Debut novelist Francesca Giacco joins Zibby to talk about her book, Six Days in Rome . Francesca shares her connection to and love for Italy which inspired the novel, as well as how the story features an amalgamation of her personal experiences. The two also discuss Francesca's thoughts on traveling alone, her experience selling this book during the pandemic, and her favorite food to order when she goes to Italy. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. Amazon: https://amzn.to/3qA1BiA Bookshop: https://b...
Sep 12, 2022•22 min•Season 14Ep. 44
Zibby is joined by professor and author Mai Al-Nakib to discuss her debut novel, An Unlasting Home , an intergenerational story inspired by Kuwait's short-lived attempt to charge blasphemy as a capital crime. The two talk about what Mai loves most about being a teacher, her unique educational history and journey to writing, and the women in her life who helped shape her. Mai also shares how she kept track of such a massive family tree as she wrote and what her typical writing process looks like....
Sep 11, 2022•24 min•Season 14Ep. 43
Zibby is joined by novelist Jillian Medoff to talk about her latest book, When We Were Bright and Beautiful , which went through a number of iterations before publication. Jillian shares her concerns about writing a story focused on sexual assault in the #MeToo era, which books influenced this story's twists and turns, and the role her sister played in crafting some of the plot and characters. The two also discuss the life experiences that inspired Jillian to become an author and how the writing...
Sep 10, 2022•25 min•Season 14Ep. 42
Professor, critic, and author Louis Bayard joins Zibby to discuss his latest historical novel, Jackie & Me , which follows Jackie Kennedy Onassis before her tenure as First Lady. The two talk about what initially inspired Louis to write this book, how he got his start in politics before pivoting to writing full time, and why he likes the pressure of getting older. Louis also shares what's happening with the film adaption of his book, The Pale Blue Eye , and hints at what he's working on next...
Sep 09, 2022•23 min•Season 14Ep. 42
Zibby is joined by Garth Stein to talk about his classic novel, The Art of Racing in the Rain , which has sold more than 6 million copies worldwide, been translated into 36 languages, and spent more than 3 years on the New York Times bestseller list. Garth shares his unique journey to writing, as well as how very few people believed in the book's potential early on. The two also discuss Garth's work with the author and bookseller communities through the creation of the Seattle 7 writers group an...
Sep 08, 2022•32 min•Season 14Ep. 40
Award-winning chef, author, and speaker Brooke Siem joins Zibby to talk about her debut memoir, May Cause Side Effects , which tells the story of her withdrawal after fifteen years on antidepressants. The two discuss how Brooke's experience affected her memories—including when she won Food Network's Chopped competition—as well as how her support network helped her reframe her outlook on life. Brooke also shares how her antidepressant journey impacted her relationship with food, who she hopes wil...
Sep 07, 2022•35 min•Season 14Ep. 39
Zibby is joined by Michael Frank who returns to discuss his latest book, One Hundred Saturdays: Stella Levi and the Search for a Lost World . Michael shares how the conversations he had with Stella over the last six years were never meant to be a book but evolved as he wanted to share her story as a Holocaust survivor and the history of her homeland with the world. The two also talk about how Stella largely survived Auschwitz due to sheer luck and her incredible will, as well as what it was like...
Sep 06, 2022•27 min•Season 14Ep. 38
Bestselling author Jamie Brenner returns for the third time to talk with Zibby about her latest novel, Gilt , which takes readers into the world of fine jewelry. The two discuss how living in Provincetown during the pandemic inspired Jamie while writing this story, her relationship with the author community and what is expected of writers these days, and which fictional character helped her craft her protagonist. Jamie also shares what she is currently working on and how it felt to find out the ...
Sep 05, 2022•28 min•Season 14Ep. 37
Zibby is joined by longtime host of Good Morning America, Charlie Gibson, and his daughter, TV producer Kate Gibson, to discuss their new ABC Audio podcast, T he Book Case . The three talk about the show's origins during the pandemic, as well as the lessons they're learning along the way and the importance of representation in books. Zibby also asks Kate and Charlie some of their most asked questions, like who their favorite fictional character is, where is their favorite place to read (as well ...
Sep 04, 2022•31 min
Bestselling author, speaker, and investor Fran Hauser joins Zibby to talk about her latest book, Embrace the Work, Love Your Career , which is a guidebook to help readers feel their most successful.The two connect over both being investors in Copper Books , founded by Allison Trowbridge, they discuss some of their favorite sections in the guidebook, and Fran shares the real-life experience that inspired her to present them to others. She also walks Zibby through her illustrious career path and r...
Sep 03, 2022•28 min•Season 14Ep. 35
Zibby is joined by the creator of the Subway Book Review Uli Beutter Cohen to discuss her new book, Between the Lines: Stories from the Underground . The two talk about the number one reason Uli has found people enjoy reading books on the subway, in particular, the creative way Uli organized the chapters in the book, and some of their favorite interviewees (which includes Zibby herself!). Uli also shares what she's currently working on now and the surprise moment that shows her how important her...
Sep 02, 2022•23 min•Season 14Ep. 34
"Not knowing what will happen next also means anything could." Journalist and creator of the Conversations on Love newsletter Natasha Lunn joins Zibby to talk about her anthology of the same name. Natasha shares the major lessons she's learned from talking with others about love, why she finds romantic love less overwhelming than maternal love, and what originally inspired her to begin this project. The two also discuss the role anxiety plays in loves of all kinds and Natasha turns the interview...
Sep 01, 2022•31 min•Season 14Ep. 33
"I'm human like anybody else. I'm susceptible to all these bad narratives that I both internalize about myself or can turn on other people." Pulitzer Prize finalist, professor, and author Chloé Cooper Jones joins Zibby to talk about her memoir, Easy Beauty , which documents her global exploration and life with a disability. The two discuss misconceptions about motherhood, how Chloé dismantled the weight of society's judgment of those with disabilities, and her love of Roger Federer. Chloé also s...
Aug 31, 2022•31 min•Season 14Ep. 32
"I don't think I could be accused of identifying a marketplace. Otherwise, I wouldn't have written about Abraham Lincoln and vampires and how to eat blueberries and save your life." Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling essayist, columnist, and novelist Sloane Crosley to discuss her romantic comedy thriller, Cult Classic . The two talk about the kinds of conversations they have on book tours, when Sloane knew she was ready to write a rom-com set in New York City, and how she became a lit...
Aug 30, 2022•33 min•Season 14Ep. 31
New York Times bestselling author Kwame Mbalia returns to talk with Zibby about Black Boy Joy , the #1 bestselling anthology he edited. Kwame shares where he was when he realized he wanted to gather a number of his friends and peers to compile a middle-grade compilation celebrating Black youth and happiness, and tells Zibby about how he takes his coffee. The two also discuss the first piece of short fiction each of them ever wrote, why short stories are harder to craft than novels, and how Kwame...
Aug 29, 2022•23 min•Season 14Ep. 30
Zibby is joined by debut author Karen Winn to talk about her novel, Our Little World , which she has been working on since 2016. Karen shares how the plot was inspired by drama she wished had happened during her childhood, as well as how she combined her doctoral degree and experience as a nurse practitioner with her lifelong love of writing to craft this story. The two also discuss the significance of Karen's writing group in her life, the potential titles this book almost had, and what she's w...
Aug 28, 2022•22 min•Season 14Ep. 29
Author and writing instructor Caitlin Barasch joins Zibby to talk about her debut novel, A Novel Obsession. The two discuss what their armchair psychologist diagnoses of the story's protagonist might be, why Caitlin centered the plot around social media and cyberstalking, and the best books she has currently read. Caitlin also shares what she's working on next and how her family history has inspired her. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. Amazon: https://amzn.to/3wyP7eI Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3cp...
Aug 27, 2022•23 min•Season 14Ep. 28
"What we're really longing for is to be known and to know and to be loved and seen and to belong." Amy Weatherly and Jess Johnston, co-creators of Sister I Am With You, join Zibby to discuss their mission and their new book, I'll Be There (But I'll Be Wearing Sweatpants) . The three talk about the personal experiences with friends that inspired them to create a supportive community for other adult women and what the process was like shifting from blog to book writing. Pre-order the new middle-gr...
Aug 26, 2022•29 min•Season 14Ep. 27
"I had trouble finding places for light in the book. It took me a really long time to get there." Zibby is joined by writer LaToya Watkins to discuss her debut novel, Perish , a timely intergenerational epic. LaToya shares how she got her start as both a reader and a writer, where she drew her inspiration for the story, and why this project took so long to write and revise. The two also connect over being moms to twins and talk about the process LaToya went through pitching and publishing this b...
Aug 25, 2022•28 min•Season 14Ep. 26
New York Times bestselling author of The Love Hypothesis Ali Hazelwood joins Zibby to talk about her latest romantic comedy, Love on the Brain, which is the inaugural title for the new Walmart Book Club. The two discuss Ali's journey to publishing through online fandoms and crafting fan fiction, as well as how her experience as a neuroscientist finds its way into her novels. Ali also shares why she likes to keep her writing and science lives separate, which relationships have offered her the mos...
