This week on the Professional Book Nerds podcast, Joe is joined by the fabulous Holly Stars! 🎭 Holly dives into her debut queer crime fiction novel, Murder in the Dressing Room (out January 14 from Berkley), sharing the inspiration behind this thrilling whodunit. We also chat about her incredible work on the West End and her advice on embracing your inner drag queen. 💄 Whether you’re a fan of crime fiction, the theater, or just love a little sparkle in your day, this episode is not to be missed! 🌈✨

Check out Holly online: Holly's Instagram & Holly's website

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! You can follow Libby on Instagram here!

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Big changes are coming to the Professional Book Nerds podcast! In this special end-of-year episode, we’re sharing important updates about the future of the show that you won’t want to miss. Plus, Joe reflects on the final Professional Book Nerds Reading Challenge and how he wrapped up the year of reading. Tune in for all the details and to celebrate the end of this chapter with us!

We hope you enjoy our last episode of the year this Monday, December 23 with drag queen Holly Stars! Hope you have a wonderful holiday season, and we'll see you in the new year!

You can follow Libby on Instagram here!

Joe’s Titles: 

• A Genre you don’t normally read -  
• The Mars House – Natasha Pulley 
• A book with MCs a different age than you –  
• Why is This Night Different from All Other Nights – Lemony Snicket 
• A book on your TBR longer than 1 year - 
• Gone Girl – Gillian Flynn 
• An audiobook (full cast or dramatized) -  
• The Golden Spoon – Jessa Maxwell 
• A book in translation –  
• Marigold Mind Laundry – Jungeun Yun 
• Reread a childhood favorite 
• Pure Dead Magic – Debi Gliori 
• Book with a dual POV 
• The Boyfriend – Freida McFadden 
• A book out of season 
• The Christmas Guest – Peter Swanson 
• Read a duology 
• The Dreamblood Duology – The Killing Moon & The Shadowed Sun – NK Jemisin 
• A book with a one-word title 
• Cher - Cher 
• A book from any bestseller list 
• Somewhere Beyond the Sea – TJ Klune 
• A book you heard about first on PBN  
• Diavola – Jennifer Thorne 

Thank you to every one who participated in the 2024 PBN Reading Challenge and a shout out to the Queer Liberation Library for sending along their completed list! Check out Joe's episode with Kieran from QLL here.

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Step into a world of pink, glamour, and storytelling in this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast! Joe chats with bestselling author Renée Rosen about her dazzling new novel Let’s Call Her Barbie (out January 21 from Penguin). They dive into Renee’s writing process, the inspiration behind the book, and their shared love of Barbie—from childhood memories to cherished collections.

If you’ve ever admired Barbie’s iconic style or dreamed of creating your own timeless stories, this episode is a must-listen! 💕

Check out Renée Rosen online: Follow her on Instagram, visit her website!

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Start the new year with a fresh stack of must-reads! In this episode, Joe is joined by Renee to share their most anticipated book releases for January 2025. From thrilling debuts to long-awaited sequels, they’ve got something for every reader to kick off the year right. Grab your TBR list and settle in for a cozy chat packed with exciting recommendations.

Ready to dive into 2025? Let’s turn the page together!

Titles mentioned in today's episode:

Author Interview Books Releasing this Month:  

• Murder in the Dressing Room – Holly Stars (1/14) 
• Let’s Call Her Barbie – Renée Rosen (1/21) 

Renee’s Titles:  

• I’ll Come To You – Rebecca Kauffman 
• She Doesn’t Have A Clue - Jenny Elder Moke 
• Ace, Marvel, Spy - Jenni L. Walsh 
• The Good Mother Myth - Nancy Reddy 
• Reset: How to Change What’s Not Working - Dan Heath 
• Beautiful Ugly - Alice Feeney 
• The Favorites - Layne Fargo  
• Let’s Call Her Barbie – Renée Rosen
• The Socialialites - Caroline Lamond 
• Simply Jamie – Jamie Oliver 

