Live from ALA: Book Lounge by Libby on the Pop-Top Stage

Witch please! In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re leaning all the way into fall vibes with cozy and witchy reads that’ll keep you warm as the weather cools.  In segment one, Joe is joined by Claribel A. Ortega, Liz Montague, HB Akumiah, and Travis Baldree for a fireside chat about all things cozy fantasy, witchy worlds, and why we can’t get enough of stories that feel like a soft blanket and a spellbook in one.  Then in segment two, Bre, Kayla, and Meara stop by to share their favorite cozy and witchy reads to add to your TBR cauldron.  Whether you love small-town magic, talking familiars, or books that smell like cinnamon and candle wax, this episode will enchant your fall reading list.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Link to our full book list:  https://www.libbylife.com/blog/witch-please-cozy-witchy-reads-for-fall-book-lounge-by-libby-season-2-episode-5   Guest host recommendations:  Bre  A Murder for Miss Hortense - Mel Pennant   Snapdragon - Kat Leyh  Kayla  The Ex Hex – Erin Sterling  We Ride Upon Sticks – Quan Barry  Meara  The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches - Sangu Mandanna  Sweet and Bitter Magic - Adrienne Tooley  Follow the guests & guest hosts:   Segment 1:  Claribel A. Ortega - Website  H.B. Akumiah - Instagram  Liz Montague - Website  Travis Baldree - Website  Segment 2:   Bre - Links  Kayla - Links  Meara – Links   Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:21 Intro  00:02:48 Segment 1 with Claribel A. Ortega, Liz Montague, HB Akumiah & Travis Baldree!  00:56:43 BREAK  00:58:42 Segment 2 – Book Recs with Bre, Kayla & Meara!  01:42:13 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

It’s a monster-mash of an episode! We’re going big for spooky season with horror favorites, eerie insights, and enough book recommendations to haunt your TBR straight through Halloween.  In this king-sized candy bar of a Halloween special, Joe is joined by horror icons Rachel Harrison and Ryan La Sala to chat about how the horror space has evolved, what sets YA apart from Adult horror, and why readers are craving fear like never before.   Then, stick around for a double feature of horror recommendations from Amy, Bre, Jananie, and Kayla—plus during the mid-episode break Joe shares a few not-so-scary reads from our friends at Kensington Books.  Whether you’re a longtime horror lover or a scaredy cat in search of your next gateway read, this episode is packed with chills, laughs, and plenty of books to keep you up all night.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Link to our full book list:  https://www.libbylife.com/blog/haunted-pages-a-halloween-book-lounge-special-book-lounge-by-libby-season-2-episode-4  Guest host recommendations:  Amy Allen Clark  One Yellow Eye - Leigh Radford  The Scald-Crow - Grace Daly  Bre   Cutthroat – Octavia Grant  This Cursed House by Del Sandeen  Flowers of the Sea by Zin E. Rocklyn  Jananie K. Velu  An Academy for Liars – Alexis Henderson  Natural Beauty - Ling Ling Huang  Mexican Gothic – Silvia Moreno-Garcia  Kayla  I Was a Teenage Slasher – Stephen Graham Jones  When the Wolf Comes Home – Nat Cassidy  Rest Stop – Nat Cassidy  Joe  Bad Dreams in the Night & Let Me in Your Window – Adam Ellis  Haunted – Chuck Palahniuk  Follow the guests & guest hosts:   Segment 1:  Rachel Harrison – Website  Ryan La Sala - Website  Segment 2:   Amy Allen Clark - Links  Bre – Links  Jananie K. Velu – Links  Kayla – Links   Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:24 Intro  00:02:52 Segment 1 with Rachel Harrison & Ryan La Sala  01:00:36 BREAK – Some not-so-scary Halloween Recs  01:03:15 Segment 2 pt. 1 Horror Recs with Kayla & Jananie  01:38:22 Segment 2 pt. 2 Horror Recs with Amy & Bre  02:21:11 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 [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

