Summer is heating up... so naturally it's time for ghosts, monsters, haunted camps, cursed lakes, and things that go bump in the night.  Joe is joined by Bre to celebrate Summerween 2026, the growing tradition of bringing spooky season into the middle of summer. Whether horror readers are looking for gothic classics, unsettling literary horror, creepy middle grade adventures, camp slashers, psychological thrillers, or terrifying short story collections, this episode is packed with recommendations to fill every Summerween TBR.  From vampires and haunted campgrounds to folk horror, cosmic dread, ghost stories, and nostalgic Halloween favorites, this conversation explores horror across every age and subgenre. Along the way, Bre also shares details about her July Noir 2026 reading weekend and Discord community for readers looking to celebrate all month long.  Whether Summerween is already an annual tradition, or this is the first spooky-season celebration in July, this episode is full of horror book recommendations perfect for every kind of reader.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Links:  Bre’s links  July Noir 2026 Announcement  July Noir Discord  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/locd_booktician_/   Titles mentioned:  Bre’s Picks:  Carmilla – Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu  Dead First – Johnny Compton  On Sundays She Picked Flowers – Yah Yah Scholfield  Gyo – Junji Ito  You're Not Supposed to Die Tonight – Kalynn Bayron  The Jumbies & Rise of the Jumbies – Tracey Baptiste  Why I Love Horror – ed. Becky Siegel Spratford  Joe’s Picks:   How to Survive Camping Series (Book 1: How to Survive Camping) - Bonnie Quinn   The Lady in Chains  The Ancient Things (September 2026)  The Unmothers – Leslie J. Anderson  The Bog Wife – Kay Chronister   Smothermoss – Alisa Alering  Don’t Turn Out the Lights – ed. Jonathan Maberry  Scary Stories to Tell in the Dark – Alvin Schwartz  Our Shadows Have Claws – ed. Yamile Saied Méndez, Amparo Ortiz  The Lake House – Sarah Beth Durst  Tastes Like Candy – Jessica Lacy   Camp Scare – Delilah S. Dawson  Summer’s Never Over – Darby Bozeman   A Murder Most Camp – Nicolas DiDomizio  13 Months Haunted – Jimmy Juliano  Chasing the Boogeyman – Richard Chizmar  80s Ghosts – VS Lawrence  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro & Seasonal Update 00:01:40 Thoughts on Summerween 00:07:24 Our Summerween 2026 picks! 01:28:46 Thank you to Bre 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 the United States prepares to commemorate America 250, how can we celebrate the nation's history while also making room for reflection, honesty, and meaningful conversation?  This week on Book Lounge by Libby, Cameron Walpole, Associate Director of Interpretation and Public Programs, and Callie Hawkins, Executive Director of President Lincoln's Cottage in Washington, DC, join the show to explore how their organization is approaching America's 250th anniversary with thoughtfulness, curiosity, and a commitment to telling a fuller story of our shared history.  The conversation dives into Abraham Lincoln's enduring legacy, why President Lincoln's Cottage remains such an important place today, and how books help us better understand both the past and the present. Then, for a fun twist, Cameron and Callie recommend books they think President Lincoln would have loved reading if he were browsing a library today.  Whether you're a history enthusiast, a Lincoln admirer, or simply looking for thought-provoking nonfiction and historical fiction recommendations, this episode offers fresh perspectives on American history, civic engagement, and the power of reading.  For more info, check out: https://www.lincolncottage.org/   Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Book recommendations:  Cameron’s Titles:   Differ We Must – Steve Inskeep   Macbeth – William Shakespeare   Wonder – R.J. Palacio  Callie’s Titles:  Joyful Anyway – Kate Bowler  You Better Be Lightning – Andrea Gibson  James – Percival Everett  Everywhere Still – MH Clark  Joe’s Titles:   Feeding Ghosts – Tessa Hulls   A Manual for Cleaning Women – Lucia Berlin   Separation of Church and Hate – John Fugelsang  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Welcome and introductions 00:02:23 What is President Lincoln’s Cottage?  00:22:56 Our recommended reads 00:51:08 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.  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

