Book Lounge by Libby

This week, Joe is joined by returning guest and friend of the show Jananie K. Velu for a literary love letter to classic femme-driven fiction. From Jane Austen to the Brontë sisters and beyond, we're talking about our relationships with the classics, and what happens when contemporary authors take familiar literary foundations in unexpected new directions.

We're diving into modern retellings, feminist reimaginings, swoony romances, gothic twists, queer adaptations and stories that turn everything you thought you knew about a classic on its head. Plus, we're sharing a whole stack of recommendations for readers who love a little literary history with their plot twists.

Whether you're a lifelong Austen devotee or someone who has never quite made it through Wuthering Heights, there's something here for you. Consider this your invitation to revisit the classics, rethink the stories and add a few new favorites to your reading list.

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

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

Jananie K. Velu – Links

Book recommendations:

Jananie's picks:

Much Ado About Nada – Uzma Jalaluddin

Ayesha At Last – Uzma Jalaluddin

The Earl That Got Away – Diana Quincy

These Violent Delights – Chloe Gong

The Daughter of Doctor Moreau – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Local Heavens – K. M. Fajardo

The Secret World of Briar Rose – Cindy Pham

A Dowry of Blood – S. T. Gibson

Hungerstone – Kat Dunn

Hamnet – Maggie O’Farrel

The Beautiful Ones – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Sonali Dev’s The Rajes series

Pride, Prejudice, and Other Flavors

Recipe for Persuasion

Incense and Sensibility

The Emma Project

Nisha Sharma’s If Shakespeare Were an Auntie Series

Dating Dr. Dil

Tastes Like Shakkar

Marriage & Masti

Joe's picks:

Jane Steele – Lyndsay Faye

The Winters – Lisa Gabriele

Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy – Rey Terciero

Dan in Green Gables – Rey Terciero

Northranger – Rey Terciero

The Secret Garden on 81st Street – Ivy Noelle Weir

Recommended Reading – Paul Coccia

Behind Five Willows – June Hur

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Intro 00:01:04 Catching up with Jananie 00:01:30 Talking about classics and reimaginings 00:16:16 Pride, Prejudice & Plot Twists recommendations 00:52:16 Comment Question 00:52:45 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 at https://www.instagram.com/bookloungepod/

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/42363

Happy Reading!
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The classics never really go out of style. But that doesn't mean they can't use a little reinvention.

This week on Book Lounge, we're diving into Classics, Reimagined: the art of taking familiar stories, beloved literary foundations and timeless characters and giving them an entirely new life.

First, I'm joined by authors T. Kingfisher and Tee Harlowe to talk about the inspiration behind reimagining classic literature, finding new perspectives in familiar stories and figuring out how to honor an original while making something unmistakably your own. Then, I sit down with Lucy Foley for a quick conversation about the magic of revisiting the stories that have shaped our reading lives.

Whether you're a classics devotee, a fan of modern retellings or someone who loves seeing an old story turned completely upside down, there's something here for you.

Because sometimes the best stories are the ones we think we already know.

Welcome to Book Lounge by Libby, your favorite corner of the reading world. Powered by libraries. Made for readers.

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

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

T. Kingfisher - Website

Tee Harlowe - Website

Lucy Foley - Instagram

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Intro and Welcome 00:00:52 T. Kingfisher & Tee Harlowe 00:48:57 Lucy Foley 01:13:44 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 at https://www.instagram.com/bookloungepod/

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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It's Noirvember, and we're embracing our mysterious side! Whether you prefer your crime with a side of literary intrigue or your mysteries served up in cinematic black and white, we've got your next obsession.

First, Joe is joined by Bre to explore crime fiction, noir-inspired reads and stories packed with secrets, dangerous characters and twists you won't see coming. Then, we're switching from the page to the screen as Matt and Aaron from Kanopy join Joe to share their must-watch film recommendations, spanning classic noir, neo-noir and everything in between.

From shadowy mysteries and complicated antiheroes to unforgettable cinematic thrillers, this episode is your invitation to lean into the darkness. Grab a book, fire up Kanopy and make this Noirvember one to remember.

Happy reading (and watching)!

