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Book Lounge by Libby

Book Lounge by Libby

Written by: Book Lounge by Libby
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 The Professional Book Nerds podcast is now, Book Lounge by Libby Book Lounge by Libby is the podcast where authors, book lovers, and industry insiders come together to talk about the stories we love and the impact they have. Hosted by Joe Skelley, each episode invites you into a cozy, candid conversation about books, writing, publishing, and the trends shaping the literary world. PLUS, every episode features book recommendations from some of your favorite online content creators. Book Lounge airs two seasons per year, along with special monthly episodes. Whether you're into sweeping romances, chilling thrillers, epic fantasies, or powerful memoirs, there's something in the Lounge for every reader. So, grab your favorite drink, get cozy, and meet us in the Book Lounge. Find more at: https://pages.libbylife.com/BL-Links Brought to you by Libby, the library app.All rights reserved 2025 Art Social Sciences
Episodes
  • January 2026 Book Picks: New Year, New TBRs

    January 2026 Book Picks: New Year, New TBRs
    Dec 18 2025
    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 next year’s TBR 🎄📚 For our January 2026 Book Picks (and the final Book Lounge episode of 2025!), I'm joined by Madison to break down the new releases we cannot wait to snag in the new year. These are the books we’re placing holds and adding to notify me tags in Libby, lining up for holds, and mentally reading before the wrapping paper’s even recycled ✨ This episode is equal parts holiday sendoff and new year reading hype. We’re taking a short break, soaking up the season, and coming back in January 2026 with all-new episodes. 🎁 One last thing before the year ends! Help shape the future of Book Lounge by completing our listener survey by January 5: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8564187/2025-Book-Lounge-Listener-Survey Happy holidays, happy reading, and may your holds come in early. ✨📖 Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Titles mentioned in this episode: Madison’s picks: Graceless Heart – Isabel Ibañez The Midnight Carousel – Fiza Saeed McLynn Silver & Blood – Jessie Mihalik The Elsewhere Express – Samantha Sotto Yambao Women of a Promiscuous Nature – Donna Everhart Dragon Cursed – Elise Kova When Trees Testify – Beronda L. Montgomery Joe’s picks: Half His Age – Jennette McCurdy Is This a Cry for Help? - Emily Austin How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder – Nina McConigley Meet the Newmans – Jennifer Niven Fustuk – Robert Mgrdich Apelian Gaslit – Megan Davidhizar Better the Devil – Erik J. Brown Check out Madison’s Bookstagram Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:01:07 Intro 00:07:33 January 2026 Book Picks with Madison!’ 01:17:11 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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    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Our Favorite Reads of 2025

    Our Favorite Reads of 2025
    Dec 11 2025
    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 everyone brings two of their favorite reads of the entire year. From unforgettable characters to gasp-worthy plots, these are the books that rose straight to the top of our 2025 lists. Whether you're building your 2026 TBR or reliving your favorite reads of the year, settle in — this is the coziest way to close out the season. ✨ Don’t forget to take our podcast survey! Running now through January 5. We want to hear from you! Survey link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8564187/2025-Book-Lounge-Listener-Survey Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Guest host recommendations: Carmen Poppy State: A Labyrinth of Plants and a Story of Beginnings - Myriam Gurba The Possession of Alba Diaz - Isabel Canas Cece Listen to Your Sister – Neena Viel The Luis Ortega Survival Club – Sonora Reyes Jananie Dust Settles North – Deena ElGenaidi Immaculate Conception – Ling Ling Huang Kayla Julie Chan is Dead- Liann Zhang The Compound- Aisling Rawle Meara Girl Dinner – Olivie Blake Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng - Kylie Lee Baker Joe When the Wolf Comes Home – Nat Cassidy Victorian Psycho – Virginia Feito Hungerstone – Kat Dunn Follow the guests & guest hosts: Carmen – link Cece - link Jananie K. Velu – link Kayla - link Meara – link Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:01:07 Intro 00:03:54 Best Reads of 2025 00:03:22 The Summer Book on KANOPY 00:31:52 Best Reads of 2025 01:03:01 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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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Festive Fiction: Talking Holiday Reads for Cozy Winter Nights

    Festive Fiction: Talking Holiday Reads for Cozy Winter Nights
    Dec 4 2025
    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, Maisha Oso, and Matthew Norman for a lively conversation about writing wintery stories across genres—from heartfelt romance to twisty mystery to big-hearted contemporary fiction. Then in Segment 2, our guest hosts slide down the chimney with their best holiday reading recommendations to keep your TBR merry and bright. Pour a mug of something warm, cozy up under your favorite blanket, and celebrate the end of another incredible season with us. And don’t forget—more great content is coming your way in the new year, so make sure you're subscribed! Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! Link to our full book list: Find all the books by our guests and mentioned in this episode here: https://www.libbylife.com/blog/festive-fiction-talking-holiday-reads-for-cozy-winter-nights-book-lounge-by-libby-season-2-episode-10 Guest host recommendations: Cece Make My Wish Come True - Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick Christmas and Other Horrors: A Winter Solstice Anthology - ed. Ellen Datlow Jananie A Little Holiday Fling – Farah Heron The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year – Ally Carter Meara The Afterlife of Holly Chase - Cynthia Hand The Christmas Murder Game - Alexandra Benedict Joe You Better Watch Out – James S. Murray, Darren Wearmouth Season of Love – Helena Greer Follow the guests & guest hosts: Segment 1: Alexandra Benedict – Instagram Jenny Bayliss - Instagram Maisha Oso - Website Matthew Norman – Website Segment 2: Cece - link Jananie K. Velu – link Meara - link Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:22 Intro 00:01:53 Writing for the Season with Alexandra Benedict, Jenny Bayliss, Maisha Oso & Matthew Norman! 01:01:29 BREAK – Some holiday reads from Kensington Books 01:04:22 Holiday Reads with Cece, Jananie & Meara! 01:41:22 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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    1 hr and 47 mins
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