Totally Booked with Zibby
Zibby Owens interviews today's latest, bestselling, buzziest, or underrated authors whose work she thinks is worth your time, in 30 minutes or less. As a bookstore owner, publisher, author, and podcaster, she curates the best books so you don't have to. With over 2,000 episodes, listeners get insider insights and connect with guests daily.
Episodes
Bonnie Garmus on Her Novel After Lessons in Chemistry
Bonnie Garmus joins Zibby Owens to talk about her new novel Peck & Peck, the story of recent graduate Batter Gray who struggles with what to do with his arts degree after college, only to find himself at a prestigious poetry quarterly in the midst of a secret war between two editors. Bonnie discusses why poetry continues to evade extinction, the themes of theft and dishonesty explored in this
Julie Orringer’s New Novel: Think “Still Alice” meets “The Plot”
Julie Orringer sits down with Zibby Owens to discuss her new novel Luna, Phoenix, Queen, a multiple narrative story about a husband who steals his wife’s novel while she suffers from early-onset Alzheimer’s and the people in the orbit of this betrayal. Julie talks about the reason for showing readers a sympathetic version of a character before revealing their moral faults, how writing fiction has
Maria Shriver and Zibby Owens on Life’s Chapters and Forging New Identities
Maria Shriver and Zibby Owens speak in-person at Zibby’s Bookshop about their life and work inspired by Zibby’s new book Between Chapters and Maria’s poetry collection I Am Maria.Zibby talks about how starting a podcast was a turning point in her life, the fear of unfulfilled dreams at any age, the shame surrounding changing your identity, and her hope that this book helps start the conversation f
Dr. Florence Comite on Living Longer -- and Better
Endocrinologist and longevity expert Dr. Florence Comite joins Zibby Owens to discuss Invincible, her new book that dives deep into genetics, aging, longevity, and reclaiming your health. Dr. Florence Comite talks about how having an identical twin made her realize that genetics wasn’t the only answer, learning about disease in medical school instead of health, how a person’s life tells the story
Audrey Niffenegger on Her Return to The Time Traveler’s Wife
Audrey Niffenegger sits down with Zibby Owens to talk about her new novel Life Out of Order, a follow-up to her bestselling book The Time Traveler’s Wife. Audrey discusses how she ended up returning to this story years later, her artistic childhood, the themes of loss and love in her work, and the novel’s exploration of people trying to teach each other. She also shares the biological mechanism to
Shai Davidai on the October 7 Anniversary
Releasing today in honor of the third anniversary of the October 7th attacks, Shai Davidai joins Zibby Owens to discuss his book American Intellectual Antisemitism, the story of how he went from Columbia business professor to accidental activist.Shai shares the shock he experienced regarding Columbia’s reaction to the attacks, what led to his remarks going viral, how hatred starts in the syllabus,
NYT Bestselling Author Michael Lewis on Blockers
Michael Lewis sits down with Zibby Owens to discuss his new book Blockers, a deep dive into the early days of Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency through the lens of six targeted public servants. Michael discusses how the title was inspired by an Elon Musk quote, the fascinating work into fire research that the government made difficult, and why narrative matters. He also shares what actio
Erin Schlozman on the Myth of the Perfect Mom
Erin Schlozman joins Zibby Owens to discuss her book The Myth of the Perfect Mom, a guide to new motherhood and postpartum that rejects the idea of the perfect mother in place of authenticity, self-compassion, and joy. Erin talks about debunking the aspiration to be perfect, how her experience as a licensed therapist working on an addiction medicine team led her to opening her own private practice
Hank Phillippi Ryan on Storytelling
Hank Phillippi Ryan sits down with Zibby Owens to chat about her new novel Mother Daughter Sister Stranger, a twisty thriller about Eliza’s search for her sister Bea who goes missing on the eleventh anniversary of the plane crash they survived but killed their parents. Hank talks about how stories shape our lives, family lore, the experience of writing a young character on the cusp of g
Rebekah Lowin on Jewish Joy
Rebekah Lowin sits down with Zibby Owens to discuss A Year of Jewish Joy, her new cookbook full of meaningful recipes, homemade crafts, and table guides for the Jewish holidays.Rebekah talks about being inspired by her grandmother, the joy of the Jewish people, her experience working for Martha Stewart in New York City years ago, and how the blog she started in 2019 led to this book.She also share
Elizabeth Wellington Rollins on Her Debut Novel
Elizabeth Wellington Rollins joins Zibby Owens to discuss her debut novel and Book of the Month Club Pick The Three Graces of Pearl Street, the story of an Italian American grandmother, daughter, and granddaughter who must all live together again after years apart and what that collision stirs up. Elizabeth talks about the little threads of home she wove into this story, her inspiration
Meg Mason: The New Reese's Book Club pick!
