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
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
Jaime Knopman and Rebecca Raphael, OWN YOUR FERTILITY + Lindsay Bartels, IMOGEN IN WAITING
Zibby interviews fertility specialist Dr. Jaime Knopman and co-author Rebecca Raphael about their book, OWN YOUR FERTILITY. They discuss the realities of modern family planning, the rise in infertility, egg freezing, fertility preservation, and the importance of educating women earlier about their reproductive health. Drawing from both medical expertise and personal experience, Jaime and Rebecca s
Douglas Brunt, The Lost Empire of Emanuel Nobel + Ben Mezrich, CHECKMATE
Douglas Brunt returns to Totally Booked to discuss THE LOST EMPIRE OF EMANUEL NOBEL, the fascinating true story of the Nobel family’s rise in imperial Russia, their pivotal role in the global oil industry, and the revolutionary forces that reshaped the twentieth century. From the origins of the Nobel Prize to the rise of Stalin and the fall of the Romanovs, Brunt shares how he uncovered this forgo
Meredith Walker, Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice + Adam Mansbach, Go the F*ck to College
Loop in your teens! Get some life advice from Meredith Walker who founded Smart Girls with Amy Poehler in Be Yourself and Other Bad Advice and then laugh along with Adam Mansbach whose unorthodox parenting “advice” has gotten me through a lot. Now he’s back with Go the F*** to College.** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even earning from it, you have to become a creator on ShopMy! You
Judy Batalion, The Last Woman of Warsaw
NYT bestselling author Judy Batalion shares a compelling pre-WWII story of a family in a changing city, in The Last Woman of Warsaw. (The more things change…)** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even earning from it, you have to become a creator on ShopMy! You'll be able to see that your recommendations matter. Click my referral code here to learn more! ***** Want another secret podca
Katherine Center, The Shippers + Lila Raicek, The Plunge
This double episode tackles love in all its forms with Katherine Center’s The Shippers and Lila Raicek’s The Plunge. Hear from NYT bestselling author Katherine Center about her writing process and why she likes to give away the (happy) ending from the start. Cry with playwright Lila Raicek as she shares the friend she lost and the dark times that inspired her debut novel.** If you enjoy recommendi
BONUS: Share Your "Between Chapters" Story
Your story makes a difference. How did you get through that last painful chapter? Why are you loving your current chapter? Which chapter are you leaving and which are you entering? Karson Brown shares her story of going from full-time motherhood to depression to writing and now publishing her first memoir, 48 Days to Barbados in "The Chapter I Never Saw Coming." Now you can share yours. Click here
Kerry Docherty, Selfish, and Jess H. Gutierrez, Adulting for Amateurs
Loved Selfish! Co-founder of Faherty, Kerry Docherty, was a college athlete and superstar with a natural healer’s energy before helping her husband and his twin brother launch the clothing company. In the midst of start-up life, Kerry started losing herself and became entangled in an emotional affair with a famous musician. Her story explores what it means for a woman to put her needs first and ho
Caitlin Shetterly, The Gulf of Lions, and Lauren Schott, Very Slowly All at Once
Caitlin Shetterly wrote about a mom with breast cancer in The Gulf of Lions, a follow-up to Pete and Alice in Maine. Then, in a strange plot twist, she got breast cancer herself. It’s hard to believe Caitlin’s diagnosis came after the fact because the emotions are so visceral and descriptive in the story. It’s like it had already happened. The plot centers on a mom taking her two teen/tween daught
Susan Patterson and James Patterson, The Mother-Daughter Book Club
Yes, this is about a group of moms and daughters, a story told in many alternating viewpoints during a fun getaway in Europe and beyond. But at its core, it’s about the ripple effects of an accident: misunderstandings, long-held resentments, and the impact of the unexpected on even the closest friends and loved ones. James and Sue Patterson spoke to me about their collaborations and more. Can you
BONUS: Zibby's Summer Reads Party: Live!
