Book Lounge by Libby

What really happens behind the scenes in publishing—and how does an editor make the leap to author? 

In this bonus episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe sits down with Emma Brodie—Executive Editor at Clarkson Potter and author of Into the Blue—for a conversation that blends industry insight with creative inspiration. 

In the first half, Emma pulls back the curtain on her career in publishing, sharing what a day in the life of an editor looks like, how the industry has evolved, and some tricks of the trade.  

Then, the conversation shifts to Emma’s own writing journey. She dives into the inspiration behind Into the Blue, her creative process, and how she balances editing with making space for her own storytelling. Along the way, Joe and Emma also bond over a certain iconic vampire saga. 

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

Books by Emma Brodie:  


Songs in Ursa Major 


Into the Blue 

Who’s in this episode:  

Emma Brodie  


Instagram 


Website 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:01:14 Talking publishing & editing with Emma Brodie 00:20:24 Oops, Joe mentions Twilight 00:21:57 Tricks of the trade 00:29:19 Emma’s editing essentials 00:33:18 Making space for creativity 00:37:35 Into INTO THE BLUE 00:55:30 Lightning Round 00:57:49 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! 

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 [email protected]. 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

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 [email protected]. 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

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 [email protected]. 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

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 [email protected]. 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

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 [email protected]. 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