Newly minted Reese's Book Club pick Meg Mason joins Zibby Owens to discuss her new novel (and Zibby’s October Book Club pick!) Sophie, Standing There, the story of book lover Sophie Pattison who finds herself living alone and isolated, and how her favorite author provides solace when she needs it most. Meg talks about the surreal success of her first novel, her struggles while trying to write
Susan Coll on the Fictional Bookshop in Her Novel
Susan Coll sits down with Zibby Owens to discuss her new novel Word Salad, a bookish comedy about former economics major Matilda who finds herself working at her hometown bookstore where she must navigate the business of publishing and the people in it. Susan talks about teaching herself to write, structuring each chapter as a scene, the remarkable literary community in Washington, DC, and her end
Fran Hauser on Embracing the Twenty-Minute Mindset
Fran Hauser joins Zibby Owens to discuss her new book Twenty Minutes is the New Hour, a guide to help women embrace the twenty-minute mindset, reclaim their time, and take small steps towards better productivity. Fran talks about the techniques she used to launch her bookstore Bedford Books in just eight weeks, how time becomes the enemy of the good, and adding more kairos over chronos in wom
Allison Sweet Grant on Sharing Her Cancer Journey Through Poetry
Allison Sweet Grant joins Zibby Owens to talk about her new poetic memoir Lump, an unconventional, moving collection of essays and verse about her experience with breast cancer. Allison discusses how the book started out as a journal to process the difficult moments of her cancer journey, being diagnosed at the beginning of Covid at forty years old, what kept her from going to the doctor righ
Isabel Allende on The Quiet Happiness of Aging
Isabel Allende joins Zibby Owens to discuss her new memoir Story Telling, a heartfelt love letter to life and writing that recounts the past forty-five years of her career, the philosophy and emotion behind craft, and the lessons she’s learned along the way. Inspired by the masterclass she did with the BBC, Isabel writes about the quiet happiness of aging, how the inner critic never goes away
Zibby Owens on Between Chapters, Her New Essay Collection
Live from Matchmaker Bookshop in Highland Park, IL! Bestselling author Renée Rosen interviews Zibby Owens about her new book Between Chapters, a heartfelt and candid collection of essays centered around her decade of extreme change and where it all led. Zibby discusses overcoming intense social anxiety as a young girl, the impact of her first published piece in Seventeen Magazine after her parent’
Laura Moriarty on her Read with Jenna pick
Laura Moriarty sits down with Zibby Owens to discuss her new novel and August 2026 Read With Jenna Pick Sunlight Finds You, a deeply felt love story set in 1949 that ends in heartbreak and shame, and changes the course of seventeen-year-old Nora’s life forever. Laura talks about the book’s look into dealing with uncertainty, her extensive research into the time period, and the conversations w
NYT Bestseller Harlan Coben with the Best Writing Advice Ever
NYT Bestseller! Harlan Coben sits down with Zibby Owens to discuss his new book Plot Twist, a memoir that blends personal narrative and writing advice, acknowledging that both are inevitably connected.Harlan talks about the importance of critical thinking in fiction, incremental ambition, accepting adaptations as a different perspective, and how insecurity makes good writers. He also shares person
Dara Horn on Antisemitism, History, and Hope
Instant New York Times bestseller! Dara Horn joins Zibby Owens to discuss her new book The Final Solution to the Jewish Question, an exploration into the lies of antisemitism throughout history and her vision for the future. Dara discusses how Holocaust education fails to do its job, her surprise at finding so much more ignorance than malice, how the hate movement has taken over AI, and
Sona Movsesian on Being the World's Worst Mom
USA Today bestseller Sona Movsesian sits down with Zibby Owens to discuss her new book The World’s Worst Mom, a funny and relatable look into motherhood.Sona discusses her experience with IVF and the conversations that it demands, her obsession with mortality after having kids, the trauma of losing her home in the 2025 Southern California wildfires, and betraying her preconceptions about motherhoo
Elizabeth Castellano on Her Follow-Up Novel to the GMA Book Club Pick
