Book Lounge by Libby

Adventure isn’t dead. It’s just waiting for you on the next page.

Host Joe Skelley is joined by Amy Allen Clark (@momadvice) and creator Joe Zawada (@joezawadareads) to keep the adventure conversation going with a stack of adventure stories that bring the danger, drama, twists and absolutely zero respect for your bedtime.

From high stakes journeys to impossible odds and the kind of books that make “I’ll read one chapter” a hilarious lie, we’re sharing adventure book recommendations that will keep you reading all night.

If you’re looking for your next great adventure read, consider this your very official excuse to ignore your sleep schedule.

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

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

Amy Allen Clark - Links

Joe Zawada - Links

Book Recommendations:

Amy's Picks:

Runner - Ashton Lattimore

Castle of Water - Dane Huckelbridge

My Sister’s Going to Kill Me - Nina Simon

The Force of Such Beauty - Barbara Bourland

Fishbone Cinderella - Elizabeth Lim

Joe Z's Picks:

Taipei Story – RF Kuang

The Knight and the Moth - Rachel Gillig

Sublimation - Isabel J. Kim

Destiny’s Edge - M.L. Wang

Tempest - Victoria Aveyard

Joe S's Picks:

The Girl from the Sea – Lee Knox Ostertag

Gumshoe – Brenna Thummler

Millie of the Manor - Karina Evans, Andrea Bell

438 Days – Jonathan Franklin

Lost in the Valley of Death – Harley Rustad

Canon – Paige Lewis

Honey in Her Veins – Ruth McKell

Project V – Park Seolyeon

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Welcome and Intro 00:02:44 What our guests think of when they hear Adventure Story 00:11:56 Adventure Recommendations 01:14:43 Comment Question 01:15:03 Thank you 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/41743

Happy Reading!
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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 Witchlings has meant to Claribel and what it feels like to bring this magical story to an end.

Spoiler note: The first 16 minutes are spoiler-free. Light spoilers begin around 16:09, and we’ll give you a warning before discussing any major spoilers.

If you’ve read the Witchlings series, are finishing the finale or simply love magical middle grade fantasy, come hang out with us!

If YOU want the chance to win the complete Witchlings series, go enter to win on our Instagram @BookLoungePod

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

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

Claribel A. Ortega – Website, Instagram, Join the Witchlings Discord

Books by Claribel:

The Witchlings Series:

Witchlings

The Golden Frog Games

House of Elephants

Scepter of Memories

The Sea Witch Prophecy

Ghost Squad

Frizzy

The Girl and the Robobt – Oz Rodriguez, Claribel A. Ortega

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Intro and welcome to Claribel A. Ortega! 00:04:54 Writing the final book 00:10:09 Why five books felt right for Witchlings 00:11:40 What will Claribel miss most about the world of Witchlings 00:16:09 Spolier-light recap of the series 00:23:59 Monstruos mythology, identity and childhood storytelling 00:41:44 Spoiler discussion begins for book 5 00:55:12 The essence of Witchlings 00:55:43 A message to longtime readers 00:57:22 Comment question of the day! 00:57:32 GIVEAWAY DETAILS! 00:58:21 Thank you and farewell 00:59:39 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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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!
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices