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Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️
John Irving, THE LAST CHAIRLIFT
John Irving, one of the world’s greatest novelists of all time, joins Zibby (who idolizes him!!) in this once-in-a-lifetime interview to discuss The Last Chairlift, a sweepingly cinematic, multigenerational ghost story about a slalom skier, her accidental pregnancy, and, years later, the son who returns to Aspen to uncover her story. After discussing this latest release, Mr. Irving describes the fascinating process behind each of his iconic books, revealing he has piles of notes waiting to be turned into novels (but refuses to start writing them until he knows exactly how they will end!). He also shares how helpful and influential his first readers (like Kurt Vonnegut!) and editors have been in his career.
You can all meet John Irving at the Santa Fe International Literary Festival on May 20th!
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16. Ashley Kahn, DAYS OF MIRACLE AND WONDER: Paul Simon and the Trials and Triumphs of Graceland
18:34||Season 27, Ep. 16Ashley Kahn was sitting on a terrace in Italy as we talked about his love letter to Paul Simon and the album Graceland, Days of Miracle and Wonder. I couldn’t help getting distracted by the fabulous view (an inner sigh as I sat inside at my desk on a beautiful day) but then I realized that his view — his perspective — was something I could internalize and share. Ashley’s deep dive into the history of the hit album Graceland — one of my favorites! — made me rethink music history. Our talk was as interesting to me as the beats of the songs and lingered long after the mic turned off, just like Paul Simon’s music.
15. Cinelle Barnes, A WAY HOME: A Memoir of Losing Yourself, and the Beauty of Returning
18:07||Season 27, Ep. 15Cinelle Barnes was nervous. This was her first interview about her book after her brain injury which, having read the book, I completely understood. Cinelle shared openly about what her life has been like in the before and after, the accommodations she needs to function at 100%, her new lease on life, and how she pivoted an existing book project (this!) into what became a powerful, memorable story of overcoming and persevering.
14. Chris Young, THE WOUND IS WHERE THE LIGHT ENTERS: A Memoir of Resilience
28:40||Season 27, Ep. 14Chris Young was beyond impressive! I loved talking to him about his experience in prison, how he turned to books and philosophy, his views on overcoming obstacles, resilience, and fate, and how he sees the world. Chris is incredibly inspiring. Prediction: he’ll hold office later in life. Just saying. Listen to us discuss his powerful story and how it can inspire everyone to lead more authentic, meaningful lives.
13. Dr. Lucy McBride, BEYOND THE PRESCRIPTION: A Doctor's Guide to Taking Charge of Your Health
29:07||Season 27, Ep. 13I feel like Dr. Lucy McBride and I could’ve grown up as friends. She’s so relatable despite her brilliance that taking her advice feels like a no-brainer. Hear from her as she shares the medical “stuff” you need to know and feel inspired to get the care you need. Lucy will be part of Totally Booked: Live on October 25th. Get your tickets now!
12. Dara Levan, SHAKEN TO THE CORE
18:57||Season 27, Ep. 12Dara Levan is a contributor to my anthology On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, who is the first person to show up for friends and colleagues alike. In her latest novel Shaken to the Core, she portrays a loss in vivid detail, family dynamics, loss, and more.
11. David K. Israel, THE LOST MOZART
22:49||Season 27, Ep. 11David K. Israel, one of the contributors to my anthology On Being Jewish Now: Reflections from Authors and Advocates, has a quirky, dry sense of humor that permeates his latest release, The Lost Mozart. A composer, David shared fun details about his entry into the world of symphonies and sounds, how it felt to lose his home in the Palisades where we were neighbors, and the creativity involved in music versus writing.
10. Anna Johnston, WHEN LEMONS GIVE YOU LIFE
19:44||Season 27, Ep. 10I loved this book! Couldn’t put it down. Join me in September (9/15 at 7 pm ET) to discuss When Lemons Give You Life by Australian author Anna Johnston, whose prior novel, The Secret Life of Frederick Fife, is being adapted by Netflix. It’s about a retired Michelin-star chef who ends up at a nursing home, wondering if life is still worth living, who finds a new sense of purpose and connection through cooking again. It sounds depressing, but it isn’t. It’s light and entertaining but has heart and soul, plus many twists and turns. I won’t give anything away. It will make you look at life differently. Isn’t that part of why we read?
9. Jaclyn Moriarty, TIME TRAVEL FOR BEGINNERS
27:28||Season 27, Ep. 9I don’t know what Jaclyn Moriarty’s parents did so right to raise a slew of brilliant women writers, but Jaclyn has a few ideas. Hear from her about the games her family played including sister Liane Moriarty, Big Little Lies, how she got the idea for the book on a bus ride, the lives not lived, and fate itself. The book is so fun; Jaclyn’s prose is so witty I continually chuckled as I read it. Her observational prowess knows no bounds.
8. Chris Bohjalian, THE AMATEUR
25:41||Season 27, Ep. 8Bestselling author Chris Bohjalian has written 26 books, including mega-bestsellers Oprah’s Book Club pick Midwives and The Flight Attendant, adapted into an Emmy-winning TV series — and yet he still worries that his next book won’t be any good. Isn’t it funny that even the greats of the field still worry?! But not to fear: Chris is no amateur and his latest book is thought-provoking, different, gripping, and memorable. When a bright young woman, about to head to Yale, swings a golf club at the range of her club, her life changes in an instant. The ball blasts through a hole in the netting and instantly kills a caddy, a classmate of hers. What follows is an examination of a neighborhood percolating with infidelity, blame, and gossip, a look at how easy it is to end up with the wrong people, and an attempt to right a life thrown off track.