Book Lounge by Libby

Winter is a vibe—and so is the way we read during it. 

In this episode, Joe is joined by Cece and Meara to talk all things winter reading vibes, from how mood reading works for us to whether TBRs ever stand a chance. We get honest about DNFing books (when we quit, why we quit, and how we make peace with it) and then wrap things up with book recommendations that feel just right for the colder months—think cozy, atmospheric, emotional, and immersive reads. 

If your winter reading life looks nothing like your reading goals… you’re in good company. 

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

Book recommendations: 

Cece’s Picks: 


The Boys in the Valley – Philip Fracassi 


Adrift in Currents Clean and Clear (Wayward Children series – Book 1 Every Heart a Doorway) – Seanan McGuire 


The Forgotten Girl – India Hill Brown 


Echo After Echo – A.R. Capetta 

 Meara’s Picks: 


The Hush – Sara Foster 


These Immortal Truths - R. Raeta 


These Godly Lies – R. Raeta 


Cold - Drew Hayden Taylor 


One Dark Window - Rachel Gillig 

 Joe’s Picks:  


Strange Pictures - Uketsu 


Strange Houses - Uketsu  


Bad Dolls – Rachel Harrison  


The Writing Retreat – Julia Bartz  


Breathe In, Bleed Out – Brian McAuley  


The Staircase in the Woods – Chuck Wendig  


Idle Grounds - Krystelle Bamford  


Old Country by Matt & Harrison Query 


The Haunting of Hill House – Shirley Jackson  


Bochica – Carolina Florez-Cerchiaro  


Play Nice – Rachel Harrison  


The Apartment Across the Hall – Jack Dane  


The Most – Jessica Anthony  


The Three of Us – Ore Agbaje-Williams 

 Who’s in this episode:  


Cece – Links 


Meara - Links 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:00:23 Intro 

00:01:13 Diving into winter vibes & mood reading with Cece & Meara! 

00:16:05 Meara’s tracker spreadsheet & fixing a reading slump 

00:20:33 Do TBRs exist anymore?  

00:35:10 How do your reading habits change with the season? 

00:38:41 DNF’ing books 

00:48:41 Some recommended reads for the vibe 

01:05:03 Wrap up and 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

New year, new books, and SO many reasons to freak out (in the best way). 

In this bonus episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu and Meara to kick off 2026 with a full-on Book Release Radar—highlighting the upcoming titles they’re most excited to read this year. 

From buzzy new releases to books that already feel like future favorites, they're sharing what’s climbing to the very top of the TBRs and why 2026 is shaping up to be an exceptional year for readers. Consider this your official permission slip to start planning your holds early. 

Season 3 is coming in April but make sure you’re following us so you don’t miss out on our monthly episodes while you wait! 

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

Book recommendations: 

Jananie’s Picks:  


A Kiss of Crimson Ash – Anuja Varghese  


We Dance Upon Demons – Vaishnavi Patel  


TRAD WIFE – Saratoga Schaefer 


The Rise of the Celestials – Kritika H. Rao 


Read Between the Lies – Jesse Q. Sutanto 


Aicha – Soraya Bouazzaoui  


Burn the Sea – Mona Tewari  


Seasons of Glass and Iron – Amal El-Mohtar  

 Meara’s Picks:  


A Vow in Vengeance - Jaclyn Rodriguez 


Yesteryear - Caro Claire Burke 


She Haunts Me Still - De Elizabeth  


Phoebe Berman's Gonna Lose It – Brooke Averick  


The Wretched Divine – Adalyn Grace 


Clara & the Devil – Olivie Blake & Little Chmura  


Dead Beat - Leigh Bardugo 


Light Wielder - Rachel Schneider 


Victorious – VE Schwab 

 Joe’s Picks:  


Nothing Tastes as Good – Luke Dumas 


Japanese Gothic – Kylie Lee Baker 


We Burned so Bright – TJ Klune 


Spoiled Milk – Avery Curran  


Plastic, Prism, Void – Violet Allen 


Fruitcake – Rex Ogle 


Missing in Soho – Holly Stars 


Lights! Camera! Frendo! - Adam Cesare 

 Who's in this episode:  


Jananie K. Velu – Links 


Meara - Links 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:00:23 Intro 

00:01:55 Gettin’ chatty with Jananie & Meara 

00:03:14 Relationships with book releases 

00:07:54 2026 Book Release Radar 

01:04:59 Final thoughts and 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

As we head into the holiday season, we’re already looking ahead—because nothing pairs better with cocoa and cozy time off than planning your next year’s TBR 🎄📚 

For our January 2026 Book Picks (and the final Book Lounge episode of 2025!), I'm joined by Madison to break down the new releases we cannot wait to snag in the new year. These are the books we’re placing holds and adding to notify me tags in Libby, lining up for holds, and mentally reading before the wrapping paper’s even recycled ✨ 

This episode is equal parts holiday sendoff and new year reading hype. We’re taking a short break, soaking up the season, and coming back in January 2026 with all-new episodes. 

