On today's episode, Jill is joined by newcomer Kristi as they discuss some of their favorite nonfiction titles. They dive into some fascinating conversations about travel, science and much more while also providing some helpful "introductory" titles for people looking to get into nonfiction books for the first time. All titles discussed can be sampled and borrowed by clicking on them in the list below. Nonfiction Reads Romantic Outlaws by Charlotte Gordon This is Not My Life by Diane Schoemperle...
Sep 01, 2016•37 min
In our last interview from the American Library Association meetings in Orlando, Adam sits down with debut author, Chelsea Sedoti, author of The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett. Adam and Chelsea discuss a shared love of the Midwest before diving into Chelsea's creative process, her experience with book signings and the Young Adult community as a whole and how she likes to spend her time when she's not writing. She also confesses her love of Sweet Valley High and the books of Christopher Pike. Say ...
Aug 29, 2016•25 min
Well hello there! Today we have a big ol' list of book recommendations for fans of Young Adult and New Adult titles. Adam is joined by his good friends (and avid readers) Christina, Andrea and Sydney who share their recent reads and chat about the mass appeal of Young Adult and New Adult titles. You can find every title they mention below or by visiting https://www.overdrive.com/collections/9320/the-professional-book-nerds-podcast-reading-list. Reading Recommendations: 99 Days by Katie Cotugno A...
Aug 25, 2016•50 min
We've all heard stories -- real and fictional -- about women kidnapped and held captive for years but what happens after they escape? That's the question Hollie Overton sets out to answer in her book Baby Doll. For her book, Hollie used her real-life experience as a twin and she also talks to Adam about her experiences as a television writer! Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @OverDriveLibs. Email us directly at feedback@overdrive.com Music "Buddy" pro...
Aug 22, 2016•34 min
Today we have two newcomers to the podcast in Sydney and Tiffany who join Adam to chat about what else...books of course! They offer up the books they're excited about and their favorite recent reads. Both Sydney and Tiffany are former teachers so they dive into the books their kids really enjoyed and they even provide their "desert island" recommendations. Strangely neither of them picked a survival book... Reading Recommendations Carry On by Rainbow Rowell Get in Trouble by Kelly Link Six of C...
Aug 18, 2016•40 min
We've got Olympic Fever and the only prescription is an interview with the resplendent Megan Abbott! In addition to being a former Librarian and a true champion of libraries, Megan Abbott's most recent book, You Will Know Me, is a suspenseful thriller about a talented gymnastics team with a dark secret. Whether you're a fan of Megan's previous books, mysteries or Olympic sports (we happen to be all 3) you're going to love both this conversation and You Will Know Me! Say Hello! Find OverDrive on ...
Aug 15, 2016•32 min
Everyone loves to laugh, right? You totally do. So in this episode Adam is joined by Melissa to discuss their favorite comedic audiobooks. They begin with their all time favorites before moving on to the audiobooks their excited to listen to in the near future. They end the episode with a conversation about the audiobooks they wish existed. There are a lot of them... You can borrow and sample every book discussed (well, the real ones) at https://www.overdrive.com/explore. Comedic Audiobooks sure...
Aug 11, 2016•53 min
In this episode Jill returns for our intro with Adam! The actual episode is an interview with Duane Swierczynski, author of the crime novel, Revolver, which is about the murder of two cops and their family efforts to solve the mystery. The story is told over three timelines and the generations of the families living during those times as they struggle to come to grips with what really happened. Duane also shared where his inspiration comes from as well as the different processes he goes through ...
Aug 08, 2016•33 min
In today's episode Jill chats with Christina and Sarah about why they all love Dystopian books and what makes these titles so enchanting. They also discuss the idea of Utopias and if they can exist without dystopias being a part of the world. Naturally, they also have loads of book recommendations as well. Be sure to check out overdrive.com for a complete Professional Book Nerds reading list to sample and borrow all the titles they discussed! Reading Recommendations: Crimson Bound by Rosamund Ho...
Aug 04, 2016•57 min
On the 36th episode of the pod, Adam chats with debut author, Nathan Hill. The Nix, which comes out August 30th, explores the resilience of love and home, especially in times of radical change. Nathan shares his love of libraries and choose your own adventure books and also discusses how a book can provide a different outcome for every reader depending on how you go into the story. Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @OverDriveLibs. Email us directly at ...
