Professional Book Nerds

On today's episode, Adam interviews Sarah Smarsh, journalist and author of the New York Times best selling memoir Heartland: A Memoir of Working Hard and Being Broke in the Richest Country on Earth.   They discuss today's political climate, the struggle of lower class farmers, the effect the news and classism have society, and the similarities and differences between poverty in urban and rural areas. She also explains what led to her breaking free from the cycle of poverty and struggle in own family.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Last week we got a message on Twitter suggesting we do an episode all about dog books. Well, Jill is on the road for some interviews so Adam took full advantage. Enjoy these wonderful adventures of very good pups and the bork through ruff times and good times alike. Not all dogs are good bois... Some are good girls! Books mentioned in this episode: The Adventures of Balto: The Untold Story of Alaska's Famous Iditarod Sled Dog Where the Red Fern Grows The Incredible Journey by Sheila Burnford   Eb White On Dogs Travels with Charlie by John Steinbeck The Dog Stars by Peter Heller White Fang Lily and the Octopus Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Adam interviews Kristen Roupenian about her new  collection of short stories You Know You Want This featuring the widely read and hotly debated Cat Person. They discuss how she avoided the craze that Cat Person created, why she loves the short story format, and how she feels about the novel she's currently working on. Her stories explore human emotion and are darkly funny. This collection is splashed all over countless "best of" lists and is a must read. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our incredible friend Marie Benedict stopped by the office on her way to Indianapolis so we just had to record a quick chat about her new book The Only Woman in the Room. In keeping with her style of telling stories about underappreciated woman of history, this book is all about Hedy Lamarr. She was an actress, escaped a marriage to Austrian's most powerful arms dealer, and an inventor whose creation was the foundation for modern day WiFi. Her story is amazing.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's interview, Adam interviews bestselling authors Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen about their new thrillers An Anonymous Girl. They talk about the ethical decisions we all make every day and the psychology involved with morality. They also explain their unique writing process. This episode is a must listen for fans of thrillers and suspense! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's extraordinarily round numbered episode, Madeline Miller, author of CIRCE, returns to talk more mythology, Shakespeare and theatre. We kick off the episode by discussing a very special giveaway Adam and Jill are doing to celebrate 300 episodes before Madeline talks about some recent books she's read. They then dive into all things stage related!  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Adam and Brad Meltzer rekindle their Muppet-fueled friendship after nearly 2 1/2 years apart. They discuss his new book The First Conspiracy which he co-wrote with Josh Mensch about the time George Washington was nearly assassinated before the Revolutionary War ever began. This fascinating true story will blow your mind. This was recorded before Christmas so naturally they discuss Emmet Otter and Brad demands to do the Nerd 9 again to see if his answers are the same as last time. Go borrow/buy/request The First Conspiracy today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's 2019! New year, new month, new books from Jill and Adam. This time, they are sharing their books for January.   Books Mentioned In This Episode An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen The Paragon Hotel by Lindsay Faye We Cast a Shadow by Maurice Carlos Ruffin The Water Cure by Sophie Mackintosh The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer and Josh Mensch The Gilded Wolves by Roshani Chokshi King of Scars by Leigh Bardugo Burned by Edward Humes The Dreamers by Karen Thompson Walker The Similars by Rebecca Hanover Ghost Wall by Sarah Moss Looker by Laura Sims The Only Woman in the Room by Marie Benedict The Plotters by Un-Su Kim Annelies by David R. Gillham Breaking and Entering by Jeremy N Smith Here and Now and Then by Mike Chen Black is the Body by Emily Bernard An Orchestra if Minorities by Chigozie Obioma Say Hello! Find us on Instagram and Twitter at @ProBookNerds. Email us directly at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com Music "Buddy" provided royalty free from www.bens

On today's episode, Adam chats with debut YA author Rebecca Hanover about her debut novel The Similars. She tells a wonderful story about high school, clones, acceptance and mystery. You're absolutely going to love it! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the last Thursday of 2018 and Adam and Jill are here with their roundup of the best books they read in 2018. Both books published this year but also books they read that were published other years.   The Professional Book Nerds Best Books of 2018 Landwhale by Jes Baker A Place for Us by Fatima Farheen Mirza An Absolutely Remarkable Thing by Hank Green Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D Jackson Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi Not That Bad, ed. By Roxane Gay The Largesse of the Sea Maiden by Denis Johnson Sometimes I Lie by Alice Feeney 7 1/2 Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle by Stuart Turton   The best books we read this year that weren't published in 2018   Lillian Boxfish takes a walk by Kathleen Rooney Marathon Man by William Goldman The Call by Peadar O Guilin The Rest of Us Just Live Here by Patrick Ness We Are Never Meeting in Real Life by Samantha Irby The Invited by Jennifer McMahon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Jill and Adam interview NYT bestselling author Delia Owens, author of Where the Crawdads Sing. They discuss her fascinating life studying wildlife in Africa and how she learned to adjust to her life upon returning. Her life has been a beautiful journey and her debut work of fiction is just as good. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Jill and Adam interview the great Charlaine Harris, well known author of the Sookie Stackhouse Chronicles, The Aurora Teagarden series, and the Midnight, Texas series, all of which have been turned into television adaptations. Charlaine called in to promote her NEW Gunnie Rose series, beginning with her latest book An Easy Death. This conversation was a joy and Charlaine is the funniest person we've ever interviewed.   BEFORE the interview, we announce a brand new thing we're launching for the new year: The 2019 Professional Book Nerds Reading Challenge! Be sure to listen in to hear all about it and how you can win a free reading device! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Jill chats with Ryder Carroll, inventor of the wildly popular Bullet Journal Method. He has a new book out about the practice called The Bullet Journal Method and he and Jill chat all things bujo.  With just a couple weeks left in 2018, now is the perfect time to start thinking about 2019 and your goals and plans and to help you with those, we have a giveaway! Head on over to our Instagram @ProBookNerds for your chance to win a copy of Ryder's book The Bullet Journal Method plus the same blue Leuchtturm 1917 dot grid journal that Jill loves to use for her own bullet journal.   Say Hello! Find us on Instagram 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

