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
May 6, 2025 • 27min
Tinx, HOTTER IN THE HAMPTONS
What could be steamier than a summer of fashion, frolicking, and fun in the Hamptons?! When one influencer is cancelled, she moves out east for the summer, only to find out her neighbor is the journalist is the one who canceled her! And wait until you read what comes next. Want to see Tinx and Zibby in conversation?! Here's the video on YouTube! Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3GSCEdGShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 5, 2025 • 32min
Jennifer Weiner, THE GRIFFIN SISTERS' GREATEST HITS: A Novel
In this special episode (a live event at the Streicker Center!), Zibby is joined by #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Weiner to discuss THE GRIFFIN SISTERS’ GREATEST HITS, a deeply moving family saga set against the glitz and chaos of early 2000s pop stardom. In front of an enthusiastic audience, the two discuss the novel’s themes of fame, secrets, sisterhood, and the price of talent, delving into the dark side of celebrity culture. Jennifer also reflects thoughtfully on music, body image, motherhood, neurodiversity, women’s experiences, and her Jewish identity. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/44PHlPuShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 2, 2025 • 25min
Totally Booked: LIVE! Debbie Millman, LOVE LETTER TO A GARDEN
Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby is joined by award-winning artist, designer, and host of the podcast Design Matters, Debbie Millman, to discuss LOVE LETTER TO A GARDEN, her beautifully illustrated gem of a book with recipes by her wife, Roxane Gay. Together, they explore Debbie’s unlikely journey into gardening and how it became a powerful metaphor for healing, growth, peace, and transformation. She also shares the personal stories that shaped her creative life, touching on moments of love, loss, resilience, and joy.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4di1Si5Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
May 1, 2025 • 22min
Lisa Rappaport, PARENTING DYSLEXIA: A Comprehensive Guide to Helping Kids Develop Confidence, Combat Shame, and Achieve Their True Potential
Zibby is joined by licensed psychologist and dyslexia expert Dr. Lisa Rappaport to discuss PARENTING DYSLEXIA, a compassionate guide to help parents and others support dyslexic learners of all ages. Lisa shares her journey, from nearly dropping out of high school due to undiagnosed dyslexia to earning a PhD. Together, they reflect on the emotional toll of learning struggles, the shame that can surround them, and the transformative power of support, humor, and perseverance. With candid stories and actionable advice, this one’s a must-listen for parents navigating similar challenges!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4lVR8K2Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 30, 2025 • 22min
David Denby, EMINENT JEWS: Bernstein, Brooks, Friedan, Mailer
New York Times bestselling author, veteran film critic, and New Yorker staff writer David Denby chats with Zibby about EMINENT JEWS, which profiles Leonard Bernstein, Mel Brooks, Betty Friedan, and Norman Mailer. The conversation spans from Denby’s early years under the mentorship of Pauline Kael to his decades-long career at The New Yorker, before diving into the cultural impact and complex legacies of the book’s four iconic Jewish figures. Along the way, they discuss the evolution of Jewish identity in American media, the legacy of Bernstein as portrayed in Bradley Cooper’s Maestro, Mel Brooks’ fearless comedy, and what it means to reclaim the word "Jew."Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/42QJ84lShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 29, 2025 • 27min
Lisa A. Phillips, FIRST LOVE: Guiding Teens Through Relationships and Heartbreak
Zibby chats with professor and award-winning journalist Lisa A. Phillips about her new book, FIRST LOVE: Guiding Teens Through Relationships and Heartbreak. Lisa delves into how parents can support their teens through first crushes, breakups, and young love, emphasizing the importance of validating teens’ feelings and offering practical strategies to help them heal, from setting social media boundaries to finding healthy distractions. She also touches on the science behind heartbreak and the addictive nature of romantic love.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4lPVUbXShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 28, 2025 • 23min
Melissa Wirt, I WAS TOLD THERE'D BE A VILLAGE: Transforming Motherhood Through the Power of Connection
Writer, entrepreneur, and founder of Latched Mama, Melissa Wirt, joins Zibby to discuss I WAS TOLD THERE’D BE A VILLAGE, a wise, honest, and heartening roadmap for finding and building your village—and transforming oppressive, solitary motherhood into a connected and joyful experience. Melissa shares the deeply personal story behind her book, from building a thriving online community for moms to confronting her own loneliness while raising six children on a farm. Together, they discuss the science of connection, the silent epidemic of maternal isolation, and practical frameworks like the “Three E’s” of engineering connection. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4cM4btcShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 25, 2025 • 23min
Owen Lewis, A PRAYER OF SIX WINGS
Zibby interviews award-winning poet and psychiatrist Owen Lewis about A PRAYER OF SIX WINGS, a masterful, moving, and timely collection written in the wake of the October 7th attacks in Israel. Owen reflects on the heartbreak of watching global antisemitism resurge, the personal anguish of having family in Israel, and the urgent need to record this moment through poetry. He and Zibby talk about how, interwoven with headlines, personal stories, and lyrical snapshots of grief and resilience, Owen’s poems bear witness to a year of trauma and hope.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4lN9AV6Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 24, 2025 • 27min
Casey Sherman, BLOOD IN THE WATER: The Untold Story of a Family Tragedy
New York Times bestselling author Casey Sherman joins Zibby to discuss BLOOD IN THE WATER, a gripping, cinematic, jaw-dropping crime tale of greed, wealth, suspicion, and revenge, perfect for anyone who was fascinated by the Murdaugh murders. Casey delves into the twisted, real-life story of Nathan Carman, a man accused of murdering his mother and grandfather for a $50 million inheritance. He unravels the shocking layers of the years-long investigation, including a mysterious disappearance at sea and a wealthy family with secrets. They also explore the emotional heart of true crime storytelling, Casey’s personal connection to violence through the Boston Strangler case, and his upcoming Hollywood adaptations.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jJBmQpShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 23, 2025 • 31min
Annie B. Jones, ORDINARY TIME: Lessons Learned While Staying Put
Zibby chats with indie bookstore owner and host of the popular From the Front Porch podcast, Annie B. Jones, about her earnest, graceful, and beautifully written new book, ORDINARY TIME: Lessons Learned While Staying Put. Annie shares her journey from journalist to beloved bookseller in Thomasville, GA, and describes the unexpected beauty she’s found in staying rooted and building a quiet life, challenging the idea that loud lives matter most. Then, she delves into her reflections on small-town life, motherhood, friendship, introversion, and the transformative power of books.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jEs8oCShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
