Totally Booked with Zibby

Debut novelist Francesca Giacco joins Zibby to talk about her book,  Six Days in Rome . Francesca shares her connection to and love for Italy which inspired the novel, as well as how the story features an amalgamation of her personal experiences. The two also discuss Francesca's thoughts on traveling alone, her experience selling this book during the pandemic, and her favorite food to or...

Zibby is joined by professor and author Mai Al-Nakib to discuss her debut novel,  An Unlasting Home , an intergenerational story inspired by Kuwait's short-lived attempt to charge blasphemy as a capital crime. The two talk about what Mai loves most about being a teacher, her unique educational history and journey to writing, and the women in her life who helped shape her. Mai also shares how...

Zibby is joined by novelist Jillian Medoff to talk about her latest book,  When We Were Bright and Beautiful , which went through a number of iterations before publication. Jillian shares her concerns about writing a story focused on sexual assault in the #MeToo era, which books influenced this story's twists and turns, and the role her sister played in crafting some of the plot and character...

Professor, critic, and author Louis Bayard joins Zibby to discuss his latest historical novel,  Jackie & Me , which follows Jackie Kennedy Onassis before her tenure as First Lady. The two talk about what initially inspired Louis to write this book, how he got his start in politics before pivoting to writing full time, and why he likes the pressure of getting older. Louis also shares...

Zibby is joined by Garth Stein to talk about his classic novel,  The Art of Racing in the Rain , which has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide, been translated into 36 languages, and spent more than 3 years on the  New York Times  bestseller list. Garth shares his unique journey to writing, as well as how very few people believed in the book's potential early on. The two also...

Award-winning chef, author, and speaker Brooke Siem joins Zibby to talk about her debut memoir,  May Cause Side Effects , which tells the story of her withdrawal after fifteen years on antidepressants. The two discuss how Brooke's experience affected her memories—including when she won Food Network's  Chopped  competition—as well as how her support network helped her reframe her out...

Zibby is joined by Michael Frank who returns to discuss his latest book,  One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World . Michael shares how the conversations he had with Stella over the last six years were never meant to be a book but evolved as he wanted to share her story as a Holocaust survivor and the history of her homeland with the world. The two also talk abo...

Bestselling author Jamie Brenner returns for the third time to talk with Zibby about her latest novel,  Gilt , which takes readers into the world of fine jewelry. The two discuss how living in Provincetown during the pandemic inspired Jamie while writing this story, her relationship with the author community and what is expected of writers these days, and which fictional character helped her...

Zibby is joined by longtime host of  Good Morning America,  Charlie Gibson, and his daughter, TV producer Kate Gibson, to discuss their new ABC Audio podcast,  T he Book Case . The three talk about the show's origins during the pandemic, as well as the lessons they're learning along the way and the importance of representation in books. Zibby also asks Kate and Charlie some of their...

Bestselling author, speaker, and investor Fran Hauser joins Zibby to talk about her latest book,  Embrace the Work, Love Your Career , which is a guidebook to help readers feel their most successful. The two connect over both being investors in  Copper Books , founded by Allison Trowbridge, they discuss some of their favorite sections in the guidebook, and Fran shares the real-life...

Zibby is joined by the creator of the Subway Book Review Uli Beutter Cohen to discuss her new book,  Between the Lines: Stories from the Underground . The two talk about the number one reason Uli has found people enjoy reading books on the subway, in particular, the creative way Uli organized the chapters in the book, and some of their favorite interviewees (which includes Zibby herself!). Ul...

"Not knowing what will happen next also means anything could." Journalist and creator of the  Conversations on Love  newsletter Natasha Lunn joins Zibby to talk about her anthology of the same name. Natasha shares the major lessons she's learned from talking with others about love, why she finds romantic love less overwhelming than maternal love, and what originally inspired her to begin...

"I'm human like anybody else. I'm susceptible to all these bad narratives that I both internalize about myself or can turn on other people." Pulitzer Prize finalist, professor, and author Chloé Cooper Jones joins Zibby to talk about her memoir,  Easy Beauty , which documents her global exploration and life with a disability. The two discuss misconceptions about motherhood, how Chloé...

