Zibby interviews author Ramona Ausubel about her playful, witty, and resonant new novel, THE LAST ANIMAL, which came from the idea of de-extincting woolly mammoths and evolved into a story about a single mom and her daughters grappling with creation, extinction, and family dynamics. Ramona reflects on her writing journey, from a shy, poetic child to a published author influenced by personal experiences and literary figures like George Saunders. Ramona emphasizes the richness of the writing proce...
Nov 30, 2023•27 min•Season 19Ep. 24
Sarah Blakley-Cartwright joins Zibby to discuss ALICE SADIE CELINE, a hypnotic, sexy, and incisive debut novel that explores the complex love story between a girl and her best friend's mother, raising questions about boundaries and relationships. Sarah elaborates on the characters in her book, particularly Celine, a bold, middle-aged woman struggling with visibility and identity. Sarah also discusses her background in the literary world, including her roles at various publications and her journe...
Nov 30, 2023•18 min•Season 19Ep. 23
Zibby interviews author Hannah Pittard, delving into her deeply personal journey as a writer. Hannah candidly discusses her struggle with credit card debt during grad school, a theme she later incorporated into her second novel, REUNION, as a form of confession and self-accountability. She also opens up about a painful personal betrayal involving her ex and close friend, explored in her sensational, genre-busting new memoir WE ARE TOO MANY. This betrayal led her to therapy, where she sought to u...
Nov 29, 2023•41 min•Season 19Ep. 22
The one and only BARBARA KINGSOLVER (yes, of Demon Copperhead !!) has written a brilliant picture book with her daughter Lily — and spoke to Zibby all about it! The book, COYOTE'S WILD HOME , aims to positively represent predators and nature, targeting both children and adults. The narrative features parallel stories of a human child and a coyote pup learning about their environments, emphasizing respect and understanding for wildlife. Barbara and Lily share their deep-rooted environmental value...
Nov 29, 2023•36 min•Season 19Ep. 21
Zibby Books author alert!!!! Emma Grey joins Zibby to discuss THE LAST LOVE NOTE , a gorgeous, charming, heartrending novel that is also a Book of the Month pick!! After the sudden loss of her husband in 2016, Emma found solace in writing. The novel, set in Australia, intertwines romance and humor with the complexities of navigating life after the death of a loved one. Emma emphasizes the importance of balancing grief with your everyday responsibilities, drawing from her experience of managing h...
Nov 28, 2023•30 min•Season 19Ep. 20
Zibby interviews Cara Natterson, MD, and Vanessa Kroll Bennett, authors of THIS IS SO AWKWARD: MODERN PUBERTY EXPLAINED . They discuss their motivation for writing the book, aiming to empower parents, teachers, and other adults in guiding kids through puberty. The book covers more than typical puberty topics, delving into sports, eating behaviors, and mental health. Zibby praises the book's comprehensive approach and its usefulness in her own parenting. Both authors emphasize the importance of o...
Nov 27, 2023•33 min•Season 19Ep. 19
Guest host Julie Chavez interviews author Rochelle B. Weinstein about her seventh book, WHAT YOU DO TO ME, which features a dual timeline and explores themes of love, nostalgia, and the impact of parental choices. Rochelle discusses her process of weaving music into her storytelling, revealing how she secured lyric approval from Tom Higgenson of Plain White T's for the book. The conversation delves into the challenges and joys of writing, the importance of music in storytelling, and the emotiona...
Nov 26, 2023•31 min•Season 19Ep. 18
Zibby interviews bestselling author Karma Brown about WHAT WILD WOMEN DO , a dual-timeline story revolving around a modern-day screenwriter and a 1970s socialite-turned-feminist. The novel explores female ambition, social media dynamics, and the complexities of personal relationships. Brown discusses her own experiences with aging, social media, and writing, highlighting the importance of being present in one's life. She also talks about the therapeutic aspect of writing and the importance of be...
Nov 25, 2023•29 min•Season 19Ep. 17
Guest host Alisha Fernandez Miranda interviews bestselling author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie about her first children's book, MAMA'S SLEEPING SCARF , a tender story about a little girl’s love for her mother’s scarf. Chimamanda reflects on the challenges of parenting, from instilling manners to managing social media exposure. She also shares her experiences as a writer, including taking a break after motherhood and working on a new novel after a decade. She concludes with advice for aspiring writer...
Nov 24, 2023•29 min•Season 19Ep. 16
Zibby interviews William Kent Krueger about his novel THE RIVER WE REMEMBER , a dazzling, instant New York Times bestseller. Krueger shares insights into his writing process, the inspiration behind his work, and the importance of the setting as a character. This novel, which is set in 1958 Minnesota, revolves around a mysterious murder in a small town, but its deeper themes explore the impacts of war and the quest for healing. Krueger, not a Minnesota native, describes his profound connection to...