A new month means a new stack of books to obsess over.  In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by the wonderful Emma to chat about the July 2026 book releases they're most excited to add to their TBRs. From buzzy fiction and page-turning mysteries to heartfelt romances and unforgettable literary reads, they're sharing the upcoming titles that have already captured their attention.  Whether you're planning your summer reading list, looking for the next great library hold or simply love keeping up with the latest book releases, this episode is packed with recommendations to help fill your TBR.  Tune in for a fun conversation celebrating the most anticipated books hitting shelves in July 2026 and discover which titles deserve a spot at the top of your reading list.  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 Season 3 on Libby Life!  Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026!  Book recommendations:  Emma’s Picks:   Prince of Swords – Elise Kova   A Forsaken Prophecy – Stacey McEwan   In the Wake of the Ruined – Kalie Cassidy  Hot Girl Murder Club – Ashley Winstead  Foxx – Paisley Hope   The MASH Up – Laura Marie Meyers   If Books Could Kill – Kate Eberle   Daggermouth – HM Wofle  Joe’s Picks:  Helpless – Jessica Knoll  My Tokyo Summer – Abby Denson   Coming Out Perfect – Richard Mercado   Case Closed, Vol. 99 – Gosho Aoyama  Witch’s Inheritance – Paige Hender  The Inn at the Foot of Mount Vengeance  – Chiara Bullen  The Masala Chai Mystery Club – MJ Soni  Ghost Girl – Eva Benefield  Alex, by Proxy – Karen Myna Cantor  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:01:20 Catching up with Emma 00:06:50 July 2026 Book Picks 01:20:23 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

The temperature is rising, and so is the romance stack. In the Season 3 finale of Book Lounge by Libby, romance novel matchmaker, experienced bookseller, and bookish creator Destinee (@yourromancedestinee) joins the lounge to share the steamy romance books that deserve a spot on your summer TBR.  From slow burns that leave readers desperate for more, to romances packed with chemistry, banter, longing, and unforgettable love stories, Joe & Destinee share recommendations for every kind of romance reader. The conversation dives into what makes a great romance novel, why the genre continues to captivate millions of readers, and how finding the perfect romance book is all about matching the right story to the right reader.  Season 3 may be coming to a close, but Book Lounge by Libby isn’t going anywhere! After this episode, the podcast will move to a monthly rhythm of three episodes per month through the end of September when Season 4 launches with even more author conversations, reading recommendations and behind-the-scenes book world discussions.  Whether searching for spicy romance books, summer romance reads, or a brand-new favorite love story, this episode is the perfect way to heat up a reading list.  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 Season 3 on Libby Life!  Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026!  Book recommendations:  Destinee’s picks:  Never Seduce a Scot – Maya Banks  High Seas Heat – Sarah Blue  Die for Me – Shirlene Obuobi  By the Bootstraps – Alexa Martin  Rebel Heiress – Amalie Howard  Just a Highland Fling – Naina Kumar  Psy-Changeling Series (Book 1: Slave to Sensation) - Nalini Singh  Joe’s picks:  Extracurricular – Rachel Lynn Solomon  Goliaths of Wrestling Series (Book 4: False Comeback) - Lily Mayne   Jacksonville Rays Series (Book 4: Pucking Strong) - Emily Rath  Shoutout: Puckboys Series (Book 1:  Egotistical Puckboy) – Eden Finley & Saxon James  Night at the Vampire Castle – Hari Conner  The Hades Calculus – Maria Ying  Time and Time Again – Chatham Greenfield  Lost Boys series (Book 1: The Skeptic) – Kelly Fox  Who’s in this episode:   Destinee (yourromancedestinee) - Links  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:01:16 Welcome to Destinee 00:02:15 Get to know Destinee and what got her into romance! 00:04:30 The change of the romance reader landscape 00:07:33 What are your favorite/least favorite tropes?  00:11:24 What are your favorite questions to be asked as a bookseller?  00:15:30 Romance Recommendations! 00:54:05 Thank you 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

