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PODCAST

Book Lounge by Libby

Book Lounge by Libby

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,publishingand the trends shaping what we read(plus reading recommendations youwon"twant to miss). Brought to you by⁠Libby⁠, 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

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All Episodes

63:38

Your Ultimate Pride Month 2026 Reading List

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/06/04

What should you read this Pride Month? In this Pride Month episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu to share book recommendations that celebrate queer stories, queer joy, and the many ways LGBTQIA+ people find connection, community, and hope. As they discuss the books they're recommending this June, the conversation expands beyond reading lists to explore what it means to live Pride every day of the year. Together, Joe and Jananie reflect on the importance of making

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91:28

Finding Hope, Queer Joy & the Courage to Be Seen

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/06/01

Pride Month is a celebration, but it's also a reminder of the journeys so many LGBTQ+ people take to find acceptance, belonging, and hope. In this special Pride Month episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Kody Keplinger, Ryan Collett, and TJ Alexander for honest, heartfelt conversations about identity, community and the power of seeing yourself reflected in stories. In the first half of the episode, Kody Keplinger and Ryan Collett discuss the isolation and shame that many

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62:42

June 2026 Book Releases You NEED on Your TBR

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/05/29

June is STACKED with incredible new releases, and this month’s Book Picks episode is here to help you build your summer TBR. Joe is joined by Kieran, founder of the Queer Liberation Library, to talk about the most exciting June 2026 book releases across genres — from buzzy literary fiction and swoony romances to twisty thrillers, queer stories, fantasy adventures, and everything in between. Along the way, Kieran also shares more about the mission behind the Queer Liberation Library, a digital

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55:27

Mystery & Thriller Book Recommendations with...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/05/28

If your TBR is looking a little too well-behaved, consider this your official invitation to cause some chaos. Joe is joined by Abby from @crimebythebook to dive headfirst into a stack of mystery and thriller recommendations that are twisty, chilling, and completely unputdownable. From locked-room tension and atmospheric horror-leaning suspense to darkly clever whodunits and cult-favorite thrillers, this episode is packed with reads guaranteed to keep you guessing long after “just one more

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61:02

The Anatomy of a Twist

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/05/25

What makes readers gasp out loud at the end of a thriller? How do authors plant clues without giving everything away? And why do some plot twists stay with us forever? This week on Book Lounge, Joe is joined by three powerhouse thriller writers — Clare Mackintosh, Jo Piazza, and Lisa Gardner — for an exciting conversation all about The Anatomy of a Twist. Together, they unpack the art of suspense, the challenge of surprising modern readers, and the careful balance between foreshadowing and

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57:37

Books That Feel Like Falling Into Another World

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/05/21

This week on Book Lounge, Joe is joined by Meara for a celebration of all things adventure as they talk about adult books that perfectly capture the feeling of reading The Magic Tree House. Whether it’s characters being pulled into another time and place, epic quests across strange worlds, hidden mysteries, or stories filled with wonder and discovery, these are the books that recreate that unforgettable reading experience for grown-up readers. From fantasy adventures and historical twists to books

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63:53

Inside The Magic Tree House with Mary Pope Osborne

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/05/18

This week, Joe sits down with legendary children’s author Mary Pope Osborne to celebrate the legacy of the Magic Tree House books and the generations of readers who grew up with Jack and Annie’s adventures. Together, they discuss the original spark that inspired the series, how the personalities of Jack and Annie developed over time and the early days of writing for young readers during the rise of early chapter books. Mary also shares behind-the-scenes stories about adapting the series into

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70:57

Mental Health Awareness Month Reading Recommendations...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/05/14

Continuing our celebration of Mental Health Awareness Month episode, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu to share some of their favorite books that center mental health, healing, growth, and emotional honesty. Together, they talk about the stories that stay with us, the comfort books can provide during difficult seasons and the powerful role reading can play in helping people feel understood and less alone. The conversation also explores Jananie’s Anti-Brain Rot reading challenge, the idea of mindful

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95:40

Reading as Healing: Mental Health, Self-Care & the...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/05/11

