Book Lounge by Libby
Book Lounge by Libby

Book Lounge by Libby

Book Lounge by Libby

Overview
Episodes

Details

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.

Recent Episodes

Lost Hollywood Satire & Audiobook Magic with Daniel Henning
MAR 19, 2026
Lost Hollywood Satire & Audiobook Magic with Daniel Henning
In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by a true multi-hyphenate talent—acclaimed audiobook narrator and producer Daniel Henning, whose voice you’ve almost certainly heard bringing stories to life.  Now, Daniel is stepping into the publishing world with his bold new imprint, Starshells of Madness, dedicated to reviving forgotten, unconventional, and culturally significant works. At the heart of this mission is his first release: Queer People by Carroll and Garrett Graham—a madcap, jazz age satire of Hollywood’s most scandalous eccentrics.  Joe and Daniel dive into:  The origins and vision behind Starshells of Madness  The rediscovery of Queer People  Why this novel still feels fresh, funny, and subversive today  Daniel’s journey from celebrated narrator to publisher  If you love audiobook storytelling, hidden literary gems, and juicy Old Hollywood drama, this conversation is not to be missed.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Here’s just some of Daniel’s work:  Queer People – Carroll and Garrett Graham  Better the Devil – Erik J. Brown  Bath Haus – PJ Vernon  The Body in the Back Garden – Mark Waddell  The House in the Cerulean Sea – TJ Klune  Somewhere Beyond the Sea – TJ Klune  In the Lives of Puppets – TJ Klune  Reduce! Reuse! Recycle! - TJ Klune  The Wig, The Bitch & The Meltdown – Jay Manuel  Follow Daniel & Starshells of Madness:   You can find Daniel Henning on Instagram  Check out the Starshells of Madness website and Starshells of Madness Instagram  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:23 Intro 00:02:06 Catching up with Daniel Henning 00:14:46 Starshells of Maddness 00:21:07 Queer People  01:06:26 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 of titles voiced by Daniel Henning!  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 [email protected]. 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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70 MIN
Meara's Best Witchy Books to Read 🔮 Cozy, Magical & Must-Read Witch Books
MAR 12, 2026
Meara's Best Witchy Books to Read 🔮 Cozy, Magical & Must-Read Witch Books
Witchy books have completely cast a spell on readers—and in this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Meara to explore the magic behind the genre.  From cozy magical stories to darker tales of witchcraft and power, Meara shares how she first fell in love with witchy reads and why the genre keeps pulling readers back for more. Meara shares her hallmarks of a great witchy book: beloved tropes, magical vibes, found family, spellwork, atmospheric settings, and the storytelling elements that make these books so irresistible.  Along the way, she highlights some of her favorite witchy reads and offer plenty of book recommendations.  Whether you’re a longtime lover of witchy books or just looking for your next enchanting read, this episode is full of magical inspiration.  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 mentioned in this episode here: https://www.libbylife.com/blog/meara-s-best-witchy-books-to-read-cozy-magical-must-read-witch-books-book-lounge-by-libby   Who’s in this episode:   Find Meara online here!  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title 00:00:22 Intro 00:01:00 Witchy Q&A with Meara 00:41:57 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 [email protected]. 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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45 MIN
Inside One’s Company: Obsession, Isolation, and Talking with Ashley Hutson
FEB 12, 2026
Inside One’s Company: Obsession, Isolation, and Talking with Ashley Hutson
On this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re trying something a little different—and we’re very excited about it. Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark from the Book Gang podcast to dive deep into One’s Company by Ashley Hutson, a book Amy has been completely obsessed with.  We start with a breakdown of the book (mostly spoiler-free), unpacking what worked, what lingered, and why One’s Company gets under your skin in the best way. Then, at the 25-minute mark we do a quick spoiler breakdown, then we’re joined by Ashley Hutson herself for a spoiler-filled conversation about the book, her inspirations, the emotional core of the story, and what it was like bringing this unsettling, unforgettable novel to life.  📚 Spoiler warning: The author interview includes spoilers—so read One’s Company first, then come hang out with us.  If you love this book-club-style episode (or want us to do more like it with different books or formats), we want to hear from you! Email Joe at [email protected] with your thoughts.  Check out Ashley’s recent publication “Our Whole History” here!  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 mentioned in this episode here: https://www.libbylife.com/blog/inside-one-s-company-obsession-isolation-and-talking-with-ashley-hutson-book-lounge-by-libby   Who’s in this episode:   Amy Allen Clark – Links   Find Book Gang on Patreon  Ashley Hutson - Website  Check out Ashley’s recent publication “Our Whole History” here!  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:22 Intro 00:02:13 Talking One’s Company with Amy Allen Clark 00:25:55 Spoiler breakdown of One’s Company 00:30:12 Conversation with Ashley Hutson, author of One’s Company 01:19:55 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 [email protected]. 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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83 MIN
Becoming a Reader as an Adult
FEB 5, 2026
Becoming a Reader as an Adult
Not everyone grows up a reader—and that’s okay.  In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe talks with his friend Sam about what it’s like when reading finally works for you. They dig into unlearning what reading is “supposed” to look like, finding joy without pressure, and how discovering books later in life can quietly change how you see yourself.  Along the way, Sam shares how becoming a reader also sparked the beginning of her journey as a writer. This conversation is for anyone who’s ever felt outside of reading culture—and is finding their way in.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Who’s in this episode:   Find Sam’s Bookstagram @worldwakerreads   Check out @lizabethanneauthor  Check out Forget Me Not  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:23 Intro  00:01:10 Becoming a Reader  00:46:46 Becoming an Author  01:06:03 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 [email protected]. 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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69 MIN