Totally Booked with Zibby

Cartoonist Denise Dorrance discusses her graphic memoir 'POLAR VORTEX' capturing the chaos of caring for her ailing mother in Iowa during a literal polar vortex. She explores elder care complexities, family dynamics, and her evolution as an artist, making emotional decisions and sharing her creative process.

Zibby chats with Korean American writer and comedian Suzanne Park about ONE LAST WORD, a smart and breezy romp brimming with pitch-perfect humor, endearing insights, and lovably relatable characters. They delve into the novel's plot, which revolves around a new app that lets you send messages to anyone you want after you die… and the craziness that ensues for the protagonist when someone with the same name dies and her messages get mistakenly released. They also discuss VC funding bias and workplace dynamics. Finally, Suzanne describes her writing journey, from stand-up comedy to novel writing.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Jf1vXlShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (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.

Author Lisa Grunwald joins Zibby to discuss THE EVOLUTION OF ANNABEL CRAIG, a sensitive and poignant novel about a young Southern woman who sets out on a journey of self-discovery after both her parents die, as the infamous 1925 Scopes Trial tests her faith and her marriage. Lisa delves into the significance of the Scopes “Monkey Trial” for her protagonist and for present-day society. She also touches on various aspects of writing historical fiction, from extensive research to authentic character development. Finally, she talks about her life with multiple sclerosis and the ways it influences her writing.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/43RE9QMShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (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.

Zibby speaks to author Lissa Soep about OTHER PEOPLE’S WORDS: Friendship, Loss, and the Conversations that Never End, an intimate, original, and profoundly generous look at the power of language to nurture our lives amid the wreckage of grief. Lisa shares the stories of her friends Christine and Jonnie, whose early and unexpected deaths deeply impacted her, and how she found solace in their words and memories. She and Zibby discuss the intricacies of friendship, the ways in which language keeps loved ones close after they’re gone, and the journey of publishing this deeply sentimental book.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4ar9z2RShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (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.

Award-winning author Nell Freudenberger discusses 'THE LIMITS', a novel focusing on deep ocean research, unique family dynamics, and relationships under pressure during the pandemic. She shares her scuba-diving experience for authenticity and reflects on her own parenting journey. The conversation touches on themes of science, step-parenting, and personal transformations.

Zibby is joined by cooking school owner and author Jane Bertch to discuss THE FRENCH INGREDIENT, the inspiring and delicious memoir of an American woman navigating innumerable cultural differences to build a life in Paris and open her cooking school, La Cuisine Paris. Jane delves into the challenges of opening her business (and triumphing over French naysayers!) and navigating several other personal and professional obstacles while living abroad. She also discusses the importance of community, the significance of food in connecting people from different backgrounds, and her journey as a writer. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4ajfY09Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (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.

James Rhee, a high school teacher, Harvard Law graduate, private equity investor, and the unexpected Chairman and CEO of Ashley Stewart, joins Zibby to discuss RED HELICOPTER—A PARABLE FOR OUR TIMES: Lead Change With Kindness (Plus a Little Math), a brilliant business handbook that elevates kindness, joy, and goodwill. James shares what he learned from his Korean immigrant parents and from the black women he worked with. He reflects on the challenges faced by Ashley Stewart, weaving in themes of race, gender, and systemic barriers. He also touches on grief and the importance of embracing emotions in the workplace.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3PT1tbiShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (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.

Neely Tubati Alexander returns to the podcast, this time to discuss IN A NOT SO PERFECT WORLD, a delightful Carribbean-set romp about a quirky video-game designer and the hot next-door neighbor who invites her on a luxurious vacation… to pose as his new girlfriend. Neely talks about the romance genre (and all the fun tropes!), her creative process (and the challenges of crafting dialogue and picking the perfect word!), the evolving landscape of publishing, and the impact of TikTok on book sales. She also offers valuable advice for writers seeking to connect with others and navigate the publishing industry. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/49qR9OwShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (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.

Great American novelist Julia Alvarez, bestselling author of HOW THE GARCÍA GIRLS LOST THEIR ACCENTS, joins Zibby to discuss her luminescent and lyrical new novel, THE CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES. Julia describes her book as a journey through an older writer’s mind as she grapples with the end of her career and all the untold stories within her. She shares some of the inspirations behind the story—from her own ritual of burying manuscripts to the cultural influences of her Dominican heritage. She also delves into the topics of aging, cancel culture, and the necessity of maintaining joy and authenticity in the writing process.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3VJQSmvShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (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.

Award-winning writer Carys Davies joins Zibby to discuss CLEAR, a stunning, exquisite novel about an impoverished Scottish minister who is dispatched to a remote island to “clear” the last remaining inhabitant… who has no intention of leaving. Carys reveals how a chance encounter with an extinct language dictionary ignited the spark for CLEAR over a decade ago and then discusses the profound impact of early photography, the extinction of the Norn language, and the socio-political landscape of 19th-century Scotland. She also describes her writing process and shares valuable advice for aspiring authors.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3VJNd8wShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (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.