The 2022 Professional Book Nerds Reading Challenge is here! On today's episode, Jill shares the prompts for this year's reading challenge (with thanks to her co-workers Rachel, Jamie, and Shannon H. for recommendations). 2022 PBN Reading Challenge: Read a 2021 debut that you didn't read in 2021 Read a "classic" book you weren't assigned in high school Read a nonfiction book by a woman in tech Read a book by a trans author Read a book by an author indigenous to your country Read a historical fict...
Dec 27, 2021•12 min
For today's episode, host Jill sat down with some of her OverDrive co-workers to find out what was their favorite book they read in 2021. From books about witches to cozy romances and non-fiction reads to more books about witches (seriously, witches were big this year), there's a little big of everything. Books mentioned in today's episode: Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper The Girls I’ve Been by Tess Sharpe Cackle by Rachel Harrison Slewfoot by Brom She Who Became the Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan ...
Dec 23, 2021•58 min
Seressia Glass joins Jill on the podcast today to discuss her new book The Love Con. Set in the world of reality television, The Love Con is a fake relationship romance featuring cosplay and two best friends. Today’s episode is sponsored by Headspace. Visit Headspace.com/PBN for a free one-month trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 20, 2021•31 min
Jill is joined by her colleague Jenna to share some memoirs and a handful of biogrphies. From celebrity memoirs read by the author in audiobook format, to food memoirs, to true stories you have to read to believe, this episode is full of titles for people who want a glimpse into another person's life. Books mentioned in this episode: Running with a Police Escort by Jill Grunenwald Reading Behind Bars by Jill Grunenwald Somebody’s Daughter by Ashley C Ford Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey Yours...
Dec 16, 2021•46 min
On today's episode, Jill is joined by New York Times Bestselling author Jodi Picoult to discuss her new book Wish You Were Here. Jodi shares her experiences writing a book about the pandemic during the pandemic, how her own visit to the Galapagos showed up in her book, and how art can help all of us process the world around us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Dec 13, 2021•28 min
On today's episode, Jill's coworker Beth comes on to share some Middle Grade titles! These books might be written for kids but can be appreciated for readers of all ages. Books mentioned in this episode: Mystery on Magnolia Circle by Kate Klise One Kid’s Trash by Jamie Sumner The Mysterious Disappearance of Aiden S. (as told to his brother) by David Levithan Frankie and Bug by Gayle Forman Willodeen by Katherine Applegate Playing the Cards You’re Dealt by Varian Johnson Take Back the Block by Ch...
Dec 09, 2021•29 min
The annual tradition of audiobook love continues as Robin Whitten from AudioFile comes on to discuss some of the best audiobooks of the year. See the full list of AudioFile Magazine's here: https://www.audiofilemagazine.com/best-audiobooks-2021/ For more information about AudioFile's Behind the Mic podcast, visit https://audiofilemagazine.com/podcast/ Today’s episode is sponsored by Zocdoc. Visit Zocdoc.com/ProBookNerds and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE Books mentioned in today's e...
Dec 06, 2021•33 min
On today's episode, Jill is joined by her co-worker Sam and they share science fiction titles. Books mentioned in this episode: Recursion by Blake Crouch The Echo Wife by Sarah Gailey Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie The Wayfarers Series by Becky Chambers (a closed and common orbit) 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami Rabbits by Terry Miles Battle Royale by Koushun Takami 88 Names by Matt Ruff Finna by Nino Cipri Binti by Nnedi Okorafor Fledgling by Octavia Butler Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro Never Le...