Aug 24, 2022•25 min•Season 14Ep. 25
"As a novelist, I want to present people who are different from myself. The reader should have her own opinion." Literary giant Joyce Carol Oates joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel, Babysitter , which grew out of a short story. The two talk about the real-life inspiration for the story's serial killer, how she sought to portray the complexities of mother and womanhood, and why she never satirizes her characters, even if she doesn't agree with those who behave like them off the page. Purchas...
Aug 23, 2022•27 min•Season 14Ep. 24
"Fiction is really about imagining and putting yourself in the shoes of characters that you really have nothing in common with." Zibby is joined by author Soon Wiley to talk about his debut novel, When We Fell Apart, which he has been writing for the last seven years. Soon shares how although he and his protagonist have a lot in common, he enjoyed writing from the book's female perspective much more. The two also discuss Soon's journey to publication, which non-mystery stories inspired this proj...
Aug 22, 2022•29 min•Season 14Ep. 23
Award-winning author, journalist, and editor Aileen Weintraub joins Zibby to discuss her new memoir, Knocked Down , which recounts her experience of being on bed rest during her pregnancy. The two talk about the flaws in how the medical system in this country views and treats women, what inspired Aileen to tell this story, and how moms do ultimately find time for things in their lives. Aileen shares what her experience was like processing the grief of losing her dad while incapacitated, as well ...
Aug 21, 2022•23 min•Season 14Ep. 22
Lawyer, political strategist, and podcast host Emily Tisch Sussman joins Zibby to talk about her new podcast, She Pivots , which grew out of her need for inspiring stories from women who have made personal and professional shifts. The two discuss Emily's wide-ranging career, how moms can make time to get involved in local politics, and how listeners can take action by DMing @shepivotsthepodcast . Emily also shares how she's staying involved in politics despite leaving the world of strategy and c...
Aug 20, 2022•29 min•Season 14Ep. 21
Journalist and author Matti Friedman joins Zibby to discuss his latest book, Who By Fire , which recounts the incredible true story of Leonard Cohen's involvement in Israel's Yom Kippur War. The two talk about the significance of Yom Kippur and the 1973 war in Judaism, Matti and Leonard's missed connection, and Matti's trajectory through journalism toward writing well-researched non-fiction. Matti also shares how he managed to include Leonard's side of this story and the responses he has receive...
Aug 19, 2022•31 min•Season 14Ep. 20
Zibby is joined by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Kathryn Shultz to talk about her memoir, Lost & Found , which looks at the wide-ranging experiences of loss and discovery. Kathryn shares her thoughts on what makes a good death and whether that moniker is fair to those grieving, as well as what she wishes her father lived to see. The two also discuss what it was like for Kathryn to win the Pulitzer, the lessons she learned from watching her parents' relationship, and why she wanted to ana...
Aug 18, 2022•27 min•Season 14Ep. 19
New York Times bestselling author Chris Pavone joins Zibby to talk about his latest novel, Two Nights in Lisbon , which he refers to as a "Trojan Horse novel." The two discuss why Chris wants to trick his usual reading base into reading this story, as well as what his journey through the publishing world looked like. Chris also shares why he made the decision to start writing thrillers, how he views his reputation as a writer, and a handful of fun anecdotes with well-known characters he had whil...
Aug 17, 2022•34 min
Zibby is joined by Miriam Parker, author and associate publisher of Ecco, to discuss her latest novel, Room and Board . The two talk about Miriam's writing process for both this novel and her first, why she's happy that her books are not published by the company she works for, and her journey to becoming an author. Miriam also shares her best advice as both a publisher and author herself, as well as what she is currently reading. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. Amazon: https://amzn.to/3QHe5jG Bo...
Aug 16, 2022•25 min•Season 14Ep. 17
Zibby is joined by former Nickelodeon star Jennette McCurdy to talk about her debut memoir, I'm Glad My Mom Died , and why she chose the book's eye-catching title. The two discuss some of the narratives Jennette grew up with that she had to unlearn in adulthood, as well as where she is now in her eating disorder recovery journey. Jennette also shares why it was important to write from her younger self's perspective, what it was like for her to write about such heavy topics, and which projects sh...
Aug 15, 2022•30 min•Season 14Ep. 16
Zibby is joined by the Emmy-award winning, chronically-ill and disabled, rabbinical-school drop-out Jean Meltzer to discuss her latest novel, Mr. Perfect on Paper . The two talk about Jean's unique backstory and medical history, as well as how her diagnoses have each found their way into her books. Jean also shares how her own love story largely inspired this novel, what Yiddish saying she lives her life by, and what book she's working on next. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop. Amazon: https://amz...
Aug 14, 2022•27 min•Season 14Ep. 15
