🎄📚 It’s the most wonderful time of the year—for new books! Joe is joined by his friend and colleague Marissa to unwrap December 2024’s hottest new releases. From cozy holiday reads to thrilling page-turners, they’re sharing the books they’re most excited for as the year winds down. Whether you’re shopping for gifts or treating yourself, there’s something for everyone on this list. Tune in for a bookish sleigh ride! 🎁✨

Author Interviews for November & December: 

• Skyshade by Alex Aster 
• Shock Induction by Chuck Palaniuk 
• Let’s Call Her Barbie by Renée Rosen (Out in January, I’m sorry) 
• Murder in the Dressing Room by Holly Stars (also out in January, I’m so sorry) 

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Marissa’s Titles:  

• P.S. I Hate You by Lauren Connolly 
• Love in Translation by Joss Wood 
• Ex Marks the Spot by Gloria Chao 
• Cabin: Off the Grid Adventures with a Clueless Craftsman by Patrick Hutchison  
• The Mindful Mocktail by Natalie Battaglia 
• Rental House by Weike Wang 
• Private Rites by Julia Armfield 
• Knife Skills For Beginners by Orlando Murrin 

Joe’s Titles:

• Roland Rogers Isn’t Dead Yet by Samantha Allen 
• What the Woods Took by Courtney Gould 
• The Party by Natasha Preston 
• Alter Ego by Alex Segura 
• Havoc by Christopher Bollen 
• Watch Your Back by Terri Parlato 
• A Series of Rooms by AJ Barlowe 
• The Peculiar Garden of Harriet Hunt by Chelsea Iversen 

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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In this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast, Joe sits down with legendary author Chuck Palahniuk to discuss his latest novel, SHOCK INDUCTION (out now from Simon & Schuster) . They dive into Chuck’s signature minimalist writing style and explore how it unites his body of work, creating stories that pack an unforgettable punch. Plus, in a heartwarming twist, Chuck and Joe’s Boston terriers make a special appearance over Zoom, bringing a dose of canine charm to the conversation. Don't miss this deep dive into storytelling with one of literature's most provocative voices!

Other titles by Chuck Palahniuk mentioned in this episode:

• Not Forever but for Now
• Invisible Monsters
• Choke
• Haunted
• Rant
• Fight Club
• The Invention of Sound
• Make Something Up

You can find and borrow these books and more of Chuck's books in Libby. Our librarian friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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It's fall, y'all 🍂 In this episode, Joe teams up with Claire and Kristin to share the ultimate list of cozy book recommendations. From charming cottage core tales to delightful cozy mysteries to graphic novels, these picks are perfect for your next warm and comforting reading escape. Your next cozy read awaits!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Claire’s Titles:  

• The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches by Sangu Mandanna (new book next spring – A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping) 
• The Pumpkin Spice Cafe by Laurie Gilmore (followed by The Cinnamon Bun Book Store, The Christmas Tree Farm and The Strawberry Patch Pancake House) 
• Chaos at the Lazy Bones Bookshop by Emmeline Duncan 
• The Teller of Small Fortunes by Julie Leong  
• Murder Takes the Stage by Colleen Cambridge
• The Twilight Garden by Sara Nisha Adams (shout out to The Reading List) 

Kristin’s Titles: 

• The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuke 
• Rewitched by Lucy Jane Wood 
• The Spellshop by Sarah Beth Durst 
• Meet your Baker by Ellie Alexander 
• The Whispering Dead by Darcy Coates 
• The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan 

Joe’s Titles: 

• How to Solve Your Own Murder by Kristen Perrin (How to Seal Your Own Fate coming in April 2025!) 
• Mrs. Quinn’s Rise to Fame by Olivia Ford 
• Snapdragon by Kat Leyh 
• The Witch Boy Series by Molly Knox Ostertag (The Witch Boy, The Hidden Witch, The Midwinter Witch) 
• Tokyo These Days vol. 3 by Taiyo Matsumoto (Volume 1 and Volume 2) 
• Peking Duck and Cover by Vivien Chien

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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In this episode of The Professional Book Nerds, Joe sits down with bestselling author Alex Aster to dive into the magic of SKYSHADE (out November 12 from Amulet Books), the thrilling third installment in the Lightlark Saga. Alex shares her extraordinary journey, from querying her first book at just 12 years old to becoming a relentless force in the writing world.