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re going Beyond the Label to explore stories of disability, neurodivergence, and chronic illness — both on and off the page.  In Segment 1, Joe is joined by Marie Myung-Ok Lee, who opens up about her experiences as a mother to a child with disabilities. She reflects on the fears, challenges, and moments of triumph that have shaped her perspective as both a parent and a writer. Marie also shares how her Korean-American identity and personal experiences influence her work and the stories she tells.  Then, in Segment 2, Joe, Cece, and Meara highlight books that feature characters who go beyond the label — stories where differences drive the narrative and reveal the beauty in experiencing the world another way.  ✨ A heartfelt, thoughtful episode celebrating empathy, awareness, and the power of storytelling to expand our understanding of others — and ourselves.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Link to our full book list:  https://www.libbylife.com/blog/beyond-the-label-stories-of-disability-awareness-book-lounge-by-libby-season-2-episode-3  Guest host recommendations:  Cece's Picks:  On the Edge of Gone – Corinne Duyvis  What Moves the Dead – T. Kingfisher  Meara’s Picks:   Vespertine – Margaret Rogerson  How to Kill Your Family – Bella Mackie  Joe’s Picks:   The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet – Jake Maia Arlow  Never the Wind – Francesco Dimitri  Follow the guests & guest hosts:   Segment 1:  Marie Myung-Ok Lee - TikTok  Segment 2:   Cece (problemsofabooknerd) - Links  Meara (mearaisreading) - Links  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:23 Intro  00:01:52 Segment 1 with Marie Myung-Ok Lee  01:01:27 Break Libby Holds Update  01:07:22 Segment 2 Book Recs with Cece & Meara  01:38:06 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 [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

It’s back-to-school season, which means new routines, new books, and maybe even a little extra stress for kids (and the adults who love them). To help ease the transition, we’re diving into comfort reads for Middle Grade and YA readers.  In this episode, Joe is joined by the incredible Rex Ogle, author of heartfelt and vulnerable stories for young readers. Rex opens up about his writing process, how books can help kids navigate tough times, the importance of watching for signs of bullying, and what’s next for both him and his alter ego, Rey Terciero.  Then, in segment two, Joe and Meara share their latest Middle Grade and YA favorites—full of witches, hauntings, and just the right amount of spooky fun.  From meaningful conversations to magical book picks, this episode has something for everyone: whether you have kids in your life or you’re a kid at heart.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Link to our full book list:  https://www.libbylife.com/blog/back-to-school-back-to-books-comfort-reads-for-kids-and-their-grown-ups-book-lounge-by-libby-season-2-episode-2   Guest host recommendations:  Meara:  The Flicker – H.E. Edgmon  Lovely Dark and Deep – Elisa A. Bonnin  The Witch Boy – Molly Knox Ostertag    Joe:  Making Friends, Volume 1 – Kristen Gudsnuk  The Supernatural Society – Rex Ogle  The Okay Witch – Emma Steinkellner  Follow the guests & guest hosts:   Segment 1:  Rex Ogle – Website  Segment 2:   Meara (mearaisreading) - Links  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:22 Intro  00:02:25 Segment 1 – Back to School with Rex Ogle  00:52:54 Break – Check out our Book Lounge Merch!  00:54:38 Segment 2 Middle Grade & YA Recs with Meara  01:31:46 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 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

Season 2 kicks off with a deep dive into those all-too-familiar reading ruts and writing slumps. In this episode, we explore how to find inspiration again—both on the page and in life.  In Segment 1, join me with Neal Shusterman, New York Times bestselling author of over thirty award-winning books for children, teens, and adults, as he shares his strategies for breaking out of creative ruts and staying inspired in writing and life.  In Segment 2, our fantastic guest host Amy Allen Clark reveals her personal approach to reading ruts: how she navigates them, embraces them, and ultimately finds joy in getting back into the flow of books.  Whether you’re a reader, a writer, or just someone looking to reignite your spark, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Check out the full book list for our episode here! Follow the guests & guest hosts:   Segment 1:  Neal Shusterman – Website | Instagram  Segment 2:   Amy Allen Clark - Links  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:22 Intro  00:02:00 Segment 1 – Conversation with Neal Shusterman on Writing Slumps  00:59:13 Break  01:01:24 Segment 2 with Amy Allen Clark (About Season 1 of Book Lounge)  01:07:07 Segment 2 – Getting Out of Reading Ruts with Amy Allen Clark  01:45:02 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

