Totally Booked with Zibby
Zibby Owens
Hi! I'm Zibby Owens, host of Totally Booked with Zibby (formerly Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books). In my daily show, I interview today’s latest, bestselling, buzziest, or underrated authors and story creators whose work I think is worth your time. As a bookstore owner, publisher, author and (obviously) podcaster, I get a comprehensive look at everything that’s coming out and spend my time curating the best books so you don’t have to. Stay in the know, get insider insights, and connect with guests like I do. Every single day.FYI, my show has won many awards! It was one of Oprah's top literary podcasts - twice! - and has been downloaded 15 million+ times. With 2,000+ episodes to choose from, you'll never run out of book talk. For more information, go to zibbymedia.com and follow me on Instagram at @zibbyowens. If you love the show, please rate and review it. And go buy the books!(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
15 snips
Feb 27, 2025 • 31min
Maggie Smith, DEAR WRITER: Pep Talks & Practical Advice for the Creative Life
Maggie Smith, an award-winning New York Times bestselling author, discusses her latest book, offering pep talks and practical advice for aspiring writers. She delves into the journey of writing, sharing insights from her two decades of teaching. The conversation highlights the complexities of creativity, emphasizing the need to silence your inner critic and nurture delicate ideas. Smith encourages writers to embrace their unique voices, pointing out that vulnerability is a crucial part of the creative process.
Feb 26, 2025 • 21min
Marie Benedict, THE QUEENS OF CRIME: A Novel
New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict returns to the podcast to discuss THE QUEENS OF CRIME, a smart, biting, page-turning delight about the lengths to which five talented women writers (including Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sawyers) will go to be taken seriously in the male-dominated world of letters—and how they solve a mystery torn from the pages of their own novels. Marie explains how these real-life literary icons banded together to solve an actual murder, delving into the masks women must wear to survive… Then, she teases her next book, which explores ancient Egypt, archaeology, and a forgotten female pharaoh.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41lJcsaShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 25, 2025 • 24min
Chelsea Handler, I'LL HAVE WHAT SHE'S HAVING
Writer, comedian, producer, TV host, activist, and author of six consecutive New York Times bestsellers, Chelsea Handler, chats with Zibby about her latest book, I’LL HAVE WHAT SHE’S HAVING, a surprisingly vulnerable, utterly hilarious, and always outrageous essay collection that captures her exhilarating, antic-filled, and joyful life. Chelsea delves into her unique takes on relationships, independence and solitude, and handling criticism. She also shares unforgettable life moments, from a transformative encounter with Jane Fond to skiing in Whistler to an unexpected visit to Kennebunkport, where three edibles helped her keep her cool!Chelsea’s book, I’ll Have What She’s Having is available now at chelseahandler.com/bookShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 24, 2025 • 24min
Charmaine Wilkerson, GOOD DIRT: A Novel
Bestselling author Charmaine Wilkerson returns to the podcast to discuss her engrossing, beautifully imagined new family saga, GOOD DIRT. Charmaine delves into the story of Ebby Freeman, a woman seeking solace in France after a personal tragedy, only to find that her past is inescapable. Charmaine reveals how history, heirlooms, and identity shape Ebby’s journey and how the novel intertwines multiple perspectives—including those of ancestors, neighbors, and unexpected voices. She and Zibby also explore themes of trauma and resilience while reflecting on the deeply emotional and thought-provoking one-liners that punctuate the novel.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4ici6KRShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 21, 2025 • 28min
Rebecca Minkoff, FEARLESS: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success
Luxury fashion mogul and social activist Rebecca Minkoff joins Zibby to celebrate the paperback release of her USA Today bestseller, FEARLESS: The New Rules for Unlocking Creativity, Courage, and Success. Rebecca shares her journey as an entrepreneur, from near business failures to unexpected triumphs, and the constant evolution required to stay afloat. She reflects on her resilience, risk-taking, and adaptability—not just in business but in relationships, parenting, and life, touching on her unconventional upbringing, her journey to finding love, and the delicate balance between motherhood and career.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3EJqbYKShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 20, 2025 • 23min
Taylor Hutton, STRIKE AND BURN
Zibby is joined by writing duo 'Taylor Hutton' (the pseudonym used by bestselling authors Adele Griffin and Julie Buxbaum!) to discuss STRIKE AND BURN, a seductive, devastating, and unputdownable dark romance. The two share how their friendship—originally set up by author Sarah Mlynowski—evolved into a collaborative writing partnership and an unexpected dive into dark romance (or… “traumantasy”). They delve into their unique writing process, the freedom of writing under a pseudonym, and how their book explores trauma, love, and healing.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ELgusUShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 19, 2025 • 25min
Bonny Reichert, HOW TO SHARE AN EGG: A True Story of Hunger, Love, and Plenty
Bonny Reichert—chef, award-winning journalist, and daughter of a Holocaust survivor—joins Zibby to discuss HOW TO SHARE AN EGG, a transformative, beautifully written culinary memoir about the relationship between food, family, sustenance, and survival. Bonny shares how growing up in the shadow of her father’s Holocaust survival shaped her identity and how food became the vehicle for telling his story. She describes the power of recreating lost family recipes, the emotional challenges of writing about trauma, and the ordinary struggles of life—parenting, loss, and reinvention.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4130CJQShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 18, 2025 • 21min
Cynthia Weiner, A GORGEOUS EXCITEMENT: A Novel
Zibby interviews debut author Cynthia Weiner about A GORGEOUS EXCITEMENT, a dazzling, chillingly compelling coming-of-age story about 18-year-old Nina Jacobs’ summer of infinite possibility in 1980s Manhattan, inspired by the author’s teen years and real-life acquaintance with the Preppy Killer. Cynthia talks about her personal connection to the case, her experiences growing up in the preppy Upper East Side social scene, and how she wove themes of longing, identity, and vulnerability into her novel. She also delves into the impact of parental presence, the euphoria and danger of young love, and the pressures of fitting in. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4aXWcbEShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 17, 2025 • 29min
Raphael Shore, WHO'S AFRAID OF THE BIG, BAD JEW: Learning to Love the Lessons of Jew-Hatred
Acclaimed filmmaker and human rights activist Rabbi Raphael Shore chats with Zibby about WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG, BAD JEW, a bold, eye-opening exploration of the world’s oldest consistent form of hatred: antisemitism. Rabbi Shore shares his personal journey—from growing up in a secular Jewish family in Canada to discovering a profound connection to Judaism in Israel. He challenges conventional explanations of antisemitism, explores Hitler’s ideology, and flips the narrative to highlight the strength, mission, and enduring impact of the Jewish people.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4b3J8BxShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Feb 14, 2025 • 28min
Dr. Alexandra Sowa, THE OZEMPIC REVOLUTION: A Doctor's Proven Plan for Success to Help You Reverse Obesity, End Yo-Yo Dieting, and Protect Yourself from Disease
Dr. Alexandra Sowa, a trailblazer in obesity medicine, joins Zibby to discuss her groundbreaking new book, THE OZEMPIC REVOLUTION, and the life-changing impact of GLP-1 medications on weight loss, metabolic health, and overall well-being. They dive into the history of these drugs, their growing list of medical applications, and the challenges of affordability and accessibility. Zibby shares her personal experience with the medication, and they explore the psychological shifts that come with appetite suppression, including how to redefine pleasure beyond food. Dr. Sowa also highlights the need to address systemic weight bias and rethink obesity as a biological—not willpower-based—condition.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Xoe8qzShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
