Podcast
Book Lounge by Libby
Hosted by Book Lounge by Libby · EN
Book Lounge by Libby is your cozy reading corner of the internet. Hosted by Joe Skelley, each episode invites you into candid and thoughtful conversations about books, writing, publishing and the trends shaping what we read (plus reading recommendations you won't want to miss).
Brought to you by Libby, the library app.
Find more at: https://pages.libbylife.com/BL-Links
Book Lounge airs year-round, with two 10-week seasons each year, featuring publishing conversations on Mondays and paired book recommendations on Thursdays- plus monthly Book Release Radar episodes. We release 1–3 episodes per month between seasons.
Reach out to us at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Happy Reading!
27episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Lisa See & Zoulfa Katouh on Heritage, Identity & Storytelling
May 400:55:21Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe celebrates Asian Heritage Month by spotlighting the global impact of Asian voices in storytelling. Joined by bestselling authors Lisa See and Zoulfa Katouh, the conversation explores how heritage, identity, and lived experience shape the stories we read and why those stories resonate far beyond any one place or perspective. From the influence of cultural traditions to the responsibility of telling stories rooted in personal and collective history, Lisa and Zoulfa share how their backgrounds inform their writing and connect with readers around the world. This episode highlights the power of global storytelling, the importance of representation in literature, and the way deeply personal narratives can feel universal. If you’re looking to celebrate Asian Heritage Month through books, discover globally resonant stories, or better understand how culture shapes the stories that stay with us, this conversation is a meaningful place to start. Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Who’s in this episode: Lisa See - Website Daughters of the Sun and Moon – coming June 9, 2026 Lady Tan’s Circle of Women Zoulfa Katouh - Website The Ocean Would Paint Me Blue - coming June 2, 2026 As Long as the Lemon Tree Grows Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:00:57 Welcome to Lisa See and Zoulfa Katouh 00:02:22 A conversation on Asian heritage, culture and the impact on writing 00:23:41 Being Authentic and Intentional 00:29:02 Lisa See reflects on conversations about racism with her father 00:40:47 What does home mean to you in your work? 00:47:07 What do you hope readers take with you from your work? 00:51:51 Thank you and outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Borrowed for the Cover: Books That Hooked Us at First Glance
Apr 3001:21:56Tap to summarizeBe honest, how many books have you borrowed purely because the cover looked amazing? This week on Book Lounge, Joe is joined by Bre for a very honest, slightly chaotic, and deeply relatable conversation about judging books by their covers. Before diving into our recommendations, we get into what Bre loves in a cover design. We also talk about the covers that live rent-free in for Bre, and how special editions have completely changed the way readers collect (and display) books. Plus, a love-filled detour into The Diviners series and why its design continues to stand out. Then, we get to recommending books we only read BECAUSE of the cover. We didn’t read the synopsis. We didn’t check reviews. We saw the cover… and that was enough. Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Book recommendations: Bre’s Picks: How to Solve Your Own Murder – Kristen Perrin The Jumbies - Tracey Baptiste To Steal a Throne - Gabi Burton On Sundays She Picked Flowers - Yah Yah Scholfield Joe’s Picks: Sky Daddy – Kate Folk Just Like Mother – Anne Heltzel Dollface – Lindy Ryan Butter – Asako Yuzuki Who’s in this episode: Bre - Links Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:00:40 Welcome to Bre The Loc’d Booktician 00:01:02 What are some of your favorite cover designs? 00:05:56 Do you have a book cover that comes to mind when you think of a good design? 00:06:57 Thoughts on special editions 00:19:11 Here’s our recommendations! 01:17:35 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →May 2026’s Hottest New Books (And Our Immediate Adds)
Apr 2901:08:58Tap to summarizeYour TBR is about to get longer. In this episode of Book Lounge, Joe is joined by Rachel to break down the most exciting book releases coming in May 2026 by sharing what they’re adding to their to-be-read piles. From buzzy debuts and fan-favorite authors to under-the-radar titles you’ll want to grab early, they’re sorting through the chaos of new releases so you don’t have to. Expect strong opinions, a few surprises, and plenty of “place hold now” energy as they build their May reading lists. Whether you’re planning your next great read or just love staying ahead of the book buzz, this episode is your go-to guide for what’s hitting shelves this May. Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Book recommendations: Rachel’s Titles: Our Perfect Storm - Carley Fortune A Parade of Horribles – Matt Dinniman The Final Target – Nora Roberts Caller Unknown – Gillian McAllister The Shippers - Katherine Center Good Joy, Bad Joy – Mikki Brammer The Last Page – Katie Holt The Midnight Train – Matt Haig Joe’s Titles: Homebound – Portia Elan Bromantasy – Maire Roche Opting Out – Maia Kobabe, Lucky Srikumar Until Death – Mary Berman Murder Most Delicious - Danielle Postel-Vinay Landing in Place – Sherine Hamdy, art by Myra El Mir Gay Mormon Dad – Chad Anderson Body Count – Codie Crowley Not Your Final Girl – Mikayla Randolph Femme Feral – Sam Beckbessinger Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:00:48 A warm welcome to Rachel! 00:01:23 Breaking out of a bit of a slump 00:06:10 Our May 2026 Book Picks! 01:05:06 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Book Cover Design Secrets (From the People Who Make Them)