We’re bringing you something extra special this week—a live recording from the ALA 2025 Pop-Top Stage! Join Joe in conversation with: Henry H. Neff - ⁠website⁠ Mary Roach - ⁠website⁠ Michelle Jabès-Corpora - ⁠website⁠ Olivia Worley - ⁠website⁠ Rex Ogle - ⁠website⁠ Sasha Bonét - ⁠website⁠ Terah Shelton Harris - ⁠website⁠ as they talk books, libraries, and the joy of connecting readers with stories. This bonus episode is a celebration of community and a peek inside the excitement of ALA. Book Lounge by Libby will be back with Season 2 next week—stay tuned for more amazing conversations with authors, narrators, and book lovers. Time Stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Intro 00:02:15 LIVE At ALA! 00:49:12 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!  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!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special bonus episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe sits down with Daniel Henning to dive deep into the writings and ideas of Andy Warhol. From The Philosophy of Andy Warhol to Popism: The Warhol Sixties to a: a novel, this conversation explores the iconic artist’s impact on art, culture, and how we see the world today. Whether you’re a longtime Warhol fan or new to his work, you’ll walk away seeing his brilliance—and contradictions—in a whole new light. You can find out more about Daniel and his work on his website. Time Stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:16 Intro  00:01:52 Interview with Daniel Henning 01:00:20 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!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Season 1 of Book Lounge by Libby comes to a close, we’re getting you ready to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with thoughtful conversations featuring Ann Dávila Cardinal, Isabel Cañas, Cleyvis Natera, Isabel Ibañez, and Tamara Yajía. 🌎 Together, they explore how heritage and identity shape their writing and the stories they share with the world.  In Segment 2, Bre, Carmen, and Cece return with their top book recommendations to keep your shelves stacked with incredible Hispanic voices. 📚✨  ✨ Season 2 of Book Lounge by Libby arrives at the end of September!  Want to watch the show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel.  Articles Mentioned and referenced in the Intro & Episode:  https://www.census.gov/newsroom/stories/hispanic-heritage-month.html#:~:text=%E2%80%9CAbout%20National%20Hispanic%20Heritage%20Month,and%20Central%20and%20South%20America.  https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/why-fiction-from-latin-america-is-growing-in-popularity  https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/english/community/blog/posts/the-obscured-roots-of-magical-realism/#:~:text=Magical%20Realism%20is%20a%20genre,those%20that%20were%20not%20literate.  https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/what-is-magical-realism   https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/english/community/blog/posts/the-obscured-roots-of-magical-realism/   https://www.browndailyherald.com/article/2022/10/latin-american-literary-traditions-through-time  https://www.fountaindale.org/magical-realism-and-the-latin-american-boom/  https://bookriot.com/new-latino-boom/  https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/features/why-fiction-from-latin-america-is-growing-in-popularity  https://coughtibridge.medium.com/alejo-carpentier-surrealism-and-the-birth-of-magical-realism-ca87f029040c    Guest Host Recommendations:  Bre  The Cemetery Boys - Aiden Thomas  The Spy - Paulo Coelho  Vampires of El Norte - Isabel Cañas  The Inheritance of Orquidea Divina - Zoraida Cordova  Carmen  Saints of the Household - Ari Tison  Children of the Land - Marcelo Hernandez Castillo  Magical/Realism - Vanessa Angelica Villarreal  The Bewitching - Silvia Moreno-Garcia  Cece  The Poet X - Elizabeth Acevedo  Cantoras - Caro de Robertis  Wild Beauty - Anna-Marie McLemore  Fever Dream - Samanta Schweblin   Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts:  Segment 1:  Ann Dávila Cardinal - Website  Isabel Cañas - Website  Cleyvis Natera - Website  Isabel Ibañez - Website  Tamara Yajía - Instagram  Segment 2:   Bre - Links  Carmen – Links  Cece – Links   Time Stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:16 Intro  00:12:29 Segment 1- Part 1: Ann Dávila Cardinal & Isabel Cañas  00:48:31 Segment 1 – Part 2: Cleyvis Natera, Isabel Ibañez & Tamara Yajía  01:33:18 BREAK – Libby Tip: Creating & Using Tags!  01:39:05 Segment 2 – Book Recs with Bre, Carmen & Cece!  02:32:08 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