Discover the secrets behind Skyshade, the challenges Alex faced along the way, and how her unwavering determination has shaped her career. Whether you’re a die-hard Lightlark fan or an aspiring writer, this conversation will leave you inspired and eager for more!

Other Alex Aster titles:

• The Lightlark Saga
• Lightlark
• Nightbane
• Skyshade
• Summer in the City (publishing March 2025)
• Emblem Island Series
• Curse of the Night Witch
• Curse of the Forgotten City

Check out Alex Aster online! Visit her website: https://www.asterverse.com/ or follow her on Instagram and TikTok

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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For those of you who love a thriller, a mystery or a bit of horror year-round, this one is for you. Today Joe is joined by Kara (@thebookkaravan) to talk about twisty, claustrophobic thrillers that will take you from fall into winter. They'll take you from Halloween through the dark nights of the new year!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Kara’s Titles:  

• The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides 
• The Only One Left by Riley Sager 
• Cover Story by Susan Rigetti 
• The Wife Between Us by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen 
• Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll 
• The Couple Next Door by Shari Lapena 

Joe’s Titles: 

• Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson 
• Liar, Dreamer, Thief by Maria Dong 
• Extended Stay by Juan Martinez 
• Bridge by Lauren Beukes 
• I Will Find You by Harlan Coben 
• Mister Magic by Kiersten White 

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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Happy Halloween 🎃 Today, Joe is joined by fellow Scorpio Jill to talk through November 2024's biggest books! The nerds share what they're most looking forward to this fall.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Jill’s Titles:  

• The Lake of Lost Girls by Katherine Greene 
• Box Office Poison by Tim Robey 
• Growing Up Urkel by Jaleel White 
• Toto by A.J. Hackwith 
• Believe by Jeremy Egner 
• Others Like Me by Nicole Louie 
• Thorns, Lust, and Glory by Estelle Paranque 
• Sandwiches of History by Barry W. Enderwick 

Joe’s Titles: 

• The City and Its Uncertain Walls by Haruki Murakami  
• Kill Yours, Kill Mine by Katherine Kovacic 
• Master of Me by Keke Palmer 
• I’m Laughing Because I’m Crying by Youngmi Mayer 
• Is She Really Going Out With Him? By Sophie Cousens 
• I am the Dark that Answers When You Call by Jamison Shea 
• If You Can Hear This by Faith Gardner 
• When Mimi Went Missing by Suja Sukumar 

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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On this episode, we've got spooky stories for your nerves! Get ready for Halloween with these horror thrills! From classic slashers to supernatural creeps, Joe, Claire and Kristin have a recommendation for you!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Claire’s Titles:  

• We Used to Live Here by Marcus Kliewer 
• The White Guy Dies First edited by Terry J. Benton-Walker 
• Guillotine by Delilah S. Dawson 
• Midnight on Beacon Street by Emily Ruth Verona 
• The Bog Wife by Kay Chronister 
• Sacrificial Animals by Kailee Pedersen  
• Shout out to Graphic Novels: Loving, Ohio by Matthew Erman, The Low Low Woods by Carmen Maria Machado, Wait Till Helen Comes by Mary Downing Hahn, Over My Dead Body by Sweeney Boo

Kristin’s Titles: 

• Pay the Piper by George A. Romero & Daniel Kraus 
• Incidents Around the House by Josh Malerman 
• So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison 
• Never Whistle at Night Edited by Shane Hawk 
• The Pale House Devil by Richard Kadrey 
• This Cursed House by Del Sandeen 
• Just a quick shout out: The Fisherman by John Langan; The Haunted Forest Tour by Jeff Strand and James A. Moore 

Joe’s Titles: 

