Totally Booked with Zibby

Zibby interviews Cara Natterson, MD, and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, authors of THIS IS SO AWKWARD: MODERN PUBERTY EXPLAINED . They discuss their motivation for writing the book, aiming to empower parents, teachers, and other adults in guiding kids through puberty. The book covers more than typical puberty topics, delving into sports, eating behaviors, and mental health. Zibby praises the book's compre...

Guest host Julie Chavez interviews author Rochelle B. Weinstein about her seventh book, WHAT YOU DO TO ME, which features a dual timeline and explores themes of love, nostalgia, and the impact of parental choices. Rochelle discusses her process of weaving music into her storytelling, revealing how she secured lyric approval from Tom Higgenson of Plain White T's for the book. The conversation...

Zibby interviews bestselling author Karma Brown about WHAT WILD WOMEN DO , a dual-timeline story revolving around a modern-day screenwriter and a 1970s socialite-turned-feminist. The novel explores female ambition, social media dynamics, and the complexities of personal relationships. Brown discusses her own experiences with aging, social media, and writing, highlighting the importance of being pr...

Guest host Alisha Fernandez Miranda interviews bestselling author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about her first children's book, MAMA'S SLEEPING SCARF , a tender story about a little girl’s love for her mother’s scarf. Chimamanda reflects on the challenges of parenting, from instilling manners to managing social media exposure. She also shares her experiences as a writer, including taking a break after...

Zibby interviews William Kent Krueger about his novel THE RIVER WE REMEMBER , a dazzling, instant New York Times bestseller. Krueger shares insights into his writing process, the inspiration behind his work, and the importance of the setting as a character. This novel, which is set in 1958 Minnesota, revolves around a mysterious murder in a small town, but its deeper themes explore the impacts of...

Zibby interviews debut author Amanda Peters about her award-winning novel, THE BERRY PICKERS. The story, influenced by Peters' Mi’kmaq heritage, revolves around a family from Nova Scotia who travels to Maine each summer for blueberry picking and the four-year-old daughter who goes missing from the fields. The novel, which took four years to complete, was part of her Peters' MFA program. Now an ass...

Zibby interviews Stephanie Kramer about her book CARRY STRONG: AN EMPOWERED APPROACH TO NAVIGATING PREGNANCY AND WORK. Stephanie explores the complexities of balancing pregnancy with a professional career, based on extensive research and interviews. The discussion delves into societal pressures and the need for supportive work environments, with Stephanie sharing her own experience of writing the...

Terri discusses the book's unique format, which explores two "what-if" scenarios from the perspectives of characters Sarah and Leo, involving a school dance and a love triangle. She shares how she blends personal experiences with imagination and explains her writing process, which involves drafting in a Word document, indicating artwork in red type, and then adding sketches and final artwork. Zibb...

Zibby interviews New York Times bestselling author Jean Kwok about her evocative new novel, THE LEFTOVER WOMAN . Jean shares her gratitude for Zibby's influence in the publishing world and delves into the novel's plot, which revolves around two mothers connected by China's One Child Policy. The episode explores themes of maternal love, sacrifice, and the complexities of adoption. Jean discusses he...

Stephanie Land discusses her memoir CLASS: A MEMOIR OF MOTHERHOOD, HUNGER, AND HIGHER EDUCATION , which continues her journey from MAID, focusing on her senior year of college and her daughter's start in kindergarten. She shares her evolution as a writer under the guidance of her MFA teacher Debra, emphasizing the power of storytelling and exploring themes of resilience amidst poverty. Stephanie a...

Zibby interviews comedian Sarah Cooper about her hilariously revealing debut memoir, FOOLISH: TALES OF ASSIMILATION, DETERMINATION, AND HUMILIATION . Sarah reflects on her viral internet fame, her identity, race, and Jamaican heritage, and the power of finding humor in everyday situations. She also shares her desire to bring joy to people's lives and her journey to finding power from within hersel...

Zibby interviews award-winning writer Morgan Baker about EMPTYING THE NEST , a tender and beautifully written memoir about the tough goodbyes (like her daughter leaving for college) that shifted her identity. Morgan speaks candidly about her emotional journey, the intertwining of family life with writing, and how she copes with change and loss. She and Zibby exchanged personal coping strategies, a...