I loved hosting my annual Summer Reading List celebration in New York! I invite all authors on my list (see here) to meet each other, share about their books, and connect. Here are the photos so you can feel like you're in the room where it happened! Where else can you get 30 authors in one room pitching books to each other? Enjoy. And share my list! By the way, if you're someone (like me) who enj
Bruce Feiler's A Time to Gather, and Amy Schmittauer Landino's Good Morning Good Life
In this double episode of the podcast, Zibby talks with bestselling author and productivity expert Amy Landino about building intentional mornings, managing energy instead of time, and creating habits that support the life you want. Then, Bruce Feiler joins the show to discuss his new book A Time to Gather, sharing why rituals and community are essential to human connection, healing, and belonging
Kerry Clare, Definitely Thriving, and Camille Pagán, Dog Person
Double episode from interviews recorded live at The Whitby Hotel!Bestselling author Camille Pagán joins Zibby to discuss her moving new novel, Dog Person, a witty story narrated by an aging rescue dog determined to help his grieving owner find love again, inspired by Camille Pagán’s own experience with loss, grief, and the extraordinary emotional intelligence of her beloved dog. Camille opens
Sarah Damoff, The Burning Side
Zibby’s Book Club Pick! I ugly-cried on the plane reading Sarah Damoff’s THE BURNING SIDE. It was like listening to a symphony — beautiful throughout but with piercing violin moments that made me clutch my chest. I love these characters so much. The writing is pure, not overdone or self-important, but elegant and poignant. Multiple perspectives. Emotions. Love. Loss. Home. Family. Memory. Tim
Emma Brodie's Into the Blue (Reese's pick!) and Morgan Radford's Now Then
Emma Brodie’s Into the Blue: A Reese’s Book Club Pick!Emma Brodie said she cried every day writing this book which became a Reese’s Book Club pick. (Maybe that’s the secret?!) We connected at Totally Booked: Live about the film/TV world, young love, the what ifs of life, the process of writing, and more!NBC’s Morgan Radford, Now ThenNBC News Daily co-anchor Morgan Radford is one of the most articu
Rosie Walsh and Kelly Yang
Rosie Walsh, The One Day You Were My HusbandLoss, love, expectations and mystery abound in Rosie Walsh’s latest novel about a woman whose husband vanishes on their wedding night. We spoke about how past traumas inform narratives, the importance of a good first chapter, and more! Aging Reversal?! Kelly Yang on The Take (and Front Desk!!)My son and I read Front Desk together two summers ago. Wh
Jane Costello’s Forty Love: My July Book Club Pick
I’m obsessed with this novel. Perhaps because I also wrote a book called Forty Love but even though my agent sent it out as the start of the pandemic, it didn’t sell. Which is probably for the best. Jane Costello’s novel is so much better! It’s smart, funny, inspiring, a bit steamy at parts, and page-turning. It centers around a 40-something British woman, a widow, whose only child has just “flown
Let’s Cook with Superstars Donna Hay and Adeena Sussman
Donna Hay is the ubiquitous cookbook author and lifestyle brand. Her latest cookbook, Sunshine, Lemons, and Sea Salt, will join the others on my shelf. Hear from Donna in Australia as she discusses her home, her approach to life, her family, and more. Don’t miss her new Disney+ show Coastal Celebrations.Adeena Sussman moved to Israel with her husband (hear how they me
Letting Go, Staying Resilient, and Finding Ourselves with Dr. Deepika Chopra and Stacey Lindsay
Dr. Deepika Chopra teaches us the difference between optimism and positivity, shares her own child’s medical struggles and how she gets through, discusses pregnancy issues, and helps us find the strength we need. If you’ve ever asked, “Why is this happening to us,” then listen in. Dr. Chopra’s book, The Power of Real Optimism, is incredibly helpful. Journalist Stacey Linds
Small Towns, Friendship, and Secrets in Kristy Woodson Harvey and B&N Book Club Pick Mikki Brammer’s New Novels
Kristy Woodson Harvey spotlights NICU nurses, sports coaches, and a small town in her annual summer novel, this time Summer State of Mind. If you’ve ever wondered “how something like this could happen in a town like theirs,” Kristy will pull back the curtain. But don’t worry: as Kristy says, “There are some secrets that come to light through the course of (the book), but you know, i
Pam Sherman plays herself and so can you