On today's episode, Adam is joined by three of OverDrive's staff librarians to answer a few of the book request emails we've received over the last few weeks. Emma, Kristin, and Maria do not disappoint. Check out all these amazing books!   Books our librarians (and Adam) are reading:   My Sister, the Serial Killer by Oyinkan Braithwaite An Anonymous Girl by Greer Hendricks & Sarah Pekkanen The First Conspiracy by Brad Meltzer   Historical Fiction with a Medical Slant The Midwife of Hope River by Patricia Harman The Physician by Noah Gordon Outlander by Diana Gabaldon   YA Poetry & Novels in Verse The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo Long Way Down by Jason Reynolds Crank by Ellen Hopkins The Dark Between Stars by Atticus If They Come For Us by Fatimah Asghar Swing by Kwame Alexander and Mary Rand Hess   Steampunk/Dieselpunk, Modern & Urban Fantasy The Dresden Files series by Jim Butcher The Aeronaut's Windlass by Jim Butcher The Queen of All Crows by Rod Duncan (Book

Today’s episode is sponsored by Sourcebooks and Sourcebooks Casablanca and features a conversation with romance suspense writer Kari Lynn Dell whose contemporary western romance series Texas Rodeo includes Reckless in Texas, Tangled in Texas, Tougher in Texas, Fearless in Texas and the new holiday special Mistletoe in Texas. Kari brings a lifetime of personal experience as a horse trainer and rodeo competitor to her writing about the exciting, dangerous – and romantic -- world of the Texas rodeo.   Look for other new Sourcebooks Casablanca Christmas titles such as You Had Me at Cowboy by Jennie Marts, Cowboy SEAL Christmas by Nicole Helm, Billionaire Wolf for Christmas by Terry Spear and Cowboy Christmas Jubilee from Dylann Crush.     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today's episode, Robin Witten from Audiofile Magazine and the Behind the Mic podcast joins us to talk about the absolute best audiobooks of the year. Behind the Mic is a daily podcast where you can get quick audiobook recommendations across multiple genres. It's a must listen for any fellow audiobook nerd. Subscribe to it today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today's episode is sponsored by Sourcebooks and Sourcebooks Casablanca and features a conversation with romance suspense writer Katie Ruggle.   Katie's newest book is Rocky Mountain Cowboy Christmas, the first in the new Rocky Mountain Cowboy series which brings pulse-pounding romantic suspense to a cowboy’s Colorado Christmas.     You’ll love the four books in her most recent series Rocky Mountain K9 Unit about K9 officers, their trusty dogs and the women they swear to protect. Track down Run to Ground, On the Chase, Survive the Night and Through the Fire.   Katie’s first series Search and Rescue included 6 titles about Rocky Mountain rescue divers courting danger—and each other.   Look for other new Sourcebooks Casablanca Christmas titles such as You Had Me at Cowboy by Jennie Marts, Cowboy SEAL Christmas by Nicole Helm, Billionaire Wolf for Christmas by Terry Spear and Cowboy Christmas Jubilee from Dylann Crush. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

December is right around the corner and Jill and Adam are here with their top picks for next month!  Books mentioned in this episode:  Once Upon a River by Diane Setterfield Born to be Posthumous by Mark Dery Pandemic by Robin Cook The Dakota Winters by Tom Barbash Art Matters by Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell We are the Nerds by Christine Lagorio-Chafkin The Noma Guide to Fermentation Guide by Rene Redzepi The Mansion by Ezekiel Boone Light Years by Kass Morgan The Disasters by MK England For the Sake of the Game by Laurie R King The Day the Sun Died by Yan Lianke We Can Save Us All by Adam Nemett  Milkman by Anna Burns   Say Hello! Find us on Instagram 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

Today's episode is a bit of a flashback as Jill and Adam pull an old episode from the archives. In this case, the amazing and incredible ALAN CUMMING OMG. Original episode was #73 back in December 2016, so for longtime listeners hope you enjoy this Monday rewind and for new listeners, enjoy this interview! Say Hello! Find us on Instagram 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 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

Today's episode is being released on Thanksgiving in the United States and Adam and Jill decide to talk about what they are thankful for which is OUR AMAZING AND AWESOME LISTENERS! They share emails and reviews from some listeners. Reach out to us at professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com with your own questions and comments and maybe you'll also get an on air shout out on a future episode.  Say Hello! Find us on Instagram 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 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 cho