Aug 01, 2016•25 min
In today's episode Emma, Meghan and Kristin return to share the latest books they've been reading and listening to in the Mystery genre. Back by popular demand, they also provide a pretty amazing list of punny-named cozy mysteries that you're going to love. You can find links to sample and borrow all the books discussed from your library below or by visiting our Professional Book Nerds reading list. Murder & Mystery Book Recommendations: Melancholy Accidents by Peter Manseau Don't You Cry by...
Jul 28, 2016•51 min
In our 34th episode Adam interviewed Zoraida Cordova in Orlando where she was promoting her upcoming Young Adult Fantasy title, Labyrinth Lost. Zoraida shared her inspirations for this book as well as her love of mermaids and a fun story about how she learned to speak English. She also spoke about the importance of the #WeNeedDiverseBooks movement and offered some great diverse book recommendations. Zoraida's reading recommendations: Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton T...
Jul 25, 2016•23 min
Our 33rd episode is packed with book recommendations as Adam is joined by Jim and Quinton in the OverDrive offices to offer up the books they've loved lately. See the list below for links to all the titles discussed on the episode. As this was the first ever "all male" episode they also brainstormed some ideas for getting reluctant, young males into reading and they all shared their first experiences of falling in love with books. Book Recommendations Preacher graphic novel series Constantine (c...
Jul 21, 2016•45 min
Our 32nd episoee features Dawn Kurtagich, author of And The Trees Crept In, a Young Adult psychological horror that is both breathtaking and terrifying. Dawn, however, could not be more cheerful! She spoke with Adam at the American Library Association Annual Convention in Orlando where they discussed the difficult life situations that inspire her writing, the importance of color in her life and her secret to always have a bright outlook no matter what is going on around her. Dawn's reading recom...
Jul 18, 2016•29 min
Episode Overview Our 31st episode features Jordanna Max Brodsky, author of the The Immortals, book one in the Olympus Bound series. She shares with Adam her writing process of needing to write five days a week and all about the places she has traveled for research places. She and Adam also discuss their shared love of musicals, many of which are based on books including Bridges of Madison County, Once, and, of course, Hamilton. Jordanna's reading recommendations: The Witch of Blackbird Pond by E...
Jul 14, 2016•23 min
Episode Overview In our 30th episode, Adam talks with author Gene Gant, a strong advocate for #WeNeedDiverseBooks, especially those that feature LGBT characters. Gant's latest book, Bender, was realized in June and he's also an author of young adult literature including Lucky Linus. He and Adam discuss his writing process, the importance of diverse characters, and his experience with libraries growing up. June was Pride Month for the LGBT community but these are books that should be available to...
Jun 30, 2016•25 min
Episode Overview Today, June 23, 2016, marks the start of the American Library Association's Annual Conference, which is being held in Orlando this year. Since so many librarians and library fans will be taking advantage of the nearby Wizarding World of Harry Potter theme park while there, we decided to do another Harry Potter themed episode! Jill is joined by Sheila, Andrea, and Christina as they discuss how they got into the books, Hybrid Hogwarts Houses, the differences between the books and ...
Jun 23, 2016•50 min
Episode Overview James Patterson, New York Times bestselling author of the Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club series is our guest on the podcast today! Patterson, who is a big supporter of libraries, has recently launched his new BookShots line of books: these are fast paced, shorter reads that are offered in a wide range of genres but also feature some of his iconic characters like Alex Cross. Our episode features Adam's interview with James Patterson which is followed by the press conference a...
Jun 16, 2016•45 min
Episode Overview Today's podcast is a special episode related to the second Big Library Read pick of 2016. A couple of times a year, OverDrive offers users an opportunity to take part in a global book club through their library. Readers vote on the title and the winner for this round is A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain a mystery that involves an FBI agent sent back in time 200 years where she has to solve a murder. Big Library Read officially kicks off June 23rd and in anticipation of the even...
Jun 14, 2016•28 min
Episode Overview For today's episode, Adam sits down with New York Times Bestselling author Brad Meltzer. His latest book House of Secrets, which traces a conspiracy theory related to Benedict Arnold, was a collaborative effort with Tod Goldberg. In this interview, Brad shares the experience of creating their strong woman character Hazel and the positive opportunity of writing with someone else. Along with his well-known thriller, Brad is the author behind the I Am.../Ordinary People Change the ...
