Zibby is joined by Lizzie Damilola Blackburn to discuss her debut novel, Yinka, Where Is Your Huzband? , which grew out of a short story she once posted on her blog. The two talk about how the pandemic helped Lizzie settle into a post-commuter lifestyle enough to write this story, the enviable relationship she has with her former editor, and what her mom thought of the finished book. Lizzie also shares how her own network of aunties differs from that in her novel as well as what she's working on...
Jun 23, 2022•15 min•Season 13Ep. 54
"That's the fun part about writing fiction. You get to imagine yourself into these roles that you never ever would do on your own." New York Times bestseller Julie Clark joins Zibby to talk about her latest thriller, The Lies I Tell , which was inspired by Julie's belief that women make better con artists. The two discuss what they think about the people sitting next to them at red lights, their fears about making too much personal information accessible online, and whether or not Julie wanted t...
Jun 22, 2022•30 min•Season 13Ep. 53
#1 New York Times bestselling author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking Susan Cain joins Zibby to talk about her latest book, Bittersweet . The two discuss the power and prevalence of experiencing feelings of bittersweetness, the effect the pandemic had on some of the people involved in Susan's research, and when she felt bittersweet feelings of longing in her own life. Susan also shares the note her husband wrote that continues to encourage her to write and whi...
Jun 21, 2022•28 min•Season 13Ep. 52
"I think that to be antiracist and even to raise a child to be antiracist is not a static sort of thing. It is indeed a journey. It's a process. It's a behavior." #1 New York Times bestselling author, professor, and activist Dr. Ibram X. Kendi joins Zibby to talk about his new book, How To Raise An Antiracist , which combines research with parenting advice and pieces of Ibram's own memoir. The two discuss moments in Ibram's life that he uses to highlight everyday inequalities, why it is so signi...
Jun 20, 2022•27 min•Season 13Ep. 51
"We have these predestined moments in life that shape us. They determine the whole trajectory of what we will achieve." Zibby is joined by lifelong librarian and children's book author Alice Faye Duncan to talk about her latest book, Opal Lee and What It Means to Be Free , which shares the story of the grandmother of Juneteenth. The two discuss the main lesson Alice wants to teach young readers about historic heroes who are still alive today, as well as why she has decided to leave teaching afte...
Jun 20, 2022•23 min•Season 13Ep. 50
Zibby is joined by author Jeff Hoffmann to talk about his debut novel, Other People's Children , which is now out in paperback. The two discuss Jeff's essay about who can tell which kinds of stories which he wrote in response to people's surprise that he was not a woman, as well as how his own experiences with adoption inspired the core of the novel. Jeff shares why he made the decision to quit his job and get an MFA at 47, how his relationship with his daughter has found its way into a number o...
Jun 19, 2022•28 min•Season 13Ep. 49
Natural wine journalist, founder of Pipette Magazine , and winemaker Rachel Signer joins Zibby to discuss her memoir, You Had Me at Pét-Nat. The two talk about how and why Rachel made the leap into writing about natural wine at a time when many had no idea what that was and the experience she had that inspired her to share her stories in Pipette . Rachel also shares how to find natural wine in your area, what it was like to write this during the pandemic with a newborn, and which genre she wants...
Jun 18, 2022•27 min•Season 13Ep. 48
Zibby is joined by broadcast journalist, correspondent, and MSNBC anchor Katy Tur to discuss her latest memoir, Rough Draft . While Katy's first book — a New York Times bestseller — focused on her time covering Donald Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, her new project takes readers into her life growing up as the daughter of two journalists as she worked to make her own name in the industry. Katy tells Zibby what it was like to abruptly shift from an international to a political correspondent, ...
Jun 17, 2022•28 min•Season 13Ep. 47
Bestselling author of The Beauty of What Remains Rabbi Steve Leder returns to talk with Zibby about his latest book, For You When I'm Gone, which offers examples of how to write a will that encapsulates your whole life's story. The two discuss the impact Rabbi Leder's father's death had on him, as well as the significance of leaving words (which share a Hebrew term with “things”). Rabbi Leder also shares how writing this book has helped him grapple with mortality and what we really want to leave...
Jun 16, 2022•28 min•Season 13Ep. 46
Writer, spiritual counselor, and founder of Rising Woman Sheleana Aiyana joins Zibby to talk about her first book, Becoming the One , which takes readers through one of her self-discovery programs. The two discuss some of the traumas Sheleana faced early on and how she managed to work through them, as well as when she knew she was destined to help other women find themselves. Sheleana also shares why the process of writing this book was so grueling and how working on herself allowed her to find ...