Nov 23, 2023•26 min•Season 19Ep. 15
Zibby interviews debut author Amanda Peters about her award-winning novel, THE BERRY PICKERS. The story, influenced by Peters' Mi’kmaq heritage, revolves around a family from Nova Scotia who travels to Maine each summer for blueberry picking and the four-year-old daughter who goes missing from the fields. The novel, which took four years to complete, was part of her Peters' MFA program. Now an associate professor, she emphasizes the importance of perseverance and feedback in writing. Finally, th...
Nov 22, 2023•20 min•Season 19Ep. 14
Zibby interviews Stephanie Kramer about her book CARRY STRONG: AN EMPOWERED APPROACH TO NAVIGATING PREGNANCY AND WORK. Stephanie explores the complexities of balancing pregnancy with a professional career, based on extensive research and interviews. The discussion delves into societal pressures and the need for supportive work environments, with Stephanie sharing her own experience of writing the book amidst her busy life. The episode underscores the importance of support and dialogue for women ...
Nov 21, 2023•27 min•Season 19Ep. 13
Terri discusses the book's unique format, which explores two "what-if" scenarios from the perspectives of characters Sarah and Leo, involving a school dance and a love triangle. She shares how she blends personal experiences with imagination and explains her writing process, which involves drafting in a Word document, indicating artwork in red type, and then adding sketches and final artwork. Zibby's children, who are fans of the series, ask Terri about character names, book titles, and potentia...
Nov 20, 2023•27 min•Season 19Ep. 12
Zibby interviews New York Times bestselling author Jean Kwok about her evocative new novel, THE LEFTOVER WOMAN . Jean shares her gratitude for Zibby's influence in the publishing world and delves into the novel's plot, which revolves around two mothers connected by China's One Child Policy. The episode explores themes of maternal love, sacrifice, and the complexities of adoption. Jean discusses her writing process, including how personal experiences and research influenced the characters, and al...
Nov 19, 2023•28 min•Season 19Ep. 11
Stephanie Land discusses her memoir CLASS: A MEMOIR OF MOTHERHOOD, HUNGER, AND HIGHER EDUCATION , which continues her journey from MAID, focusing on her senior year of college and her daughter's start in kindergarten. She shares her evolution as a writer under the guidance of her MFA teacher Debra, emphasizing the power of storytelling and exploring themes of resilience amidst poverty. Stephanie also touches on personal challenges, including her husband's late autism diagnosis, her experiences w...
Nov 18, 2023•28 min•Season 19Ep. 10
Zibby interviews comedian Sarah Cooper about her hilariously revealing debut memoir, FOOLISH: TALES OF ASSIMILATION, DETERMINATION, AND HUMILIATION . Sarah reflects on her viral internet fame, her identity, race, and Jamaican heritage, and the power of finding humor in everyday situations. She also shares her desire to bring joy to people's lives and her journey to finding power from within herself rather than through external validation. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3SYfAyv Share, rate,...
Nov 17, 2023•29 min•Season 19Ep. 9
Zibby interviews award-winning writer Morgan Baker about EMPTYING THE NEST , a tender and beautifully written memoir about the tough goodbyes (like her daughter leaving for college) that shifted her identity. Morgan speaks candidly about her emotional journey, the intertwining of family life with writing, and how she copes with change and loss. She and Zibby exchanged personal coping strategies, and then Morgan offers advice to writers, emphasizing not giving up and the value of feedback. The ep...
Nov 16, 2023•27 min•Season 19Ep. 8
Zibby is joined by Sarah Gelman (Editorial Director at Amazon Books) to discuss the ten best books of the year as selected by the @amazonbooks review team! Want to know which ones they picked?! Tune in! Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Nov 15, 2023•22 min•Season 19Ep. 7
Zibby chats with Golden Globe and Emmy Award-winning screenwriter and director Cindy Chupack about WE WAITED FOR YOU , a beautiful picture book that celebrates the moment a child and parent form a family. The two discuss Cindy's literary journey and the impact her 2004 essay collection, T HE BETWEEN BOYFRIENDS BOOK , had on readers, including Zibby herself. Cindy also reflects on her divorce, the challenges of infertility, and the emotional journey of adopting her daughter. She even describes a ...
Nov 15, 2023•29 min•Season 19Ep. 6
Zibby Books author alert! Zibby interviews esteemed trauma therapist Meghan Riordan Jarvis about her poignant and vulnerable new memoir, END OF THE HOUR . The two discuss their shared experiences with loss and the supportive community they found through a book club. Meghan's book stems from her own profound grief after losing her father to cancer and her mother unexpectedly two years later. The conversation also touches on Meghan's professional perspective on grief, and she reveals how writing t...
