Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️

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!

New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks joins Zibby to discuss his uplifting, heart-tugging new book, COUNTING MIRACLES. Set in North Carolina, the story follows military man Tanner, who embarks on a healing journey and crosses paths with a single mom and an older man—both of whom will change his life. Nicholas shares how he blends multiple genres—romance, mystery, and elements of the supernatural—while exploring deeper themes of love, grief, and redemption. He also talks about the challenges of balancing dark subject matter with hope, his love of including dogs in his stories, and several upcoming projects in various stages of film development!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZrTpnvShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

Beloved actor Josh Gad (star of the animated hit movie FROZEN) joins Zibby to discuss PICTUREFACE LIZZY, a hilarious, energetic, and relatable picture book about a girl who won’t rest until she gets the latest cool toy: PictureFace Lizzy! Josh shares his unexpected writing journey—it all started during the pandemic when he read to kids on his social media platforms almost daily! He explains how his book addresses the impact of technology on children, particularly social media, and draws from personal experiences with his daughters to highlight the themes of consumerism, FOMO, and finding balance in a tech-driven world. Finally, Josh touches on his experiences with anxiety and the benefits of open dialogue with children about the pressures of technology and societal expectations.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/47v7x1hShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!