Professional Book Nerds

On today's episode, Adam sits down with Elizabeth Kostova, #1 bestselling author of The Historian and The Swan Thieves. Elizabeth has a new book coming out April 11 called The Shadow Land and so she was in Atlanta for the American Library Association Midwinter meetings where she spoke with Adam about her love of Eastern Europe, the research process for her books and, of course, Dracula! Elizabeth has a rich history with libraries as well and shared some wonderful insight into the writing process and her novels.  Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @ProBookNerds. Email us directly at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com   Music "Buddy" 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, an

Neil Gaiman's Norse Mythology was released last week and we decided to celebrate by discussing other books that deal with mythology and lore!    Books Mentioned In This Episode Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan The Gracekeepers by Kristy Loan American Gods by Neil Gaiman Red Rising series by Pierce Brown Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier The Odyssey by Homer The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller The Song of Troy by Colleen McCullough Till We Have Faces by C.S. Lewis Grendel by John Gardner Beowulf, translated by Seamus Heaney The Snow Child by Eowyn Ivey The Secret History by Donna Tartt My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult The Tenth Circle by Jodi Piccoult The Divine Comedy by Dante The Minotaur Takes a Cigarette Break by Steven Sherrill House of Leaves by Mark Z. Danieleweski The Lost Years of Merlin by T. A. Barron The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

On today's episode, Adam interviews Jen Calonita in Atlanta during the American Library Association Midwinter meetings. Jen has gone from being an editor at a teen entertainment magazine where she interviewed celebrities backstage to creating her own stories from her life experiences. Now, she's building magical worlds of her own through the Fairy Tale Reform School series. Adam and Jen chat about how she came to be an author and how Disney has been the through line of her career that led to the whimsical she's not writing.  Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @ProBookNerds. Email us directly at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com.   Music "Buddy" 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 recommend

On this episode, Zoraida Cordova once again graces us with her wonderful presence to offer up some of her favorite recent romance reads. Zoraida is currently writing on a warm, tropical island (seriously look at her instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoraidasolo/) but took some time out of her busy schedule to tell about the Romance books she thinks everyone should check out. She also gave a few non-romance picks as well.  You can find the books Zoraida has written here: https://www.overdrive.com/creators/403210/zoraida-cordova  Zoraida's Romance Recommendations   American Vampire by Jennifer Armintrout   Inspire by Cora Carmack   The Marked Men series by Jay Crownover   Neanderthal Sees Human by Penny Reid   A Scot in the Dark by Sarah MacLean   Lady Bridget's Diary by Maya Rodale   Necessary Risk by Tara Wyatt   New YA to check out:    Caraval by Stephanie Garber   Wintersong by S. Jae-Jones   Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and

Several of our co-workers absolutely adore Penny Reid and her Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series and suggested we interview her. After speaking with her for half an hour, Penny now has two new fans in both Adam and Jill. Penny is the first self-published author to be on the Professional Book Nerds podcast and she's an incredibly successful self-published author at that, so along with taking us through her writing process she also explains all the work that goes into being a self-published author as well.  Penny writes what she calls "smart romance" and even if you're not a romance reader, we highly recommend listening to this delightful author interview and checking her books out.   Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @ProBookNerds. Email us directly at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com    Music "Buddy" provided royalty free from www.bensound.com   Podcast Overview We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff

On the 88th episode of the pod, Jill and Adam read through a few listener emails and offer book recommendations based on what you, the listener, has been reading. If you'd like some recommendations just email professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com with what you're reading or follow us on Twitter!    We then dive into all the big books coming out in February and have a mini excitement-panic attack over how amazing the audiobook of Lincoln in the Bardo is going to be. All books discussed can be found below (click on the titles to sample them). Take a listen!    Reader Advisory picks and recommendations:   Reader James's picks   Stabbing Set with Sapphires by L. A. Nisula   The Domino Lady by Lars Anderson   Skin Game by Tonia Brown   Storm of Chains by Jeremiah D. Schmidt   The Book Nerds recommendations for James (and you!)   The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher   The Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger   The Dream Engine Series by Sean Platt and Johnny B. Tr

In today's episode we hear the first of several interviews Adam did authors at the American Library Association Midwinter Meetings. Adam sat down with Min Jin Lee, author of Pachinko, which comes out on February 7th. Min shared her experiences as an immigrant writer, writing about a separate group of immigrants as well as walked us through her writing and extensive research process. Min spent 13 years writing her first novel, Free Food for Millionaires, so she knows about determination and has some wonderful advice for aspiring writers as she tells her story of becoming a published author. Adam and Min also spent a great deal of time bonding while discussing diversity in literature and much much more.  Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @ProBookNerds. Email us directly at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com   Music "Buddy" provided royalty free from www.bensound.com   Podcast Overview We're not just book nerds: we're professional book nerds and the staff lib

