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Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️
Taylor Hahn, A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS
Season 22, Ep. 38
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Zibby chats with author Taylor Hahn about A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a moving, charming, and tenderhearted Christmas romance that follows wedding singer Mel as she navigates complicated grief, secrets, found family, and newfound hope after her mother’s sudden passing. Taylor, who also lost her mother unexpectedly, shares how writing this book was a transformative and healing process and then delves into complex mother-daughter relationships, the nuances of grief, and the layers of identity reflected in her book. She also touches on her dual life as a lawyer and a writer, her pivot to creative expression, and the mix of personal milestones—including her pregnancy—that coincided with profound loss.
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37. Streicker Center event with the On Being Jewish Now contributors!
54:36||Season 22, Ep. 37In this special episode (a live event at the Streicker Center attended by more than 350 people!), Zibby joins authors Annabelle Gurwitch, Nicola Kraus, Lihi Lapid, and Talia Carner to discuss ON BEING JEWISH NOW, the inspiring collection of personal essays reflecting on Jewish identity in the aftermath of October 7th that they all contributed to. From motherhood and immigration to antisemitism and rediscovering Jewish heritage and resilience, each contributor shares stories from their essays and lives, making for a heartfelt, emotional, and thought-provoking panel.Purchase on Bookshop: bit.ly/3Y2gw5QShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
36. Cathy Heller, ABUNDANT EVER AFTER: Tools for Creating a Life of Prosperity and Ease
29:45||Season 22, Ep. 36Zibby welcomes life coach, inspirational speaker, and host of the mega-hit podcast Abundant Ever After, Cathy Heller, to discuss her powerful and transformative new book, ABUNDANT EVER AFTER: Tools for Creating a Life of Prosperity and Ease. Cathy shares her spiritual journey—from facing antisemitism in college to exploring spirituality in Israel and integrating mindfulness and Jewish mysticism into her life. Then, she outlines actionable steps for building a life of joy, connection, fulfillment, and inner peace. Want to meet Cathy in real life? Get your weekend pass to the ZIBBY Retreat: Santa Barbara, Feb 21-23, 2025!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4g1RmvVShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
Lauren Ling Brown, SOCIETY OF LIES
19:38|In this special episode (a live event at Zibby’s Bookshop!), film editor and bestselling author Lauren Ling Brown discusses her haunting and atmospheric debut (and Reese’s Book Club Pick!), SOCIETY OF LIES, with writer and editor Halley Sutton. The two delve into the novel’s themes of sisterhood, secret societies, and the dark side of privilege at elite universities. Lauren reveals how her own experiences shaped her protagonist, who grapples with belonging and morality. She also shares her creative process, the journey to becoming a published author, the heartwarming moment she shared an advanced copy with her dad, and her exciting plans for her next mystery.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41rmiRAShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
34. Shannon Messenger, UNRAVELED (Keeper of the Lost Cities Book 9.5)
26:33||Season 22, Ep. 34Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling author Shannon Messenger to discuss UNRAVELED, the newest installment (book number 9.5!) of her stunning, imaginative, award-winning middle-grade series, KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES. Shannon delves into her creative journey, explaining how a college broadcast writing class helped her shift from artist to writer. She also reflects on the perseverance it took to find and build her readership, crediting the support of teachers, librarians, and fans across the globe. Finally, she shares what it’s like to balance a writing career with parenting two young children!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZyGYFYShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
33. Nora Dahlia, PICK-UP
28:01||Season 22, Ep. 33Zibby interviews debut romance author Nora Dahlia about PICK-UP, a witty and sweetly satisfying enemies-to-lovers rom-com set around school drop-off culture. Nora shares the inspiration behind her book—an amusing lack of salacious gossip at her kids’ school—and then delves into her novel’s deeper themes, from maintaining individuality as a mother to navigating life’s messy middle stage, where aging parents, growing children, and personal desires collide. Nora also shares her creative process and reveals why she incorporated multiple perspectives in the book.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZwwhUpShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
32. Pip Drysdale, THE CLOSE-UP
26:24||Season 22, Ep. 32Zibby chats with bestselling author Pip Drysdale about THE CLOSE-UP, a gripping, sultry, and ultimately shocking novel about a struggling author who discovers the dark side of fame when a stalker begins reenacting violent scenes from her thriller. Pip delves into her creative process and the intense research that went into this project. She also reflects on her global upbringing, heartbreaks, and journey from acting and songwriting to becoming an author. Finally, she shares valuable insight into the publishing world, touching on her marketing and PR efforts—and how she deals with setbacks.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/49kufK9Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
31. Megan Tady, BLUEBIRD DAY: A Novel
26:11||Season 22, Ep. 31Zibby Books author alert! Megan Tady returns to the podcast to discuss BLUEBIRD DAY, a delightfully heartwarming tale of an estranged mother-daughter Olympic skiing duo who finally face the bumps in their relationship when an avalanche in a Swiss village forces them together. Megan describes the real-life avalanche that inspired the story and then shares the pressures and joys of writing about competitive female athletes, complex family dynamics, and the themes of identity and ambition. She also reveals her personal connection to competitive sports and touches on mental health, toxic relationships, and the sacrifices of pursuing elite athletic careers.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4f0puXoShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!
30. Liane Moriarty, HERE ONE MOMENT
25:30||Season 22, Ep. 30#1 New York Times bestselling author Liane Moriarty returns to the podcast to discuss HERE ONE MOMENT, a riveting, terrifically crafted novel about free will, destiny, love, and death that begins with a mysterious woman walking down a plane aisle mid-flight pronouncing how and when her fellow passengers will die. Liane delves into the philosophical and emotional depth of her novel. Then, she shares how personal experiences, including her battle with breast cancer and the loss of her father, influenced the story. She explores themes of mortality, aging, love, and grief, and then shares how she crafts such multifaceted characters and intricate timelines.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3Vat2PUShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!