On today's episode, the great Alice Hoffman sits down with Adam to discuss her new book The World That We Knew, writing a fairy tale in the time of World War II, Jewish folklore, and creating the world of Practical Magic. This chat was inspiring and delightful and you're going to love it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 16, 2019•29 min
On today's episode, our good buddy Brad Meltzer returns to chat about the latest installments in his Ordinary People Change the World series, I am Walt Disney and I am Marie Curie. We breakdown the essential nature of daydreaming in Walt's life, why it's important to create real-life role models for children, and how Brad shows his own kids that each day can be magical. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 12, 2019•43 min
On today's episode, Adam sits down with Dan Haring and MarcyKate Connolly to discuss their wonderful middle-grade novel, The Star Shepherd. This action-packed book is loaded with wonder, falling stars, pirates, and flying robots, and incredible illustrations by Dan. They discuss is day job in visual effects and how they collaborated to bring this story to life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 09, 2019•38 min
Longtime listeners of the podcast will know that we adored IT Chapter One so much that we did a bonus episode all about that epic movie. With Chapter II coming out this week we thought we'd re-share our thoughts. Sorry for the PBN Classic episode... we'll have tons of new content for you next week! Hi-ya Georgie! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 05, 2019•31 min
Adam interviews Daniel Handler about his latest novel, Bottle Grove. Daniel is best known for creating the iconic Lemony Snicket's Series of Unfortunate Events and he's also an award-winning author of adult books as well! We dive into the story behind Bottle Grove, how he approaches the craft of writing, and why children's literature creates lasting effects on all of our lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 03, 2019•49 min
It's a new month, which means it's time for Jill and Adam to share their favorite books coming out in September! Books mentioned in this episode: Wayward Son by Rainbow Rowell The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates The Witches are Coming by Lindy West Ten Thousand Doors of January by Alix E Harrow The Testaments by Margaret Atwood Our Dogs, Ourselves by Alexandra Horowitz The Institute by Stephen King Capturing the Devil by Kerri Maniscalco The Grammarians by Cathleen Schine The Lady Rogue by Jenn...
Aug 29, 2019•35 min
This episode is sponsored by https://literatibooks.com/. Use our promo code PROBOOKNERDS for $20 off your first box of teacher-curated books and artwork for kids! Even if Julia's name isn't familiar believe us when we tell you that her voice is. Julia has over 300 narrator credits to her name and is THE go-to person for audiobooks. Adam and Julia chat about the prep that goes into her narration, what types of books she stays away from and her other passion... being a Tea sommelier! Be sure to ch...
Aug 26, 2019•35 min
On today's episode... we had no plan! Therefore, we brought on Emma and Kristin and did a roundtable of book recommendations. There is, quite literally, something for everyone in this list. Book Mentioned in this episode Again but Better by Christine Riccio The Cozy Minimalist Home: More style, less stuff by Myquillyn Smith Dr. Seuss's Horse Museum Evvie Drake Starts Over by Linda Holmes Man-Eaters by Chelsea Cain Yours Truly by Heather Vogel Frederick (Pumpkin Falls Mystery) The Bromance Book C...
Aug 22, 2019•50 min
This episode is sponsored by https://literatibooks.com/. Use our promo code PROBOOKNERDS for $20 off your first box of teacher-curated books and artwork for kids! On today's episode, Adam has the honor of sitting down with Philippa Gregory, well known for her Tudor and Plantagenet novels including The White Queen, The Red Queen, and The Other Boleyn Girl. Her latest novel, Tidelands, introduces readers the working class of the south coast of England in a launch of a sweeping new series. She also...
Aug 19, 2019•34 min
Today's episode features Julie Evelyn Joyce, author of the award-winning Steeped in Love. This book was selected as the Together We Read Canadian digital book club. Hear Adam and Julie chat about RomComs, Hallmark movies, and her undying love for Canada. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 15, 2019•42 min
Working with libraries and schools, we think about back to school time every year around our office. To shake it up, we're talking a bit about some of our favorite MAGIC schools in literature! Book mentioned in this episode The Summoner Series by Taran Matharu All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders The Magicians by Lev Grossman The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss Carry On by Rainbow Rowell Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter The Magic School Bus Se...
Aug 15, 2019•37 min
On today's episode, Adam sits down with Sarah Gailey to discuss their debut noir novel Magic for Liars. They break down the structure of the magical rules in the book, the problematic issues with magic in Harry Potter, and the importance of secondary characters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 12, 2019•35 min
Adam and Jill share some brief thoughts on Toni Morrison who was, truly, one of a kind. Her books, speeches, and commentary gave a voice to African Americans who felt underrepresented all their lives. She gave a voice to many who felt voiceless. There will never be another Toni Morrison Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 08, 2019•22 min
On today's episode, Adam chats with debut authors Gilly Segal and Kimberly Jones about their heartwrenching novel I'm Not Dying with You Tonight. In our opinion, this is the most important Young Adult novel to come out since The Hate U Give and should be read by every teenager and parent around. Despite the heavy material of the book, this conversation is very lighthearted as Gilly and Kim are hilarious ladies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 05, 2019•41 min
On today's episode, Adam has a chat with Holly Throsby all the way from Australia. She is the author of Cedar Valley, which was selected as the next Together We Read book club pick for Australia and New Zealand. They discuss the difference between writing songs and books, creating stories in small-town settings, and they get rudely interrupted by Adam's pups. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 03, 2019•32 min
We are more than halfway through the year (omg) and Adam and Jill are going through the PBN Reading Challenge to see what books they have read so far. Visit professionalbooknerds.com to get your own Reading Challenge template to fill in! After you complete the challenge, be sure to send it to us at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com or tag us on social @ProBookNerds to be entered into a device giveaway. Books mentioned in this episode What My Mother and I Don't Talk About, ed. by Michelle Filga...
