Book Lounge by Libby

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 over time and why stories built around discovery, danger and a good old fashioned “let’s see what happens” continue to thrive.

We’re talking classic adventure, modern adventure books, science fiction, fantasy, quests, escapism and the enduring appeal of getting swept up in a story that refuses to sit still.

So grab your metaphorical map, pack some snacks and join us in the Book Lounge. Adventure isn’t dead. It just got weird.

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!

Titles mentioned in this episode:

Starman Jones – Robert A. Heinlein

Hatchet – Gary Paulsen

Project Hail Mary – Andy Weir

Dungeon Crawler Carl – Matt Dinniman

A Winkle in Time – Madeleine L’Engle

The Dark is Rising – Susan Cooper

The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins

Uglies – Scott Westerfeld

Old Man’s War – John Scalzi

Monsters of Ohio – John Scalzi

Agent to the Stars – John Scalzi

When the Moon Hits Your Eye – John Scalzi

Redshirts – John Scalzi

All Quiet on the Western Front – Erich Maria Remarque

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

John Scalzi – Website, Instagram

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Welcome and intro 00:01:30 The Adventure Stories that shaped us 00:07:42 How adventure evolved 00:19:06 The power of personal recommendations 00:33:55 Why adventure stories offer escape 00: 44:55 Why adventure isn’t dead 00:55:19 Comment question and outro

Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge

Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.

Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.

Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.

Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378

Happy Reading!
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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 stories take off in book clubs? And what makes readers want to pass a book along to everyone they know?

Plus, we’re getting into the joy, chaos and occasionally unhinged energy of being part of a reading community.

Whether you’re a lifelong book club member, a solo reader who lives in the group chat or someone who has ever said “I HAVE to make you read this,” this one is for you.

If you're part of a book club, tell us about it! How big is your group? How often do you meet? What's the best book you've ever read together? And, perhaps most importantly, what's the book that nearly started a civil war?

Listen or watch now, and join the conversation with Book Lounge by Libby.

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

Heather Morris – Website, Instagram

Morgan Elizabeth – Website, Instagram

Patti C. Henry – Website, Instagram

Guest Books:

Some of Heather Morris' books:

The Tattooist of Auschwitz

Cilka’s Journey

Three Sisters

Sisters Under the Rising Sun

The Piano Teacher of Montparnasse

Morgan Elizabeth's traditionally published book:

Meet Cute Magic

Some of Patti C. Henry's books:

Losing the Moon

The Story She Left Behind

The Secret Book of Flora Lea

Becoming Mrs. Lewis

Once Upon a Wardrobe

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Welcome and Intro 00:01:24 When did you realize your book had become a book club hit? 00:11:56 Did a book club change the trajectory of your book? 00:26:35 What are some of the events that stick out to you? 00:36:18 What impact does reader response have on your writing? 00:46:00 The parasocial lines between author and reader 00:57:09 Thank you, comment question and outro

Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge

Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.

Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.

Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.

Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378 Today's featured books: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41711

Happy Reading!
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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, we're sharing a few honorable mentions and unexpected picks to round out your reading list.

Find your next favorite read with Book Lounge by Libby, powered by libraries and made for readers.

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!

Book recommendations:

Nahomy’s Picks:

The House Built on Alligator Bones – Sophia Huneycutt

Legends & Lattes: The Graphic Novel – Travis Baldree, adapted – Samuel Sattin, Illustrated – Shanti Rittgers and Sarah Webb

Peck & Peck – Bonnie Garmus

Until the Last Light Goes Out – Courtney Gould

A Court of Splintered Harmony – Sarah J. Maas

Look What the Cat Dragged In – Jason Rekulak

When the World Was Happy – Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Joe’s Picks:

Honorable mentions:

Stagtown vol. 1 – Punko

The Sea Witch Prophecy – Claribel A. Ortega

The Tarot Trials – Katee Robert

The Memory of Borrowed Books – Meg Anderson

Episode picks:

