simon & Schuster) . They dive into Chuck’s signature minimalist writing style and explore how it unites his body of work, creating stories that pack an unforgettable punch. Plus, in a heartwarming twist, Chuck and Joe’s Boston terriers make a special appearance over Zoom, bringing a dose of canine charm to the conversation. Don't miss this deep dive into storytelling with one of literature's most provocative voices! Other titles by Chuck Palahniuk mentioned in this episode: Not Forever but for Now Invisible Monsters Choke Haunted Rant Fight Club The Invention of Sound Make Something Up You can find and borrow these books and more of Chuck's books in Libby. Our librarian friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace. Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professi

It's fall, y'all

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 from Amulet Books), the thrilling third installment in the Lightlark Saga. Alex shares her extraordinary journey, from querying her first book at just 12 years old to becoming a relentless force in the writing world. Discover the secrets behind Skyshade, the challenges Alex faced along the way, and how her unwavering determination has shaped her career. Whether you’re a die-hard Lightlark fan or an aspiring writer, this conversation will leave you inspired and eager for more! Other Alex Aster titles: The Lightlark Saga Lightlark Nightbane Skyshade Summer in the City (publishing March 2025) Emblem Island Series Curse of the Night Witch Curse of the Forgotten City Check out Alex Aster online! Visit her website: https://www.asterverse.com/ or follow her on Instagram and TikTok Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libb