Elizabeth Castellano joins Zibby Owens to talk about her new novel Proof of Progress, the humorous story of B-list actress and comedian Maria Astorini whose second book is thirty-seven years overdue. Elizabeth shares how this book was inspired by her own difficulties while writing her second novel under contract, the impact of pressure on her writing, and the pieces of real life that made it
Amy Chozick, live from CMEE, on Her Friendship Novel
Live from the Children’s Museum of the East End, Amy Chozick sits down with Zibby Owens to talk about her new psychological thriller With Friends Like You. In the novel Emily, a struggling new mom in Manhattan, embarks on the search for her long-lost friend Daisy who disappeared years ago. But when Emily finally finds her, the question becomes: Is Daisy saving her life or destroying everything?Amy
Lea Vale on Her Ode to 9/11
Lea Vale joins Zibby Owens to discuss her new novel Blue Sky Black, the second-chance romance told across two timelines that she wrote as a love letter to the friend she lost on 9/11.Lea shares her own experience in New York City that day 25 years ago, the trauma of having to cope with a loved one simply disappearing, and the importance of talking about tragedy. She also recounts how the romance g
Zibby’s 9/11 Essay
Zibby was one of the countless people who lost a loved one on 9/11. Stacey Sanders, Zibby’s college roommate, worked in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. To process the loss, Zibby wrote an essay for her business school newspaper, The Harbus, two weeks after it happened. She reads it here to pay tribute to the 25th anniversary of the attacks. *********A story for the messy middle. Zi
Kara Kavensky on Finding Joy
Kara Kavensky sits down with Zibby Owens to talk about her memoir Tell Me About Joy, inspired by WWII veteran Bob who shared with her his greatest regret: “I missed out on marrying the love of my life. Her name is Joy.”Interwoven with her own personal story, Kara writes about her journey to find Bob’s long-lost love and how it changed her life. She touches on her own healing after being married to
Jonathan Santlofer on His Art World Thriller
Jonathan Santlofer joins Zibby Owens for a deep dive into his new novel Ten Perfect Guests, an immersive, fun, “whodunit” thriller following the aftermath of a beloved art figure’s death and the people summoned to a remote island under threat of losing their inheritance. Jonathan discusses the challenges of juggling ten different points of views, the joy of playing with familiar tropes like greed,
Eriq La Salle (of "ER" Fame) on His Soulful Mystery
Eriq La Salle joins Zibby Owens to discuss his new thriller Laws of Solomon, the fourth book in his Martyr Maker series, which takes a previous side character who was inspired by The Godfather’s Luca Brasi and lifts him up to the lead. Eriq discusses the ever-present question of ‘can our most villainous, vile characters find redemption?’, the journey of a character’s soul, how his favorite films h
Amanda Peters on The Birthing Tree -- Zibby's Book Club Pick
Amanda Peters sits down with Zibby Owens to discuss her new novel (and Zibby’s November Book Club pick!) The Birthing Tree, the story of a young girl growing up in a family with secrets, her withdrawal from the grandmother who raised her among the generational traditions of Mi’kmaq women, and what eventually draws her back home as an adult. Rooted in community and feeling, The Birthing Tree w
Sarah Addison Allen, PAPER GHOSTS, on Grief
Sarah Addison Allen’s book Paper Ghosts was, quite fittingly, haunting. We discussed grief, loss, fiction, writing, and more. I left feeling like I had a new friend. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now! Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook.Listen on Spotify here.Listen on Apple here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m
Jonah Platt, Being Jewish with Jonah Platt
Jonah Platt and I both have TV shows on the JBS network which is how we connected for this episode. I’d been dying to interview Jonah about his Jewish advocacy and what he’d learned from interviewing so many leaders in the field. What he answered surprised me. I also learned about how he’s raising his children and more. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Betwe
Beth Ricanati, MD, THE BRAIDED PRESCRIPTION: Seven Practices for Living Well from the Ancient Ritual of Making Challah
