Book Lounge by Libby

Book Lounge by Libby
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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!

  1. 3h ago

    Adventure Reads That Keep You Up All Night

    Adventure isn’t dead. It’s just waiting for you on the next page.  Host Joe Skelley is joined by Amy Allen Clark (@momadvice) and creator Joe Zawada (@joezawadareads) to keep the adventure conversation going with a stack of adventure stories that bring the danger, drama, twists and absolutely zero respect for your bedtime.  From high stakes journeys to impossible odds and the kind of books that make “I’ll read one chapter” a hilarious lie, we’re sharing adventure book recommendations that will keep you reading all night.  If you’re looking for your next great adventure read, consider this your very official excuse to ignore your sleep schedule.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Who’s in this episode:   Joe – Instagram  Amy Allen Clark - Links  Joe Zawada - Links  Book Recommendations:   Amy's Picks:  Runner - Ashton Lattimore  Castle of Water - Dane Huckelbridge  My Sister’s Going to Kill Me - Nina Simon  The Force of Such Beauty - Barbara Bourland  Fishbone Cinderella - Elizabeth Lim   Joe Z's Picks:   Taipei Story – RF Kuang   The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig  Sublimation - Isabel J. Kim  Destiny’s Edge - M.L. Wang  Tempest - Victoria Aveyard  Joe S's Picks:   The Girl from the Sea – Lee Knox Ostertag  Gumshoe – Brenna Thummler  Millie of the Manor - Karina Evans, Andrea Bell  438 Days – Jonathan Franklin  Lost in the Valley of Death – Harley Rustad  Canon – Paige Lewis  Honey in Her Veins – Ruth McKell  Project V – Park Seolyeon  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Welcome and Intro 00:02:44 What our guests think of when they hear Adventure Story 00:11:56 Adventure Recommendations 01:14:43 Comment Question 01:15:03 Thank you and Outro  Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge  Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.  Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.   Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.  Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378  Today's featured books: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41743   Happy Reading! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Adventure Reads That Keep You Up All Night

  2. 3h ago ·  Bonus

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

    Introducing Amanda Rizkalla: “Hungered” | Oprah’s Book Club from The Oprah Podcast. Follow the show: The Oprah Podcast BUY THE BOOK! Hungered by Amanda Rizkalla: ⁠https://amzn.to/4hIE21v The 125th Oprah’s Book Club selection is the stunning debut novel Hungered by author Amanda Rizkalla. Written from the perspective of 12-year-old Sofia, Hungered gives a unique look inside the world of a family who is unhoused. Amanda shares how her personal experience of losing their housing and living in a car with her family as a child inspired her to write this poignant and beautiful story. Oprah and Amanda have a thoughtful discussion about how - despite the daily struggle to survive - the fictional Sofia and her family are still able to experience joy, humor and compassion. We hear from several readers including a young woman who says that Amanda’s novel resonated with her because she also experienced being unhoused as a child. 00:00:00 - Welcome Amanda Rizkalla, author of “Hungered” 00:02:10 - Amanda shares why she wrote the book 00:05:00 - The plot of Hungered 00:06:40 - Understanding being unhoused 00:12:40 - Growing up mixed race 00:18:15 - Amanda on choosing the mother’s career 00:22:20 - Theme of not belonging 00:26:15 - Amanda’s writing process 00:28:40 - The ending of the book #oprahsbookclub Follow Oprah Winfrey on Social: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/oprahpodcast/ ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/oprahpodcast/⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/oprah/?hl=en⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/oprahwinfrey/ DISCLAIMER: Please note, this is an independent podcast episode not affiliated with, endorsed by, or produced in conjunction with the host podcast feed or any of its media entities. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are solely those of the creators and guests. For any concerns, please reach out to team@podroll.fm.