Pam Sherman took her superpower of inspiring others in acting, speaking, and work to write a helpful handbook to put your best foot forward. As Pam says, "You want to be who you are, wherever you are, in order to ignite your audience.” As a board member of Jewish Women International, Pam supports women, inspires leadership and shows what it takes. ** If you enjoy recommending things you love
Laurie Frankel’s hilarious take on aging in Enormous Wings
What if your grandmother got pregnant? That’s the premise behind Laurie Frankel’s witty, escapist narrative about an older woman who takes up with her retirement community next-door neighbor and unexpectedly gets more than she bargained for — much to the dismay of her adult children. We spoke about her complete rewrite of the book ("I do not believe a single sentence remains . . . I opened a new d
Mega-bestselling author of The Help is back! Kathryn Stockett on The Calamity Club
I remember reading The Help in 2009 when it came out and absolutely loving it! Back then I was a stay-at-home mom of twins under age two. To think that by the time they graduated high school I’d be interviewing the author is insane; I wouldn’t have believed it. The Calamity Club is set in Mississippi in 1933 and spins an immersive tale about strong women who have to get through
Dr. Tara Narula and Jenny Bartoy Tackle Pain from All Sides
Dr. Tara Narula gives us a specific recipe in The Healing Power of Resilience: A New Prescription for Health and Well-Being, while editor Jenny Bartoy collects stories of others, like her, who have cut off contact with toxic people, sometimes even parents, in No Contact: Writing on Estrangement. Taken together, these two conversations arm us with the tools to get through challe
Friendship for the Win: Jessica George, Geneen Roth
Jessica George takes on female friendship in her sophomore novel Love by the Book, which follows her hit Maame, which we also talked about on the podcast, as does Geneen Roth in her latest book Love, Finally: Untangling the Knot Between Mothers, Daughters, and Food. One woman made a huge difference in Geneen’s healing. (This book is for anyone who has ever been on a d
Marisa Renee Lee, Long Covid, and Hope
Marisa Renee Lee shares her battle with long Covid on top of her other excruciating losses in Waiting for Dawn: Living with Uncertainty. We spoke at Totally Booked: Live at the Whitby Hotel, where she delighted the crowd with her big laughs, delightful personality, and optimism in the face of devastating circumstances.** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even earning from it, you
BONUS: Rachel Goldberg-Polin, When We See You Again
I had the immense honor of interviewing Rachel Goldberg-Polin about her book When We See You Again. Rachel, USA Today's Woman of the Year and one of the TIME 100, is the mother of Hersh Goldberg-Polin who was kidnapped on October 7th and later executed by Hamas. Her book is raw, beautiful, and important. A meditation on grief, love, and how to get through. Please listen. We spoke in front of 1,200
Book of the Month Club pick Sally Hepworth’s Mad Mabel
Yes, Sally Hepworth and I spoke about her new novel, Mad Mabel, which features an older, quirky protagonist whose neighbor dies in the opening, and the young friend who comes along. But we also spoke about Sally’s recent divorce and how she has been getting through that. Sally is such a good storyteller that anything out of her mouth is captivating. No wonder her latest book is a Bo
Bestselling Author Annabelle Gurwitch on Lung Cancer, Humor, and Adventure
I’ve been a fan of actress and bestselling author Annabelle Gurwitch since I first read You Say Tomato, I Say Shut Up. I’ve interviewed her on my podcast about her last book You’re Leaving When? and then got lucky enough to publish her new book, The End of My Life is Killing Me through Zibby Publishing — which has now been on the USA Today bestseller li
Getting Through Grief — with Humor and Heart
Hear from two amazing women authors who have survived loss and learned to live with it by finding humor in the darkest times. Screenwriter Angela Nissel writes about the loss of her mother — who had been caught up in a deceptive relationship — in Good Grief, Pass the Bread, Mom is Dead. Content creator Leslie Harter-Berg shares how she survived the sudden loss of her 30-year-old husband
Celebrity Spotlight: Gina Gershon
Actress Gina Gershon takes us through the unexpected, entertaining steps to becoming a star and the attitude it takes to do so in her memoir Alphapussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs.** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even earning from it, you have to become a creator on ShopMy! You'll be able to see that your recommendations matter. Click my r
Little Free Library