Joe’s Titles:  

• Witchcraft for Wayward Girls – Grady Hendrix 
• Wake Up and Open Your Eyes – Clay McLeod Chapman  
• Lies on the Serpent’s Tongue – Kate Pearsall  
• Water Moon – Samantha Sotto Yambao  
• Brewed with Love – Shelly Page  
• The Romantic Tragedies of a Drama King – Harry Trevaldwyn  
• Shattering Dawn – Jayne Ann Krentz 
• A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage – Asia Mackay  
• The Harder I Fight the More I Love You – Neko chase  
• The Last Room on the Left – Leah Konen  

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Get ready to sleigh the holiday season with audiobooks! In this special episode, Joe is joined by Hugo from Penguin Random House to share cozy, captivating, and downright delightful audiobooks from Penguin Random House Audio that are perfect to Load Your Libby app.

Whether you’re traveling over the river and through the woods, taking a moment of peace from the holiday hustle, or simply looking to escape into a great story, we’ve got you covered. Tune in for recommendations to keep your holiday spirits bright and your shelves stacked with audio treasures!

Thank you to Penguin Random House Audio for sponsoring the 2024 Check Our Your Library Fiction & Film tour.

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Hugo’s Titles:  

• James - Percival Everett  
• We Solve Murders - Richard Osman  
• From Here to the Great Unknown - Lisa Marie Presley  
• Wandering Stars - Tommy Orange  
• Martyr! - Kaveh Akbar  
• Be Ready When Luck Happens - Ina Garten  
• Impossible Creatures - Katherine Rundell  
• All the Colors of the Dark - Chris Whitaker  
• Nexus - Yuval Noah Harari  
• The Anxious Generation - Jonathan Haidt  

Joe’s Titles: 

• Come and Get It - Kiley Reid  
• Lies and Weddings - Kevin Kwan  
• First Lie Wins - Ashley Elston  
• Funny Story - Emily Henry  
• Here One Moment - Liane Moriarty  
• Sonny Boy - Al Pacino  
• By Any other Name - Jodi Picoult   
• Heir - Sabaa Tahir  
• Blood at the Root - LaDarrion Williams  
• The God of the Woods - Liz Moore  

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the year comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the incredible Juvenile, Middle Grade, and Young Adult books that shaped our reading journeys in 2024! 🎉📚

In this episode, Joe is joined by Andrea and Sarah to share their top picks—stories that made them laugh, cry, and think in new ways. From heartwarming middle grade adventures to gripping YA novels, join the conversation as they dive into all the books they couldn’t put down, offering their personal insights and reflections on the books that made 2024 such a great year for kidlit.

Tune in for the ultimate Best of 2024 list and find your next favorite read!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Andrea’s Titles:  

• Wisteria by Adalyn Grace 
• Fangirl, Vol. 4: The Manga by Rainbow Rowell and Gabi Nam 
• Snow Place Like Home by Christina Soontornvat 
• Eva's Treetop Festival by Rebecca Elliott 
• Bo's New Magical Friends by Rebecca Elliott 

 Sarah’s Titles:  

• The Bletchley Riddle by Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin 
• Plain Jane and the Mermaid by Vera Brosgol 
• Black Girl You are Atlas by Renee Watson  
• Impossible Creatures by Katherine Rundell 
• Whale Fall by Melissa Stewart 
• Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo 

Joe’s Titles: 

• House of Elephants by Claribel A. Ortega 
• Youth Group by Jordan Morris (shouts out to Homebody by Theo Parish and Ghost Roast by Shawneé and Shawnelle Gibbs) 
• The Blonde Dies First by Joelle Wellington 
• Ruin Road by Lamar Giles 
• The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge by Matthew Hubbard 
• The Millicent Quibb School of Etiquette for Young Ladies of Mad Science by Kate McKinnon 

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

🎄📚 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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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/!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices