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cover art for Wally Lamb, THE RIVER IS WAITING: A Novel

Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books™️

Wally Lamb, THE RIVER IS WAITING: A Novel

Season 25, Ep. 75

Special re-release! To close out the year, we’re counting down the Top 10 most-listened-to episodes of 2025. Coming in at #6: Zibby’s interview with Wally Lamb. Enjoy!


OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK! #1 New York Times bestselling author Wally Lamb returns to the podcast to discuss THE RIVER IS WAITING, an epic, heart-wrenching tale of a young father who, after an unbearable tragedy, reckons with the possibility of atonement for the unforgivable. Wally shares the haunting inspiration behind the story—a blend of the Mexican legend of La Llorona and the heartbreaking reality of backover accidents—and how his own experiences with addiction, parenting, and teaching writing to incarcerated women shaped the emotional core of the book. Together, they explore themes of grief, resilience, self-forgiveness, and redemption. Wally also shares a sneak peek of his next novel and then offers writing advice: the magic is in revision.



Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4jBY6l1


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(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.)

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