I touched base with Little Free Library CEO Daniel Gumnit about how to promote literacy, why stories are best when shared, and exactly how to bring a Little Free Library to your “neck of the woods.” Learn more here.** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even earning from it, you have to become a creator on ShopMy! You'll be able to see that your recommendations matter. Cli
That’s What Friends Are For with Wade Rouse
Bestselling memoirist Wade Rouse shares about his first novel, That’s What Friends Are For, inspired by “The Golden Girls.” In crafting humorous story lines about four gay friends in later life, Wade explores complex issues ranging from prejudice and discrimination to loyalty and love. We spoke about the book live at Zibby’s Bookshop.** If you enjoy recommending things you love
Bookstore Owner + NYT Bestselling Author Jenny Lawson on How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay
Founder of Nowhere Bookshop is anywhere but nowhere. She’s a guru. Jenny Lawson has written book after book about her mental health, obstacles, tips and tricks, using her sense of humor and relatable voice. How to Be Okay When Nothing is Okay is my favorite of all her books to date. I dog-earred so many pages with actual, actionable advice. Plus I love following her on social (
The Perfect Graduation Gift — with Great Life Advice
Christina Geist, bestselling children’s book author and brand guru, wrote Before You Fly Away: Life Lessons from Home, a beautifully illustrated gift book. It’s chockfull of short thoughts and sayings that Christina put together to help her kids out in the world. But really, it’s going to help all our kids. And, perhaps, us, too. Stay tuned on my Instagram for a givea
Zibby Publishing’s Start at the End by International Bestseller Emma Grey
Australian author Emma Grey’s The Last Love Note kicked off Emma’s journey with our publishing house. I read the PDF on a flight when her agent pitched it for my podcast — and fell in love. We acquired the U.S. rights and published it to much acclaim including as picks of Book of the Month Club and Target Book Club. Then came Pictures of You, an intense story about coercive con
Are Personal Essays Performative? with Kat Rosenfield
How to Survive in the Woods by Kat Rosenfield is truly hard to put down. Three friends go in the woods where two of them plot against the third in a love triangle that shape shifts. Kat and I spoke about the book and then moved on to how she finds personal essays performative. (I mentioned that I write them!) Thoughts on our discussion? If you like the idea of hiking (even without moving from
Thank You and Announcement from Zibby
** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even earning from it, you have to become a creator on ShopMy! You'll be able to see that your recommendations matter. Click my referral code here to learn more! ***** Want another secret podcast? If you sign up for my Z.I.P. Membership program, you'll get access to an exclusive podcast called Zibby's Show Notes, the behind-the-scenes of everything!
Finding Yourself with Blair Glaser
Join Blair Glaser as she journeys into herself and goes from NYC and LA to a special yoga retreat in This Incredible Longing: How I Found My Self in a Near-Cult Experience. (Shout out to Isabelle Fisher Krishana, her cousin.) If you’ve ever felt lost, start here.** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even earning from it, you have to become a creator on ShopMy! You'll be able t
The Harvard You Didn’t Know with J. R. Thornton
Literary ingenue J.R. Thornton takes us into the posh world of Harvard College from dorm rooms and classrooms to parties and more when an outsider gets pulled into the ultra-elite establishment by his roommate Lucien and has to decide whether to live by his moral code or go along with the plot. ** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even earning from it, you have to become
Israel and Iran: History and Today, featuring Yardena Schwartz and Jonathan Harounoff
First, get the context for today’s political climate with Yardena Schwartz, Ghosts of a Holy War: The 1929 Massacre in Palestine That Ignited the Arab-Israeli Conflict. Then hear from Jonathan Harounoff in Unveiled: Inside Iran’s #WomenLifeFreedom Revolt. I guarantee you’ll feel more educated on current events after doing so. ** If you enjoy recommending things you love an
Zibby’s Book Club Pick Allegra Goodman’s This is Not About Us
I loved interviewing Allegra Goodman several times on my show for her novels Sam and Isola. Her latest book This is Not About Us was a Zibby’s Book Club pick in March! Instead of a new interview between us, I’m releasing a fabulous conversation we hosted at Zibby’s Bookshop between her and bestselling author Nikki Erlick, The Measure. Enjoy!** If you enjoy recommendin
TOVAH!!!!!