Beth Ricanati, MD, and I made challah together in my kitchen in L.A. eight years ago — and filmed it. Since then, our lives continue to intersect from the podcast to the bookstore to her being part of the On Being Jewish Now anthology. In this conversation recorded at Zibby’s Bookshop, we covered health benefits to baking, her suggestions as a physician for how to live more healthfully, and the wi
Laurie Notaro, I'VE GOT A NEW COMPLAINT: Essays on Aging Disgracefully and Other Small Disasters
Laurie Notaro makes me laugh. A bestselling humorist, Laurie writes about whatever life stage she’s in with wit and bluntness. We talked about her hilarious parents and how her dad often says he’s glad Laurie didn’t have a twin, how we regress as soon as we go “home,” the indignities of aging, and the free cosmetic procedure she tried and had her skin burned off. *********A story for the mess
Community Builders' Spotlight: Jennifer Shoop, Magpie, and the Wine Sisters Book Club
Today’s episode features female founders of two communities: Jennifer Shoop, Magpie, and Aly Wente and Niki Wente, The Wine Sisters Book Club. Both groups have prioritized books — in addition to birds, wine, and more interests and avenues. Jennifer Shoop’s book, Small Wonders: A Field Guide to Life’s Quiet Joys, was absolutely beautiful. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essa
Dr. Rachel Zoffness on The Truth About Pain
Pain psychologist Dr. Rachel Zoffness sits down with Zibby Owens to discuss her new book, Tell Me Where It Hurts: The New Science of Pain and How to Heal. Prompted by one parent’s powerful question and the transformative experience of working with teenagers, Rachel reflects on her personal and professional experiences with pain and her goal of sharing the true science with the world. They div
Sara Goodman Confino on Women in Journalism and The Power of a Strong Mentor
Sara Goodman Confino’s high school journalism teacher was the first person who told her “you can do better than this.” And she did. Sara joins Zibby Owens for an intimate talk about her new novel Off The Record, a fun, thrilling, and mysterious romantic comedy set in 1962 about 22-year-old Judy Greenberg looking to be the next big reporter as a young Jewish woman in a male-dominated field.&nb
Margie Lachman, PhD, PRIMETIME: A New Vision for Midlife
Midlife desperately needs a rebrand. Dr. Margie Lachman is doing just that with her research at the Lifespan Lab at Brandeis University where she teaches psychology. She has pioneered the lifespan psychology approach to midlife. We talked about the joys midlife can bring and why her academic approach is so essential. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between
Lisa Katayama, THE JAPANESE WAY OF PARENTING: And What It Taught Me About Raising (Mostly) Calm, Caring, Capable Kids
Tokyo-born Lisa Katayama took her parenting techniques with her to Northern California and found that what Japanese culture had to offer was quite useful when it came to raising kids. We discussed the pain points of parenting, how she puts her ideas into practice, and how she pulled off writing a book in the midst of all of it. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collecti
Ann Tashi Slater on Life’s Impermanence
Ann Tashi Slater and I spoke about life, meaning, the role of literature, travel, family, and more, inspired by her book Traveling in Bardo: The Art of Living in an Impermanent World. (Special thanks to past podcast guest Lauren Grodstein for the introduction!)*********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now! Love to listen? She narrated the audiobook
Jacqueline Friedland, BREATHING UNDER WATER: A Novel
Jackie Friedland, a contributor to my anthology On Being Jewish Now and past podcast guest, returns with her latest novel, Breathing Under Water! A poignant story about life around the pool, an unfair accusation, an autistic main character, and a community shaken, this book will make you think and feel. Jackie and I discussed parenting, coaching, writing, and more. *********A story for the me
Eva zu Beck, THE WILDER WAY: A Memoir of Adventure, Freedom, and an Uncharted Life
Eva Zu Beck seems like an unlikely solo pioneer in the wilds of Pakistan, but her fearlessness has taken her around the world with just a van, a dog, and a camera. What does it take to live like that? To call off an engagement and a way of life and, instead, bring millions of others on international adventures with her? She shares her self-destructive behaviors, her doubts, and her inner monologue