Summer reading is getting steamy! Today, Joe is joined by bestselling romance authors Ann Liang and BK Borison for a conversation about creating unforgettable love stories, building electric chemistry, writing yearning and intimacy, and why romance continues to captivate readers around the world.  The conversation also briefly features romance author Sara Cate, who joined at the start of the episode before technical difficulties cut her time short.  From the balance of tension and tenderness to the art of crafting a perfect happily ever after, Ann and BK share a behind-the-scenes look at their writing process, the emotional core of romance novels, and what makes a love story linger long after the final page. Whether you’re searching for your next spicy summer romance, a fan of contemporary love stories, or curious about how romance authors bring fictional relationships to life, this episode is a must-listen.  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 Season 3 on Libby Life!  Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026!  Who’s in the episode:  Ann Liang: https://www.annliang.com/  BK Borison: https://bkborison.com/  Sara Cate: https://saracatebooks.com/  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:03:21 Diving into romance 00:50:58 Romance Lightning Round 00:54:52 Thanks 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  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

June is Audiobook Month, and we're celebrating one of our favorite ways to experience stories.  This week Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark, host of the BOOK GANG podcast, to talk about the audiobooks they've been loving lately. From unforgettable narrations to stories that are impossible to pause, they're sharing recent audiobook recommendations that deserve a spot on your listening list.  This conversation is packed with recommendations, listening inspiration, and plenty of appreciation for the magic of audiobooks.  Tune in to discover new audiobook recommendations, celebrate Audiobook Month, and find your next favorite listen.  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 Season 3 on Libby Life!  Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026!  Titles for Episode:   Amy’s Picks:   Enormous Wings - Laurie Frankel  Good People - Patmeena Sabit  Lady Tremaine - Rachel Hochhauser  My Lady Jane - Cynthia Hand  Skin Contact - Elisa Faison  Invasive Species - Ellery Adams  Joe’s Picks:   Swift and Saddled – Lyla Sage  The Daisy Chain Flower Shop – Laurie Gilmore  Headlights – CJ Leede  Witches of Dubious Origin - Jenn McKinlay  God of the Woods - Liz Moore   Our Last Resort - Clémence Michallon  A Fortune of Sand – Ruta Sepetys  The Taking of Jake Livingston – Ryan Douglass  Bath Haus – PJ Vernon  The Perfect Home – Daniel Kenitz   Don’t Let the Forest In – CG Drews   The Good Vampire’s Guide to Blood & Boyfriends – Jamie D’Amato  Legends & Lattes Series - Travis Baldree  Operation Bounce House – Matt Dinniman  The Diviners – Libba Bray  Believing – Anita Hill  The Autumn Sprints Retirement Home Massacre - Philip Fracassi  Home is Where the Bodies Are – Jeneva Rose  MindWorks – Neal Shusterman  Out There – Kate Folk  Bubblegum – Adam Levin   The Dresden Files  – Jim Butcher  A Series of Unforunate Events – Lemony Snicket  Vagabond – Tim Curry  NOS4ATU – Joe Hill  Rosemary’s Baby – Ira Levin  Charlotte’s Web – EB White   The Curseworkers Series - Holly Black   How to Train Your Dragon series – Cressida Cowell  Leaving Isn’t the Hardest Thing – Lauren Hough  Who’s in this episode:   Amy Allen Clark – Links  Discover your next favorite read with the NEW 2026 MomAdvice Summer Reading Guide! Dive into 70 handpicked titles—featuring upcoming releases, fresh new reads, and beloved backlist gems. Flip through 57 pages packed with bookish inspiration to create your ultimate summer reading stack.  LINK: https://buymeacoffee.com/bookgangpodcast/e/535779  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:00:43 Welcome and catching up with Amy Allen Clark 00:06:06 A reminder of our seasonal schedule 00:07:11 We talk about our love of audiobooks 00:19:06 Our audiobook recommendations 01:12:50 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

