Totally Booked with Zibby

Zibby interviews award-winning author Hanna Halperin about I Could Live Here Forever, a poignant and brutal novel about an intense, all-consuming relationship between an MFA student and a recovering addict. Hanna shares how her writing is informed by life experiences: her own MFA program and past relationships with the cyclical complexities explored in the novel—intoxicating attraction, low lows, and the struggle for balance. Hanna also details her whirlwind writing process during the early pandemic days. The episode concludes with a discussion of Hanna’s life outside of writing and her advice for aspiring authors.Purchase on Zibby's Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3MyGiK9Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3MklSUaSubscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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 New York Times bestselling author and travel influencer Anna Kloots about her new memoir My Own Magic: A Reappearing Act, the inspiring and resilient story of how she built a dream life out of a seemingly hopeless situation. Anna lost herself in her ex-husband’s world as a magician, molding her own identity around his. She discusses the joy and hopefulness in feeling “lost” but free, as well as the importance of an uplifting community, which she’s found both in real life and on social media. Anna concludes with a glimpse into her current life abroad in Paris and the screenplay adaptation she is co-writing with her sister.Purchase on Zibby's Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3W8tqgYPurchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3M2QWr2Subscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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 is joined by New York Times bestselling author Chasten Buttigieg to discuss I Have Something to Tell You–For Young Adults: A Memoir, a poignant, charming, and joyful adaptation of his bestselling memoir about growing up gay in a small, conservative Midwestern town and slowly learning to embrace his identity. Chasten reveals he wrote the book he wishes he’d had growing up and then shares some of his difficult childhood memories. He also shares his first coming-out story, his experiences connecting with teachers and LGBTQ+ youth on the presidential campaign trail, the joy of being a new dad, and the children’s book he is working on now!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3M6a7R5Subscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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 interviews Academy Award-winning actress Laura Dern and her mom, Hollywood legend Diane Ladd, about Honey, Baby, Mine, an utterly beautiful memoir of the conversations they had after Diane was diagnosed with a life-threatening disease and was prescribed long walks to expand her lung capacity. Thinking she was dying, she opened up and shared intimate stories with her daughter. The two ended up discussing the most personal of topics: love, marriage, secrets, grief, resentment, and ambition. Ultimately, they prove how powerful and eye-opening it is to talk and to really listen to our loved ones. Purchase on Zibby's Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3W4NktdPurchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3W5A2N2Subscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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 award-winning author Emmanuel Iduma about I Am Still With You: A Reckoning with Silence, Inheritance, and History, a powerful, transcendent, and lyrical memoir about his journey through Nigeria as he searches for the truth about his missing uncle. Emmanuel describes the culture shock he experienced when he moved to New York City for his art criticism degree and reveals why he ultimately returned to Nigeria. He also talks about his love of photography, the role that homesickness has played in his life, how he grieved his mother’s death through writing, and the importance of dreams in his culture and life. Purchase on Zibby's Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41kNdehPurchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3HY1GpxSubscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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 is joined by author, craft beer bar owner, and LGBTQ+ advocate Jillian Abby to discuss her humorous and heartwarming new memoir Perfectly Queer: Facing Big Fears, Living Hard Truths, and Loving Myself Fully Out of the Closet. Jillian reveals what it was like to come out as a lesbian at 38 years old after building a life with her husband and two children. Then, she talks about her “twisty turny career” (from CPA to massage therapist to executive storyteller), her perfectionism (and how she manages it), her popular TikTok page, and the surprising book she wants to write next!Purchase on Zibby's Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3VHq3gOPurchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3plyoL9Subscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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 Eliza Minot about In the Orchard, a profoundly personal and masterfully crafted novel about motherhood, modern family, and love, as seen through the life of a young wife and mother on a single day. Eliza reveals what inspired her to write this story–it involves a toilet and the fear of debt. She also describes her journey to writing and publishing this book, which began in 2009 and continued to evolve while she raised four children, taught at a university, enrolled in an MFA program, and survived a pandemic. Finally, she shares the books she loves reading and her best advice for aspiring authors. Purchase on Zibby's Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3O6At8fPurchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41gldIwSubscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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 interviews actor, award-winning travel writer, and New York Times bestselling author Andrew McCarthy about his intimate, poignant, and funny new memoir Walking with Sam: A Father, a Son, and Five Hundred Miles Across Spain. Andrew reveals why he walked across the endless Camino de Santiago with his 19-year-old son: he wanted to have a meaningful relationship with him. He shares all the details of this life-changing experience with Zibby and then discusses his transition from acting to writing and how it all relates to his profound love of travel. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/44GRN9qSubscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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.

In this business meeting-turned-podcast episode, Zibby interviews media executive Michelle D. Hord about The Other Side of Yet: Finding Light in the Midst of Darkness, an earth-shattering but hope-filled memoir about confronting grief with grace and resilience, even after the most devastating of losses–for Michelle, this was the murder of her daughter at the hands of her ex-husband. Michelle shares the details of this incomprehensible tragedy–from finally finalizing a horrible divorce to getting the phone call that shattered her the very next day. Then, she shares how putting pen to paper and working with a trauma therapist saved her life. She found her way and wants her readers to know that joy is possible after the darkest of days.Purchase on Zibby's Bookshop: https://bit.ly/417F38UPurchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3pfVliXSubscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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 is joined by doctor and New York Times bestselling author Abraham Verghese to discuss The Covenant of Water, a dazzling and unforgettable story of love, faith, and medicine that follows three generations of a family navigating a deadly curse in South India. Abraham reveals the inspiration behind this story and discusses the elements that stand out: loss, family, and arranged marriage. He also talks about his career in medicine and explains how it led him to write (it involves a scientific study on HIV, grief, and a spontaneous MFA). Then, he and Zibby discuss the beauty and power of fiction – it lets us escape, grows our empathy, and ultimately reveals fundamental truths and insights about our own lives. The Covenant of Water was just chosen as Oprah's 101st book club pick!Purchase on Zibby's Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ATbXiPPurchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/44uUkDBSubscribe to Zibby's weekly newsletter here.Purchase Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books merch here.** 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.