Dec 02, 2021•43 min
Romance author Olivia Dade joins Jill to discuss her new book All the Feels, a follow-up companion novel to her book Spoiler Alert. Olivia shares how the story and book came to be, her characters Alex and Lauren, and the importance of writing fat characters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 29, 2021•38 min
Books mentioned in this episode: The Replacement Wife by Darby Kane Call Us What We Carry by Amanda Gorman The Ballerinas by Rachel Kapelke-Dale Tell Me How to Be by Neel Patel The Big Reveal by Jen Larsen No Beauties or Monsters by Tara Goedjen Cyber Mage by Saad Z. Hossain Queen of Urban Prophecy by Aya De Leon My Dad’s Funnier Than Your Dad by Kelly Conway Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 25, 2021•28 min
On today's episode, Jill is joined by Chloe Gong to discuss her new book Our Violent Ends, the sequel to her bestselling debut These Violent Delights. Chloe discusses the inspiration for setting the book in 1920s Shanghai, what it was like writing a book while still an undergrad student, and her love for Shakespeare. Today’s episode is sponsored by Headspace. Visit Headspace.com/PBN for a free one-month trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 22, 2021•31 min
Jill is joined by her coworker Joe to discuss LGBTQIA+ books. Fiction, nonfiction, juvenile, adult, and young adult are all here! Books mentioned in this episode: The Lost Girls by Sonia Hartl The Guncle by Steven Rowley Ace of Spades by Faridah Àbíké-Íyímídé Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune May the Best Man Win by Z.R. Ellor Bettyville by George Hodgman Filthy Animals by Brandon Taylor Cemetery Boys by Aiden Thomas Felix Ever After by Kacen Callender Ace by Angela Chen Long Live the Tribe ...
Nov 18, 2021•1 hr
Jill is joined in a live conversation with Natalie D. Richards about her psychological thriller, Five Total Strangers which is our latest Big Library Read (BLR) selection. Natalie discusses the inspiration for her book and offers tips for writers. Interview was recorded on November 8, 2021 For more information, visit biglibraryread.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 11, 2021•1 hr
Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods, creators of the Ear Hustle podcast, join Jill to discuss their new book This is Ear Hustle: Unflinching Stories of Everyday Prison Life. They share how the award-winning podcast came to be and translating that to the new book. Nigel and Earlonne also discuss how COVID-19 has impacted San Quentin State Prison. Today’s episode is sponsored by Zocdoc. Visit Zocdoc.com/ProBookNerds and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit ...
Nov 08, 2021•37 min
Today on the podcast, Jill is joined by her coworker Laura and they discuss thriller and suspense books. Titles mentioned in today's episode: The Last Flight by Julie Clark Such a Quiet Place Megan Miranda The Turn of the Key by Ruth Ware The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix The Invited by Jennifer McMahon Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn They all Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall The couple Next Door by Shari Lapane Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris The Good Sister by Sally Hepworth The M...
Nov 04, 2021•53 min
Today Jill is joined by her high school friend Rev. Micah Bucey to discuss his new book The Book of Tiny Prayer: Daily Meditations from the Plague Year. Micah shares the inspiration behind his daily prayers, writing during and in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, discusses being an openly queer spiritual leader, and he and Jill discuss their own expeirences with religion. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Nov 01, 2021•38 min
Jill is joined by Emma and they discuss some of the great new books coming out in November 2021 Books mentioned in this episode: The Fastest Way to Fall by Denise Williams Gilded by Marissa Meyer The Last Shadows by Orson Scott Card The Every by Dave Eggers A Marvellous Light by Freya Marske King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair The Perishing by Natashia Deon Go Tell the Bees that I Am Gone by Diana Gabaldon All About Me! by Mel Brooks You’ll Be the Death of Me by Karen M McManus Noor b...
Oct 28, 2021•56 min
Friend of the podcast Mallory O'Meara returns to discuss her new book, Girly Drinks. She and Jill discuss their shared love of spirits, the inspiration behind her book, and some insights and history of the role of women in creating and drinking alcohol. Today’s episode is sponsored by Headspace. Visit Headspace.com/PBN for a free one-month trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 25, 2021•37 min
Today Jill is joined by her coworker Rachel and the duo share horror recommendations perfect for spooky season. From post-apocalyptic dystopian tales, to haunted houses and haunted people, there is something for everyone looking to add a little scare into their life. Books mentioned in this episode: Nothing But Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw My Best Friend’s Exorcism by Grady Hendrix Horrorstor by Grady Hendrix House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danielewski A Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay The ...
