Book Lounge by Libby

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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge!
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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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. 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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. 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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. 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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. 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