    You Might Also Like: The Oprah Podcast

  3. 2d ago ·  Bonus

    Witchlings: Celebrating the Series Finale with Claribel A. Ortega

    The Witchlings series has reached its magical finale, and we’re celebrating with the author herself!  In this bonus episode of Book Lounge by Libby, host Joe Skelley sits down with Claribel A. Ortega to look back at the Witchlings series as a whole, from its magical world and unforgettable characters to friendship, identity, growing up and all the twists and turns along the way.  With the final Witchlings book releasing today, this conversation celebrates the journey to the series finale, what Witchlings has meant to Claribel and what it feels like to bring this magical story to an end.  Spoiler note: The first 16 minutes are spoiler-free. Light spoilers begin around 16:09, and we’ll give you a warning before discussing any major spoilers.  If you’ve read the Witchlings series, are finishing the finale or simply love magical middle grade fantasy, come hang out with us!  If YOU want the chance to win the complete Witchlings series, go enter to win on our Instagram @BookLoungePod   Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Who’s in this episode:   Joe – Instagram  Claribel A. Ortega – Website, Instagram, Join the Witchlings Discord  Books by Claribel:  The Witchlings Series:  Witchlings  The Golden Frog Games  House of Elephants  Scepter of Memories  The Sea Witch Prophecy  Ghost Squad  Frizzy  The Girl and the Robobt – Oz Rodriguez, Claribel A. Ortega  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Intro and welcome to Claribel A. Ortega! 00:04:54 Writing the final book 00:10:09 Why five books felt right for Witchlings 00:11:40 What will Claribel miss most about the world of Witchlings 00:16:09 Spolier-light recap of the series 00:23:59 Monstruos mythology, identity and childhood storytelling 00:41:44 Spoiler discussion begins for book 5 00:55:12 The essence of Witchlings 00:55:43 A message to longtime readers 00:57:22 Comment question of the day! 00:57:32 GIVEAWAY DETAILS! 00:58:21 Thank you and farewell 00:59:39 Outro  Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge  Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.  Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.   Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.  Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378    Happy Reading! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Witchlings: Celebrating the Series Finale with Claribel A. Ortega

  4. 3d ago

    Are Adventure Stories Dead? The Genre That Refuses to Die

    Is the classic adventure story dead, or has it simply gotten a serious makeover?  From treasure hunts and lost worlds to quests, monsters and impossible missions, adventure has always been one of the biggest reading pleasures around. But what happens when the genre collides with modern sci fi, fantasy and the wildest corners of contemporary storytelling?  Host Joe Skelley is joined by author John Scalzi to dig into why adventure books still have such a grip on readers, how the genre has transformed over time and why stories built around discovery, danger and a good old fashioned “let’s see what happens” continue to thrive.  We’re talking classic adventure, modern adventure books, science fiction, fantasy, quests, escapism and the enduring appeal of getting swept up in a story that refuses to sit still.  So grab your metaphorical map, pack some snacks and join us in the Book Lounge. Adventure isn’t dead. It just got weird.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Titles mentioned in this episode:  Starman Jones – Robert A. Heinlein  Hatchet – Gary Paulsen  Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir  Dungeon Crawler Carl – Matt Dinniman  A Winkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle  The Dark is Rising – Susan Cooper  The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins  Uglies – Scott Westerfeld  Old Man’s War – John Scalzi  Monsters of Ohio – John Scalzi  Agent to the Stars – John Scalzi  When the Moon Hits Your Eye – John Scalzi  Redshirts – John Scalzi  All Quiet on the Western Front – Erich Maria Remarque  Who’s in this episode:   Joe – Instagram  John Scalzi – Website, Instagram  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Welcome and intro 00:01:30 The Adventure Stories that shaped us 00:07:42 How adventure evolved  00:19:06 The power of personal recommendations 00:33:55 Why adventure stories offer escape 00: 44:55 Why adventure isn’t dead 00:55:19 Comment question and outro  Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge  Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.  Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.   Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.  Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378    Happy Reading!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Are Adventure Stories Dead? The Genre That Refuses to Die