Stephanie Wittels Wachs, LAST DAY: How to Stop Losing Our Loved Ones to the Opioid Crisis
I’m insanely impressed by Stephanie Wittels Wachs, not just because she’s the co-founder and CEO of Lemonada Media, an award-winning podcast network with a mission to "make life suck less,” but because of her ability to use humor and wit to get through loss. She lost her brother, writer-producer-comedian Harris Wittels, to the opioid crisis and has now written multiple books on the topic. This raw
Alyssa Rosenheck, WHITE. BLONDE. JEW.: A Call to End Extremism, Speak Up, and Reclaim Center
I first met Alyssa Rosenheck at a coffee shop in Nashville, TN, with my husband, Kyle. She was a notable architectural photographer whose book was being sold at the Draper James boutique, which I’d just visited, and she offered to show us the town. I didn’t know then that she was also Jewish, which, in the pre-October 7th days, wasn’t necessarily something that would come up in conversation. And y
Caroline Hallemann, THE KENNEDYS AND THE WINDSORS: The Story of Two Dynasties, One Born, One Made
Anyone else a bit obsessed with the royal family? (I have a girl crush on Princess Catherine.) Caroline Hallemann, digital director of Town & Country magazine, delves deep into the overlapping histories of the British Royal Family and our own U.S. royals: the Kennedys. We discussed fandom, coincidence, leadership, and more. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collecti
Ashley Kahn, DAYS OF MIRACLE AND WONDER: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland
Ashley Kahn was sitting on a terrace in Italy as we talked about his love letter to Paul Simon and the album Graceland, Days of Miracle and Wonder. I couldn’t help getting distracted by the fabulous view (an inner sigh as I sat inside at my desk on a beautiful day) but then I realized that his view — his perspective — was something I could internalize and share. Ashley’s deep dive into the history
Cinelle Barnes, A WAY HOME: A Memoir of Losing Yourself, and the Beauty of Returning
Cinelle Barnes was nervous. This was her first interview about her book after her brain injury which, having read the book, I completely understood. Cinelle shared openly about what her life has been like in the before and after, the accommodations she needs to function at 100%, her new lease on life, and how she pivoted an existing book project (this!) into what became a powerful, memorable story
Chris Young, THE WOUND IS WHERE THE LIGHT ENTERS: A Memoir of Resilience
Chris Young was beyond impressive! I loved talking to him about his experience in prison, how he turned to books and philosophy, his views on overcoming obstacles, resilience, and fate, and how he sees the world. Chris is incredibly inspiring. Prediction: he’ll hold office later in life. Just saying. Listen to us discuss his powerful story and how it can inspire everyone to lead more authentic, me
Dr. Lucy McBride, BEYOND THE PRESCRIPTION: A Doctor's Guide to Taking Charge of Your Health
I feel like Dr. Lucy McBride and I could’ve grown up as friends. She’s so relatable despite her brilliance that taking her advice feels like a no-brainer. Hear from her as she shares the medical “stuff” you need to know and feel inspired to get the care you need. Lucy will be part of Totally Booked: Live on October 25th. Get your tickets now! *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essa
Dara Levan, SHAKEN TO THE CORE
Dara Levan is a contributor to my anthology On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, who is the first person to show up for friends and colleagues alike. In her latest novel Shaken to the Core, she portrays a loss in vivid detail, family dynamics, loss, and more. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now! Love to listen
David K. Israel, THE LOST MOZART
David K. Israel, one of the contributors to my anthology On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, has a quirky, dry sense of humor that permeates his latest release, The Lost Mozart. A composer, David shared fun details about his entry into the world of symphonies and sounds, how it felt to lose his home in the Palisades where we were neighbors, and the creativity involved in m
Anna Johnston, WHEN LEMONS GIVE YOU LIFE