Oct 21, 2021•48 min
Pulitzer Prize winning author Elizabeth Strout joins the podcast to discuss her new book Oh, William! She shares where the idea came from to return to her beloved character Lucy Barton, her history with the state of Maine, and how we all discover that no matter how well we think we know someone, there is always something new to learn. Today’s episode is sponsored by Fast Growing Trees. Visit FastGrowingTrees.com/PBN to save 15% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 18, 2021•26 min
In this special Throwback Thursday episode, Jill is joined by Kate and Lauryn from the podcast Generation BSC to discuss all things Baby Sitters Club. Episode originally aired in July 2020. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 14, 2021•52 min
Today on the podcast, Jill is joined by author Lana Harper about her new book Payback's a Witch, a queer witch romcom. Today's episode is sponsored by Zocdoc. Visit Zocdoc.com/ProBookNerds and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 11, 2021•24 min
Our friends at Plum Deluxe have a new line of Autumn Tea Blends out and for today's episode, Jill is doing some tea and book pairings! Visit https://plumdeluxe.com/pbn and use the promo code PBNFALL to get 10% off your tea order. Books mentioned in today's episode: The Book of Accidents by Chuck Wendig -- Blood Orange Reflection Tea Nothing but Blackened Teeth by Cassandra Khaw -- Spicy Caramel Apple Herbal Tea Summer Sons by Lee Mandelo -- Pineapple Sage Tea A Touch of Jen by Beth Morgan -- Cho...
Oct 07, 2021•21 min
Drew Magary returns to the Professional Book Nerds podcast to discuss his new book The Night the Lights Went Out. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Oct 04, 2021•40 min
It's that time of month again! In today's episode, Jill previews some of titles coming out in October. Books mentioned in this episode: Girly Drinks by Mallory O'Meara Well Matched by Jen DeLuca All the Feels by Olivia Dade The Death of Jane Lawrence by Caitlin Starling Taste by Stanley Tucci Sankofa by Chibundu Onuzo Unprotected by Billy Porter The Lighthouse Witches by CJ Cooke This Thing Between Us by Gus Moreno A Spindle Splintered by Alix E Harrow Learn more about your ad choices. Visit meg...
Sep 30, 2021•25 min
Lauren Groff joins Jill to discuss her new book Matrix, a historical fiction novel about poet Marie de France. Today's episode is sponsored by Headspace. Visit Headspace.com/PBN for a free one-month trial Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 27, 2021•21 min
In today's episode, Jill discusses the current resurgence of books about and for witches and shares some favorite titles featuring magic and witches. Today's episode is sponsored by Zocdoc. Visit Zocdoc.com/ProBookNerds and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE Books mentioned in this episode The Witches Are Coming by Lindy West Payback’s a Witch by Lana Harper Witches Steeped in Gold by Ciannon Smart The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling Undead Girl Gang by Lily Anderson The Witch’s Market by Mingm...
Sep 23, 2021•29 min
Pultizer Prize winning author (and Cleveland native!) Anthony Doerr joins Jill to discuss his new book Cloud Cuckoo Land Today's episode is sponsored by Fast Growing Trees. Visit FastGrowingTrees.com/PBN to save 15% Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 20, 2021•36 min
Read an Ebook Day is coming up on Sept. 18, and as we've done in past years, Jill is talking to some of her coworkers here at OverDrive to find out what book they'll be reading. Learn more at www.readanebookday.com Today's episode is sponsored by Zocdoc. Visit Zocdoc.com/ProBookNerds and download the Zocdoc app to sign-up for FREE Books mentioned in today's episode The Highwayman by Kerrigan Byrne Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo Beautiful World, Where Are You by Sally Rooney Apples Never Fall by L...
Sep 16, 2021•35 min
Heather Demetrios returns to the Professional Book Nerds, this time to discuss her new book Code Name Badass which is a biography of amazing Allied spy Virginia Hall. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Sep 13, 2021•44 min