  5. Oct 1

    Book Club Certified: When Readers Make a Book Blow Up

    What happens when readers get REALLY into a book? Sometimes… everyone starts reading it.  In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, host Joe Skelley is joined by authors whose books found huge audiences through book clubs, BookTok, Bookstagram and online reading communities. We’re talking about the very real power of readers to turn a great book into a full-blown phenomenon and what it’s like for an author to watch that happen.  How does a book become the one everyone is recommending? Why do some stories take off in book clubs? And what makes readers want to pass a book along to everyone they know?  Plus, we’re getting into the joy, chaos and occasionally unhinged energy of being part of a reading community.  Whether you’re a lifelong book club member, a solo reader who lives in the group chat or someone who has ever said “I HAVE to make you read this,” this one is for you.  If you're part of a book club, tell us about it! How big is your group? How often do you meet? What's the best book you've ever read together? And, perhaps most importantly, what's the book that nearly started a civil war?  Listen or watch now, and join the conversation with Book Lounge by Libby.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Who’s in this episode:   Joe – Instagram  Heather Morris – Website, Instagram  Morgan Elizabeth – Website, Instagram  Patti C. Henry – Website, Instagram  Guest Books:  Some of Heather Morris' books:  The Tattooist of Auschwitz  Cilka’s Journey  Three Sisters  Sisters Under the Rising Sun  The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse  Morgan Elizabeth's traditionally published book:  Meet Cute Magic  Some of Patti C. Henry's books:  Losing the Moon  The Story She Left Behind  The Secret Book of Flora Lea  Becoming Mrs. Lewis  Once Upon a Wardrobe  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Welcome and Intro 00:01:24 When did you realize your book had become a book club hit?  00:11:56 Did a book club change the trajectory of your book? 00:26:35 What are some of the events that stick out to you? 00:36:18 What impact does reader response have on your writing? 00:46:00 The parasocial lines between author and reader 00:57:09 Thank you, comment question and outro  Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge  Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.  Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.   Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.  Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378  Today's featured books: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41711   Happy Reading!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Book Club Certified: When Readers Make a Book Blow Up

  6. Sep 30 ·  Bonus

    October 2026 Book Picks: Reads to Haunt Your TBR

    October is here, and our TBR is looking positively haunted. 👻 Joe is joined by his coworker Nahomy to talk about the new books coming out in October 2026, from creepy haunted houses and witchy fantasy to vampires, horror graphic novels, dark mysteries and stories that will have you sleeping with the lights on.  Whether you're looking for your next spooky horror read, a magical fantasy adventure or a creepy thriller to curl up with this fall, we've got your October new book radar covered. Plus, we're sharing a few honorable mentions and unexpected picks to round out your reading list.  Find your next favorite read with Book Lounge by Libby, powered by libraries and made for readers.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Book recommendations:  Nahomy’s Picks:   The House Built on Alligator Bones – Sophia Huneycutt   Legends & Lattes: The Graphic Novel – Travis Baldree, adapted – Samuel Sattin, Illustrated – Shanti Rittgers and Sarah Webb  Peck & Peck – Bonnie Garmus  Until the Last Light Goes Out – Courtney Gould  A Court of Splintered Harmony – Sarah J. Maas  Look What the Cat Dragged In – Jason Rekulak  When the World Was Happy – Benjamin Alire Sáenz  Joe’s Picks:  Honorable mentions:  Stagtown vol. 1 – Punko   The Sea Witch Prophecy – Claribel A. Ortega   The Tarot Trials – Katee Robert   The Memory of Borrowed Books – Meg Anderson   Episode picks:   Solace House – Will Maclean  Carrying – Samantha Josephs  Bruja’s Nest – Brenda LaTorre  When the Night Comes Knocking – Katherine Daniel  The Chain House – JH Markert  Dive Bar at the End of the Road – Kelley Armstrong  Please Enjoy Your Stay – Tara Goedjen  Night of the Mallrats – Nicolina Torres  Fangs and All – Tas Mukanik  Who’s in this episode:   Joe – Instagram  Nahomy - Instagram  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Intro & Welcome 00:02:53 Joe’s Honorable Mentions list 00:05:41 Our October 2026 Book Picks 00:48:19 We want to hear from you! Comment Question 00:48:43 Thanks and outro  Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge  Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.  Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.   Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.  Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378  Today's featured books: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41715   Happy Reading! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    October 2026 Book Picks: Reads to Haunt Your TBR

