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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

arts books

All Episodes

62:49

Witchlings: Celebrating the Series Finale with...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/10/06

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

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58:51

Are Adventure Stories Dead? The Genre That Refuses to...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/10/05

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

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61:25

Book Club Certified: When Readers Make a Book Blow Up

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/10/01

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

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51:58

October 2026 Book Picks: Reads to Haunt Your TBR

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/09/30

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,

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69:55

The Secrets to a Great Book Club (According to People...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/09/28

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

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63:16

Librarians Spill the Tea: Wild Patron Stories, Book...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/09/24

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

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68:18

Blind Date with a (Library) Book

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/09/21

What happens when you let your local library surprise you? For the Season 4 premiere of Book Lounge by Libby, we're celebrating Library Card Sign-Up Month with a little literary mystery, a few unexpected projects and a whole lot of library love.Joe is joined by Meara (@mearaisreading) for a Blind Date with a (Library) Book! We each head to our local libraries with three missions: get a book recommendation from a librarian, choose a book from a library display and discover a third surprise in the

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55:41

Jeneva Rose Is Ready to Scare You

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/09/17

What scares you? For bestselling author Jeneva Rose, the answer might be… literally anything. 👀Jeneva joins Book Lounge by Libby to talk about her new horror collection, Sometimes I Scare Myself, a trio of twisted stories filled with séances gone wrong, creepy houses, cursed objects and the kind of decisions that make you want to yell at a character through the page. We’re getting into what makes a horror story actually scary, why familiar settings can make the best nightmares and what happens

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53:39

Reimagining Virginia Woolf: Adapting Night & Day with...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/09/03

Virginia Woolf has inspired generations of readers, but what happens when you take one of her novels and bring it to a modern audience? This week, Joe is joined by Justine Waddell, writer and producer of Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day, to talk about her love of Woolf, the process of adapting a classic novel and the changes that have to be made when bringing an older story into the present day. They dig into what makes Woolf’s work so enduring, the challenges of translating a classic for

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94:10

September 2026 Book Releases We Can’t Wait to Read

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/08/27

September is bringing some SERIOUS TBR temptation. This week, Joe is joined by Madison (@simon.says.read) to dive into the September 2026 book releases they’re most excited to read.From gothic romantasy and fantasy to thrillers, romance, historical fiction and spooky season reads, there are way too many new books fighting for a spot on the TBR. Plus, Joe and Madison reveal the books they’re already counting down the days to read, the titles they almost included and which September releases might

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94:07

We Read the Wildest Reviews of Books We Love

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/08/13

What happens when you take the Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet approach to books? Absolute chaos.Joe is joined by Meara to dig through reviews of books they love and discover what happens when readers have opinions. From hilarious hot takes to reviews that make absolutely no sense, this episode is full of laughs, nonsense and some truly unforgettable book commentary. Want us to do this again? Tell us what books we should hunt for or send us random reviews to react to! Looking for the video

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102:18

August 2026 Book Releases We're Adding to Our TBRs

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/07/30

August 2026 books are here, and Joe is joined by Bre (@locd_booktician_) to share the new releasesthey'remost excited to add to their TBRs. Covering everything from horror, thrillers, romance, fantasy, literary fiction, and beyond,they'rehighlighting some of the month's biggest releases alongside a few books that deserve more attention.As always, the recommendations are only part of the fun. Expect plenty of laughs, bookish tangents, and chaotic energy as Joe and Bre count down the August titles

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67:57

Plot Twists & Playlists: Audiobooks, Romance Reads &...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/07/16

What'sbetter than talking aboutgreat books? Talking aboutallthegreat books.This week, Joe is joined by romance novel matchmaker, bookseller, and creator Destinee for a delightfully bookish conversation that bounces around bookish things everyone can't stop talking about. Grab your headphones, your library card, andmaybe anotebook—you'lldefinitely leavewith a longer TBR. Looking for the video version of our show? Check out theLibby App YouTube channel! Who’sin this episode: Destinee

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93:16

Summerween 2026: The Best Horror Books to Kick Off...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/07/09

Summer is heating up... so naturallyit'stime for ghosts, monsters, haunted camps, cursed lakes, and things that go bump in the night. Joe is joined by Bre to celebrate Summerween 2026, the growing tradition of bringing spooky season into the middle of summer. Whether horror readers are looking for gothic classics, unsettling literary horror, creepy middle grade adventures, camp slashers, psychological thrillers, or terrifying short story collections, this episode is packed with recommendations to

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55:21

How President Lincoln Would Celebrate America 250...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/07/02

As the United States prepares to commemorate America 250, how can we celebrate the nation's history while also making room for reflection, honesty, and meaningful conversation? This week on Book Lounge by Libby, Cameron Walpole, Associate Director of Interpretation and Public Programs, and Callie Hawkins, Executive Director of President Lincoln's Cottage in Washington, DC, join the show to explore how their organization is approaching America's 250th anniversary with thoughtfulness, curiosity, and

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85:07

July 2026 Book Releases: The New Books We Can't Wait...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/06/25

A new month means a new stack of books to obsess over. In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by the wonderful Emma to chat about the July 2026 book releases they're most excited to add to their TBRs. From buzzy fiction and page-turning mysteries to heartfelt romances and unforgettable literary reads, they're sharing the upcoming titles that have already captured their attention. Whether you're planning your summer reading list, looking for the next great library hold or simply

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57:38

Too Hot to Handle: Steamy Romance Books for Your...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/06/18

The temperature is rising, and so is the romance stack. In the Season 3 finale of Book Lounge by Libby, romance novel matchmaker, experienced bookseller, and bookish creator Destinee (@yourromancedestinee) joins the lounge to share the steamy romance books that deserve a spot on your summer TBR. From slow burns that leave readers desperate for more, to romances packed with chemistry, banter, longing, and unforgettable love stories, Joe & Destinee share recommendations for every kind of romance

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58:24

The Art of the Swoon: Ann Liang & BK Borison on...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/06/15

Summer reading is getting steamy! Today, Joe is joined by bestselling romance authors Ann Liang and BK Borison for a conversation about creating unforgettable love stories, building electric chemistry, writing yearning and intimacy, and why romance continues to captivate readers around the world. The conversation also briefly features romance author Sara Cate, who joined at the start of the episode before technical difficulties cut her time short. From the balance of tension and tenderness to

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76:23

Audiobook Month Special: The Best Audiobooks to Add...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/06/11

June is Audiobook Month, and we're celebrating one of our favorite ways to experience stories. This week Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark, host of the BOOK GANG podcast, to talk about the audiobooks they've been loving lately. From unforgettable narrations to stories that are impossible to pause, they're sharing recent audiobook recommendations that deserve a spot on your listening list. This conversation is packed with recommendations, listening inspiration, and plenty of appreciation for the

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63:23

The Magic of Audiobooks with Award-Winning Narrators...

Book Lounge by Libby ·

2026/06/08

June is Audiobook Month, and we're celebrating with two of the most beloved voices in the industry. This week on Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by acclaimed audiobook narrators Saskia Maarleveld and Michael Crouch for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the art of bringing stories to life through audio. From developing character voices to recording emotional scenes, Saskia and Michael share what really goes into creating an unforgettable listening experience. Together, they explore the

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