Professional Book Nerds
We're not just book nerds. We're professional book nerds! We are staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks from public libraries and schools. It's our job to discuss books all day long so we thought, "Why not share the conversation!" Hear about the best books we've read, get recommendations, and learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. Titles discussed are available to borrow through public libraries. Get started reading at overdrive.com and subscribe to our podcast today!
Episodes
November 30, 2023 • 43 mins
Emma and Joe chat about their most anticipated book releases for December! The final book picks episode featuring 2023 releases is here. Grab your hot cocoa and get ready to add a few more things to your TBR as we close out another great year.
Books mentioned in this episode:
December Author Interviews:
I Didn’t Know I Needed This by Eli Rallo
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross
Emma’s Picks:
Here in the Dark by Alexis Sol...
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November 16, 2023 • 48 mins
On this episode of PBN Joe and Emma are starting to wrap up the year by sharing their favorite juvenile and young adult titles published in 2023. Come and hear what made the cut and why these nerds enjoyed it so much.
Titles mentioned in this episode:
Emma’s Titles:
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Betting on You by Lynn Painter
House of Marionne by J. Elle
The Brothers Hawthorne by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Divine Riva...
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November 13, 2023 • 43 mins
On this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast, Joe chats with author Naomi Alderman about her new book The Future (out November 7). Joe and Naomi talk about how an actual pandemic happening can really change how you write about a pandemic, buying $23 hand sanitizer, and what exactly would happen if the elite had private bunkers to escape to.
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode on OverDrive...
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November 9, 2023 • 69 mins
Grab your crystal ball, fire up the cauldron, and get ready to get witchy! Today, Joe, Kristin, and Claire share some recommended picks for the witching season. There's something magical in the air as you transition from Halloween horrors but before you get too cozy for the winter season.
Titles mentioned in this episode:
Kristin’s Titles:
Hex Life edited by Rachel Autumn Deering
In the House in the Dark of the Wood by Lai...
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November 6, 2023 • 50 mins
Emma spends roughly an hour fangirling at bestselling author, Rebecca Yarros, and chats about the highly-anticipated release of Iron Flame. They also discuss work-life balance, the biggest obstacles facing Xaden and Violet, Rebecca's favorite dragon and go-to coffee order, being a Dain apologist, and so much more in this casual, chatty interview.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
Iron Flame by Rebe...
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November 2, 2023 • 51 mins
Emma is joined by librarian, Robin Bradford, to chat about her book, The Reader's Advisory Guide to Romance. They also chat all things Romancelandia, how to talk about spice levels, the cyclical nature of romance trends and tropes, libraries, and a bunch of recommendations! You can find Robin on Twitter @Tuphlos.
Authors mentioned in this episode:
Katee Robert
Jill Shalvis
Tasha Harrison
D.L. White
Naima Simone
Tracey Lives...
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October 30, 2023 • 66 mins
Emma catches up with Penny Reid to discuss the ways Penny innovates in self-publishing/indie publishing, her amazing Kickstarter campaign, the Smarty Pants Romance imprint, what happens when you add reality to romance tropes, and the Charles Dickens retelling you didn't know you needed. Plus, hear some scoop on what books you can expect next, news about the Winston Brothers tv show, and which characters still speak to Penny the lou...
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October 26, 2023 • 52 mins
Emma and Joe's favorite episode of the month is here with a roundup of November book releases! Grab a warm beverage and your TBR list!
Author Interviews this month:
Iron Flame by Rebecca Yarros
The Future by Naomi Alderman
Emma’s Picks
Check & Mate by Ali Hazelwood
Betting on You by Lynn Painter
Do Your Worst by Rosie Danan
Powerless by Lauren Roberts
Good Girls Don’t Die by Christina Henry
Enchanted Hil...
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October 19, 2023 • 40 mins
Halloween is fast-approaching, so what better way to get into the spirit 👻 than with some Haunted House reads! Grab your flashlights and EMF detectors and join the Nerds as they give you a guide to books about haunted houses.
Titles mentioned in this episode:
Emma’s Titles:
Starling House by Alix E Harrow
Home Before Dark by Riley Sager
The Little Stranger by Sarah Waters
Just Like Home by Sarah Gailey
The Fall o...
