Beyond the Label: Stories of Disability & Awareness | Book Lounge by Libby Season 2 Episode 3

In this episode of Book Lounge by Libby, we’re going Beyond the Label to explore stories of disability, neurodivergence, and chronic illness — both on and off the page. 

In Segment 1, Joe is joined by Marie Myung-Ok Lee, who opens up about her experiences as a mother to a child with disabilities. She reflects on the fears, challenges, and moments of triumph that have shaped her perspective as both a parent and a writer. Marie also shares how her Korean-American identity and personal experiences influence her work and the stories she tells. 

Then, in Segment 2, Joe, Cece, and Meara highlight books that feature characters who go beyond the label — stories where differences drive the narrative and reveal the beauty in experiencing the world another way. 

✨ A heartfelt, thoughtful episode celebrating empathy, awareness, and the power of storytelling to expand our understanding of others — and ourselves. 

Guest host recommendations: 

Cece's Picks: 

• On the Edge of Gone – Corinne Duyvis 

• What Moves the Dead – T. Kingfisher 

Meara’s Picks:  

• Vespertine – Margaret Rogerson 

• How to Kill Your Family – Bella Mackie 

Joe’s Picks:  

• The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet – Jake Maia Arlow 

• Never the Wind – Francesco Dimitri 

Follow the guests & guest hosts:  

Segment 1: 

• Marie Myung-Ok Lee - TikTok 

Segment 2:  

• Cece (problemsofabooknerd) - Links 

• Meara (mearaisreading) - Links 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:00:23 Intro 

00:01:52 Segment 1 with Marie Myung-Ok Lee 

01:01:27 Break Libby Holds Update 

01:07:22 Segment 2 Book Recs with Cece & Meara 

01:38:06 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 bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! 

Book List for the Episode: 

Books by Marie Myung-Ok Lee:

Hurt You – Marie Myung-Ok Lee

The Evening Hero – Marie Myung-Ok Lee 

Somebody’s Daughter – Marie Myung-Ok Lee 

Finding my Voice – Marie Myung-Ok Lee 

Books from Segment 2: 

On the Edge of Gone – Corinne Duyvis 

What Moves the Dead – T. Kingfisher 

Vespertine – Margaret Rogerson 

How to Kill Your Family – Bella Mackie 

The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet – Jake Maia Arlow 

Never the Wind – Francesco Dimitri