Totally Booked with Zibby

Latest Episodes:

Jonathan Conyers, I WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE HERE: Finding My Voice, Finding My People, Finding My Way Jan 13, 2024

Show notes

Zibby speaks to Jonathan Conyers about I WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, a courageous and heartwarming memoir about the unique cast of characters who made up his village and helped him rise from poverty, dysfunction, and the tyranny of low expectations. Jonathan opens up about his life trajectory, emphasizes the importance of building a supportive community, and expresses gratitude to those who played a pivotal role in his life. He also talks about his dedication to breaking stereotypes, the emotional process of writing this book, and his future projects (including a potential film adaptation!).

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3tK6ISE

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

Tamika Christy, ROUX Jan 12, 2024

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In this special episode of the podcast (a live event at Zibby’s Bookshop!), Gabi Conti interviews award-winning author Tamika Christy about ROUX, a stunning and challenging novel about three generations of an African American family, and the traumas, secrets, and battles they endure. Tamika discusses her book’s themes, from family dynamics to healing, and then describes her writing process, mainly focusing on character development and maintaining authenticity. After sharing her thoughts on potential adaptations of her book, she answers questions from the audience.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3vqt6Rv

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

Emma Noyes, GUY'S GIRL Jan 11, 2024

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Zibby welcomes Emma Noyes to discuss her adult debut, GUY’S GIRL, a raw and beautifully written story about twenty-somethings Ginny and Adrian as they navigate adulthood and an intoxicating, unexpected love, set against the backdrop of Ginny’s recovery from anorexia and bulimia while navigating life in New York City. Emma opens up about her personal experience with OCD and eating disorders, revealing that her own recovery inspired her novel. She and Zibby discuss the themes of friendship dynamics, young womanhood, misconceptions around eating disorders, and the importance of seeking professional help.

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

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

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

Maria Hummel, GOLDENSEAL Jan 10, 2024

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Maria Hummel joins Zibby to discuss GOLDENSEAL, an utterly inventive novel that burns with atmosphere, mystery, and resentment, as two estranged friends reunite to confront each other. Maria provides insights into her inspiration for the novel (it involves LA's art and hotel culture) and then discusses the themes she enjoyed exploring: aging, loneliness, friendship, and the impact of historical events. She also talks about her creative process, the emotional toll of writing about characters dealing with tragedy, the excitement of her last novel being a Reese’s Book Club pick, and what she is working on next!

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41QePd2

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

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

Julie Chavez, EVERYONE BUT MYSELF: A Memoir Jan 09, 2024

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Zibby Books author alert!! Zibby interviews debut author Julie Chavez about EVERYONE BUT MYSELF, a fresh, tender-hearted, and bitingly funny memoir about a mother who is spread thin by the demands of modern family… and then, little by little, learns to put herself first. Julie describes her exciting journey to becoming a Zibby Books author and then shares her experiences navigating severe anxiety and depression, revealing how the pressure to be a good mother, wife, and professional made her neglect her own well-being. She also touches on her writing process, particularly how she infused humor and wit into her book, and highlights the importance of self-compassion and creating a support network during difficult times.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RN9637

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

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James Patterson, HOLMES, MARPLE & POE + WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN VEGAS: True Stories of the People Who Make Vegas, Vegas + THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS: Their Stories Are Better Than the Bestsellers Jan 08, 2024

Show notes

Literary giant James Patterson joins Zibby (again!) to discuss three of his recent publications: two nonfiction books, THE SECRET LIVES OF BOOKSELLERS AND LIBRARIANS and WHAT REALLY HAPPENS IN VEGAS, and an unputdownable thriller, HOLMES, MARPLE, AND POE. James shares his admiration for booksellers and librarians, highlighting their sense of humor and their bravery in a time of book banning and violent incidents. He recounts anecdotes from all the interviews he conducted (including insights from Judy Blume!). James also describes his upcoming projects and offers his best advice for aspiring authors.

Purchase on Bookshop:

Holmes, Marple & Poe: https://bit.ly/41MyjPD

What Really Happens in Vegas: https://bit.ly/4aJvCm8

The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians: https://bit.ly/3tGnYby

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

Katherine Vaz, ABOVE THE SALT Jan 07, 2024

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Zibby welcomes Portuguese-American author Katherine Vaz to discuss ABOVE THE SALT, an irresistible and sweeping love story that follows two Portuguese refugees who flee religious violence and reignite their budding romance in Civil War America. Katherine shares the fascinating backstory of her novel, which is based on the true story of religious persecution in Portugal’s Madeira island, and then delves into her writing process and the importance of balancing poetic language with a compelling story. Katherine also shares her love of language (including the concept of “saudade”), the emotional inspirations she draws from her own life when writing, her next project, and her best advice for aspiring authors.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41OZmdb

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

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Nikki Vargas, CALL YOU WHEN I LAND: A Memoir Jan 06, 2024

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Zibby speaks to Colombian immigrant and travel journalist Nikki Vargas about her soul-stirring travel memoir, CALL YOU WHEN I LAND, which whisks readers through the countries that brought her self-discovery, new love, and the inspiration to launch the first international feminist travel magazine, Unearth Women. Nikki reveals the beginning of her journey (as a runaway bride, screaming into the jungles of Argentina) and then describes her path to travel writing and the unique 3-part structure of her book (Turbulence, Changing Pitch, and Landing). She also talks about her magazine, highlighting the highs and lows of the entrepreneurial venture, and shares her plan to transition into fiction writing.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/48Fk5T5

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

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Rachel Renée Russell, DORK DIARIES 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure Jan 05, 2024

Show notes

Zibby interviews Rachel Renée Russell, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of DORK DIARIES, and Nikki Russell, her daughter and illustrator. Rachel and Nikki reveal the inspiration behind their latest book, DORK DIARIES 15: Tales from a Not-So-Posh Paris Adventure (it involves a pandemic-impacted trip…), and then discuss their creative process, the enduring popularity of their characters, the unexpected success of the franchise, and the positive impact they’ve had on young readers. Ultimately, the interview provides a behind-the-scenes glimpse into an incredible mother-daughter dynamic that has fueled the success of DORK DIARIES for over a decade.

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

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

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Jamie Varon, MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY Jan 04, 2024

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Debut novelist Jamie Varon joins Zibby to discuss her dazzling, heart-warming, and smartly crafted rom-com, MAIN CHARACTER ENERGY. Jamie talks about her protagonist, Poppy, who is an aspiring novelist. When her beloved aunt dies, she leaves Poppy a trip to a stunning villa (and secretive writers’ residency) in the French Riviera and a challenge to finish her novel in six months. Poppy has to confront her writer’s block, family drama, complicated romances, and self-doubt. Jamie also describes her writing process (particularly in crafting a slow-burn romance and developing such memorable characters), her own experiences in the South of France, her background in nonfiction writing, and the journey that led her to publish her first novel.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41ygmnS

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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