Share

cover art for #1 NYT Bestseller! Carley Fortune, THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT

Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️

#1 NYT Bestseller! Carley Fortune, THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT

Season 20, Ep. 80

Zibby welcomes back #1 New York Times bestselling author Carley Fortune, this time to discuss her dreamy, entirely fresh, deeply layered, and beautifully written new romance, THIS SUMMER WILL BE DIFFERENT. Carley delves into the plot of her novel, which centers on Lucy, a Toronto native who embarks on annual trips to Prince Edward Island with her best friend, Bridget, and repeatedly finds herself entangled with Bridget’s younger brother, Felix. She also discusses her creative process (including building romantic tension, vivid settings, and complex characters), the difficulties of writing amidst family health issues and parenthood, and her ideas for future projects!


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


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

More episodes

View all episodes

  • 1. New York Times bestselling author! Johann Hari, MAGIC PILL: The Extraordinary Benefits and Disturbing Risks of the New Weight-Loss Drugs

    31:41
    Journalist and bestselling author Johann Hari chats with Zibby about MAGIC PILL, a fascinating and timely examination of the new drugs transforming weight loss—from his personal experience on Ozempic to our society’s dysfunctional relationship with food. Johann, who has a family history of heart disease linked to obesity, provides a comprehensive and nuanced explanation of the risks and benefits of weight-loss drugs. He and Zibby share their firsthand experiences with them, and then Johann delves into the broader societal factors contributing to the obesity epidemic.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Vx8MHoShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
  • 100. Actor-director-producer Griffin Dunne, THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLUB: A Family Memoir

    23:08
    Actor and producer Griffin Dunne joins Zibby to discuss THE FRIDAY AFTERNOON CLUB, a searing and powerful portrait of his unconventional Hollywood family and a reckoning with the tragedies that exploded within it. Griffin delves into his family's painful past, including his sister Dominique’s murder and his brother’s struggles with mental illness, while reflecting on the emotional, cathartic writing process. He also touches on his friendship with Carrie Fisher and his complex relationship with his father, renowned journalist Dominick Dunne. Finally, he shares his best advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/45zdSHRShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
  • 99. Time magazine's "40 under 40" Bakari Sellers, THE MOMENT: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn't and How We All Can Move Forward Now

    18:13
    Lawyer, CNN commentator, and New York Times bestselling author Bakari Sellers joins Zibby to discuss THE MOMENT, an urgent, astute synthesis of the modern political landscape and policies impacting Black families and communities. Bakari, whose book blends personal family history with a broader narrative of Black experience in America, recounts the traumatic birth of his twins and his wife’s near-fatal complications, which revealed systemic inequalities in the healthcare system. He also reflects on his upbringing in South Carolina, his family’s involvement in the Civil Rights Movement, the generational trauma Black Americans face, and the necessity of empathy, activism, and continued progress towards equality.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4bb3veqShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
  • 98. A Zibby Summer Reads pick! Laura Hankin, ONE-STAR ROMANCE

    22:55
    Zibby is joined for a second time by Laura Hankin, the author of ONE-STAR ROMANCE, a wickedly smart rom-com about a struggling writer who has to walk down the aisle at her best friend’s wedding with the man who gave her book a very public one-star rating—which, by the way, happened to Laura! Laura delves into the novel’s deeper themes of evolving friendships and the challenges of creative pursuits and then talks about the highs and lows of her own career. She and Zibby also discuss anxiety-inducing Goodreads reviews, Laura’s writing journey during pregnancy (and morning sickness), and the viral TikTok video that inspired this novel.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4cpHpGoShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
  • 97. NYT bestseller! Ruth Reichl, THE PARIS NOVEL

    26:49
    Zibby speaks with New York Times bestselling author Ruth Reichl about THE PARIS A NOVEL, a sumptuous, evocative, mouthwatering adventure through the food, art, and fashion scenes of 1980s Paris as told by Stella, a woman who stumbles across a vintage store, tries on a fabulous Dior dress, and is changed forever. Ruth reveals how her own transformative experience in a couture dress inspired this novel and then delves into the themes of hope, joy, and fairytale-like transformation. Then, she describes her unexpected career in food writing and the evolution of food culture and then shares her best advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RtNV6SShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
  • 96. #1 NYT bestseller! Jonathan Haidt, THE ANXIOUS GENERATION: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness

    23:20
    Social psychologist Jonathan Haidt joins Zibby to discuss THE ANXIOUS GENERATION, a must-read investigation into the collapse of youth mental health in the era of smartphones—and a plan for a healthier, freer childhood. Jonathan attributes increasing rates of anxiety and depression among children, particularly girls, to two main factors: the overprotection of children and the rise of social media. He shares his recommendations, including delaying exposure to smartphones, phone-free schools, and encouraging independent, unstructured play.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3yVEIhmShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
  • 95. A Zibby Summer Reads pick! Teddy Wayne, THE WINNER

    24:41
    Zibby speaks with award-winning author Teddy Wayne about THE WINNER, a dark, explosive literary thriller about an unemployed law school graduate who gets a summer job as a tennis pro at an exclusive, old-money community near Cape Cod, and gives lessons (and more…) to a divorced woman twice his age. Teddy delves into the real-life inspirations for the setting, his character development process, and his interest in depicting class and privilege in this story. He also reveals that he is working on the screenplay for a potential film adaptation (!), describes his journey to becoming a writer, and gives his best advice to aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/45b6It5Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
  • 94. Journalist, essayist, and opinion writer! Elissa Strauss, WHEN YOU CARE: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others

    23:04
    Journalist Elissa Strauss joins Zibby to discuss her bold, brave, deeply researched, and deeply felt book, WHEN YOU CARE: The Unexpected Magic of Caring for Others. Elissa delves into the profound impact of caregiving on personal growth and the importance of viewing it not as a burden but as an enriching part of life. She also discusses her journey from being a prominent voice in the feminist blogosphere of the 2010s—writing extensively about motherhood and societal issues like the lack of paid leave and affordable childcare—to becoming an author.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3RemeyGShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
  • 93. NYT bestselling author! Katherine Center, THE ROM-COMMERS

    23:19
    New York Times bestselling author Katherine Center returns to the podcast, this time to discuss her charming new book, THE ROM-COMMERS. The novel follows two screenwriters who co-write a romantic comedy… and fall madly in love with each other. Katherine delves into her writing process, touching on how she builds romantic tension and characters with depth. She also talks about how her happy marriage influences her writing and then reveals what she is working on next!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3KvpZflShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!