I loved this book! Couldn’t put it down. Join me in September (9/15 at 7 pm ET) to discuss When Lemons Give You Life by Australian author Anna Johnston, whose prior novel, The Secret Life of Frederick Fife, is being adapted by Netflix. It’s about a retired Michelin-star chef who ends up at a nursing home, wondering if life is still worth living, who finds a new sense of pu
Jaclyn Moriarty, TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS
I don’t know what Jaclyn Moriarty’s parents did so right to raise a slew of brilliant women writers, but Jaclyn has a few ideas. Hear from her about the games her family played including sister Liane Moriarty, Big Little Lies, how she got the idea for the book on a bus ride, the lives not lived, and fate itself. The book is so fun; Jaclyn’s prose is so witty I continually chuckled as I read it. He
Chris Bohjalian, THE AMATEUR
Bestselling author Chris Bohjalian has written 26 books, including mega-bestsellers Oprah’s Book Club pick Midwives and The Flight Attendant, adapted into an Emmy-winning TV series — and yet he still worries that his next book won’t be any good. Isn’t it funny that even the greats of the field still worry?! But not to fear: Chris is no amateur and his latest book is thought-provoking, different, g
Dr. Lucy Kalanithi, WHEN BREATH BECOMES AIR (10th Anniversary)
I reread (and listened to) one of my favorite books, When Breath Becomes Air, before speaking to late author Dr. Paul Kalanithi’s widow, Lucy. The book was as moving, thought-provoking, and immersive now as it was when I first inhaled it. It’s no surprise that the book spent 68 weeks on the New York Times nonfiction list and was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. Dr. Paul Kalinithi was obsessed
Catherine Ostler, THE RENOIR GIRLS: A Hidden History of Art, War & Betrayal
The newly minted New York Times bestseller The Renoir Girls by Brit Catherine Ostler tells a hidden story of what really happened to the young girls in Renoir’s famous portraits. As it turns out, they were victims of the Holocaust. How could these high-society children have ended up suffering, one even at Auschwitz? The story digs into government, politics, hatred, antisemitism, art, family, wealt
Soon Wiley, CECE DOWNING'S START OVER SUMMER: A Novel
We can’t all completely start our lives over again. But Cece Downing, down on her luck, tries to do just that. An intriguing neighbor catches her attention. Antics ensue. Soon Wiley captures the interior life of a woman’s mind with brilliance (how does he do it?!) and depicts a turning point with literary prowess. We spoke about his upcoming move, his stage of life, the inspiration for the book, a
Sarah Vaughan, BASED ON A TRUE STORY: A Novel
I spoke to Sarah Vaughan about her riveting new novel, Based on a True Story (think: cliffside manor, a matriarch at her 70th birthday party, a secret, a threat). Her prior novel Anatomy of a Scandal was made into a Netflix show in 2022. But Sarah opened up about far more than the book. For the real true story, listen in. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Bet
Dr. Elisa Port, THE BREAST ADVICE: All You Need to Know About Breast Health, Screening, and Treatment
Dr. Elisa Port, chief of breast surgery at Mount Sinai and one of the nation's leading breast cancer specialists, joins Zibby to discuss her compassionate new guide, The Breast Advice. Drawing on decades of clinical experience and the stories of real patients, Dr. Port shares the latest advances in breast cancer screening and treatment, dispels common myths, offers practical advice for reducing ri
Kate Doerge and Sara Bliss, REIMAGINING GRIEF: A New Path to Finding Healing, Strength, and Joy after Loss
Kate Doerge is a FORCE. When her daughter Penny passed away, Kate channeled her overwhelming grief into community building, giving back, and even her much-needed workouts. She opened up her home, even when Penny was dying, for all her teenage friends and family friends, to be a part of it. And that's when they saw the angel light in the driveway. Written in collaboration with past podcast guest Sa
Elizabeth Jannuzzi, SOBER MOM: A Memoir
Elizabeth Jannuzzi and I spoke about her journey from being a high-functioning alcoholic who managed to hide her addiction from her family to a "sober mom." Liz shares her most shameful moments, the affair that almost blew up her marriage, and how she turned her life around. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now! Love to listen? She narrate
Justin Halpern, GET LOST