Solace House – Will Maclean

Carrying – Samantha Josephs

Bruja’s Nest – Brenda LaTorre

When the Night Comes Knocking – Katherine Daniel

The Chain House – JH Markert

Dive Bar at the End of the Road – Kelley Armstrong

Please Enjoy Your Stay – Tara Goedjen

Night of the Mallrats – Nicolina Torres

Fangs and All – Tas Mukanik

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

Nahomy - Instagram

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Intro & Welcome 00:02:53 Joe’s Honorable Mentions list 00:05:41 Our October 2026 Book Picks 00:48:19 We want to hear from you! Comment Question 00:48:43 Thanks and outro

Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge

Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.

Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.

Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.

Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378 Today's featured books: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41715

Happy Reading!
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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 from joining and what happens when a book club meeting goes completely off the rails.

We're talking book club tips, discussion drama, choosing books, reading outside your comfort zone, building community and, naturally, some very important book club gossip.

Whether you're already a devoted book club person, thinking about joining one or wondering if you should finally start your own, this conversation has something for you.

And yes, we get into the books that brought people together, the ones that divided them and the stories that have become legendary around the book club table.

If you're watching or listening on Spotify, comment and let us know: If you're part of a book club, tell us about it! How big is your group? How often do you meet? What's the best book you've ever read together? And, perhaps most importantly, what's the book that nearly started a civil war?

OR come comment on today's post over on Instagram at @bookloungepod.

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!

Book recommendations:

Jane Eyre – Charlotte Bronte

Slaughterhouse-Five – Kurt Vonnegut

Heart the Lover – Lily King

Daughters of Shandong – Eve J. Chung

Woodworking – Emily St. James

The Rachel Incident – Caroline O’Donoghue

Sula – Toni Morrison

The Bluest Eye – Toni Morrison

I See You’ve Called in Dead – John Kenney

Into Thin Air – Jon Krakauer

Into the Wild – Jon Krakauer

The Art Thief – Michael Finkel

The Final Revival of Opal & Nev – Dawnie Walton

Big Swiss – Jen Beagin

Death in Her Hands – Ottessa Moshfegh

The End of Men – Christina Sweeney-Baird

Tuesdays With Morrie – Mitch Albom

Crime and Punishment – Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Hunger Games – Suzanne Collins

Chain-Gang All-Stars – Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Guillotine – Delilah S. Dawson

Who’s in this episode:

Amy Allen Clark - Links

Meara - Links

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Welcome and intro 00:12:10 Different styles and sizes of Book Clubs 00:21:48 Preparing for Discussion 00:47:24 Do you always finish the book? 01:01:57 What should you know before you walk into book club the first time? 01:05:52 Comment Question and Outro

Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge

Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.

Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.

Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.

Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378

Happy Reading!
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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 even know about.

Plus, we're getting into librarian superpowers, memorable library moments, favorite programs and the realities of working with readers of all ages.

Whether you're a lifelong library lover, a curious reader or someone who has ever wondered what librarians REALLY think, this is your invitation behind the scenes.

Get ready for library secrets, bookish hot takes, hilarious stories and plenty of reasons to visit your local library. Grab your library card and join the conversation!

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Intro 00:01:03 Getting to know our guests 00:05:12 Assumptions about librarians 00:15:55 The most checked-out authors 00:25:07 Let’s get shady 00:32:40 Strangest patron questions 00:55:06 What’s a favorite program or service? 00:59:27 Outro

Enjoying the show? Follow Book Lounge by Libby, leave a rating or review, and watch every episode on the Libby App YouTube channel. Find us on Libbylife.com/booklounge

Got a book recommendation, dream guest or just want to say hi? We'd love to hear from you at bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com.

Looking for Book Lounge merch? Visit Plot Threads.

Library friends: Add episodes of Book Lounge by Libby to your digital collection for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. You can also purchase the titles featured in today's episode in OverDrive Marketplace.

Browse our cumulative reading list for the season: https://marketplace.overdrive.com/Marketplace/OneCopyOneUserAndMeteredAccess/SuggestedList/41378

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