Jun 10, 2016•26 min
Episode Overview Happy Tuesday! In today's episode, Adam sits down and talks with Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author whose newest book Ink and Bone is released today, June 7, 2016. Ink and Bone returns to The Hollows, the setting of several of her previous novels. she gives our listeners a glimpse into her writing process and how she disconnects when not writing. Books written by Lisa Unger: Beautiful Lies Black Out Crazy Love You Die For You The Darkness Gathers Darkness, My Old Frie...
Jun 07, 2016•30 min
Episode Overview: In this week's episode, Jill is back and she talks with Adam and Kristin about fairy tales! We discuss what we think makes a fairy tale a fairy tale (which turns out to be a much harder question to answer than we originally thought!) and offer some of our favorite fairy tales, both long-standing original ones and modern retellings. As usual, we also offer some of our recent reads and forthcoming books we're looking forward to reading. If you have a favorite fairy tale or have y...
Jun 02, 2016•49 min
Episode Overview: In this week's author interview, Adam talks with Ryan Graudin, young adult author of multiple books including Wolf by Wolf and its forthcoming sequel, Blood for Blood. She shares her writing process and she and Adam geek out over their shared love of fairy tales, tattoos, and travel. Other books written by Ryan: Iron to Iron The Walled City All That Glows All That Burns Books recommended by Ryan: Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine Illuminae by Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff Th...
May 26, 2016•40 min
Episode Overview In today's episode, Adam sits down with writer Jewell Parker Rhodes, an author who is familiar writing for both adults and juveniles/YA. Her forthcoming book, Towers Falling, is all about teaching the story of the 9/11 attacks to children who weren't born when it happened. Like all of Jewell's books, Towers Falling features a diverse cast of characters and touches on important themes and events in America's history. In this interview, she talks about what prompted her to write a...
May 19, 2016•29 min
Newcomers to the podcast Christina and Andrea join Adam to discuss their favorite Young Adult books and series. They also discuss why they think YA is such a popular genre. Christina and Andrea share their favorite types of characters and subgenres to read about, whether or not Christina would survive the Hunger Games and the importance of cake in her world. About halfway through we go into the YA books that make us cry and try to figure out why these books are able to move our emotions the way ...
May 12, 2016•41 min
Episode Overview: May 5th marks the start of OverDrive's AudioSYNC program so the OverDrive team is spending this episode talking about all things audiobooks! if you ever visit our Blue Sky Campus and walk around the office you'll see lots of staff members with headphones on -- there's always a good chance that they are listening to an audiobook. It's like being paid to read! SYNC is a free summer audiobook program designed for teens 13 years of age and over. Each week between May 5th and August...
May 05, 2016•35 min
Episode Overview: 400 years ago this month, William Shakespeare shuffled off this mortal coil but the show must go on, so OverDrive's Professional Book Nerds are discussing the man behind the myth in our latest episode. We also talk about whether or not it really matters if William Shakespeare actually wrote all of the plays attributed to him. After all, what's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet. Regardless of reading choices, remember -- when the questio...
Apr 28, 2016•41 min
Episode Overview This week we are back with another author interview, this time with bestselling author Matthew Quick, the man behind the popular The Silver Linings Playbook which was also adapted into the Academy Award nominated film. In his conversation with Adam, Matthew shares how Silver Linings Playbook became both a book and a movie (and not necessarily in the order you might think!) and also talks about his writing process and how he transitioned into writing Young Adult novels. His newes...
Apr 21, 2016•23 min
Episode Overview: April is National Poetry Month and some of the OverDrive staff is celebrating by having a themed episode where we share some of our favorite poems and poets and even read a couple of poems on air. The professional book nerds also share some non-poetry recent reads and forthcoming titles we are looking forward to reading. Feel free to let us know some of your favorite poems by emailing us at feedback@overdrive.com Featured OverDrive Staff: Jill, Annie, Todd Intro (0:00-3:01) Rec...
Apr 14, 2016•40 min
Episode Overview In our latest author interview, OverDrive's Adam talks to New York Times bestselling author Lisa Jackson. She shares insights into her writing process, including what it's like working with her sister, fellow author Nancy Bush, and the challenges that come with writing about some really evil characters. Lisa also gives a list of some of her favorite books and recent reads. Popular Lisa Jackson books: Afraid to Die Tell Me You Don't Want to Know Running Scared Without Mercy Malic...
Apr 07, 2016•37 min