Who doesn’t know legendary actress Tovah Feldshuh?! (If you don’t, now you will!) Tovah, the subject of an upcoming documentary which just premiered at the Temple Emanuel Streicker Center, is an all-time Broadway and screen great. She’s currently starring at Adam Brody’s mother Bina in Nobody Wants This. I interviewed Tovah for the second time as part of Totally Booked: Live in New York
Matti Friedman Introduces Us to Heroes
I spoke to Matti Friedman right before the war with Iran began. He remarked that he and his family couldn’t make any plans as they waited to see what would happen. I’ve been thinking of him as Israelis rush to shelters as Iran retaliates. In his book, Out of the Sky: Heroism and Rebirth in Nazi Europe, we go back to an earlier war. Matti, through extensive research, recreates the mi
Do Your Kids Like Slime?
We’ve gone through a multi-year slime phase in our house, much to the dismay of our kitchen table. When we discovered there was basically an amusement park for slime called Sloomoo Institute, the kids were hooked! It’s an immersive experience, birthday party venue, and sensory sensation with make-your-own-slime, get slimed walls, walk barefoot in smooth sand, and other tactile experiences.&nb
Bestselling Author Marie Benedict Knows History
I like to think of Marie Benedict as my midlife history professor; every novel she writes teaches me more about periods of time I thought I understood. In Daughter of Egypt, Marie transports us to post-WWI England and Egypt through the eyes of a young woman who is more interested in archeology than cotillion. I interviewed Marie as part of Totally Booked: Live in Palm Beach. Prepare to b
Best Writing Advice I’ve Ever Received from The Book Thief’s Markus Zusak
Do you remember The Book Thief? It came out twenty years ago and was a massive bestseller. It was just re-released as a 20th anniversary edition and oh my gosh, it’s gorgeous. I re-read the book to prepare for my interview with Markus and highly encourage you to do so, too — or read it for the first time if you missed it. Spectacular. It’s a story about a young, book-loving, non-Jew
An “It Girl” Worth Knowing with Allison Pataki
Bestselling author Allison Pataki introduces us to yet another powerful woman forgotten in history in her latest historical novel, It Girl. Evelyn Talbot shot onto the scene in the early 20th century and rose to prominence (think: Kardashian). But her relationships with men destroyed her career and her life. Read Allison’s reimagined ending for this star. ** If you enjoy recommendin
A Love Letter to a Former Teacher with Brian Platzer
Brian Platzer’s novel The Optimists was just reviewed in the New York Times Book Review. I interviewed him live at the Whitby about his beloved teacher, who fell victim to a stroke and whom he visited for years afterwards, how Sarah Jessica Parker interviewed him at a recent event, and the power of loyalty. It also features a love story gone wrong about teens and a star student’s de
Debut Fiction Based in New Mexico with Nancy Foley
Want to travel to the Southwest? I Am Agatha by debut author Nancy Foley takes us there. Inspired by her grandmother’s past, Nancy wrote a story about two elderly ladies and their antics. It’s as much about the land as the people. Here’s to pursuing writing dreams until they come true. Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** If you enjoy r
Ruthie Rogers Sits Down with Celebs
In Table 4 at The River Cafe, restaurant owner Ruthie Rogers shares conversations with her high-profile podcast guests including Paul McCartney, David Beckham, and Martha Stewart. Learn more about them through the relationships to food. Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even earning from it, y
Anna Quindlen’s Book Club
Ever wondered what a fictitious book club would look like in Anna Quindlen’s mind? Enter More Than Enough, her latest powerhouse of a novel which centers on what happens to the members of a book club including DNA-based identity disruptions, illness, infertility, and more — with a dose of alpaca. Read to find out. We recorded our episode live at The Whitby Hotel. Watch it on my TV s
Alexandra Potter, a European Road Trip, and Two Bad Ass Women
We published this “Thelma and Louise” meets “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” tale about a midlife recently catfished and humiliated woman and the young journalist determined to get revenge on her behalf. Travel all over Europe with them as they track down the con man who did this. Alexandra Potter is a massive bestselling author in the U.K. whose last novel was adapted into the TV show, “Not Dead Yet” on