Nov 14, 2023•35 min•Season 19Ep. 5
Kristen Ness joins Zibby to discuss her captivating and clever new novel, AT LOGGERHEADS . Kristen shares her lifelong passion for marine biology and how a sea turtle sighting inspired this book, which took a decade to write. She also delves into her novel's themes (from family dynamics to political intrigue), her literary influences (@maryalicemonoe and @patconroyliterarycenter), and her current work on a suspense novel involving puffer fish toxins. Ultimately, she encourages aspiring writers t...
Nov 13, 2023•27 min•Season 19Ep. 4
Kerri Maher joins Zibby to discuss her dramatic, thought-provoking, and inspiring new novel, ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS CALL , which draws inspiration from the real-life Jane Collective, the underground women’s health organization of the 70s that offered reproductive counseling and safe illegal abortions. The two talk about the complexities of women's health issues, historical authenticity, and marital relationships. Maher also describes her writing journey, from numerous unpublished manuscripts to f...
Nov 12, 2023•27 min•Season 19Ep. 3
Zibby hosts Lisa Niver to discuss Lisa's book, BRAVE-ISH: ONE BREAKUP, SIX CONTINENTS, AND FEELING FEARLESS AFTER FIFTY . The conversation delves into Lisa's transformative journey post-divorce, including her adventures across continents, overcoming physical challenges, and gaining a deeper self-understanding. They also touch on the importance of a supportive community, embracing change, and Lisa's insights for aspiring writers. Towards the end, they share light-hearted exchanges about their per...
Nov 11, 2023•33 min•Season 19Ep. 2
Zibby Owens hosts Lindsey Jacobellis to discuss her deeply personal new memoir, UNFORGIVING: LESSONS FROM THE FALL . They talk about the pressure athletes face and the relentless scrutiny their performance undergoes. Lindsey also describes the resilience, personal growth, and love for the sport that kept her going despite facing numerous injuries and public scrutiny, especially concerning a small stumble during the Olympics which cost her the gold medal. They also touch on the supportive role he...
Nov 10, 2023•27 min•Season 19Ep. 1
Zibby and Davon Loeb discuss his memoir, which tells the story of a biracial boy becoming a man while trying to find himself, trying to come to terms with his white Jewish family, and trying to find his place in American society. The two discuss Davon's lyrical prose and his various life stages and identities. Their conversation also touches on writing techniques, the significance of authentic character portrayal, and Loeb's hopes for his work to inspire discussions in classrooms. Through engagi...
Nov 09, 2023•24 min•Season 18Ep. 100
Zibby interviews Jessica Knoll about BRIGHT YOUNG WOMEN , the utterly absorbing, blisteringly paced, instant New York Times bestseller about two women who are brought together by violent acts of the same man and become allies as they pursue justice. Jessica shares her research process, which involved delving into the 1970s era through magazines, touches on the importance of victim's rights, and describes the evolution and the challenges of her writing process. The conversation reveals the meticu...
Nov 08, 2023•28 min•Season 18Ep. 99
Zibby welcomes Carrie Berk to discuss her book, MY REAL-LIFE ROM COM: HOW TO BUILD CONFIDENCE AND WRITE YOUR OWN RELATIONSHIP RULES . Carrie shares the book's inception during the pandemic, aiming to provide relatable dating advice for her generation, unlike the outdated guidance from older publications. She highlights the importance of self-love, learned through her anxiety journey, as a foundation for meaningful relationships. Carrie also delves into the challenges of dating as a social media ...
Nov 07, 2023•31 min•Season 18Ep. 98
Zibby hosts Matt Gutman to discuss his book, NO TIME TO PANIC . Matt shares his 25-year journey with panic attacks and the quest for relief, delving into various treatments, including pharmaceuticals and psychedelics like ketamine. The discussion extends to how anxiety is embedded in human evolution, making it a normal part of the human experience. Matt reflects on the societal lack of understanding and self-diagnos Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3QmAR1B Share, rate, & review the podca...
Nov 06, 2023•27 min•Season 18Ep. 97
Zibby speaks with rising literary star John Manuel Arias about his lush and atmospheric new novel, WHERE THERE WAS FIRE . They talk about the intricacies of familial bonds, the haunting shadows of historical transgressions, and the poetic narrative that bridges the past with the present, set against the unforgiving backdrop of Costa Rica. John shares the profound influence of women in his life, the dance between personal and collective history, and the compelling journeys of characters grappling...
Nov 05, 2023•24 min•Season 18Ep. 96
Zibby interviews bestselling author Alexandra Potter about CONFESSIONS OF A FORTY-SOMETHING F**K UP, a hilarious and heartwarming novel about the highs and lows of having to start over in your forties. Through heartfelt anecdotes, the two discuss midlife challenges, societal expectations, and the role of humor and camaraderie in confronting life's uncertainties. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3QKyCXe Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens ! Hosted ...
Nov 04, 2023•33 min•Season 18Ep. 95
