Totally Booked with Zibby

Christa Parravani's memoir is so open and deep that Zibby felt like she already knew her before their interview. Christa talked about both wanting to have the choice for reproductive healthcare and loving and wanting children; navigating associated emotional, financial, and regulatory aspects of the options women face; and her belief that by sharing stories there is justice and liberation for wome...

Cecily von Ziegesar wrote the book series Gossip Girl that inspired the hit TV show (Xoxo) . Her recent novel, Cobble Hill , is just as entertaining. She talked to Zibby about how being a grown up doesn't mean you always act like one, being able to intimately write New York-based stories as a native Manhattanite, and learning to poke fun at yourself.  ** Want more? Become a part of my co...

Bryan Washington says his editor calls his debut novel  Memorial a "rom-com with teeth.” Zibby calls it "powerful and raw.” Good Morning America agreed and selected it as their November book pick! Bryan spoke to Zibby about wanting to write a love story about characters that he hadn't seen on the page, his Jamaican heritage, and more. ** Want more? Become a part of my comm...

In honor of the historic win yesterday of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris (the first woman VP ever -- and a woman of color!!), I'm re-releasing my interview with THE NEW FIRST LADY OF THE UNITED STATES Prof. Jill Biden!! We discussed the many themes of her recent memoir: loss, family traditions, education, motherhood, and more. I am truly filled with HOPE after this monumental moment in history, a mom...

Zibby was delighted to talk to the legendary doyenne of fiction, Alice Hoffman, who called her latest novel "an escape" for her as a writer. They chatted about witchcraft, fairy tales, female heroines, and more. ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights , which includes a free weekly newsletter, event livestreams, most anticipated book lists, personal essays, and...

Susie Yang's novel, which was recently selected as a TODAY Show #ReadwithJenna pick, is utterly compelling. She talked to Zibby about having a vivid imagination, writing emotions that create a visceral reaction in readers, and the feeling of being an outsider and the natural pull to belong to something.  ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights , which...

Zibby was thrilled to interview New York Times bestselling author Brit Bennett as part of a PEN America Virtual Author Event. In their live conversation, Brit paints a brilliant picture of how she crafts interwoven stories across timelines, the literature of passing, and the fluidity of identity. ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights , which includes a free we...

Bestselling author Nicole Krauss spoke to Zibby about travel, religion, Nicole's fearless collection of fiction and how she writes characters so compassionately. This incredibly bright literary icon also touched on the paradoxes of people, the dichotomy of women and men, and the reimagining of relationships.    ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlig...

Stephanie Winston Wolkoff, former director of special events at Vogue , was a confidant to Melania Trump from the early 2000s until she found herself in the wake of the Trump family's ascension to the White House and a controversy around inauguration finance irregularities. In her book, and talk with Zibby, she talks candidly about trust and betrayal, facing scrutiny in the spotlight, an...

Andrea Davis Pinkney and Brian Pinkney's novel is versatile and innovative - it's filled with gorgeous illustrations and reads like a mix of poetry, first-person narratives, gospel rhythms, and blues. Zibby loved interviewing the husband-and-wife duo about the three generations of voices they brought to life in this book, drawing from history and experience to craft their work, and the secret...

Zibby and Jane Igharo had an animated conversation about Jane's debut novel, inspired by her own experiences being caught between familial expectations and following her heart. Jane talked about everything from trying to understand the motivations of immigrant parents to preserving culture, from creating Nigerian heroines in fiction to her childhood dream of being a Disney channel actress… and eve...

Max Gross's debut novel weaves an imaginative, humorous, and distinct story about a tiny Jewish village that existed in isolation, overlooked by the Nazis during World War II, forces during the Cold War, and modern technology - until a series of events pushes the community straight into the twenty-first century. Zibby and Max talked about growing up in New York, the haunting experience of visiting...

