Totally Booked with Zibby

"People affect each other in ways you're not aware of and in ways that you're not expecting." Fredrik Backman, the bestselling author of Beartown and A Man Called Ove, joins Zibby to discuss his latest novel, Anxious People, the #1 bestseller which is now out in paperback. The two talk about the lifelong effects of losing loved ones to suicide, as well as why Fredrik prefers to work through the tragic death of his friend in his comedic books instead of his dramatic stories. They also connect over their shared belief that parenthood is often a thankless job.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sXlm4kBookshop: https://bit.ly/2XUkh1v Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby is joined by 37-time Emmy award-winning journalist and bestselling author Hank Phillippi Ryan to discuss her latest novel, Her Perfect Life. Hank shares which elements of her own life inspired storylines for her protagonist and when she decided to take the leap into writing fiction. Hank also tells Zibby about the inner conflict that arises when breaking a news story and where she draws the line between hurting and helping people.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/38idLnaBookshop: https://bit.ly/3yjM9c5 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bestselling author of Big Little Lies, Nine Perfect Strangers, and Truly Madly Deeply, Liane Moriarty (also now known as “the TV lady”) had planned to take a year off to write for herself instead of a deadline, but she ended up creating an entire novel from a single-sentence prompt her sister sent her. Liane joins Zibby to talk about how she came up with the three incredibly different yet intricately woven storylines in her latest book, Apples Never Fall, as well as when she realized tennis would play a huge role in the narrative. The two also talk about Liane's use of red herrings, empty nest-hood, and, of course, podcasts.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kuWmgKBookshop: https://bit.ly/3Bc21iH Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kristan Higgins, the bestselling author of twenty-one books, joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel Pack Up the Moon. Kristan shares how her personal experience with grief has shaped her entire life — and, notably, her marriage — and inspired a number of her stories, including this one. She also tells Zibby about how she became a writer when she realized that her love for reading and romantic comedies could be coupled to tell the stories of normal people. Read Kristan's essay "Preparing for Widowhood" on Moms Don't Have Time to Write here. Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DlMRJtBookshop: https://bit.ly/3mA4eAk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former NPR reporter and journalist Kat Chow had a fear of death growing up which only made the death of her mother hit harder. In her debut memoir, Seeing Ghosts, Kat attempts to preserve her mother and her idiosyncrasies while also recounting her family's grieving process. Kat and Zibby discuss the process of mourning and memorializing those who have passed on and how the collective grief from Covid has impacted them.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jlfS08Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3sRKQQh Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby hosts a special podcast in honor of the 20th anniversary of the attacks on September 11th, 2001 with author, mariner, historian, and journalist Jessica DuLong. Jessica’s latest book, Saved at the Seawall, tells the story of the boat lift in the New York City harbor on 9/11 and beyond. Jessica shares what drove her to take action and assist on the water, as well as the individual narratives of so many other who put humanity first to help others in need in the immediate aftermath of the crashes. Jessica and Zibby also discuss their own grieving journeys and how we can apply the lessons learned back then to our divided world today.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/3DYXqTaBookshop: https://bit.ly/3jUeMbH Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby is joined by Bethany Crandell to talk about her hilarious second adult novel, See Jane Snap, which began with just the title. Bethany shares what inspired her to start writing young adult novels and when she knew it was time to make the switch to adult fiction. She also tells Zibby how her own family's story offered inspiration for this book and where she sees her writing going next.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/3jpL8LvBookshop: https://bit.ly/3yiuyBm Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Debut novelist Lọlá Ákínmádé Åkerström joins Zibby to talk about the inspiration for her book, In Every Mirror She's Black. Although she received 70 rejections, Lọlá knew her story about three Black women from all walks of life in Sweden was necessary to share with the world and her determination has proven industry gatekeepers wrong. Lọlá also tells Zibby about her experiences working as a travel journalist and how living all around the world helped her shape her characters and her story.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/38jAsYlBookshop: https://bit.ly/38gGZTA Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Journalist Sophie Brickman joined Zibby to discuss her first book, Baby, Unplugged, and the way childcare technology can make parents more anxious than at ease. Sophie shares how her husband's love of technology led to them test out a variety of child-centered gadgets, and which among them were actually worth it. Sophie also tells Zibby about how her experience as a line cook in New York City led to her career in journalism and what inspired her to make the shift from food writing to researching parenthood.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WrIbBeBookshop: https://bit.ly/3ynTHdI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lauren Groff, the award-winning author of Florida, joins Zibby to talk about her latest novel, Matrix, which was inspired by the often overlooked medieval female poet, Marie de France. Lauren shares why she wanted to discuss contemporary issues through a historical lens, why her novels often go through four or five very different iterations, and the number one tactic she uses to get out of her own way when writing.Purchase on Amazon or Bookshop.Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WqdSL6Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3kl8alC Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.