Aug 01, 2019•28 min
On today's episode, Adam nerds out with Elizabeth Eulberg, author of Past Perfect Life and the Shelby Holmes books! We discuss the difference between writing for middle grade and young adult, why she hated Sherlock Holmes growing up, and the creation of crime scene investigations. This was all over the place. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 29, 2019•37 min
It's that time once again! We're talking about the books we're most excited to read in August! Also, in case you missed it, we were profiled by Authority Magazine for being a binge-able podcast. You can check that article right here: https://medium.com/authority-magazine/how-to-become-the-center-of-influence-through-nerdy-podcasting-with-the-hosts-of-show-of-the-3be028f2f81f Also, also - We're interviewing Elvis Duran LIVE this October in Parma, Ohio. Get tickets here: https://www.beyondbookjack...
Jul 25, 2019•35 min
On today's episode, Adam sits down with Kat Cho, debut YA author of the splendid and fantastical Wicked Fox! They discuss how Kat realized her story and heritage were interesting to others, how K-Dramas relate to Young Adult literature, and the power of having a positive writing group. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 22, 2019•34 min
Today on the podcast, Jill has an interview with New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva. His new book The New Girl is out now. Daniel shares the real-life kidnapping that inspired the book and why he decided to get rid of the first 200 pages and start over. Music: Provided royalty free from www.bensound.com Podcast Overview: We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through ...
Jul 18, 2019•23 min
You know her from her podcast and writing for NPR. Now getting to discover Linda Holmes as one of the best debut writers of 2019. Evvie Drake Starts Over will make you laugh and move you to tears. Her writing is so powerful and real and the characters jump off the page. In this conversation, Adam and Linda discuss baseball, the struggle to break the 25,000-word barrier and act two of books, and the everlasting awesomeness of Nick Offerman and Keanu Reeves. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
Jul 15, 2019•33 min
On today's episode, Adam and Jill welcome Lizzy Saxe to the show to nerd out about the connection between food and stories. We get into the power of food in fantasy novels, their favorite fictional meals from books, wonderful food memoirs of the past, and the new and unique forms of cookbooks coming out including graphic novels and comics. Fair warning, this episode will make you hungry! Book mentioned in this episode Food Politics by Marion Nestle A Feast of Ice and Fire by Chelsea Monroe-Casse...
Jul 11, 2019•42 min
Today on the podcast, Jill talks with Lisa Taddeo about her new book THREE WOMEN. This discuss what made Lisa want to write the book and what her process was. Music: Provided royalty free from www.bensound.com Podcast Overview: We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and schools. Hear about the best books we've read, get personalized recommendations, and l...
Jul 08, 2019•31 min
Today’s episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. To get a free month of access to their incredible online courses just visit: https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/probooknerds On this episode, Adam sits down in New York with Danika Stone, author of Switchback, a wonderful human vs. nature story of two teens who get lost in the mountains during a class trip and struggle to survive. They also discuss how Danika remains positive on the internet, her writing process as a "plantzer", and the he...
Jul 04, 2019•37 min
On today's episode, Jill is joined by Sydney to talk all about her new prison librarian memoir Reading Behind Bars. Thanks to all of the listeners who sent in questions. The pair discuss some of Jill's experiences and her writing process. Music: Provided royalty free from www.bensound.com Podcast Overview: We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff librarians who work at OverDrive, the leading app for eBooks and audiobooks available through public libraries and school...
Jul 01, 2019•33 min
It's almost July, which means it's time for Jill and Adam to discuss the books coming out next month they can't wait to read! Books mentioned in today's episode: Reading Behind Bars by Jill Grunenwald Pan's Labyrinth by Guillermo Del Toro Three Women by Lisa Taddeo The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead Dark Age by Pierce Brown Lock Every Door by Riley Sager Growing Things and Other Stories by Paul Tremblay The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman The Merciful Crow by Margaret Owen The Paper Wa...
Jun 27, 2019•34 min
Adam sat down with Christine Riccio, debut author of Again, but Better and created of the immensely popular PolandBananasBooks YouTube channel. They discuss her travels abroad, writing as catharsis, and how Christine realized her feelings of isolation and loneliness are shared by countless other people around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jun 24, 2019•30 min
Today's episode is sponsored by The Great Courses Plus. To get a free month of access to their incredible online courses just visit: https://www.thegreatcoursesplus.com/probooknerds Get your headphones ready because today Jill and I are offering up a big pile of audiobook recommendations! A cool new update in Libby that just came out lets you enjoy your audiobooks through Apple CarPlay and Android Auto so it's perfect timing! Enjoy! Books mentioned in this episode La Belle Sauvage (Book of Dust)...
Jun 20, 2019•36 min
On today's episode, Adam chats with Cadwell Turnbull about his novel The Lesson, which comes out June 18th. This story about an advanced race of aliens coming to The U.S. Virgin Islands explore colonialism and the history of an oft-overlooked part of the world. Today's episode is sponsored by Blackstone Publishing. In addition to The Lesson, here are two more great books to check out from Blackstone: -ANOTHER LIFE by Robert Haller (June 4, 2019) Description: Set during one summer in a small town...
Jun 17, 2019•49 min
On today's episode, Adam chats with LP Fergusson, author of A Dangerous Act of Kindness, which was selected as the latest Big Library Read global ebook club title. They discuss her upbringing as a child with two parents who fought in WWII, how her childhood and her local libraries inspired this historical fiction, and not judging individuals for the acts of the many. About the Big Library Read Big Library Read (BLR), facilitated by OverDrive, is a reading program through your library that connec...
Jun 15, 2019•32 min