Book Lounge by Libby

Building Belonging Through Books

What started as a search for representation turned into a movement.  In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Dessa Carroll, founder of Brown Babies n' Books, a Brooklyn-based nonprofit dedicated to creating culturally rooted literacy experiences for families.  Together, they explore:  The inspiration behind launching Brown Babies n’ Books   What it takes to build a grassroots community from the ground up   Why representation in books matters—for kids and caregivers   How storytelling can foster belonging, identity, and connection   What’s next for this growing organization   This is a heartfelt, energizing conversation about the power of books to shape lives.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Connect with Dessa & Brown Babies n’ Books:   Brown Babies n’ Books website  Brown Babies n’ Books Instagram  Dessa Carroll’s Instagram  Titles mentioned in this episode:  Freedom Braids – Monique Duncan  Amazing Grace – Mary Hoffman  Saturday – Oge Mora  The History of We – Nikkolas Smith  Soca Baby – Qef Johnson, Ariful Mowla  Black. Single. Mother. - Jamilah Lemieux  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:01:17 Meet Brown Babies n’ Books 00:24:43 Some book reflections & recommendations 00:33:55 Making your own community groups 00:38:32 Advice for new and existing groups 00:45:12 Wrapping up & 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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. 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

Spring Into Reading: April 2026 Book Picks

April is here, and with it comes a fresh wave of incredible new reads! 🌸  In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by returning guest (and friend) Emma to talk through the April 2026 book releases they’re most excited to add to their TBR.   Together, they explore a wide range of upcoming titles—from highly anticipated bestsellers to under-the-radar gems—perfect for spring reading.  If you’re looking to refresh your reading list, discover new authors, or stay on top of the latest releases, this episode has you covered. Expect lively conversation, thoughtful picks, and plenty of bookish enthusiasm to inspire your next great read.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Book recommendations:  Emma’s Titles:   Rites of the Starling – Devney Perry   The Ending Writes Itself – Evelyn Clarke  American Fantasy – Emma Straub   Mad Mabel – Sally Hepworth  The Paris Match – Kate Clayborn  Unbound- Peyton Corine  Go Gentle- Maria Semple   The Name Game – Beth O’ Leary   The Radiant Dark - Alexandra Oliva  Joe’s Titles: To Mention: We Burned So Bright – TJ Klune  Bodies of Work – Clay McLeod Chapman  The Escape Game – Marissa Meyer, Tamara Moss   The Subtle Art of Folding Space – John Chu  American Spirits – Anna Dorn  The Neverending Book – Naoki Matayoshi  Thrall – Rebecca Mahoney  Project V – Park Seolyeon  The Infinite Sadness of Small Appliances – Glenn Dixon  Break Room – Miye Lee  And Joe’s horror round-up:   The Caretaker – Marcus Kliewer  Molka – Monika Kim  Odessa – Gabrielle Sher  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:01:15 Catching up with Emma 00:02:52 April 2026 Book Picks 01:13:19 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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. 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

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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. 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

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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. 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

March 2026 Book Releases We’re Adding to Our TBR

March is bringing the heat 🔥  In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark of the Book Gang Podcast to talk about the March 2026 book releases they cannot wait to read.  From buzzy debuts to powerhouse authors returning with new stories, we’re breaking down the titles climbing to the top of our TBR piles. Whether you love literary fiction, thrillers, romance, or genre-bending surprises, this month is stacked.  Get your Libby tag ready — we’re giving you plenty of reasons to hit “borrow” and build out your holds list.  Looking for even more ideas? Browse Amy’s curated guides:  2026 Debut Books (43 Incredible Titles)  2026 New Releases (47 Book Ideas From Seasoned Voices)  Your March reading mood? Officially handled.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Book recommendations:  Amy’s Picks:   The Shock of the Light – Lori Inglis Hall   The Beheading Game – Rebecca Lehmann  The Fountain – Casey Scieszka   Where the Girls Were – Kate Schatz   Lady Tremaine – Rachel Hochhauser  Under Water – Tara Menon   That's What Friends Are For – Wade Rouse   The Truth About Ruby Cooper – Liz Nugent   The Night We Met – Abby Jimenez   Once and Again – Rebecca Serle  Joe’s Picks:   Now I Surrender – Álvaro Engrigue  200 Monas – Jan Saenz  The Disappointment – Scott Broker  Adult Braces – Lindy West  The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts – Kim Fu  You With the Sad Eyes – Christina Applegate  Strange Girls – Sarvat Hasin  Sisters in Yellow – Mieko Kawakami  Hooked – Asako Yuzuki  Wretch – Eric LaRocca    Who’s in this episode:   Amy Allen Clark – Links  Time stamps:  00:00:00 Check out How to Shoot a Ghost on Kanopy! 00:01:36 Title 00:02:00 Intro 00:02:30 Chatting with Amy Allen Clark 00:09:12 March 2026 Book Picks 01:17:47 Closing & 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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. 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