Jun 15, 2022•24 min•Season 13Ep. 45
Zibby is joined by actress and writer Jenny Mollen to discuss her first novel, City of Likes , which required a labor of love to publish. The two talk about how the story was inspired by the disconnect Jenny witnessed between mommy influencers' on and offline lives, what her short-lived agent said that prompted her to try fiction instead of a third memoir, and when she knew writing was her niche. Jenny also shares details about her upcoming Dictator Lunches cookbook and why she is so honest on s...
Jun 14, 2022•33 min•Season 13Ep. 44
"To become a participant in a democracy, to become a participant in a country so that your citizenship is guaranteed, it's so absolutely, positively critical. Otherwise, you always see yourself as an outsider." Professor Dr. Daniel Black joins Zibby to talk about his latest novel, Don't Cry For Me , which he finished the very same day his father died. Daniel and Zibby discuss why Daniel wanted this novel to feature some under-discussed and challenging conversations about parenthood, and particul...
Jun 13, 2022•23 min•Season 13Ep. 43
Charmaine Wilkerson joins Zibby to discuss her debut novel, Black Cake , which was already a Read with Jenna book club pick and a New York Times Editors Choice. The two talk about the moment Charmaine knew the story she was going to write, which experiences and feelings from her own life are infused in her writing, and the roundabout way she ultimately became a novelist. Charmaine also shares her extensive and diverse reading list and what she is working on next. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. ...
Jun 12, 2022•22 min•Season 13Ep. 42
Zibby is joined by the two co-hosts of the Forever35 podcast Doree Shafrir and Kate Spencer to talk about their show and respective books. Doree tells Zibby why she wanted to share the lessons she learned as a late-bloomer in her new memoir, Thanks for Waiting, while Kate shares how romance novels saved her after her mom's death which led her to write both her memoir, The Dead Moms Club, and her new novel, In a New York Minute . The three also chat about some of Doree and Kate's favorite podcast...
Jun 11, 2022•28 min•Season 13Ep. 41
#1 New York Times bestselling author Victoria "V.E." Schwab joins Zibby to discuss her most recent two novels, Gallant and The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue . The two talk about why Victoria writes under the moniker V.E., what her traumatic response to creativity looks like, and which of her projects have been optioned to be adapted. They also connect over the ups and downs that come with being an artist, as well as why Victoria finds the fantasy genre so fascinating (despite being a voracious m...
Jun 10, 2022•32 min•Season 13Ep. 40
Zibby is joined by novelist Nina Navisky to discuss her latest novel, The Fortune Cookie Writer, which follows a single mother working multiple jobs to make ends meet for her son. Nina shares why both of her books have featured neurologically diverse characters, as well as how she recreated the exact layout of her town in this story. Nina also tells Zibby about the event that inspired her to start writing, how her family's Holocaust story and Jewish heritage factored into this book, and what gen...
Jun 09, 2022•22 min•Season 13Ep. 39
"When someone is standing in front of you loving you and saying, 'I'm not going anywhere,' that's when your avoidant self comes out and says, 'Get me the hell out of here.'" Columnist and author Heather Havrilesky joins Zibby to talk about her latest book, Foreverland: On the Divine Tedium of Marriage . The two discuss when Heather realized she was comfortable sharing intimate details about her marriage with the world, why certain reactions to the book have been particularly frustrating, and why...
Jun 08, 2022•28 min•Season 13Ep. 38
Zibby is joined by Alafair Burke, New York Times bestselling author of 14 crime novels, including her most recent book, Find Me . The two talk about which real true-crime facts inspired elements of this story, why Alafair's father's suggestions that she become a writer like him led her to pursue a career as a prosecutor instead, and how collaborating on six books with the late author Mary Higgins Clark prompted her to shift from being a pantser to a plotter. Alafair also shares how female friend...
Jun 07, 2022•30 min•Season 13Ep. 37
Literary giant James Patterson joins Zibby to talk about his autobiography, James Patterson by James Patterson . The two discuss the impact the two major loves of James' life have had on him, why encouraging children to read and promoting literacy in schools are so important to him, and a handful of some of James' very funny stories. James also shares what it's like to go out in public and be recognized — just not as James Patterson. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. Amazon: https://amzn.to/38IdIo...
Jun 06, 2022•33 min•Season 13Ep. 36
#1 New York Times bestselling duo Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen return to talk with Zibby about their latest novel, The Golden Couple, which grew out of a title suggestion from their editor. Greer and Sarah share why they love writing about complicated relationships and dynamics, where they pull their inspiration from in their real lives, and what it was like to co-write together during the pandemic. They also reveal why there is no secret formula for a successful book or writing partnershi...