"I don't think I could be accused of identifying a marketplace. Otherwise, I wouldn't have written about Abraham Lincoln and vampires and how to eat blueberries and save your life." Zibby is joined by  New York Times  bestselling essayist, columnist, and novelist Sloane Crosley to discuss her romantic comedy thriller,  Cult Classic . The two talk about the kinds of conversations the...

New York Times  bestselling author Kwame Mbalia returns to talk with Zibby about  Black Boy Joy , the #1 bestselling anthology he edited. Kwame shares where he was when he realized he wanted to gather a number of his friends and peers to compile a middle-grade compilation celebrating Black youth and happiness, and tells Zibby about how he takes his coffee. The two also discuss the first...

Zibby is joined by debut author Karen Winn to talk about her novel,  Our Little World , which she has been working on since 2016. Karen shares how the plot was inspired by drama she wished had happened during her childhood, as well as how she combined her doctoral degree and experience as a nurse practitioner with her lifelong love of writing to craft this story. The two also discuss the sign...

Author and writing instructor Caitlin Barasch joins Zibby to talk about her debut novel,  A Novel Obsession.  The two discuss what their armchair psychologist diagnoses of the story's protagonist might be, why Caitlin centered the plot around social media and cyberstalking, and the best books she has currently read. Caitlin also shares what she's working on next and how her family histor...

"What we're really longing for is to be known and to know and to be loved and seen and to belong." Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston, co-creators of Sister I Am With You, join Zibby to discuss their mission and their new book,  I'll Be There (But I'll Be Wearing Sweatpants) . The three talk about the personal experiences with friends that inspired them to create a supportive community for other...

"I had trouble finding places for light in the book. It took me a really long time to get there." Zibby is joined by writer LaToya Watkins to discuss her debut novel,  Perish , a timely intergenerational epic. LaToya shares how she got her start as both a reader and a writer, where she drew her inspiration for the story, and why this project took so long to write and revise. The two also...

New York Times  bestselling author of  The Love Hypothesis  Ali Hazelwood joins Zibby to talk about her latest romantic comedy,  Love on the Brain,  which is the inaugural title for the new Walmart Book Club. The two discuss Ali's journey to publishing through online fandoms and crafting fan fiction, as well as how her experience as a neuroscientist finds its way into...

"As a novelist, I want to present people who are different from myself. The reader should have her own opinion." Literary giant Joyce Carol Oates joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel,  Babysitter , which grew out of a short story. The two talk about the real-life inspiration for the story's serial killer, how she sought to portray the complexities of mother and womanhood, and why she never...

"Fiction is really about imagining and putting yourself in the shoes of characters that you really have nothing in common with." Zibby is joined by author Soon Wiley to talk about his debut novel, When We Fell Apart, which he has been writing for the last seven years. Soon shares how although he and his protagonist have a lot in common, he enjoyed writing from the book's female perspective mu...

Award-winning author, journalist, and editor Aileen Weintraub joins Zibby to discuss her new memoir,  Knocked Down , which recounts her experience of being on bed rest during her pregnancy. The two talk about the flaws in how the medical system in this country views and treats women, what inspired Aileen to tell this story, and how moms do ultimately find time for things in their lives....

Lawyer, political strategist, and podcast host Emily Tisch Sussman joins Zibby to talk about her new podcast,  She Pivots , which grew out of her need for inspiring stories from women who have made personal and professional shifts. The two discuss Emily's wide-ranging career, how moms can make time to get involved in local politics, and how listeners can take action by DMing  @shepi...

Journalist and author Matti Friedman joins Zibby to discuss his latest book,  Who By Fire , which recounts the incredible true story of Leonard Cohen's involvement in Israel's Yom Kippur War. The two talk about the significance of Yom Kippur and the 1973 war in Judaism, Matti and Leonard's missed connection, and Matti's trajectory through journalism toward writing well-researched non-fiction....