Professional Book Nerds

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 when writing novels compared to writing comics, which he is also well known for.  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

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 Hodge   Fire and Flood by Victoria Scott   A Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess   The Road by Cormac McCarthy   The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood   Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro   Children of Men by P.D. James   Matched by Allie Condie   The Fifth Wave by Rick Yancey   Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen   The Selection by Kiera Cass   The Traitor Baru Cormorant by Seth Dickinson   Prince of Thornes by Mark Lawrence   Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwoo

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 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

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 Mary Kubica   You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott   Behind Closed Doors by B. A. Paris   In a Dark, Dark Wood by Ruth Ware   A Killer Crop by Sheila Connolly   Wytches by Scott Snyder   Bram Stoker's Dracula adopted by Michael Burgan   We could be Beautiful by Swan Huntley   Jane Steele by Lyndsay Faye   The Vegetarian by Han Kang   The Girls by Emma Cline   Dark Matter by Blake Crouch   Upcoming Books we can't wait for   The Trespasser by Tana French   T

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   The Star-Touched Queen by Roshani Chokshi   The Weight of Feathers by Anna-Marie McLemore   Bayou Magic by Jewell Parker Rhodes   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 ava

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 (comics)   Mechanical Failure by Joe Zieja   Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows   Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams   Small Favor by Jim Butcher   The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet by Becky Chambers   Revolver by Duane Swierczynski   You Will Know Me by Megan Abbott   Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo   The Way of the Kings by Brandon Sanderson   Ready Player One by Ernest Cline   The Martian by Andy Weir   This is Where it Ends by Marieke Ni

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 recommendations: House of Leaves by Mark Z Danielewski Night of the Living Dummy by R.L. Stine The Foretelling by Alice Hoffman 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 publi

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 Elizabeth George Speare The Stormlight Archive Series by Brandon Sanderson Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller   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 lib

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 patrons year round. Given the sensitive nature of the topics, providing these titles via OverDrive gives patrons an extra level of privacy when they check them out.    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 e

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 the movies, favorite secondary characters, and their thoughts on the new play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, which is due to be published on July 31st and is currently available for pre-order for our library partners.   Featured OverDrive Staff Jill, Sheila, Andrea, Christina   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 n

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 announcing/explaining more about the BookShots program. In the interview, Patterson discusses his book creation process and the importance of libraries and his own experiences in libraries growing up.   Intro (0:00-3:53) Adam's Interview with James Patterson (3:54-11:32) BookShots Press Conference (11:33-End)   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

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 event, Adam sat down with Julie McElwain to talk about her debut novel A Murder in Time. When not writing fiction she works as the West Coast Editor for Soaps in Depth, a national soap opera magazine.  For more information about Big Library Read visit www.BigLibraryRead.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 throug

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 World juvenile collection and comics for younger audiences.   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, g

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 Friend Fragile Heartbroken In the Blood Ink and Bone Sliver of Truth Smoke The Whispers The Whispering Hollows    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 pu

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 your own definition for what makes a fairy tale a fairy tale, please feel free to let us know at feedback@overdrive.com    Featured OverDrive Staff: Jill, Adam, and Kristin   Intro (0:00-1:53)   Favorite Fairy Tales (1:54-9:16) East of the Sun, West of the Moon Rumplestiltskin  Hansel and Gretel  Little Red Riding Hood The Little Mermaid   Recent Reads: (9:17-15:44) Labyrinth Lost by Zoraida Cordova The Loney by Andrew Michael Hurley We Need to Talk About Kevin by Lionel Shriver None of the Above b

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 The Madman's Daughter by Megan Shephard Secret Horses of Briar Hill by Megan Shephard The Redwall series by Brian Jacques Sabriel by Garth Nix Chronicles of Pyrdain by Lloyd Alexander The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor Wink Poppy Midnight by April Genevive Tucholke A Darker Shade of Magic by V.E. Schwab The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern   Say Hello! Find OverDrive on Facebook at OverDriveforLibraries and Twitter at @OverDriveLibs. Email us di

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 book about the September 11th attacks and the real life classroom that inspired her.   Books Written By Jewell Sugar Ninth Ward Bayou Magic Magic City Douglass' Women Towers Falling Voodoo Season Yellow Moon Hurricane     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

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 they do. We also uncover some deep-seated struggles that Andrea and Christina have as friends in regard to whether it's appropriate to wait until a series is completed before you start reading it. Adam also unveils his love for all things Alice in Wonderland and we get sidetracked several times talking about baked goods. Recommendations: Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski Amy & Roger's Epic Detour by Morgan Matson They Call me Alexandra Gastone by T.A. Maclagan Splintered seri

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 17th, users will be able to download two audiobooks per week and, best part is, after the audiobooks have been downloaded, users get to keep them! Reading in the summer can be challenging with busy schedules and traveling plans, which can lead to a summer slump, but with audiobooks, listeners can maintain their reading habits in a different format. We also feature an interview with Michelle Cobb from AudioFile magazine, OverDrive's partner in the SYNC program. For more information, visit http://www.audiobooksync.c

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 question is asked To Read Or Not To Read, the answer should always be to read! Along with doing some Shakespeare fangirling, we cover all of the books we've recently read, some of the upcoming books we are (not so) patiently waiting for, and also offer tips on getting through book ennui.  If you have a favorite Shakespeare play and/or modern adaptation, please feel free to let us know at feedback@overdrive.com    Featured OverDrive Staff: Jill and Liz   Intro (0:00-1:56)   Recent Reads: (1:57-17:09) Take Me Home C