Jun 05, 2022•28 min•Season 13Ep. 35
Mary Laura Philpott returns to discuss her latest memoir, Bomb Shelter , which was selected as an Editor’s Choice by the New York Times Book Review . Mary Laura tells Zibby about her mental spatial awareness and how it informs her sentence structure, the main themes that thread the chapters of this book together, and why she loves discovering art she didn't initially think she would enjoy. Mary Laura also shares what it's like to write a memoir and have strangers connect with it while not necess...
Jun 04, 2022•29 min•Season 13Ep. 34
Novelist Katy Regan joins Zibby to talk about her latest book, How to Find Your Way Home . The two discuss why Katy wanted to write about homelessness with a bother and sister dynamic, their shared love and mourning for print magazines, and the personal connection that inspired Katy to include a birdwatching element to the story. Katy also shares the wide range of books she's reading now and how she found her way to writing through other artistic mediums. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. Amazon: ...
Jun 03, 2022•19 min•Season 13Ep. 33
New York Times bestselling author and owner of Books Are Magic Emma Straub returns to talk with Zibby about her latest novel, This Time Tomorrow , which was inspired by her relationship with her father while he was hospitalized in 2020. Emma shares why she wanted to tie in her own 1980s nostalgia and if she felt a sense of closure after writing her most personal story to date. The two also discuss the importance of timing, the sensation of pre-grieving a loss, and whether or not Emma will return...
Jun 02, 2022•25 min•Season 13Ep. 32
Zibby is joined by the New York Times bestselling author of The Year of Living Biblically , A.J. Jacobs, to talk about his latest book, The Puzzler . The two discuss their personal favorite kinds of puzzles, how puzzles have recently and historically brought people together, and the most important lesson puzzles can teach us. To participate in The Puzzler Hunt contest for the chance to win $10,000, check out this link and crack the cipher before the final round starts on June 4th! Purchase on Am...
Jun 01, 2022•24 min•Season 13Ep. 31
New York Times bestselling author Jean Hanff Korelitz returns to discuss her latest novel, The Latecomer , which she has been working on for years on and off. Jean tells Zibby about the role Steve Martin played in writing this novel, which episode of the British Antiques Roadshow inspired parts of the story, and what elements of fertility journeys Jean made sure to include. The two also talk about some of Jean's recent accolades, such as being chosen to be The Tonight Show 's Summer Read for 202...
May 31, 2022•31 min•Season 13Ep. 30
Author and editor Anna Pitoniak joins Zibby to talk about her latest novel, Our American Friend , which was inspired by a combination of Anna's fascination with Russian culture and a 2016 GQ article about Melania Trump. The two discuss why writing this novel felt different from Anna's previous two, which life experiences have found their way into each of her books, and what she misses most about working in publishing full-time. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wZhbaG Book...
May 30, 2022•25 min•Season 13Ep. 29
Zibby is joined by professor and author Amy Butcher to talk about her book, Mothertrucker , and the story of how she found herself in an eighteen-wheeler in Alaska with a woman named Joy who she met on Instagram. Amy and Zibby discuss the domestic violence situation that inspired Amy to make a change in her life, how Joy and Amy forged a deep connection despite so many differences, and what Amy did to honor Joy's memory after her passing. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. Amazon: https://amzn.to/3...
May 29, 2022•33 min•Season 13Ep. 28
Zibby moderated a conversation with instant New York Times bestseller Qian Julie Wang about her debut memoir, Beautiful Country, as part of the Streicker Center's Women on the Move author series. The two talked about the self-healing journey Qian Julie had to start before she began writing about her family's immigration story, what it must have looked like to other people as she wrote emotional sections of the book on the subway, and how her parents reacted to the memoir. Qian Julie also shares ...
May 28, 2022•46 min•Season 13Ep. 27
#1 New York Times bestseller Jodi Picoult returns to talk with Zibby about her new Audible Original, Choice , as well as the long-awaited debut of her Broadway musical, Between the Lines . Jodi shares how she was inspired by her anger at the current political moment to create the world in Choice in which cisgender men are able to get pregnant, as well as why she is donating all of her earnings to the National Network of Abortion Funds. Jodi and Zibby also discuss how Between the Lines grew out o...
May 27, 2022•29 min•Season 13Ep. 26
Eliza Jane Brazier joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel, Good Rich People , which pulls fascinating bits and pieces from her real life. The two talk about Eliza's experience living below the poverty line, how her sister-in-law's success as a writer inspired her to try her hand at it, and the impact her husband's death had on her writing. Eliza also shares how writing has become more fun for her over the years and what she is working on next. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. Amazon: https://amz...
May 26, 2022•23 min•Season 13Ep. 25