Romantasy is everywhere right now — and we’re diving deep into the magic, monsters, and swoon-worthy romance fueling its meteoric rise. In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe sits down with three of the biggest names in the genre — Jennifer L. Armentrout, Olivia Rose Darling, and Katee Robert — to talk about how romantasy took over bookshelves, why it resonates with readers, and where it’s headed next.  Then Meara shares romantasy recommendations to load up your TBR.   Plus, in a Libby Life exclusive, our guests play a rapid-fire round of Romantasy Trope: Love It or Hate It — with some delightfully unexpected answers.   Want to watch the show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel.  Articles Mentioned in the Intro & Episode:  https://www.writersdigest.com/write-better-fiction/what-is-romantasy-anyway   Guest Host Recommendations:  Meara  Metal Slinger - Rachel Schneider  Lore of the Wilds - Analeigh Sbrana  Sorcery of Thorns - Margaret Rogerson  Bring Me Your Midnight - Rachel Griffin   Devils Like Us - L.T. Thompson  Joe   Cosmic Love at the Multiverse Hair Salon – Ann Mare  Captive Prince – CS Pascat  Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts:  Segment 1:  Jennifer L. Armentrout - Website  Olivia Rose Darling - Website  Katee Robert - Website  Segment 2:   Meara - Links  Time Stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:16 Intro  00:06:12 Segment 1 – Jennifer L. Armentrout, Olivia Rose Darling & Katee Robert  01:14:47 BREAK – Libby Tip: Early Return Reward!  01:18:04 Segment 2 – Romantasy Recs with Meara  01:49:01 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 [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

In this special episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re joined by celebrated Indigenous authors Angeline Boulley (Firekeeper’s Daughter, Warrior Girl Unearthed) and Carole Lindstrom (We Are Water Protectors, Autumn Peltier, Water Warrior) for a powerful conversation on legacy, language, and literature. Together, we discuss what it means to write from and for their communities, the responsibility of storytelling, and how their work connects generations past, present, and future.  This episode is a celebration of Indigenous identity, survival, and the resilience of story — and an invitation to listen, learn, and uplift.  Plus, Bre and Cece stop by with a few incredible book recs from Indigenous voices you won't want to miss.  📲 Libby Life Exclusive: Head to LibbyLife.com for a bonus moment from the Lounge, where Angeline and Carole share how their ancestors live on through their words.  Want the video episode? Check it out now on the Libby Life YouTube channel! Articles Mentioned in the Intro & Episode:  https://www.un.org/en/observances/indigenous-day https://indigenousreadsrising.com/   Guest Host Recommendations:  Bre  Never Whistle at Night - ed. Shane Hawk  The Marrow Thieves - Cherie Dimaline  White Horse - Erika T. Wurth  The Buffalo Hunter Hunter - Stephen Graham Jones   Cece  #NotYourPrincess: Voices of Native American Women - ed. Lisa Charleyboy & Mary Beth Leatherdale  The Break - Katherena Vermette  Sabrina & Corina - Kali Fajardo-Anstine  Ready When You Are - Gary Lonesborough  Joe   Métis Like Me – Tasha Hilderman  My Life: Growing Up Native in America – ed. IllumiNative  Fierce Aunties! - Laurel Goodluck, Ill. Steph Littlebird   Follow the Guests & Guest Hosts:  Segment 1:  Angeline Boulley - Website  Carole Lindstrom - Website  Segment 2:   Bre - Links  Cece - Links  Time Stamps:  00:00:00 Title  00:00:16 Intro  00:04:51 Segment 1 – Angeline Boulley & Carole Lindstrom  00:58:09 BREAK – Libby Tip: Audiobook Tips & Tricks  01:00:58 Segment 2 – Indigenous Recs with Bre & Cece  01:46:52 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