Book Lounge by Libby

Witchy books have completely cast a spell on readers—and in this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Meara to explore the magic behind the genre. 

From cozy magical stories to darker tales of witchcraft and power, Meara shares how she first fell in love with witchy reads and why the genre keeps pulling readers back for more. Meara shares her hallmarks of a great witchy book: beloved tropes, magical vibes, found family, spellwork, atmospheric settings, and the storytelling elements that make these books so irresistible. 

Along the way, she highlights some of her favorite witchy reads and offer plenty of book recommendations. 

Whether you’re a longtime lover of witchy books or just looking for your next enchanting read, this episode is full of magical inspiration. 

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 this episode here: https://www.libbylife.com/blog/meara-s-best-witchy-books-to-read-cozy-magical-must-read-witch-books-book-lounge-by-libby  

Who’s in this episode:  

Find Meara online here! 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 00:00:22 Intro 00:01:00 Witchy Q&A with Meara 00:41:57 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 [email protected]. 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

March is bringing the heat 🔥 

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark of the Book Gang Podcast to talk about the March 2026 book releases they cannot wait to read. 

From buzzy debuts to powerhouse authors returning with new stories, we’re breaking down the titles climbing to the top of our TBR piles. Whether you love literary fiction, thrillers, romance, or genre-bending surprises, this month is stacked. 

Get your Libby tag ready — we’re giving you plenty of reasons to hit “borrow” and build out your holds list. 

Looking for even more ideas? Browse Amy’s curated guides: 


2026 Debut Books (43 Incredible Titles) 


2026 New Releases (47 Book Ideas From Seasoned Voices) 

Your March reading mood? Officially handled. 

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! 

Book recommendations: 

Amy’s Picks:  


The Shock of the Light – Lori Inglis Hall  


The Beheading Game – Rebecca Lehmann 


The Fountain – Casey Scieszka  


Where the Girls Were – Kate Schatz  


Lady Tremaine – Rachel Hochhauser 


Under Water – Tara Menon  


That's What Friends Are For – Wade Rouse  


The Truth About Ruby Cooper – Liz Nugent  


The Night We Met – Abby Jimenez  


Once and Again – Rebecca Serle 

Joe’s Picks:  


Now I Surrender – Álvaro Engrigue 


200 Monas – Jan Saenz 


The Disappointment – Scott Broker 


Adult Braces – Lindy West 


The Valley of Vengeful Ghosts – Kim Fu 


You With the Sad Eyes – Christina Applegate 


Strange Girls – Sarvat Hasin 


Sisters in Yellow – Mieko Kawakami 


Hooked – Asako Yuzuki 


Wretch – Eric LaRocca 

 

Who’s in this episode:  


Amy Allen Clark – Links 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Check out How to Shoot a Ghost on Kanopy! 00:01:36 Title 00:02:00 Intro 00:02:30 Chatting with Amy Allen Clark 00:09:12 March 2026 Book Picks 01:17:47 Closing & 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 [email protected]. 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

On this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re trying something a little different—and we’re very excited about it. Joe is joined by Amy Allen Clark from the Book Gang podcast to dive deep into One’s Company by Ashley Hutson, a book Amy has been completely obsessed with. 

We start with a breakdown of the book (mostly spoiler-free), unpacking what worked, what lingered, and why One’s Company gets under your skin in the best way. Then, at the 25-minute mark we do a quick spoiler breakdown, then we’re joined by Ashley Hutson herself for a spoiler-filled conversation about the book, her inspirations, the emotional core of the story, and what it was like bringing this unsettling, unforgettable novel to life. 

📚 Spoiler warning: The author interview includes spoilers—so read One’s Company first, then come hang out with us. 

If you love this book-club-style episode (or want us to do more like it with different books or formats), we want to hear from you! Email Joe at [email protected] with your thoughts. 

Check out Ashley’s recent publication “Our Whole History” here! 

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 this episode here: https://www.libbylife.com/blog/inside-one-s-company-obsession-isolation-and-talking-with-ashley-hutson-book-lounge-by-libby  

Who’s in this episode:  


Amy Allen Clark – Links  

Find Book Gang on Patreon 


Ashley Hutson - Website 

Check out Ashley’s recent publication “Our Whole History” here! 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:00:22 Intro 00:02:13 Talking One’s Company with Amy Allen Clark 00:25:55 Spoiler breakdown of One’s Company 00:30:12 Conversation with Ashley Hutson, author of One’s Company 01:19:55 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 [email protected]. 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

Not everyone grows up a reader—and that’s okay. 

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe talks with his friend Sam about what it’s like when reading finally works for you. They dig into unlearning what reading is “supposed” to look like, finding joy without pressure, and how discovering books later in life can quietly change how you see yourself. 

Along the way, Sam shares how becoming a reader also sparked the beginning of her journey as a writer. This conversation is for anyone who’s ever felt outside of reading culture—and is finding their way in. 

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! 

Who’s in this episode:  


Find Sam’s Bookstagram @worldwakerreads  


Check out @lizabethanneauthor 


Check out Forget Me Not 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:00:23 Intro 

00:01:10 Becoming a Reader 

00:46:46 Becoming an Author 

01:06:03 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 [email protected]. 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

New month, new books, and a very full TBR. 📖✨ 

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, Joe is joined by Meara to dive into the most exciting books releasing in February 2026. From buzzy new novels to under-the-radar gems, we’re breaking down what’s catching our attention, what we’re most hyped to read, and which releases are moving straight to the top of our TBRs. 

If you love tracking upcoming book releases, planning your reading life, or just want to know what February’s literary lineup has in store, consider this your official February 2026 Book Release Radar. 

Looking for the video version of our show? Check out the Libby App YouTube channel! 

Book recommendations: 

Meara’s Picks: 


A Little Buzzed – Alys Murray 


The Sun and the Starmaker – Rachel Griffin 


Greedy - Callie Kazumi 


Books & Bewitchment - Isla Jewell 


How to Kill a Guy in Ten Dates - Shailee Thompson 


Cruelty Free - Caroline Glenn 


For Human Use - Sarah G Pierce   


Weavingshaw – Heba Al-Wasity  


The Hospital at the End of the World - Justin C. Key 


The Forest on the Edge of Time – Jasmin Kirkbride  


The Red Winter - Cameron Sullivan  

Joe’s Picks: 


Operation Bounce House – Matt Dinniman 


Heap Earth Upon It – Chloe Michelle Howarth  


Murder Bimbo – Rebecca Novack 


Superfan – Jenny Tinghui Zhang 


She Made Herself a Monster – Anna Kovatcheva 


I am the Ghost Here – Kim Samek 


Good People – Patmeena Sabit  


The Jills – Karen Parkman  


Dollface – Lindy Ryan 


Language as Liberation – Toni Morrison 

 Who’s in this episode:  


Meara - Links 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:00:22 Intro 

00:01:02 Catching up with Meara 

00:05:38 February 2026 Book Picks 

01:08:35 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 [email protected]. 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