🎁 One last thing before the year ends! Help shape the future of Book Lounge by completing our listener survey by January 5: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8564187/2025-Book-Lounge-Listener-Survey 

Happy holidays, happy reading, and may your holds come in early. ✨📖 

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

Titles mentioned in this episode: 

Madison’s picks: 


Graceless Heart – Isabel Ibañez 


The Midnight Carousel – Fiza Saeed McLynn 


Silver & Blood – Jessie Mihalik 


The Elsewhere Express – Samantha Sotto Yambao 


Women of a Promiscuous Nature – Donna Everhart 


Dragon Cursed – Elise Kova 


When Trees Testify – Beronda L. Montgomery 

Joe’s picks:  


Half His Age – Jennette McCurdy 


Is This a Cry for Help? - Emily Austin 


How to Commit a Postcolonial Murder – Nina McConigley 


Meet the Newmans – Jennifer Niven 


Fustuk – Robert Mgrdich Apelian 


Gaslit – Megan Davidhizar 


Better the Devil – Erik J. Brown 

Check out Madison’s Bookstagram 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:01:07 Intro 

00:07:33 January 2026 Book Picks with Madison!’ 

01:17:11 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

We're wrapping up 2025 with a big, bookish bow! In this year-end celebration, Joe is joined by Carmen, Cece, Jananie K. Velu, Kayla, and Meara as everyone brings two of their favorite reads of the entire year. From unforgettable characters to gasp-worthy plots, these are the books that rose straight to the top of our 2025 lists.  

Whether you're building your 2026 TBR or reliving your favorite reads of the year, settle in — this is the coziest way to close out the season. 

 

✨ Don’t forget to take our podcast survey! 

Running now through January 5. We want to hear from you! 

Survey link: https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8564187/2025-Book-Lounge-Listener-Survey  

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

Guest host recommendations: 

Carmen 


Poppy State: A Labyrinth of Plants and a Story of Beginnings - Myriam Gurba 


The Possession of Alba Diaz - Isabel Canas 

Cece 


Listen to Your Sister – Neena Viel 


The Luis Ortega Survival Club – Sonora Reyes 

Jananie 


Dust Settles North – Deena ElGenaidi 


Immaculate Conception – Ling Ling Huang 

Kayla 


Julie Chan is Dead- Liann Zhang 


The Compound- Aisling Rawle 

Meara 


Girl Dinner – Olivie Blake 


Bat Eater and Other Names for Cora Zeng - Kylie Lee Baker 

Joe  


When the Wolf Comes Home – Nat Cassidy  


Victorian Psycho – Virginia Feito 


Hungerstone – Kat Dunn 

 Follow the guests & guest hosts:  


Carmen – link 


Cece - link 


Jananie K. Velu – link 


Kayla - link 


Meara – link  

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:01:07 Intro 

00:03:54 Best Reads of 2025 

00:03:22 The Summer Book on KANOPY 

00:31:52 Best Reads of 2025 

01:03:01 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

Season 2 is wrapping up with a bow! In this festive finale of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe gathers holiday-lit icons Alexandra Benedict, Jenny Bayliss, Maisha Oso, and Matthew Norman for a lively conversation about writing wintery stories across genres—from heartfelt romance to twisty mystery to big-hearted contemporary fiction. 

Then in Segment 2, our guest hosts slide down the chimney with their best holiday reading recommendations to keep your TBR merry and bright. 

Pour a mug of something warm, cozy up under your favorite blanket, and celebrate the end of another incredible season with us. And don’t forget—more great content is coming your way in the new year, so make sure you're subscribed! 

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 by our guests and mentioned in this episode here: https://www.libbylife.com/blog/festive-fiction-talking-holiday-reads-for-cozy-winter-nights-book-lounge-by-libby-season-2-episode-10  

Guest host recommendations: 

Cece 


Make My Wish Come True - Rachael Lippincott, Alyson Derrick  


Christmas and Other Horrors: A Winter Solstice Anthology - ed. Ellen Datlow 

Jananie 


A Little Holiday Fling – Farah Heron 


The Most Wonderful Crime of the Year – Ally Carter 

Meara 


The Afterlife of Holly Chase - Cynthia Hand  


The Christmas Murder Game - Alexandra Benedict 

Joe 


You Better Watch Out – James S. Murray, Darren Wearmouth 


Season of Love – Helena Greer 

Follow the guests & guest hosts:  

Segment 1: 


Alexandra Benedict – Instagram   


Jenny Bayliss - Instagram 


Maisha Oso - Website 


Matthew Norman – Website 

Segment 2:  


Cece - link 


Jananie K. Velu – link 


Meara - link 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:00:22 Intro 

00:01:53 Writing for the Season with Alexandra Benedict, Jenny Bayliss, Maisha Oso & Matthew Norman! 

01:01:29 BREAK – Some holiday reads from Kensington Books 

01:04:22 Holiday Reads with Cece, Jananie & Meara! 

01:41:22 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