It is not an understatement to say that Steve Potash is the reason we are able to do this podcast. Steve is the founder and creator of Rakuten OverDrive as well as one of the main reasons digital library reading is such a prevalent part of our lives. Each day, we come to work at the OverDrive office excitement to help create a world enlightened by reading and it all starts with Steve's energy and passion. But OverDrive has been around much longer than you likely realize and it didn't start with libraries.

On today's episode, Steve joins us to discuss the humble origins of this incredible company we get to call home. 

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On today's episode, Adam interviews Maaza Mengiste about her new novel, The Shadow King. This book tells the story of Mussolini's 1935 invasion of Ethiopia and how it changed lives forever on both sides. Maaza shares the incredible true story of her ancestor who fought for her right to join the Ethiopian army to defend her home, the paths her research led her down, and so much more. 

This episode is sponsored by https://literatibooks.com/. Use our promo code PROBOOKNERDS for $20 off your first box of teacher-curated books and beautiful artwork for kids! These unique gifts also feature some amazing holiday themes this month!

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On today's episode, Adam interviews Kate Racculia, author of the award-winning Tuesday Mooney Talks to Ghosts. They chat about Edgar Allan Poe, Kate's many exceptional past jobs, her experience working in a library and so much more wonderful nerdery. Take a listen!

This episode is sponsored by https://literatibooks.com/. Use our promo code PROBOOKNERDS for $20 off your first box of teacher-curated books and beautiful artwork for kids! These unique gifts also feature some amazing holiday themes this month!

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On today's episode, Adam and Jill sit down with local authors Barbara and Teeba Furat Marlowe. Their book, A Brave Face, tells the incredible true story of how two families from halfway around the world became forever connected, turning a tragedy into a heartwarming story of perseverance, faith, and hope. 

This episode is sponsored by https://scandigital.com/. Use our promo code BOOKNERDS for 50% off your order!

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Jill is here with the biggest books of December the Professional Book Nerds can't wait to read!

Children of Virtue and Vengence by Tomi Adeyemi

Good Girls Lie by JT Ellison

Dead Astronauts by Jeff VanderMeer

Meg & Jo by Virginia Kantra

Disney's Land by Richard Snow

The Dead Girl's Club by Damien Angelica Walters

The Book of Science and Antiquities by Thomas Keneally

The Sacrament by Olaf Olaffson

Reverie by Ryan La Sala

The Measure of our Lives by Toni Morrison

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Today's episode is a splendidly fun conversation with Ben Aaronovitch, author of the wildly popular Rivers of London series! We nerd out about writing, London, Mythology, police procedurals and so much more.

This episode is sponsored by https://literatibooks.com/. Use our promo code PROBOOKNERDS for $20 off your first box of teacher-curated books and beautiful artwork for kids!

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Who is ready to return to Elfhame? This week, the final book in Holly Black's wildly popular "Folk of the Air" series, The Queen of Nothing, came out and Holly stopped by to chat! Adam and Holly get into the creation of the world of Elfhame, the relationship between Jude and Cardan, and so much more. This is a must listen!

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This episode is all about the books we've been reading lately but we also dive into some truly crazy true-life murder stories involving authors and embrace our final form... A Pagemaster Podcast.

Books mentioned in this episode

You Will Know Me by Megan Abbot

Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Dare Me by Megan Abbott

The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White

Give Me Your Hand by Megan Abbott

The Library of the Unwritten by A. J. Hackwith

Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

Criminal by Karin Slaughter

Running with Sherman by Christopher McDougall

The Kept Woman by Karin Slaughter

Perfect Little Children by Sophie Hannah

Sunnyside Plaza by Scott Simon

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Surprise! Adam went down to Atlanta for a day to record a bonus episode with Big Library Read authors Kimberly Jones and Gilly Segal! They chat with a bunch of incredible students from DeKalb Early College Academy about the creation and importance of I'm Not Dying With You Tonight.

Visit https://biglibraryread.com/ to join our global discussion of this incredible book!

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On today's episode, Adam sits down with Kacen Callender to discuss their new adult fantasy novel Queen of the Conquered. They also discuss writing for marginalized readers and helping people see themselves in stories.

This episode is sponsored by https://scandigital.com/. Use our promo code BOOKNERDS for 50% off your order!

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