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

Title Recommendations:

Part 1 – Libby:

Bre's picks:

Laws of Depravity – Eriq La Salle

All Her Little Secrets – Wanda M. Morris

The Devil in a Blue Dress – Walter Mosley

King of Ashes – SA Cosby

Joe's picks:

Crone – Keith Rosson

Kill for Me, Kill for You – Steve Cavanagh

My Friend Dahmer – Derf Backderf

Plus you can watch the 2017 film My Friend Dahmer on Kanopy: https://www.kanopy.com/product/my-friend-dahmer-0

Magic For Liars – Sarah Gailey

The Intrigue – Silvia Moreno-Garcia

Part 2 – Kanopy:

Aaron's picks:

The Hitch-Hiker

Night of the Juggler

Bound

The Nile Hilton Incident

Matt's picks:

Night of the Hunter

Breathless

The People’s Joker

The Silence of the Lambs

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

Kanopy - Instagram

Bre - Links

Links mentioned:

https://www.crimewritersofcolor.com/

Bre’s Video: The Ultimate Reading Guide of SA Cosby

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Intro 00:00:59 Segment 1: Crime Fiction & Noir Vibes Reading Recs 00:52:20 Segment 2: Film Noir Recommendations 01:50:09 Comment Question 01:50:29 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 at https://www.instagram.com/bookloungepod/

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/42301

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

What's the difference between telling a good crime story and telling someone's story? This Noirvember, we're diving into the fascinating, sometimes complicated relationship between true crime and crime fiction.

I'm joined by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush and Sebastian Krahl for a conversation about what it means to work with crime as source material, whether you're writing fiction or exploring real-life cases. We talk about the responsibilities that come with telling these stories, navigating the fine line between entertainment and exploitation, respecting the people behind the headlines and finding a balance between the darkness of crime and the reasons we're drawn to these stories in the first place.

Because there's a lot more to a good crime story than just figuring out whodunit. So grab your magnifying glass, settle in and join us for a little Noirvember reading (and listening) room discussion!

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

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

Jennifer Graeser Dornbush – website

Sebastian Krahl – links

Some books by our guests:

Coroner’s Daughter Mystery Series, Book 1: The Coroner - Jennifer Graeser Dornbush

50 True Stories That Will Scare You to Death – Sebastian Krahl

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:20 Welcome and Intro 00:01:30 How do we feel about true crime and crime fic? 00:07:31 Some favorite horror movies 00:14:07 How do you position your content for your audience 00:28:08 Talking about risk factors and lowering risk 00:35:25 Jennifer on interviewing the daughters of The Ice Man 00:43:34 What’s your favorite part of how these stories are told? 00:56:45 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 at https://www.instagram.com/bookloungepod/

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

New month, new books, new reasons to let your TBR spiral completely out of control. 📚

Joe is joined by Bre for November 2026 Book Picks, our monthly look at the new book releases we're most excited about. From stories that caught our attention to books we're already counting down the days to read, we're sharing the upcoming releases we think deserve a spot on your radar.

Whether you're hunting for your next five-star read, filling your library holds list or just looking for a little inspiration for your November reading life, we've got recommendations for you. Consider this your friendly reminder that your TBR is a living document and there is always room for one more book.

Powered by libraries. Made for readers. Happy reading!

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

Who’s in this episode:

Joe – Instagram

Bre’s live conversation with Eriq La Salle - link

Bre’s Blackoween announcement - link

Book recommendations:

Bre's picks:

Peregrine Hill – Nina de Gramont

The Last Prince of Florence – Zoe Sivak

The Monster Hunter’s Librarian – Lauren Connolly

Salt Water Blood – Manuia Henrich

Joe's picks:

Take My Word for It – LeVar Burton

Is It Too Late to Make a Run for It? – Judi Dench

Revenge Plot – Stephanie Wrobel

Luck of the Draw – Christine Suggs

Trove – Danie Stirling

There Used to be People Here – Kennedy Cole

Clear Water – Gabrielle Lucille Fuentes

Mr. Mendlebee’s Pandimensional Literary Repository (and Yarn) – Rebecca McKee

New Year’s Grieve – Elizabeth Foscue

Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:19 Intro 00:00:57 Welcome to Bre! 00:09:27 Our November 2026 Book Picks 00:55:19 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 at https://www.instagram.com/bookloungepod/

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/42201

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