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Totally Booked with Zibby

For nearly a decade, Totally Booked with Zibby has been one of publishing’s premier podcasts and a regular stop on book tours for today’s biggest authors. Hosted by bestselling author, bookstore owner, and publisher Zibby Owens, the show has featured more than 2,000 conversations with bestselling authors, actors, athletes, chefs, musicians, and entrepreneurs.

Known for her warmth, empathy, and genuine curiosity, Zibby has a gift for asking the questions that lead to unforgettable conversations. What begins with the book leads to talks about creativity, ambition, love, loss, family, resilience, and reinvention. With thousands of episodes and dozens of industry honors, Totally Booked with Zibby reminds us all that talking about books is really talking about life.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Copyright: © Copyright 2018 All rights reserved.

Latest Episodes:

Amy Bloom, I'LL BE RIGHT HERE: A Novel Jun 25, 2025

Show notes

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby interviews New York Times bestselling author Amy Bloom about I’LL BE RIGHT HERE, a sweeping multigenerational story that begins in occupied Paris and spans 50 years. She reflects on her signature themes (family, love, sex, and death), the moral complexity of her writing, and her fascination with found families, marginalized characters, and hidden histories. She also touches on the impact of her memoir, IN LOVE, which tells the story of her late husband’s Alzheimer’s and death.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3IaM7h4

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hannah Brown, THE FOUR ENGAGEMENT RINGS OF SYBIL RAIN Jun 24, 2025

Show notes

Hannah Brown, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author and The Bachelorette star, joins Zibby to discuss her sparkling new rom-com, THE FOUR ENGAGEMENT RINGS OF SYBIL RAIN, which she describes as White Lotus meets Sex and the City meets Mamma Mia. Hannah delves into her novel’s themes of self-worth, identity, love, and embracing one's true self, and then shares how her characters often mirror her own struggles and breakthroughs (oh, and how her real-life romance influenced her fictional love interest!). Finally, she shares her future writing plans for the “core four” friend group, her dreams of adapting the book for film or TV, and what it’s like to launch a book right before her own wedding.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3HMMOgw

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marie Benedict & Courtney Sheinmel, THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY Jun 23, 2025

Show notes

Zibby chats with New York Times bestselling author Marie Benedict and Courtney Sheinmel about THE SECRETS OF LOVELACE ACADEMY, a charming middle-grade novel about a young girl who is plucked from a London orphanage to attend a prestigious boarding school. The duo (set up by their literary agent) describe how they collaborated on this historical adventure where bright girls gain access to the elite education previously reserved for boys, inspired by Mileva Einstein, Albert Einstein’s brilliant but overlooked first wife. They delve into themes of gender equity, lost histories, and how far we’ve come—and haven’t—when it comes to opportunities for women and girls. They also share how they developed a unified voice and hint at future books in the series!

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3HIrqsN

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Virginia Evans, THE CORRESPONDENT: A Novel Jun 22, 2025

Show notes

Bestselling debut author Virginia Evans joins Zibby to discuss THE CORRESPONDENT, a charming, intriguing, and witty novel in the form of letters and emails exchanged by a divorced and retired woman with her friends, family, and foes. Virginia shares the long journey to publication—nearly 20 years and nine novels in the making! She also discusses the power of the epistolary form, the influence of 84, Charing Cross Road, the real-life loss that informed the story’s emotional depth, and the power of finding solace in literature and connection with people we might never meet in person.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4l8aSIW

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elliot Cosgrove, FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS: On Being Jewish Today Jun 21, 2025

Show notes

Zibby is joined by Rabbi Elliot Cosgrove, a leading voice in modern Judaism, to discuss FOR A TIME SUCH AS THIS, a poignant exploration of what it means to be Jewish today. Rabbi Cosgrove shares the urgent circumstances under which the book was written following the October 7th attacks in Israel, and how it explores the complex dynamics of Jewish identity, antisemitism, and solidarity in a time of crisis. The conversation also touches on the renewed sense of communal belonging among Jews worldwide, the moral clarity and challenges that emerged after the attacks, the many faces of antisemitism (overt violence vs. more subtle exclusionary forms), and the rising tensions both outside and within the Jewish community. When asked if he feels hopeful, Rabbi Cosgrove admits it’s difficult in the short and medium terms, but affirms that to be Jewish is to hold on to hope.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jUMslu