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October 12, 2023 • 58 mins
Emma is joined by Sydney and Tiffany to talk about what makes an author an "always buy." They also discuss the different ways they interact with an author or their titles, including placing holds at the library, using Libby tags, reading in print versus digital versus audiobook, personal connections to books, and go on a slight tangent to recommend some horror reads. It's a grab bag book-ish chat with a very long list of recommende...
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October 9, 2023 • 43 mins
Emma unbelievably chats with Cassandra Clare about her stunning new adult fantasy book, Sword Catcher. Emma and Cassandra also discuss nobles behaving badly, the surprising inspiration behind this story and the characters, romance, found family, and what we can expect next in Castellane. Listen to the end to hear the title of Book 2 in this series and Cassandra's preferred method of organizing her book collection at home.
Readers ...
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October 5, 2023 • 56 mins
After Joe Read a Big Romance, everyone wanted Emma to do the same - so today, Emma Reads a Horror! Emma read Jackal by Erin E. Adams - one of Joe's favorite reads of 2022. The Nerds get into a spoilery discussion of the book, talking about folklore, horror, and dive in deep in the book's topics.
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles ...
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October 2, 2023 • 55 mins
On this episode, Joe is joined by return guest Adam Sass to talk about his new book, Your Lonely Nights are Over. They talk about building and investing in a community, dual POV writing, beautiful, dreamy pondering, and Adam answers the question - what's your favorite scary movie?
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Ma...
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September 28, 2023 • 42 mins
Joe and Emma share what books released in October 2023 that they're MOST excited for. Get your TBRs ready!
Emma’s Picks:
Lucky Me by Rich Paul
The Unmaking of June Farrow by Adrienne Young
Wildfire by Hannah Grace
A Curse for True Love by Stephanie Garber
A Holly Jolly Ever After by Julie Murphy & Sierra Simone (Snow Place Like LA)
Midnight is the Darkest Hour by Ashley Winstead
The Sun Sets in Singapore by K...
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September 25, 2023 • 67 mins
Today Joe is freaking out because he gets to talk to TJ Klune and Daniel Henning. TJ wrote one of Joe's all-time favorite books, The House in the Cerulean Sea, and his newest book, In the Lives of Puppets, released in April 2023. Daniel has been the voice for both of these audiobooks and over 200 others (The House in the Cerulean Sea (audio), In the Lives of Puppets(audio)).
They talk about writing, narrating audiobooks, what advic...
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September 21, 2023 • 50 mins
Emma is joined by her friendly OverDrive librarians to chat about all things book hype. They explore questions like " Is it worth the hype?" and "Do you pay attention to hype?" and how it impacts personal reading tastes or not! They also have a respectful conversation about books that did not quite live up to their expectations and then share some books they're REALLY looking forward to for the fall.
Books mentioned in this episode...
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September 18, 2023 • 42 mins
Today Joe chats with Jessica Knoll about her new book, Bright Young Women. They talk about her work dissecting and researching the crimes of Ted Bundy as she crafted her novel from the perspective of two victims. Jessica also shares about her organization and process, where she finds inspiration while writing, and just how spicy she likes her Pad See Ew.
Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode on OverD...
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September 14, 2023 • 54 mins
Read an Ebook Day is September 18th! Team OverDrive is particularly fond of this holiday that celebrates digital reading love and wanted to share what they plan to read. Let us know what you add to your TBR and how you plan to celebrate Read an Ebook Day with #ebookLove. You can also visit https://readanebookday.com/ to learn more!
Books mentioned in this episode:
The Only One Left by Riley Sager
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter ...
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September 11, 2023 • 64 mins
Emma and Joe are thrilled to chat with incredible horror authors, Clay McLeod Chapman and Rachel Harrison, for a special conversation about their new books, What Kind of Mother (out September 12th), and Black Sheep (out September 19th). Listen in to hear about finding inspiration in the strangest of places (Nicholas Sparks and insurance commercials), nature vs. nurture, not turning into our parents, struggling with parenthood, bein...
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August 31, 2023 • 33 mins
Join Emma and Joe as they share the September 2023 book releases they're eagerly awaiting.
Upcoming author interviews (with September book releases):
What Kind of Mother by Clay McLeod Chapman (out 9/12)
Black Sheep by Rachel harrison (out 9/19)
Your Lonely Nights Are Over by Adam Sass (out 9/12)
Bright Young Women by Jessica Knoll (out 9/28)
Emma’s Titles:
Fall of Ruin and Wrath by Jennifer L Armentrout
The F...
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