Adam's back from ALA Midwinter and brought with him the big list of 2017 Youth Media Award Winners and a whole bunch of advanced reader copies that the whole OverDrive office is excited to read.    Books mentioned in this episode Quiet Until The Thaw by Alexandra Fuller The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill Radiant Child by Javaka Steptoe March: Book Three by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin The Sun is Also a Star by Nicola Yoon Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Hammer of Thor by Rick Riordan Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor Bleaker House: Chasing My Novel to the End of the World by Nell Stevens The Marsh's King Daughter by Karen Dionne My Cat Yugoslavia by Pajtim Statovci The Twelve Lives of Samuel Hawley by Hannah Tinti Celine by Peter Heller The Wanderers by Meg Howrey The Stars are Fire by Anita Shreve The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova Pachinko by Min Jin Lee Speed of Life by Carol Weston Fairy Tale Reform School series by Jen Calonita If You Ever Want to Bring an All

Adam is in Atlanta for ALA Midwinter this week and left Jill all alone with a microphone mwahahahaha (j/k). So in this very off the cuff episode, Jill talks about all the ways you can keep track of the books you read and also goes over the books she has read thus far in 2017 as well as what she's currently reading (and listening to because audiobooks totally count).  Books Mentioned In This Episode: Miss You by kate Eberlen The Magdalan Girls by V.S. Alexander The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher Shockaholic by Carrie Fisher Difficult Women by Roxane Gay Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie The Underground Railroad by Colson Whitehead Idaho by Emily Ruskovich The Marsh King's Daughter by Karen Dionne The Last One by Alexandra Oliva   Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @ProBookNerds. Email us directly at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com    Music "Buddy" provided royalty free from www.bensound.com    Podcast Overview We're n

If you like Gilmore Girls: Talking as Fast as I Can by Lauren Graham  Eat Like a Gilmore Wild by Cheryl Strayed The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying up by Marie Kondo If you like (guilty pleasure) reality shows: I Didn’t Come Here to Make Friends: Confessions of a Reality Show Villain by Courtney Robertson (trashy tell-all from former Bachelor contestant) Andy Cohen’s books (dishes about Real Housewives) Life on the Ramona Coaster by Ramona Singer Turning The Tables by Teresa Guidici You've Got To Get Bigger Dreams by Alan Cumming A Shore Thing by Snooki Troublemaker by Leah Remini Books for fans of Bones Buffy The Vampire Slayer (Series) If you like HGTV:   The Magnolia Story by Chip & Joanna Gaines (It’s written by the stars of my fave HGTV show, Fixer Upper) Dream Home by Jonathan Scott and Drew Scott (Property Brothers) Young House Love by John and Sherry Petersik (not on HGTV but if you like home design and some DIY projects and books written by duos, good readalike o

In today's episode Jill & Adam talk to debut author Samuel Parker about his first novel Purgatory Road. He discusses his inspirations as a writer include Stephen King and why he choose Vegas as a setting. Jill and Adam also have a quick chat about their times in Vegas, some Broadway shows and they remember Alan Rickman because... he's amazing.    You can borrow Purgatory Road from you library by clicking this link: https://www.overdrive.com/media/2839929/purgatory-road    Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @ProBookNerds. Email us directly at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com    Music "Buddy" 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 learn about the hottest bo

Like most book nerds, we love the website Book Riot and their annual Read Harder Challenge. But sometimes it's hard to know where to find titles that fit the categories if they are a little outside of your reading comfort zone so we decided to offer some suggestions throughout the year. First up, we are tackling the LGBTQ+ Romance, Collection of Stories by a Woman, Books Written by an Immigrant or with an Immigration Theme, Sports, and Travel Memoir. Bonus: We have a new email address (professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com) AND you can find us directly on Twitter at @ProBookNerds so if there are specific categories on the list you'd like help with, please reach out to us! Read an LGBTQ+ Romance  Carry On by Rainbow Rowell The Sublime and Spirited Voyage of Original Sin by Colette Moody Fever Pitch by Heidi Cullinan Will Grayson, Will Grayson by David Levithan and John Green Two Boys Kissing by David Levithan The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff Roller Girl by Vanessa North   Read a Collection of St

Today's episode features an interview with world-renowned romance writer, Robyn Carr. Robyn recently received the Romance Writer's of America Nora Roberts Lifetime Achievement Award and is best known for for her Virgin River Series. In this interview, Adam and Robyn discuss her recent novel, What We Find, as well as the craft of writing. Robyn is extremely prolific and discusses the diligence it takes to continuously provide new books for her readers. She also shares her thought process as she writes series, how she chooses locations for books as well as the books that inspired her. Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @OverDriveLibs. Email us directly at feedback@overdrive.com    Music "Buddy" 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 th