• Universal Harvester by John Darnielle 
• The Black Girl Survives in This One edited by Desiree S. Evans & Saraciea J. Fennell 
• Coup de Grâce by Sofia Ajram 
• Influencer by Adam Cesare 
• Small Town Horror by Ronald Malfi
• The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix
• Just a quick shout out: Horror Movie by Paul Tremblay and Bury Your Gays by Chuck Tingle
• Listen to: Joe's interview with Paul Tremblay and Joe’s interview with Chuck Tingle
• And on Kanopy, just have to mention that Rosemary’s Baby is streaming (along with so many others in the Kanopy Fright Fest) 

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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In this episode of Professional Book Nerds, we’re diving into the world of Jeff Kinney, the mastermind behind the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series! Join us as we chat about his latest release, Diary of a Wimpy Kid 19: Hot Mess (out October 22)!

Get ready to laugh and learn as Jeff shares the inspiration behind his new book and the misadventures of Greg Heffley. We’ll also discuss the challenges of navigating the chaotic world of childhood, and how he turns those “hot mess” moments into relatable tales that resonate with readers of all ages.

So, grab your snacks, and settle in for a fun-filled episode that promises to be anything but boring. You won't want to miss this opportunity to hear from the author who has kept kids—and adults—laughing for years. It’s time to get your diaries ready for a new chapter!

Check out more from Jeff Kinney online... you can visit the Wimpy Kid website or follow on Instagram.

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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Join Joe as he chats with Kieran Hickey - his friend and founder of the Queer Liberation Library! Kieran shares his inspiration behind creating the queer digital library, how you can become a member of the library, and all the ways you can support QLL. They also talk about the importance of Queer History Month and recommend a few gay books. You can follow QLL on Instagram!

You can learn more about QLL here: https://www.queerliberationlibrary.org/

find resources and access info here: https://www.queerliberationlibrary.org/resources

become a member here: https://www.queerliberationlibrary.org/members

and, donate here: https://givebutter.com/J9nhcW

Titles mentioned in this episode:

• Paradise Rot by Jenny Hval
• Amberlough by Lara Elena Donnelly
• The Women's House of Detention by Hugh Ryan
• Blackouts by Justin Torres

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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Joe is joined by two of his favorite people, author TJ Klune and audiobook narrator Daniel Henning to talk about their work together on Somewhere Beyond the Sea (out now from Tor and Macmillan audio)! TJ shares how he channeled love, joy and rage into this book, why it's important to create safe spaces, and what you can expect from his writing in the future. Daniel shares his amazing process, work on creating new characters, channeling our existing favorites, and what it felt like to be on the NYT bestseller list for this audiobook!

A huge thank you to TJ and Daniel for joining me today. You can follow TJ on Instagram here, and Daniel on Instagram here! Listen to my first episode with TJ and Daniel here!

Check out the Cerulean Chronicles:

1. The House in the Cerulean Sea (ebook / audiobook)
2. Somewhere Beyond the Sea (ebook / audiobook)

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace.

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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On this special episode, we’re featuring a conversation from our friends at Life in Seven Songs, the new podcast from The San Francisco Standard that dives deep into the minds of some of today’s greatest visionaries.

Named a top new show by both Apple Podcasts and The Guardian, Life in Seven Songs asks one simple question: What songs tell your life story? In each episode, extraordinary people share the music and moments that have shaped their lives. Each episode, host Sophie Bearman sits down with guests like London Breed, the first Black woman to serve as Mayor of San Francisco, D'Wayne Wiggins, the record producer who discovered Beyoncé and helped artists like Zendaya become superstars; and Jony Ive, the creative genius behind Apple's iPhone.

In this episode, Sophie speaks with Daniel Handler—better known as Lemony Snicket, the writer of A Series of Unfortunate Events. In the episode, Sophie and Daniel discuss his various works, and unpack why his novels often depict terrible things happening to people.

Listen to more episodes of Life in Seven Songs and follow the podcast!

Thanks so much for checking out this bonus feed drop off the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog!

We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to [email protected]. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: https://plotthreadsshop.com/!

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