Zibby was moved by Charlotte Wood's beautifully written novel about well-worn friendships, getting older, and processing grief. They talked about how sustaining female friendships can be, how relationships adapt as people change over the course of their lives, and how personal the space of a book is for readers. ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights , whi...

Bestselling author Sophie Kinsella's special blend of comedy and romance shines through in her latest novel. Zibby, who has been inhaling the “Shopaholic" novels for years, loved getting to chat with one of her favorite authors about bedtime chaos, books, deal breakers, and decision fatigue (from online dating to online shopping!). ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for...

Elizabeth Lesser is an author, cofounder of Omega Institute, has given two popular TED talks, and is a member of Oprah Winfrey's SuperSoul100. She told Zibby that she's been preparing her whole life to write her fourth book,  Cassandra Speaks. Elizabeth shared that her curiosity about power and perspective stemmed from her childhood growing up as the daughter of a feminist moth...

Megan Harlan moved seventeen times across four continents when she was growing up. She told Zibby about her relationship with "place" as a result of her nomadic childhood, living life in all sorts of homes from a posh flat in London to a Texas to a trailer in Saudi Arabia, and the drive to explore different corners of the world. ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's High...

Sara Seager is an preeminent astronomer, planetary scientist, and MIT professor whose luminous memoir is about how she had to reinvent herself in the wake of tragedy and discovered the power of connection on this planet as she searches our galaxy for another Earth. It's one of Zibby's favorite recent books and she talked with Sara about grief, rebuilding, and our earth and beyond. ** Want more? Be...

TV fashion and lifestyle expert Sydney Sadick believes confidence is an accessory that never goes out of style. She and Zibby chatted about developing personal style, "quarantine fashion," sourcing pieces that pop on a budget, and how the way we dress can impact our mood. ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights , which includes a free weekly newsletter, eve...

Ann Shen is a beautiful illustrator, designer, and author and her striking new book highlights some of history's biggest fashion moments and women who broke the mold wearing them. She and Zibby talked about female role models who broke the rules, the role of style in culture, and embracing a signature look. ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights , which include...

When Alisson Wood was a 17-year-old high school student, she became enmeshed in an abusive relationship with an English teacher. She talked to Zibby about the grooming that created a blueprint for her understanding of love for a long time, the complicated storm of power, sex, and gender dynamics, and why sharing her experience is so important to empower others who have experienced trauma. ** Want...

Christie Tate knows what it feels like for someone’s life to look really great on paper and yet still feel inwardly lost and lonely. She talked to Zibby about the transformative experience of starting group therapy as a law student which helped crack her open, create an emotionally full life, and ultimately allow her to share the importance of connecting with others through her terrific...

Zibby was deeply moved by New York Times bestselling author Elizabeth Berg's sensational and loving memoir about caring for her parents in their twilight years. Elizabeth's beautiful writing provides inspiration, comfort, and a guidebook for navigating the emotional and practical conditions of caregiving.    ** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights , wh...

Leave the World Behind is the “it” book of the moment: a Jenna’s Book Club pick on TODAY, a Barnes & Noble pick, and on the short-list for the National Book Award. Rumaan's striking book has captivated readers around the globe! Zibby loved the sentiment he shared about how deeply meaningful it is when people take the limited time they have to appreciate someone else's art. ** Want more? Become...

Zibby had such a special conversation with fellow book enthusiast and former First Daughter Jenna Bush Hager. Jenna talked candidly about what it was like to go through loss in the spotlight and lose loved ones who are public figures, especially as a busy mom. She and Zibby chatted about running to the bus stop, heels vs. clogs, working out, and their mutual affection for writing and writers.&nbsp...

Zibby and Tami Charles did an Instagram Live together to launch her new book, which Tami wrote as a tribute to her 10-year-old son. It’s a reminder to all children, especially those from marginalized communities, that they are an important part of the universe. Zibby had a heartfelt conversation with Tami about her poetic children's book, how this story came to her in a dream, and the power in tel...