  Books Mentioned in this Episode:  The Road to Jonestown by Jeff Guinn The Shadow Land by Elizabeth Kostova Hunger by Roxane Gay Pachinko by Min Jin Lee The American War by Omar El Akkad Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman How to Hygge by  Her Every Fear by Peter Swanson Mission Impawsible by Krista Davis The Day I Died by Lori Rader-Day The Wanderers by Meg Howrey The Moth Presents All These Wonders: True Stories about Facing the Unknown Lincoln in the Bardo by George Saunders A Separation 4321 Paul Auster A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas Since We Fell by Dennis Lehane Into the Water by Paula Hawkins This is Just My Face by Gabourey Sidibe Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor Margaret and the Moon by Dean Robbins Big Mushy Happy Lump by Sarah Anderson     Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @OverDriveLibs. Email us directly at feedback@overdrive.com     Music "Buddy" provided royalty free from www.bensound.com

On this very special episode of the podcast, Adam interviews Jill because she wrote a memoir title Running with a Police Escort and it's now available on OverDrive and everywhere you buy your books! Jill chats about how she decided to write her first book while also providing insight for potential authors on how she found a publisher. We've had a number of listeners ask us how authors juggle full-time jobs while also writing and Jill explains how she was able to handle this task personally. Adam and Jill share stories of being a part of the Cleveland Running community and, as always, have some fun with a special Nerd 9.    Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @OverDriveLibs. Email us directly at feedback@overdrive.com    Music "Buddy" 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

On the last episode of 2016, Jill and Adam discuss the books coming out in January that they can't wait to read. The books discussed come from an overdrive.com list that you can look through and sample titles right here: https://www.overdrive.com/collections/22345/january-2017-new-releases-and-must-reads    Books discussed on this episode:   Difficult Women by Roxane Gay   Carve the Mark by Veronica Roth   The Fifth Petal by Brunonia Barry   Little Deaths by Emma Flint   My Life, My Love, My Legacy by Coretta Scott King   RoseBlood by A. G. Howard   Wires and Nerve, Volume One by Marissa Meyer   The Hundred Lies of Lizzie Lovett by Chelsea Sedoti   Caraval by Stephanie Garber   4 3 2 1 by Paul Auster   The Girl Before by JP Delaney   Scratch by Manjula Martin   The Bear and the Nightingale by Katherine Arden   The Lost City of the Monkey God by Douglas Preston   Once We Were Sisters by Sheila Kohler   Huck Out West by Robert Coover  

It's the last week of 2016 and for this final Monday of the year, Adam and Jill are back with another author interview! This time they spoke with Fleur McDonald, an Australian author known for her rural fiction.    If the holidays gifted you with a new eReader, iPad, tablet, etc., be sure to check out your public library's OverDrive.com site to see what eBooks and audiobooks you can get through them!      Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @OverDriveLibs. Email us directly at feedback@overdrive.com     Music "Buddy" 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 learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find

In today's episode, Adam speaks with debut novelist Kathryn Barker, author of the award winning In the Skin of a Monster.    Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @OverDriveLibs. Email us directly at feedback@overdrive.com     Music "Buddy" 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 learn about the hottest books coming out that we can't wait to dive into. For more great reads, find OverDrive on Facebook and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode, YA author Zoraida Cordova returns for a 2nd time to discuss Labyrinth Lost, the strange life authors lead being solitary writers and then social butterflies while promoting books and having fans while being fans of other authors. Adam and Zoraida spend some time chatting about the social media aspect of being a public figure and the magic of the Young Adult book community. They also discuss the Oreo scandal of 2016 and the culinary holiday traditions they both enjoy this time of year.  Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @OverDriveLibs. Email us directly at feedback@overdrive.com    Music "Buddy" 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 learn about the hotte

It's the end of the year, which means it's time for the Professional Book Nerds to reflect and discuss their favorite books of 2016. For this episode we brought back some of our previous guests and asked them to share their favorite titles. (And, because we all read so much, we let them come in with their top three although even that proved difficult for some of us!)  Books Mentioned in this Episode This Is Where It Ends by Marieke Nijkamp Your Heart is a Muscle the Size of a Fist by Sunil Yapa The Nix by Nathan Hill David Bowie: The Last Interview by David Bowie Evicted by Matthew Desmond While the City Slept by Eli Sanders Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi Unmentionable by Therese Oneill A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas All the Birds in the Sky by Charlie Jane Anders Small Great Things by Jodi Picoult The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson The Forbidden Orchid by Sharon Biggs Waller Dark Matter by Blake Crouch Shrill by Lindy West Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye Behind Close