Midlife Reinvention Mixed with ‘90s Princeton University—and Running
If you’re in the mood to commiserate with a couple of close friends about the indignities of aging, love in midlife, life at Princeton in the 90s, how to get in shape for running, and more, this is the book for you. Hear from the leading Black and Jewish co-author team Alli Frank and Asha Youmans who call themselves “the Will and Grace of race” in Run for Your Life, Callie Kingman.Share, rate
Shocking News about Judy Blume with Mark Oppenheimer
In Mark Oppenheimer’s new biography about Judy Blume, he reveals a number of surprising things, so much that I kept leaning over to my kids as I read going, “Did you know…” What the former “Unorthodox” podcast host really did was paint a portrait of one of the consummate literary leading ladies of our time. A must devour. Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagr
My Kids’ Teacher, Ani Katz, Writes Another Novel
Aren’t teachers the best? When I found out that Ani Katz (“Miss Katz”), my kids’ former teacher, wrote another novel, Haven, I had to invite her on the podcast and to our Totally Booked: Live show. Hear from her about the teaching life, the pitfalls of writing fiction, and so much more. Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** If you enjoy
Former Actress now Author Deborah Goodrich Royce on That Best Boy
You might know Deborah Goodrich Royce for the amazing summer author series she hosts at the hotel she co-owns with her husband the Ocean House in Watch Hill, R.I. (If you haven’t been, you must.) Or maybe it’s for her previous novels, Finding Mrs. Ford, Ruby Falls, or Reef Road. Perhaps it’s for her soap opera days, or from co-chairing the New York Public Library’s annual
Joan Lunden Shares What’s Beyond the Script
I interviewed the one and only Joan Lunden live in front of an audience for this very special discussion about her career as a longtime GMA anchor, her women’s health advocacy, the loss of her father at a young age, her marriage and second marriage, and so much more. What a thrill! Check out her latest memoir Joan: Life Beyond the Script. Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibb
From Infertility to Empty Nesting in Fiction
Trying something new here! I interviewed three women authors on the same day whose novels took me through the full spectrum of motherhood — so I wanted you all to have the same experience. We start with Angela Brown’s Ways to Find Yourself in which Grace Whittaker meets younger versions of herself as she mourns her mother’s loss while attempting to get pregnant. We then move on to Britis
“Midwinter Break” Director Polly Findlay Discusses Adaptation
Focus Features was kind enough to offer me the chance to host a screening of the new film “Midwinter Break,” which many of you in my community attended! Based on the novel Midwinter Break by Bernard MacLaverty, which was edited by podcast guest and author Jill Bialosky, the film “Midwinter Break” paints an intimate portrait of a marriage in its later years. Director Polly Findlay and I d
Poetry That Makes Motherhood Beautiful with Jessica Urlichs
I loved these poems by Jessica Urlichs so much that I ended up reading some to my son. Somehow, they take the unwieldy, much-discussed experience of motherhood and reframe it, distill it, and make it relatable in a new way. Isn’t it wild how effective great poetry can be? We discussed all of it and made each other cry. Check out her collection We Bloom Because of You.Share, rate, & review
An Earlier Hostage Speaks Out
Mimi Nichter was an American teenager returning from a summer in Israel on September 6th, 1970 when the plane she was on was hijacked. She was then taken hostage. Until recently, she’d never shared what happened. With the release of her memoir, Hostage: A Memoir of Terrorism, Trauma, and Resilience, she sets the stage for how what happened to her has echoes in the news literally today. I’m em
Zeeva Bukai Wins a National Jewish Book Award
Congratulations to author Zeeva Bukai for winning a National Jewish Book Award from the Jewish Book Council for her novel The Anatomy of Exile. On our episode, we spoke about her new book, The World Between, which is a slim, powerful narrative about a woman who travels to Tel Aviv to the home where she first started her marriage and revisits later in her life. It’s about mental
Elizabeth Day is Super Smart
I’m hooked. Somehow, I’d never read Elizabeth Day’s books until her latest, One of Us, a smart look at relationships, cancel culture, and more. I enjoyed her writing so much that I ordered her backlist. Elizabeth hosts the popular podcast “How to Fail.” In this book, she absolutely hasn’t. We connected as writers named Elizabeth who started podcasts on a whim post-divorce and grew a foll