Apr 2701:43:02Tap to summarizeIn this episode of Book Lounge, Joe goes behind the scenes of one of the most important—and most misunderstood—parts of publishing: book cover design. In the first segment, Erin Fitzsimmons (Sourcebooks) and Karina Granda (Hachette Book Group) join Joe to talk about how they got their start in design, what their creative process looks like today, and how book covers have evolved alongside trends, formats, and reader expectations. Then, in the second segment, Kathryn G. English (Blackstone Publishing) and Ryan Willwerscheid (Podium Audio) dive into how design shifts across formats, from print to audio, and share some of the biggest surprises that go into creating a cover that connects with readers. From concept to final product, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the art, strategy, and collaboration behind the covers you can’t stop staring at. Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Who’s in this episode: Segment 1: Erin Fitzsimmons - Instagram Karina Granda – Instagram Segment 2: Kathryn G. English - Instagram Ryan Willwerscheid – Instagram Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro with Karina Granda and Erin Fitzsimmons 00:03:50 How did you get into this space? 00:09:09 What does on the job training look like for a cover designer? 00:27:54 When do you start desiging covers? 00:39:57 What is a trendy cover vs. A timeless cover? 00:47:07 Thank you to Karina and Erin! 00:47:19 Intro with Ryan Willwerscheid and Kathryn G. English 00:51:03 How do you approach cover design? 01:02:39 Where do you find inspiration when creating covers? 01:06:45 How often do you push comps and trends over author wants? 01:18:11 Do you ever have to change covers right before print? 01:37:50 What would you want people to take away from creating book covers? 01:39:46 Outro Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List! Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram! Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Transcribe →Book recommendations with tea pairings!
Mar 11, 2021Tap to summarizeEp. #529- This episode is all about books and tea! Plum Deluxe, a truly wonderful tea company, sponsored this episode and so we decided to select book recommendations that go perfectly with our favorite Plum Deluxe teas!Visit https://plumdeluxe.com/pbn and use the promo code PBN to get 10% off your orders through May 1st! They have every type of tea you can imagine and you truly can't go wrong!Books mentioned and the teas we enjoyed with them:The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern - Reading Nook Blend Strange the Dreamer By Laini Taylor - Reading Nook Blend The Turnout by Megan Abbot - Sugar PlumTeeth in the Mist By Dawn Kurtagich - Vanilla Toddy Black Tea The Wife Upstairs by Rachel Hawkins - Easy Like Sunday MorningThis Close to Okay By Leesa Cross-Smith - The Self Care Blend The Right Swipe by Alisha Rai - Rainy Day PuerhMagic Lessons By Alice Hoffman - Apple Cinnamon Warmth Black Tea At Home by Bill Bryson - Delightful Morning BlendThe Call By Peadar O'Guilin - Fog Cutter Black Tea Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Ep. #360 - PBN Reading Challenge Check-in!
Aug 1, 2019Tap to summarizeWe are more than halfway through the year (omg) and Adam and Jill are going through the PBN Reading Challenge to see what books they have read so far. Visit professionalbooknerds.com to get your own Reading Challenge template to fill in! After you complete the challenge, be sure to send it to us at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com or tag us on social @ProBookNerds to be entered into a device giveaway. Books mentioned in this episode What My Mother and I Don't Talk About, ed. by Michelle Filgate The Invasion by Peadar O'Guilin Believe Me by JP Delaney Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid We Sold Our Souls by Grady Hendrix The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware The Turn of the Screw by Henry James Once & Future by Amy Rose Capetta and Cori McCarthy Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry The Giver by Lois Lowry War & Peace by Leo Tolstoy They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzel Hall We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark Just the Funny Parts by Nell Schovell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Ep. #255 - Interview with Keiko Agena
Aug 16, 2018Tap to summarizeOn today's episode, Adam and Jill get to talk with Keiko Agena who played Lane Kim on Gilmore Girls. Along with acting, she is also a visual artist who has a new workbook for artists out now called No Mistakes. Part adult coloring book, part artistic exercises, this workbook is perfect for anyone wanting to stretch their artistic limits whether you are a writer, an artist, or still trying to find your creative voice. Adam and Jill also offer up some recent reads for listeners. Books mentioned in this episode: The Perfect Mother by Aimee Molloy The Call by Peadar O'Guilin Final Girls by Riley Sager How to Hang a Witch by Adriana Mather Haunting the Deep by Adriana Mather Truth or Beard by Penny Reid Beard Science by Penny Reid The Strange Case of the Alchemist's Daughter by Theodora Goss Say Hello! Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @ProBookNerds. Email us directly at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com Music "Buddy" provided royalty free from www.bensound.com Podcast Overview We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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