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
Apr 8, 2025 • 30min
Jessica N. Turner, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER THAN THIS: Rise from Disappointment, Regain Control, and Rebuild a Life You Love
Zibby interviews content creator, speaker, and bestselling author Jessica N. Turner about I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE BETTER THAN THIS, a manifesto of hope that will empower you to transform your circumstances and move forward with intention and purpose. Jessica shares the inspiration behind this book—navigating the unexpected end of her 16-year marriage after her husband came out as gay and learning to grieve, heal, and rediscover herself. She and Zibby reflect on friendship, resilience, body image, and the power of self-love, and Jessica offers practical, compassionate advice for anyone navigating an unexpected turn.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jk6l5gShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 7, 2025 • 26min
Jayne Mattingly, THIS IS BODY GRIEF: Making Peace with the Loss That Comes with Living in a Body
Disability advocate, eating disorder recovery coach, and debut author Jayne Mattingly chats with Zibby about THIS IS BODY GRIEF, a groundbreaking guide to mourning and accepting one’s ever-changing body. Jayne shares her experience of becoming disabled after a rare neurological diagnosis, navigating 19 brain and spine surgeries and a total hysterectomy, and grappling with the emotional toll of losing the body she once knew. Together, they explore the concept of “body grief”—a universal experience that touches those facing illness, aging, disability, eating disorders, and more. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RGs23HShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 4, 2025 • 27min
Jacqueline Friedland, COUNTING BACKWARDS
Zibby welcomes back author Jacqueline Friedland to discuss COUNTING BACKWARDS, a bold, gripping, and timely dual-timeline novel about how women’s bodies have been used against them in American society, both past and present. The book follows a young attorney who takes on a pro bono immigration case, only to uncover a shocking pattern of medical abuse at a detention center. Jaqueline shares the real-life inspirations behind the story, including her background as a lawyer and her deep fascination with the history of eugenics. The conversation also dives into the novel’s exploration of marriage, infertility, trauma, and personal resilience.Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3G47YWsShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 3, 2025 • 23min
Meredith Turits, JUST WANT YOU HERE
Debut novelist Meredith Turits joins Zibby to discuss JUST WANT YOU HERE, a riveting, honest, and incisive novel about love, lust, self-discovery, and the complications of youth. Meredith reveals the inspiration behind her protagonist, Ari, who navigates heartbreak, an impulsive move to Boston, and a complicated entanglement with her boss and his wife. She also reflects on her unexpected career path (she was the founding editor of Bustle!), her ten-year journey to publication, and the novel that almost was.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RCjT09Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 2, 2025 • 23min
Tess Sanchez, WE'VE DECIDED TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION: Essays
Zibby chats with former casting executive Tess Sanchez (who is married to actor and past podcast guest Max Greenfield!) about WE’VE DECIDED TO GO IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION, a moving and witty essay collection about career upheaval, identity, and resilience. Tess reflects on a pivotal two-year period in her life that was filled with unexpected setbacks. She opens up about the shock of losing a career that had defined her for two decades, the struggle to reframe her sense of self beyond work, and the unexpected humor that emerged from this moment of crisis. She also touches on her experience navigating her father’s aphasia and Alzheimer’s diagnosis—and how grief and humor often exist side by side.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3FQRSiVShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Apr 1, 2025 • 25min
John Kenney, I SEE YOU'VE CALLED IN DEAD: A Novel
Zibby Publishing author alert! Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling and Thurber Prize-winning author John Kenney to discuss his razor-sharp, darkly comedic, and emotionally piercing new novel, I SEE YOU’VE CALLED IN DEAD. John delves into the story, which follows an obituary writer who accidentally publishes his own death notice, sparking chaos and unexpected self-discovery. John shares the deeply personal inspiration behind this book, touching on loss, the complexities of grief, and how humor helps us navigate life’s toughest moments. The conversation also delves into male friendship, office culture, and the impact of writing. With wit and warmth, John and Zibby explore what it means to truly live while grappling with loss.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41UiCYzShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 31, 2025 • 21min
Sarah Harman, ALL THE OTHER MOTHERS HATE ME
Journalist turned novelist Sarah Harman joins Zibby to discuss her biting, twisty, utterly delightful thriller, ALL THE OTHER MOTHERS HATE ME, which follows a washed-up girl band star turned reluctant mom detective at the center of a missing child investigation. Sarah talks about her unconventional writing process, the challenges of creating an unlikable yet relatable protagonist, and balancing creative ambition and motherhood. She also talks about the pressures of “Plan B” careers, her experience adapting her book for FX, and the eternal question of what it really means to be a “good mom.”Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4cdEUImShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 28, 2025 • 20min
Jenny Fielding, VENTURE EVERYWHERE: Travel, Entrepreneurship and a Roadmap for Life
Zibby interviews Jenny Fielding, one of the most active global pre-seed investors, about her new book, VENTURE EVERYWHERE. Jenny shares her experiences traveling to over 100 countries to profile global entrepreneurs who are starting innovative companies far from Silicon Valley’s spotlight. She explores the entrepreneurial archetypes, from bold risk-takers to resilient thinkers, and then shares her unconventional path—from JP Morgan to launching her first startup inspired by the high cost of international calls. She offers practical advice on pursuing big ideas incrementally, making space for innovation even while juggling a day job. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/42j9T24Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 27, 2025 • 28min
Sonya Walger, LION
British-American actress, writer, and podcaster Sonya Walger joins Zibby to discuss LION, a stunning autobiographical novel full of drama, love, and tragedy. Together, they explore the blurred line between fiction and reality, with Sonya describing her book as “a work of fiction in which everything happened.” She shares poignant stories of her charismatic, risk-taking father—once a Formula One driver, polo player, and skydiver—and reflects on how he shaped her own parenting, choices, and identity. She talks about memory, family, her marriage, writing as a way to detangle personal truths, and the chaos of losing her home shortly after this book’s release. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3FD0rxVShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Mar 26, 2025 • 28min
Tamron Hall, HARLEM HONEY: The Adventures of a Curious Kid
Emmy Award-winning television host, veteran journalist, and bestselling author Tamron Hall returns to the podcast to discuss her delightful children’s book, HARLEM HONEY: The Adventure of a Curious Kid. Inspired by Tamron’s real-life son and his adventure visiting Harlem’s most iconic spots, the book’s protagonist navigates a bustling new neighborhood. Zibby and Tamron discuss the themes of patience, presence, curiosity, and the power of slowing down and appreciating first-time experiences.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4j5JCtTShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