June is Audiobook Month, and we're celebrating with two of the most beloved voices in the industry.  This week on Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by acclaimed audiobook narrators Saskia Maarleveld and Michael Crouch for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the art of bringing stories to life through audio.  From developing character voices to recording emotional scenes, Saskia and Michael share what really goes into creating an unforgettable listening experience. Together, they explore the unique magic of audiobooks, the relationship between narrator and listener, and why hearing a story can feel so different from reading one on the page.  Saskia Maarleveld has narrated more than 700 audiobooks and is known for her remarkable ability to perform a wide range of accents and characters across genres including historical fiction, fantasy, mystery, and young adult literature. Listeners may recognize her work on bestselling titles like The Alice Network, The Rose Code, and The God of the Woods.   Michael Crouch has recorded more than 500 audiobooks and is an AudioFile Golden Voice narrator whose work has earned Audie Awards, Earphones Awards, and widespread acclaim from listeners and critics alike. He's particularly celebrated for his performances in young adult fiction, LGBTQ+ stories, and contemporary literary fiction.   Whether you're a lifelong audiobook fan, a devoted Book Lounge listener, or someone who's been curious about trying audiobooks for the first time, this conversation offers a fascinating look inside one of publishing's most beloved formats.  Celebrate Audiobook Month with us and discover why a great narrator can transform a great book into an unforgettable experience.  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 Season 3 on Libby Life!  Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026!  Who’s in this episode:   Michael Crouch - Website  Saskia Maarleveld– Instagram Check out Saskia’s Medium article – The Voice in Your Ears  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:00:39 Welcome to Saskia Maarleveld and Michael Crouch 00:03:05 What does it feel like to work on IP books vs. Original Content?  00:06:30 What does creative freedom look like to you in narration?  00:15:05 What brought you into audiobook work?  00:25:03 What genre feels like home?  00:30:08 How are people getting into narration today?  00:40:41 Is there a standard for what you’re paid for your work?  00:50:03 Working on pronunciations 00:53:32 Lightning Round 00:59:55 Thanks 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!  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 should you read this Pride Month?  In this Pride Month episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Jananie K. Velu to share book recommendations that celebrate queer stories, queer joy, and the many ways LGBTQIA+ people find connection, community, and hope.  As they discuss the books they're recommending this June, the conversation expands beyond reading lists to explore what it means to live Pride every day of the year. Together, Joe and Jananie reflect on the importance of making space for joy, remembrance, rest, and reflection, and how books can help us better understand ourselves and each other.  Whether you're looking to discover new LGBTQIA+ authors, add more queer stories to your TBR, or simply find your next great read, this episode offers thoughtful recommendations and meaningful conversation about the power of reading during Pride Month and beyond.  From stories that celebrate queer futures to books that honor the past, this is a conversation about reading, identity, community, and the many ways Pride can live on long after June ends.  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 Season 3 on Libby Life!  Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026!  Book recommendations:  Jananie’s Picks:  Comedic Timing – Upasna Barath  Tall Water – SJ Sindu  Meeting Millie – Clare Ashton  Honey Girl – Morgan Roges  Perfume and Pain – Anna Dorn  Fundamentally – Nussaibah Younis  Big Swiss – Jen Beagin  Local Heavens – K. M. Fajardo  Devil of the Deep – Falencia Jean Francois  House of Hunger - Alexis Henderson  Joe’s Picks:  Stag Dance & Detransition Baby – Torrey Peters  Tell Me I’m Worthless – Alison Rumfitt  Northranger – Rey Terciero  Jackson Alone – Jose Ando  Field Guide for the Formerly Villainous – Autumn K. England  We Burned So Bright – TJ Klune  Patricia Wants to Cuddle – Samantha Allen  You Weren’t Meant to Be Human – Andrew Joseph White  Who’s in this episode:   Jananie K. Velu – Links   Glad Day Lit, Toronto - website  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:00:54 Welcome to Jananie K. Velu 00:01:26 What are your pride practices?  00:07:50 Our Pride Reading Recommendations 01:00:10 Thanks to Jananie 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

