Today, Joe interviews Justin Arnold about his new book Wicked Little Things (out November 15 from Tiny Ghost Press) . They talk about writing magical mean girls, what it's like to be the GBF, and some of their favorite urban legends. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse).   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Magical Mean Girls with Justin Arnold, author of Wicked Little Things

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On today's episode, Emma and Joe share some tips and tricks to completing your 2024 Pro Book Nerds Reading Challenge. They also discuss the prompts they've completed and what books they read. Finally, they offer some suggestions for, perhaps, some harder to complete prompts. Let us know, have you done your 2024 reading challenge yet? What's your progress? 
 2024 PBN Reading Challenge:  A genre you don’t normally read 

The Secret Lives of Country Gentlemen by KJ Charles 

The Bearable Slant of Light by Lynnell Edwards 

The Anthropocene Reviewed by John Green 

 A book with main characters that are a different age than you 
House of Flame and Shadow by Sarah J Maas  
 A book on your TBR longer than 1 year 

Who Could That Be at This Hour by Lemony Snicket 

Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn 

 An audiobook (full cast or dramatized!) 

A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson 

House of Earth and Blood, Part 2 by Sarah J. Maas

 A book in translation 

A Magical Girl Retires by Park Seolyeon 

Reykjavik by Ragnar Jonasson 

 Reread a childhood favorite 

Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison 

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

 Book with dual POV 
Yours Truly by Abby Jimenez
 Read a duology 

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig

 A book with a one-word title 

Sheets by Brenna Thummler  

Tomie – Juno Ito 

 A book from any bestseller list 

Rouge by Mona Awad 

Let Us Descend by Jesmyn Ward 

Think Twice by Harlan Coben

 A book your first heard about on PBN 

Diavola by Jennifer Thorne 

Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen 

 A book out of season 

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison (takes place in Winter) 

This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune (Summer) 

 Check out Joe's conversation with Daniel Handler aka Lemony Snicket here. Listen to Emma's chat with Harlan Coben here. Want to hear more about seasonal reading, listen to our Seasons of Books episode here. Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Your Guide to Completing the Pro Book Nerds 2024 Reading Challenge

Join Joe for a dive into the world of horror with acclaimed author Paul Tremblay as he unveils details of his new book Horror Movie (out June 11 from HarperCollins). Paul shares his inspirations, challenges, and thrills of crafting a story that carries you through time and just wondering how impacted you'll be by that cursed film. Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby and our library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace. Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse).   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Behind the Scares: A Conversation with Paul Tremblay on Horror Movie

Marissa joins Joe today to talk about graphic memoirs, biographies and novels inspired by life events. They talk about the importance of sharing your story, how we can find community and a sense of self, and learn so much by listening to the stories of others. Come for the recommendations, stay for a full aside on The Salem Witch Trials. 
 Article mentioned in our Salem Witch Trials aside: From New England Law Boston - The True Legal Horror Story of the Salem Witch Trials 
 Titles mentioned in this episode:  Marissa’s Titles:  

Be Prepared by Vera Brosgol 

Ducks by Kate Beaton 

Messy Roots by Laura Gao 

The Adventures of Alexander Von Humboldt by Andrea Wulf and Illustrated by Lillian Melcher 

The Invention of Nature by Andrea Wulf

Cheeky by Ariella Elovic 
Joe’s Titles:  

Talking to Strangers by Marianne Boucher 

An Outbreak of Witchcraft by Debroah Noyes 

Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe 

Brave Face by Shawn David Hutchinson 

Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder 

 Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace. Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com. We’ve got merch! Check out our two shirts in The OverDrive Shop (all profits are donated to the ALA Literacy Clearinghouse).   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Drawn In: Graphic Memoirs (and Biographies) You Can't Put Down

On today's episode, Emma is joined by NYT bestselling author, Katherine Center, to chat about her newest book, The Rom-Commers. They also discuss the craft of writing a romance novel, reading from your heart, the impact of libraries, line dancing and so much more. Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Reading From the Heart With Katherine Center

Emma and Joe are joined by Andrea and Meghan to discuss a new era of vampire reads! We've seen a huge increase in books featuring vampires in the last few years and wanted to share some recent books and upcoming releases we're most excited about to usher in a new era. Emma’s Picks:  

So Thirsty by Rachel Harrison

We Love the Nightlife by Rachel Koller Croft  

To You Shall All Flesh Come by Lumen Reese  

Immortal Pleasures by V. Castro  

Lucy Undying by Kiersten White 
  Joe’s Picks:  

This Ravenous Fate by Hayley Dennings

Silver Under Nightfall by Rin Chupeco and book 2 Court of Wanderers came out in April 

The God of Endings by Jacqueline Holland 

My Roommate is a Vampire by Jenna Levine 

The Southern Book Club’s Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix

 Andrea’s Picks:  

The Scarlet Veil #2 by Shelby Mahurin 
Book 1: The Scarlet Veil 

The Madness by Dawn Kurtagich 

Garlic and the Vampire by Bree Paulsen 
Book 2: Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen 
The Songbird & The Heart of Stone by Carissa Broadbent
Book 1: The Serpent & the Wings of Night 
Book 2: The Ashes & the Star-Cursed King 


 Meghan’s Picks:  

A Werewolf’s Guide to Seducing a Vampire by Sarah Hawley  

Sign of the Slayer by Sharina Harris 

Bloodline by Jenn Alexander  

Filthy Rich Vampire by Geneva Lee  

Vampires Never Say Die by Gloria Duke 

 Other books and things mentioned: 
Kathy Reichs new book, Fire and Bones


Dawn Kurtagich interview and Dawn’s return to the podcast 

 Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today's episode on OverDrive.com or in Libby. Library friends can shop these titles in OverDrive Marketplace. We hope you enjoy this episode of the Professional Book Nerds podcast. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can follow the Professional Book Nerds on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok @ProBookNerds. Want to reach out? Send an email to professionalbooknerds@overdrive.com.    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Magical Mean Girls with Justin Arnold, author of Wicked Little Things

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