  7. Sep 28

    The Secrets to a Great Book Club (According to People Who Run Them)

    What actually makes a book club GOOD? And how do you get people to come back month after month without turning it into homework?  This week on Book Lounge by Libby, we're going behind the scenes of the book club. Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark of Book Gang Podcast and book club, Dave McNally, Adult Services Supervisor at Cuyahoga County Public Library, and Meara of (@mearaisreading) to talk about what makes a great book club, how groups choose what to read, the biggest barriers that keep people from joining and what happens when a book club meeting goes completely off the rails.  We're talking book club tips, discussion drama, choosing books, reading outside your comfort zone, building community and, naturally, some very important book club gossip.  Whether you're already a devoted book club person, thinking about joining one or wondering if you should finally start your own, this conversation has something for you.  And yes, we get into the books that brought people together, the ones that divided them and the stories that have become legendary around the book club table.  If you're watching or listening on Spotify, comment and let us know: If you're part of a book club, tell us about it! How big is your group? How often do you meet? What's the best book you've ever read together? And, perhaps most importantly, what's the book that nearly started a civil war?  OR come comment on today's post over on Instagram at @bookloungepod.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Book recommendations:  Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte   Slaughterhouse-Five – Kurt Vonnegut   Heart the Lover – Lily King   Daughters of Shandong – Eve J. Chung   Woodworking – Emily St. James   The Rachel Incident – Caroline O’Donoghue   Sula – Toni Morrison   The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison  I See You’ve Called in Dead – John Kenney   Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer  Into the Wild – Jon Krakauer  The Art Thief – Michael Finkel  The Final Revival of Opal & Nev – Dawnie Walton  Big Swiss – Jen Beagin  Death in Her Hands – Ottessa Moshfegh  The End of Men – Christina Sweeney-Baird  Tuesdays With Morrie – Mitch Albom  Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky  The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins  Chain-Gang All-Stars – Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah  Guillotine – Delilah S. Dawson  Who’s in this episode:   Amy Allen Clark - Links  Meara - Links  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Welcome and intro 00:12:10 Different styles and sizes of Book Clubs 00:21:48 Preparing for Discussion 00:47:24 Do you always finish the book?  01:01:57 What should you know before you walk into book club the first time?  01:05:52 Comment Question and Outro  Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge  Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.  Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.   Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.  Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378    Happy Reading!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    The Secrets to a Great Book Club (According to People Who Run Them)

  8. Sep 24

    Librarians Spill the Tea: Wild Patron Stories, Book Hot Takes & Library Secrets

    What REALLY happens behind the reference desk? On this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, host Joe Skelley is joined by Becky Cameron and Kate Merlene from Cuyahoga County Public Library and Morgan Schultz from Lutheran West School for a very candid, very fun conversation about life as a librarian.   We're spilling the librarian tea on wild patron questions, unexpected library requests, book recommendations, overhyped authors, underrated reads and the services your library offers that you might not even know about.   Plus, we're getting into librarian superpowers, memorable library moments, favorite programs and the realities of working with readers of all ages.   Whether you're a lifelong library lover, a curious reader or someone who has ever wondered what librarians REALLY think, this is your invitation behind the scenes.   Get ready for library secrets, bookish hot takes, hilarious stories and plenty of reasons to visit your local library. Grab your library card and join the conversation!  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Intro 00:01:03 Getting to know our guests 00:05:12 Assumptions about librarians 00:15:55 The most checked-out authors 00:25:07 Let’s get shady 00:32:40 Strangest patron questions 00:55:06 What’s a favorite program or service? 00:59:27 Outro  Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge  Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.  Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.   Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.  Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378    Happy Reading! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    Librarians Spill the Tea: Wild Patron Stories, Book Hot Takes & Library Secrets
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About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Book Lounge by Libby
  • Years Active
    2015 - 2026
  • Episodes
    961
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved 2026
  • Show Website
    Book Lounge by Libby

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