This week, we’re reflecting on Mental Health Awareness Month. Today, Joe sits down with two mental health professionals to explore the powerful connection between reading, emotional well-being, and community. Split into two thoughtful segments, this episode invites listeners to reflect on how books, libraries, and small daily habits can support healing, growth, and a sense of stability in an often-overwhelming world. In the first segment, Joe is joined by Monica Hobson

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67:06

Your AAPI Month TBR Starts Here | Must-Read Books...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/05/07

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu of thisstoryaintover to celebrate AAPI Month with a stack of incredible Asian lit you’ll want to add to your TBR immediately. Together, they dive into a wide range of must-read books highlighting stories that span genres, perspectives, and lived experiences. From deeply personal narratives to sweeping, unforgettable storytelling, this conversation is all about discovering books that stay with you and expanding your reading

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55:21

Lisa See & Zoulfa Katouh on Heritage, Identity &...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/05/04

In 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

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81:56

Borrowed for the Cover: Books That Hooked Us at First...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/04/30

Be 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

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68:58

May 2026’s Hottest New Books (And Our Immediate Adds)

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/04/29

Your 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

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103:02

Book Cover Design Secrets (From the People Who Make...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/04/27

In 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

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71:11

Must-Read Historical Fiction for Your TBR Right Now

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/04/23

Looking for your next great historical fiction read? Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark, host of the Book Gang Podcast, to share standout historical fiction recommendations to add to your TBR. From immersive, character-driven stories to sweeping narratives that bring the past to life, this episode highlights books that will stick with you long after the final page. Amy brings her expertise in discovering buzzy and noteworthy titles, while Joe adds a few picks of his own—including one unexpected

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62:51

Inside the World of Historical Fiction with Christina...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/04/20

Christina Baker Kline, Heather Webb and Lauren Tarshis join Joe for a wide-ranging conversation on the enduring appeal of historical fiction and why readers keep coming back for stories rooted in the past. From immersive research to emotional storytelling, they explore how historical fiction brings real moments to life while still leaving room for imagination. The conversation also dives into the challenges of writing in difficult time periods, how authors maintain hope when their subject matter

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83:30

Debut Book Recommendations You’ll Be Obsessed With...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/04/16

Looking for your next favorite author before they blow up? This episode is for you. Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark of the Book Gang Podcast, an expert in spotlighting debut authors, for a conversation that starts with a little podcast inside baseball. From prepping interviews to working with first-time authors, they dig into what makes debut conversations so special. Then, it’s all about the books. Joe and Amy share standout debut novels from 2022

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63:59

Dazzling Debuts: The Real Story Behind First Novels

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/04/13

Welcome to Season 3 of Book Lounge by Libby! We’re kicking things off with a celebration of debut authors; the moment when years of writing, revising, and hoping finally turn into a book on shelves. Joe is joined by Casey Scieszka, Katie Bernet, and Leia Ham to talk about what it really takes to publish a first novel. From early drafts and rejections to finding an agent, navigating edits, and seeing their books in the world for the first time, this conversation pulls back the curtain on the debut

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62:50

Thrift Gremlin Energy: Books, Libraries & Chaos with...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/04/09

Kathleen, known online as KathleenIllustrated, joins Joe for a cozy, creativity-filled conversation. As an illustrator, thrifter, and passionate reader, Kathleen shares the early reading moments that shaped her, her deep love of libraries and Libby, and how storytelling influences her creative life. The episode also explores her passion for thrifting and sustainability, and the joy of discovering meaningful, unexpected finds. It’s a warm, relaxed chat about books, creativity, and building a life

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60:12

Into the Blue & the Secrets of Publishing with Emma...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/04/07

What really happens behind the scenes in publishing—and how does an editor make the leap to author? In this bonus episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe sits down with Emma Brodie—Executive Editor at Clarkson Potter and author of Into the Blue—for a conversation that blends industry insight with creative inspiration. In the first half, Emma pulls back the curtain on her career in publishing, sharing what a day in the life of an editor looks like, how the industry has evolved, and some tricks of

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