Norah O’Donnell Writes The Ultimate Guide to American Women in U.S. History
Who knew?!! Well, apparently, senior correspondent for CBS News Norah O’Donnell did. In her book, We the Women: The Hidden Heroes Who Shaped America, the stories of many unknown — and some well-known — are brought to the surface. The story of the U.S. is reshaped through what she uncovered. Written with Kate Andersen Brower, who joined us for the episode, Norah and WE THE WOMEN will change th
Art, Family, Escape and Reinvention in Saoirse with Charleen Hurtubise
Author Charleen Hurtubise paints a picture of a woman reinvented. We meet Saoirse on an airplane, faking her identity with a friend’s passport, on her way to start over entirely overseas. Why? You’ll find out. Art plays a central role in Saoirse’s new life — and in her unraveling. Does her husband know? You’ll find out. (Note: We had some technical issues during this episode, but we
Confronting High-Functioning Depression with Rachel Tzvia Back
Sometimes you just click with someone. By the end of my in-person interview with Israeli poet Rachel Tzvia Back, we were hugging — having laughed, cried, and truly connected in just 30 minutes. Why? Because she’s awesome, yes, but also because her memoir, The Dark-Robed Mother, is so intimate, vulnerable, and beautiful that it would endear her to anyone. It’s funny and hopeful, dark and poign
Eileen Heisler and DeAnn Heline, Creators of “The Middle”
I am obsessed with the TV show “The Middle” starring Patricia Heaton, Eden Sher, and an all-star cast. It ran for nine years starting in 2009, but I only discovered it recently thanks to the clips my kids saw on TikTok. I wrote a Substack for my Z.I.P. members called “Here in the Middle” about how much I love this smart show about a family in Indiana who mirrors my own in ways that make me laugh o
Libby Page and Overcoming Grief with Books
This Book Made Me Think of You, an instant USA Today Bestseller by top UK author Libby Page, is an ode to bookstores, an ode to love, and an ode to the power of books to get us through anything. Libby came to my home and stayed for lunch when she was in town from the U.K. We could’ve talked about books forever. I don’t know what was cuter — the book or the purse she brought wit
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Jennifer Reid, MD, author of Guilt Free, has the answers. For those of us who feel guilty about almost everything having to do with parenting, psychiatrist Dr. Reid hears us — and has solutions. I recorded this live at my children’s school, where I peppered her with questions that were, perhaps, too personal?!Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!**
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Wall Street Journal journalist Francesca Fontana shares her surprising journey of researching her own father’s jail time, crimes, and friendships in this fast-paced story. Ultimately, she not only finds the truth, but herself. Dive into The Family Snitch.Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** If you enjoy recommending things you love and even
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I interviewed Gillian Deacon in person at Totally Booked: Live about her book A Love Affair with the Unknown. Both the guests and I were riveted by her story. Gill’s medical mystery unfolds slowly in her book. Instead of coping in solitude, Gill turns to research and learns everything about uncertainty. Now we can, too, thanks to her. Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zib
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Have you listened to Dan Senor’s podcast Call Me Back? If you have, you’ll know how incredibly bright he is and how informed he is on all things Israel. In his book,The Genius of Israel, co-written with Saul Singer, Dan writes vignettes and stories about Israelis who make a difference and how societal norms created such a unique and often rated as “happy” country despite it all. We recor
How Do You Jew? Suzy Ultman Paints a Picture
Suzy Ultman is a gifted artist who has turned her gifts into a series of children’s board books designed to elevate the Jewish experience in a fun, whimsical way. Think: gifts for a bris and beyond. How Do You Jew is the latest in the series. Hear how she turned to this format, her own experiences as a mother and artist, and where she finds hope.Share, rate, & review the podcast, and
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