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Julia DeVillers, MEET ME AT WONDERLAND Jun 20, 2025

Show notes

Zibby chats with author Julia DeVillers about MEET ME AT WONDERLAND, a charming middle-grade rom-com set at an amusement park, inspired by Julia’s real-life teen job at Chuck E. Cheese and moose-suit meet-cute that changed everything. Julia describes how a life-threating cancer diagnosis in 2022 unexpectedly led to this book’s creation. She also discusses crafting authentic tween and teen voices, writing a dual POV, and the importance of showing strong, supportive relationships. Finally, she shares her personal connection to the On Being Jewish Now anthology and the joy of including a bonus chocolate mousse recipe (courtesy of Allie Rosen) in her novel.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4n6HQey

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elyce Arons, WE MIGHT JUST MAKE IT AFTER ALL: My Best Friendship with Kate Spade Jun 19, 2025

Show notes

Zibby interviews Elyce Arons, the cofounder of Kate Spade and CEO and cofounder of Frances Valentine, about WE JUST MIGHT MAKE IT AFTER ALL, a moving portrait of her decades-long best friendship and business journey with Kate Spade. Elyce describes their early days as broke college students, the scrappy beginnings of their brand, and how they turned a simple handbag idea into a cultural phenomenon and multi-billion-dollar fashion company. She shares how she is honoring Kate’s legacy with Frances Valentine, with vintage-inspired, colorful designs. Finally, she reflects on her resilience in the face of personal and professional challenges, the importance of community and friendship, and how writing this book was a fulfilling and emotional experience.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4nknEX0

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shannon Watts, FIRED UP: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age Jun 18, 2025

Show notes

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby interviews activist and author Shannon Watts about FIRED UP: How to Turn Your Spark into a Flame and Come Alive at Any Age, which chronicles her journey from suburban mom to founder of Moms Demand Action, the nation’s leading grassroots movement for gun safety. Shannon shares how the tragedy at Sandy Hook ignited her activism, the personal cost of taking on the gun lobby, and how she ultimately redefined her own life. Reflecting on her divorce, burnout, and the power of community, she offers a roadmap to help women live more authentically and boldly.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4nbnpgW

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

James Frey, NEXT TO HEAVEN: A Novel Jun 17, 2025

Show notes

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby interviews #1 New York Times bestselling author James Frey about his darkly funny and razor-sharp new novel, NEXT TO HEAVEN. James opens up about writing a book that’s bold, dirty, and wildly entertaining—a murder mystery set in an insulated world of obscene wealth, swingers, and secrets. He discusses the real-life inspiration for his book (his town!) and reveals how people's reactions have ranged from admiration to offense, precisely the kind of impact he aims for. He also delves into his singular style (no quotation marks, no apologies), his views on truth versus fact, and his refusal to play by literary rules. Finally, he reflects on living the life he has always dreamed of—chaotic, creative, and unapologetically his.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3FZjLFV

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leslie Gray Streeter, FAMILY & OTHER CALAMITIES Jun 16, 2025

Show notes

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby interviews award-winning journalist Leslie Gray Streeter about her vibrant and heartfelt new novel, FAMILY AND OTHER CALAMITIES. They reflect on Leslie’s memoir, BLACK WIDOW, which candidly captures the raw, messy early days of widowhood, and then dive into the new novel, touching on themes of loss, regret, second chances, humor, and the way decisions made in youth can reverberate throughout life. Leslie also shares personal stories of grief and how she has embraced her late husband’s Jewish traditions, finding unexpected community and belonging.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3HH8eM0

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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