I’ve been a fan of Justin Halpern’s for years and have read all his hilarious, heartbreaking, original stories. His debut novel Get Lost is a new take on some themes he’s been writing about all along. And it’s funny! We talked about his screenwriting and how an encounter with Quinta Brunson on a studio lot changed everything. You can also watch his hilarious event at Zibby's Bookshop here!! ******
Michael Cunningham, UNSAYABLE: A Life in Writing
Well, he said it. Prize-winning author Michael Cunningham opens up about his formative relationships as he teaches the reader what great writing looks like. I read his unforgettable novel The Hours for a now-defunct book club years ago. I couldn’t wait to discuss! A professor, Michael shares in the book and on the podcast, what his secrets are. By including sample paragraphs throughout, we pick up
Matthew Quick, DAD, LOVE, ME: A Memoir
August Book Club Pick!! You might know bestselling author Matthew Quick from his blockbuster hit Silver Linings Playbook, which became an Academy Award-winning film. Now we not only get a behind-the-scenes look at his personal life, but also his professional struggles, something most accomplished authors don’t open up about.Matthew shares what happened after Hollywood lost interest and how he deal
Bruce Holsinger, CULPABILITY
Obsessed. Super obsessed. Can’t stop talking about this book and recommending it. I have to admit, my mother is the one who finally got me to read it. Apparently, Oprah selecting it last year paled in comparison to my mom! Culpability raises all sorts of questions about ethics, secrets, AI, family loyalties, success, and love. Bruce Holsinger and I discussed all of it, including how he completely
Daniel Silva, RANSOM
I can’t stop thinking about my interview with #1 New York Times bestselling author Daniel Silva. Not only did we discuss the themes in his latest book Ransom (and his wife!), but we covered how he feels about the fact that men aren’t reading anymore. He discusses how women are all over the bestseller list right now and his concern going forward. Curious what you all think! *********A story fo
Jean Kwok, DOMINION
Jean Kwok ventured into writing fantasy after her own divorce, which we discuss, in addition to how she grew up working in sweatshops in Chinatown and ended up at Harvard. Jean, a Read with Jenna pick, is one of the most effusive, lovely authors who is constantly lifting others up. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Between Chapters is out now! Love to listen?
Jo Piazza, THE PARISIAN HEIST
You know who was probably excited when masked robbers invaded the Louvre? Just kidding. But Jo Piazza’s novel The Parisian Heist couldn’t be more timely! Hear from mega-bestselling author and host of Under the Influence Jo Piazza as we discuss the other Jo—Jo van Gogh, art, her own love of art history, forgotten women, and twisty reads. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay
Rachel Beanland, THE HALF LIFE
This is the third book I’ve interviewed Rachel Beanland about; I just love her writing. Did you know she won the National Jewish Book Award for debut fiction for Florence Adler Swims Forever? In The Half Life, she takes us to Sardinia into the military world where one young woman finds her way. We spoke about Rachel’s late father, her own experience growing up on military bases, how to really figu
Emily Giffin, LOVE YOU MORE
Emily Giffin is a legend in women’s fiction (and we discussed whether we like calling it women’s fiction). Love You More is yet another fabulous read. Emily and I went deep and spoke about her own divorce, the lifestage she’s in now that her kids are all off to college, and how essential a role writing plays in her life. *********A story for the messy middle. Zibby's essay collection Betw
John Searles, SINGLE GIRLS
John Searles was an editor at Cosmopolitan back in the Helen Gurley Brown days. That’s why he’s the perfect person to have written Single Girls, this juicy, page-turning read. John and I spoke about his own personal history of loss and how it related to Helen’s past, the evolution of magazines, why he was in the mood to deviate from his typical darker fiction, and how important coworkers really ar
NYT Bestselling Author Jessica Knoll, HELPLESS
New York Times bestselling author Jessica Knoll joined me live at the Whitby Hotel to discuss Helpless, her gripping new psychological thriller (her "slimmest, tightest novel yet") about a Hollywood power player forced to confront a toxic relationship from her past. Jessica shares how her own experiences informed her writing, reflects on the lasting impact of trauma (trigger warning: we discussed
