Book Lounge by Libby

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

March is bringing the heat 🔥 

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark of the Book Gang Podcast to talk about the March 2026 book releases they cannot wait to read. 

From buzzy debuts to powerhouse authors returning with new stories, we’re breaking down the titles climbing to the top of our TBR piles. Whether you love literary fiction, thrillers, romance, or genre-bending surprises, this month is stacked. 

Get your Libby tag ready — we’re giving you plenty of reasons to hit “borrow” and build out your holds list. 

Looking for even more ideas? Browse Amy’s curated guides: 


2026 Debut Books (43 Incredible Titles) 


2026 New Releases (47 Book Ideas From Seasoned Voices) 

Your March reading mood? Officially handled. 

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

Book recommendations: 

Amy’s Picks:  


The Shock of the Light – Lori Inglis Hall  


The Beheading Game – Rebecca Lehmann 


The Fountain – Casey Scieszka  


Where the Girls Were – Kate Schatz  


Lady Tremaine – Rachel Hochhauser 


Under Water – Tara Menon  


That's What Friends Are For – Wade Rouse  


The Truth About Ruby Cooper – Liz Nugent  


The Night We Met – Abby Jimenez  


Once and Again – Rebecca Serle 

Joe’s Picks:  


Now I Surrender – Álvaro Engrigue 


200 Monas – Jan Saenz 


The Disappointment – Scott Broker 


Adult Braces – Lindy West 


The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts – Kim Fu 


You With the Sad Eyes – Christina Applegate 


Strange Girls – Sarvat Hasin 


Sisters in Yellow – Mieko Kawakami 


Hooked – Asako Yuzuki 


Wretch – Eric LaRocca 

 

Who’s in this episode:  


Amy Allen Clark – Links 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Check out How to Shoot a Ghost on Kanopy! 00:01:36 Title 00:02:00 Intro 00:02:30 Chatting with Amy Allen Clark 00:09:12 March 2026 Book Picks 01:17:47 Closing & 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

On this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re trying something a little different—and we’re very excited about it. Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark from the Book Gang podcast to dive deep into One’s Company by Ashley Hutson, a book Amy has been completely obsessed with. 

We start with a breakdown of the book (mostly spoiler-free), unpacking what worked, what lingered, and why One’s Company gets under your skin in the best way. Then, at the 25-minute mark we do a quick spoiler breakdown, then we’re joined by Ashley Hutson herself for a spoiler-filled conversation about the book, her inspirations, the emotional core of the story, and what it was like bringing this unsettling, unforgettable novel to life. 

📚 Spoiler warning: The author interview includes spoilers—so read One’s Company first, then come hang out with us. 

If you love this book-club-style episode (or want us to do more like it with different books or formats), we want to hear from you! Email Joe at [email protected] with your thoughts. 

Check out Ashley’s recent publication “Our Whole History” here! 

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/inside-one-s-company-obsession-isolation-and-talking-with-ashley-hutson-book-lounge-by-libby  

Who’s in this episode:  


Amy Allen Clark – Links  

Find Book Gang on Patreon 


Ashley Hutson - Website 

Check out Ashley’s recent publication “Our Whole History” here! 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:00:22 Intro 00:02:13 Talking One’s Company with Amy Allen Clark 00:25:55 Spoiler breakdown of One’s Company 00:30:12 Conversation with Ashley Hutson, author of One’s Company 01:19:55 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