Pride Month is a celebration, but it's also a reminder of the journeys so many LGBTQ+ people take to find acceptance, belonging, and hope.  In this special Pride Month episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by authors Kody Keplinger, Ryan Collett, and TJ Alexander for honest, heartfelt conversations about identity, community and the power of seeing yourself reflected in stories.  In the first half of the episode, Kody Keplinger and Ryan Collett discuss the isolation and shame that many queer people experience, the importance of finding your people and how books can help readers feel less alone. Together, they explore the transformative power of connection, representation, and hope.  In the second half, TJ Alexander joins Joe for a conversation about queer joy, love stories, and the importance of imagining futures where LGBTQIA+ people aren't simply surviving, they're thriving. From romance and community to the possibilities of a more inclusive world, this discussion celebrates the beauty and power of queer storytelling.  This episode is a reminder that none of us are meant to navigate life alone.  Book Lounge by Libby is a podcast for readers, book lovers, and anyone searching for their next great read.  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 Season 3 on Libby Life!  Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026) and June – October 2026!  Who’s in this episode:   Segment 1:  Kody Keplinger – Website, WHERE LOST GIRLS GO  Ryan Collett – Website, GEORGE FALLS THROUGH TIME  Segment 2:   TJ Alexander – Website, A LADY FOR ALL SEASONS  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:00:41 Segment 1 with Kody Keplinger and Ryan Collett 00:45:06 Segment 2 with TJ Alexander 01:28:04 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

June is STACKED with incredible new releases, and this month’s Book Picks episode is here to help you build your summer TBR. Joe is joined by Kieran, founder of the Queer Liberation Library, to talk about the most exciting June 2026 book releases across genres — from buzzy literary fiction and swoony romances to twisty thrillers, queer stories, fantasy adventures, and everything in between.  Along the way, Kieran also shares more about the mission behind the Queer Liberation Library, a digital library working to increase access to LGBTQIA+ books for readers across the United States. If you’re looking for more queer stories to add to your reading life, it’s an incredible resource worth exploring.  Whether you’re planning beach reads, book club picks, or simply trying to stay ahead of the biggest releases of the month, this episode is packed with recommendations to keep your TBR thriving all summer long.  Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel!  Who’s in this episode:   Check out the Queer Liberation Library (website)! You can show your support with a donation here (donation link) or just by supporting them on social media (Instagram).  Link to our full book list: Find all the books mentioned in Season 3 on Libby Life!  Here’s a recap of our Monthly Book Picks (Jan-May 2026)!  Book recommendations:  Kieran’s Picks:   Honorable Mention: The Fake Divination Offense – Sara Raasch  Puck – Samantha Allen  25 Days in Athens – Jack Strange  Supergay! - Frankie Grande  Double Dutch Fuss – Phill Branch  Red X – David Demchuk   Tillinghast – Clare Cavenagh  Grief Eater – Emma Osborne    Joe’s Picks:   Slasher Summer – E.L. Chen  Mister Magic: The Graphic Novel – Kiersten White, Illustrated by Veronica & Andy Fish  The Disaster Gay Detective Agency – Lev AC Rosen  The Disco at the End of the World – Nathan Tavares  We Hexed the Moon – Mollyhall Seeley  Girl’s Girl – Sonia Feldman  Valley of the Moms – Hannah Selinger  Marion – Leah Rowan  I am not a Vampire (Anymore) - Darcy Miller  Time stamps: 00:00:00 Title 00:00:23 Intro 00:01:03 Welcome Kieran and the Queer Liberation Library 00:01:27 What is the Queer Liberation Library (QLL)?  00:03:24 Supporting QLL and the Pride month donation drive 00:04:44 June 2026 Book Picks 00:58:48 Thanks to Kieran 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