Ben Reeves, EVERYTHING WAS BEAUTIFUL AND NOTHING HURT + Ariel Sullivan, BENEATH
Zibby chats with Ben Reeves about EVERYTHING WAS BEAUTIFUL AND NOTHING HURT, an imaginative and deeply moving novel about finding beauty in the brevity of life, as narrated by the one who knows it best: Death. Zibby and Ben explore how a story about mortality ultimately becomes a celebration of life, love, family, and the fleeting moments that make our time meaningful. Ben shares the inspiration b
Robinne Lee, CRASH INTO ME + Beatriz Williams, WHEN YOU LOVED ME
Zibby welcomes back Robinne Lee to discuss CRASH INTO ME, a stunning, emotionally layered novel about identity, desire, beauty, race, and motherhood. Robinne shares how she moved beyond the success of THE IDEA OF YOU to write a fearlessly intimate story inspired by her own experiences living in Los Angeles and Paris, reflecting on beauty standards, interracial marriage, aging, privilege, and the p
Amanda Eyre Ward, ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES + Laura Lekkos, ALL THE LITTLE WAYS
Zibby welcomes New York Times bestselling author Amanda Eyre Ward back on the podcast to discuss ARRIVALS AND DEPARTURES, a transporting novel that reunites readers with the beloved family from THE JETSETTERS. Amanda shares the real-life inspiration behind the story—from interviewing romance scammers and drawing on her own experiences being scammed to writing about complicated family dynamics, men
Kalina Silverman, BIG TALK + Lu Chekowsky, DON'T BUY WHAT I'M SELLING
Kalina Silverman, founder of the global Big Talk movement, joins Zibby to discuss her inspiring new book, BIG TALK: How to Skip the Small Talk, Make Meaningful Connections, and Enrich Your Life. She shares how her own loneliness sparked a decade-long mission to help people forge deeper connections through meaningful conversations and offers practical tips for becoming more approachable, asking bet
Jenny Jackson, THE SHAMPOO EFFECT: A Novel
READ WITH JENNA BOOK CLUB PICK! New York Times bestselling author Jenny Jackson returns to the podcast to discuss THE SHAMPOO EFFECT, a witty, drama-fueled, laugh-out-loud funny novel about love, friendship, ambition, and the complicated realities of modern marriage. She and Zibby chat about writing flawed but deeply human characters, the dynamics of lifelong friendships, balancing her career as a
Sabrina Rudin, HEALTHY WITH A SIDE OF HAPPY: 100 Plant-Based Recipes to Feed Your Family
Zibby chats with Sabrina Rudin, founder of Spring Café and author of HEALTHY WITH A SIDE OF HAPPY, about her lifelong dream of writing a book, how a vegetarian restaurant idea that "would never work in Aspen" became a thriving brand, and why she believes food has the power to completely transform how we feel. Sabrina shares the philosophy her mother instilled in her — that food is medicine — and h
Marnie Salsky, A PEOPLEHOOD | AMIUT YEHUDIT + Rabbi Ammiel Hirsch, Rabbi Yoshi Zweibach, and Rabbi Josh Franklin
Photographer Marnie Salsky joins Zibby to discuss A Peoplehood, Amiut Yehudit, her visually stunning exploration of contemporary Jewish identity. Drawing on over a decade of documentary work in Toronto's Jewish community, Marnie shares how archival images, candid interviews, and present-day photography come together to examine belonging, cultural trauma, and the rising tide of antisemitism.Zibby a
Eliza Reid, THE FIRST LADY NEXT DOOR: A Memoir of Iceland, Identity, and Unexpected Adventure
Zibby chats with Eliza Reid about her unexpected journey from Canadian farm girl to First Lady of Iceland. Eliza shares how her history-professor husband was persuaded by strangers to run for president, and how she navigated eight years in an unofficial role with no rulebook, four young kids, and a determination not to lose herself in the process.SPECIAL OFFER: Eliza co-founded the acclaimed Icela
Dr. Lucy Hone, HOW WILL I EVER GET THROUGH THIS? + Oona Metz, UNHITCHED
Dr. Lucy Hone joins Zibby to discuss HOW WILL I EVER GET THROUGH THIS?, her compassionate guide to navigating grief and hardship. Drawing from her research in resilience psychology and her own experience of profound loss, Dr. Lucy shares evidence-based tools for coping with trauma, rebuilding identity, finding hope, and fostering post-traumatic growth. Together, she and Zibby explore resilience, f
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