Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️

Bestselling author Alice Hoffman joins Zibby to discuss WHEN WE FLEW AWAY, a stunning, lyrical, heartwrenching children’s book exploring the little-known details of Anne Frank’s life before she went into hiding. Alice shares how she combined meticulous historical research with imagined thoughts to fill in the gaps in Anne’s relationships, particularly focusing on themes of sisterhood and the mother-daughter dynamic. Alice also reflects on the enduring hope and resilience Anne Frank represented, even during dark times, and stresses the importance of remembering her story amid rising antisemitism. Finally, she shares the emotional experience of visiting Anne’s house and school, the impact of fairy-tale storytelling, and her creative process.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/403h7qxShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby Books author alert! Zibby welcomes debut author Sarah Sawyer to discuss THE UNDERCURRENT, a stunning, achingly beautiful, and gripping suspense about an overwhelmed new mother who becomes obsessed with the unsolved disappearance of a young girl from her small Texas hometown—and unearths her own family’s dark secret. Sarah shares how her own experiences, particularly watching her daughter struggle with a thyroid disorder, inspired her reflections on the transformations women experience. She also delves into her novel's themes of female relationships, different life paths, and the impact of motherhood on personal identity. Finally, she shares her best advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3XWozAPShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Acclaimed Haaretz reporter Lee Yaron joins Zibby to discuss 10/7: 100 Human Stories, a radically passionate work of investigative journalism of the October 7th attacks through the stories of its victims and the communities they called home. Lee talks about the survivors she interviewed, everyday people from a wide range of communities—from elderly Holocaust survivors and peace workers to Ukrainian refugees and Israeli Arabs. She also describes the weight of carrying these stories, the emotional toll of hearing such grief, and her overwhelming mission to reclaim narratives for those who have been silenced. Finally, she shares her views on Jewish resilience and her hope that young Israeli women will step into leadership positions to help shape a safer future.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZUhJyDShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

On the anniversary of October 7th, Zibby joins forces with Rebecca Minkoff to introduce ON BEING JEWISH NOW: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, an inspiring collection of 75 personal essays about what it means to be Jewish in the aftermath of October 7th. In this powerful and emotional episode, 40 contributors share lines from their essays. All profits from this project will be donated to Artists Against Antisemitism, a group founded by Jewish authors to fight the spread of antisemitism. You can now purchase the eBook and audiobook (already available!) and pre-order the paperback before its November 1st release.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Y2gw5QShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby interviews celebrated author (and veteran literary agent and editor) Betsy Lerner about SHRED SISTERS, her wry, intimate, riveting, and bittersweet debut novel about family, mental illness, and sisterhood. Betsy calls the novel a “love letter to loneliness” while reflecting on her own experiences in New York during her twenties. She shares other personal connections to this story, from the loss of her mother to her own bipolar diagnosis to her complex relationships with her sisters. At the end of the episode, she reveals what she is working on next and shares her best advice for aspiring writers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4erBgdYShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

New York Times bestselling author Jean Hanff Korelitz joins Zibby to discuss THE SEQUEL, a deliciously fun, witty, and suspenseful read that gives readers an antihero to root for while illuminating and satirizing the world of publishing. Jean delves into her book’s meta elements, its dark humor, and how it plays off the success of her previous novel, THE PLOT. She also reflects on the quirks of the literary world, from book signings to writers’ residencies, and analyzes the motivations behind her morally complex characters. Finally, she touches on the pressures of being an author and the catharsis of writing about dark, transgressive behavior.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3zwnmIxShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby interviews Kenny G—the incomparable musician with the straight sax, the flowing hair, and some of the most memorable melodies in history—about his indelible, fascinating, upbeat, and funny memoir, LIFE IN THE KEY OF G. Kenny shares the creative process behind his audiobook (which incorporates live saxophone performances to enhance the listening experience) and then describes the challenges of capturing his true, authentic voice in writing. He also reflects on his rigorous daily routine, his role as a father, and some pivotal moments in his life, from standing up to his mother in his 20s to recording what would become the best-selling Christmas album of all time.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4eKYTxQShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Award-winning author Melody Maysonet joins Zibby to discuss WHAT WE WISH FOR, a poignant, heartbreaking YA novel centered on Layla, a 15-year-old girl who finds herself living in a homeless shelter with her alcoholic mother—and hides the truth from her friends. Melody, who is now 18 years in recovery, opens up about her own experience with alcoholism and reflects on how her struggles and triumphs helped shape Layla’s story. She also talks about the therapeutic writing process and the challenge of making Layla’s mom a sympathetic character and balancing her novel’s darkness with hope.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3XydQwlShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Zibby interviews Pulitzer Prize-winning and New York Times bestselling author Richard Powers about his magisterial new novel, PLAYGROUND, where four lives come together on the French Polynesian island of Makatea, where plans are being made to send floating, autonomous cities out onto the open sea. Richard delves into his characters, including two Chicagoans, a northside white kid named Todd and a southside Black kid named Rafi, who have a decades-long friendship shaped by shared trauma, intellect, competition, and love. He also talks about the issues of technological innovation, memory, and cultural preservation that his characters face. Finally, he shares the personal anecdotes that influenced the novel, including the loss of his sister.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4dd2PGIShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!