Zibby is joined by Sarah Gelman (Editorial Director at Amazon Books) to discuss the ten best books of the year as selected by the @amazonbooks review team! Want to know which ones they picked?! Tune in! Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights , which includes a free weekly newslet...

Zibby chats with Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and director Cindy Chupack about WE WAITED FOR YOU , a beautiful picture book that celebrates the moment a child and parent form a family. The two discuss Cindy's literary journey and the impact her 2004 essay collection, T HE BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS BOOK , had on readers, including Zibby herself. Cindy also reflects on her divorce, the...

Zibby Books author alert! Zibby interviews esteemed trauma therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis about her poignant and vulnerable new memoir, END OF THE HOUR . The two discuss their shared experiences with loss and the supportive community they found through a book club. Meghan's book stems from her own profound grief after losing her father to cancer and her mother unexpectedly two years later. The co...

Kristen Ness joins Zibby to discuss her captivating and clever new novel, AT LOGGERHEADS . Kristen shares her lifelong passion for marine biology and how a sea turtle sighting inspired this book, which took a decade to write. She also delves into her novel's themes (from family dynamics to political intrigue), her literary influences (@maryalicemonoe and @patconroyliterarycenter), and her current...

Kerri Maher joins Zibby to discuss her dramatic, thought-provoking, and inspiring new novel, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL , which draws inspiration from the real-life Jane Collective, the underground women’s health organization of the 70s that offered reproductive counseling and safe illegal abortions. The two talk about the complexities of women's health issues, historical authenticity, and marital...

Zibby hosts Lisa Niver to discuss Lisa's book, BRAVE-ISH: ONE BREAKUP, SIX CONTINENTS, AND FEELING FEARLESS AFTER FIFTY . The conversation delves into Lisa's transformative journey post-divorce, including her adventures across continents, overcoming physical challenges, and gaining a deeper self-understanding. They also touch on the importance of a supportive community, embracing change, and Lisa'...

Zibby Owens hosts Lindsey Jacobellis to discuss her deeply personal new memoir, UNFORGIVING: LESSONS FROM THE FALL . They talk about the pressure athletes face and the relentless scrutiny their performance undergoes. Lindsey also describes the resilience, personal growth, and love for the sport that kept her going despite facing numerous injuries and public scrutiny, especially concerning a small...

Zibby and Davon Loeb discuss his memoir, which tells the story of a biracial boy becoming a man while trying to find himself, trying to come to terms with his white Jewish family, and trying to find his place in American society. The two discuss Davon's lyrical prose and his various life stages and identities. Their conversation also touches on writing techniques, the significance of authentic cha...

Zibby interviews Jessica Knoll about BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN , the utterly absorbing, blisteringly paced, instant New York Times bestseller about two women who are brought together by violent acts of the same man and become allies as they pursue justice. Jessica shares her research process, which involved delving into the 1970s era through magazines, touches on the importance of victim's rights, and de...

Zibby welcomes Carrie Berk to discuss her book, MY REAL-LIFE ROM COM: HOW TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND WRITE YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP RULES . Carrie shares the book's inception during the pandemic, aiming to provide relatable dating advice for her generation, unlike the outdated guidance from older publications. She highlights the importance of self-love, learned through her anxiety journey, as a foundati...

Zibby hosts Matt Gutman to discuss his book, NO TIME TO PANIC . Matt shares his 25-year journey with panic attacks and the quest for relief, delving into various treatments, including pharmaceuticals and psychedelics like ketamine. The discussion extends to how anxiety is embedded in human evolution, making it a normal part of the human experience. Matt reflects on the societal lack of understandi...

Zibby speaks with rising literary star John Manuel Arias about his lush and atmospheric new novel, WHERE THERE WAS FIRE . They talk about the intricacies of familial bonds, the haunting shadows of historical transgressions, and the poetic narrative that bridges the past with the present, set against the unforgiving backdrop of Costa Rica. John shares the profound influence of women in his life, th...

Zibby interviews bestselling author Alexandra Potter about CONFESSIONS OF A FORTY-SOMETHING F**K UP, a hilarious and heartwarming novel about the highs and lows of having to start over in your forties. Through heartfelt anecdotes, the two discuss midlife challenges, societal expectations, and the role of humor and camaraderie in confronting life's uncertainties. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.l...