Totally Booked with Zibby

Zibby 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!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby 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!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby 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!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby 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!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#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!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo chats with Zibby about THE FAMILIAR, a spellbinding, lush, richly imagined novel set in the Spanish Golden Age that follows Lucia, a servant with miraculous abilities who becomes entangled in the political and religious turmoil of King Philip II’s court. Leigh discusses how this story, inspired by her own Sephardic Jewish heritage, weaves themes of ambition, identity, and survival. She also talks about her journey as a writer, from finding solace in science fiction as a child to overcoming personal and professional hurdles to pen her debut novel.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/49ctW43Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Victoria Jackson joins Zibby to discuss WE ALL WORRY, NOW WHAT?, a seminal guide to rising from endless worry to a life of empowered action. Victoria shares her journey from Hollywood makeup artist to cosmetics mogul and, later, to medical advocate following her daughter's rare autoimmune diagnosis. Then, she delves into her tumultuous life experiences, from surviving a childhood rape to overcoming her cancer diagnosis, sharing the practical strategies that helped her transform her anxiety and panic into tools for resilience. Finally, she talks about her new bookstore, Godmothers, which she just opened in Montecito!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZnLFCmShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby interviews TV exec and debut author Nayantara Roy about THE MAGNIFICENT RUINS, a wise, witty, and deeply moving novel about a young Indian American editor who inherits her estranged family’s sprawling mansion in India—and their long-buried secrets. Nayantara reflects on her novel’s nine-year evolution, the challenges of cutting a 600-page draft, and the joy of crafting a story that bridges Brooklyn and Calcutta. She also shares what it was like to tackle generational trauma and cultural norms in her writing. Finally, she touches on her career in television and teases her next novel.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3YX5Ky5Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New York Times bestselling author Marisha Pessl chats with Zibby about DARKLY, a wildly smart, edge-of-your-seart psychological YA thriller about a mysterious board game creator whose legacy intrigues a young fan, Arcadia Gannon. She and six other teenagers win coveted internships at Darkly… and so the mystery begins. Marisha shares her love of board games, her North Carolina upbringing, and her fascination with legend vs. reality, all of which inspired this novel. She also touches on her early struggles with writing and the discipline she has developed to balance writing with raising three daughters. Finally, she teases her next project.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4hXDLaeShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Zibby is joined by French writer, philosopher, filmmaker, and humanitarian activist Bernard-Henri Lévy to discuss ISRAEL ALONE, a powerful analysis of the global response to October 7, the new virulent waves of antisemitism, and why Israel is waging an existential war against barbarism alone. Bernard-Henri shares his experience traveling to Israel immediately after the 10/7 attacks, witnessing the aftermath, and drawing inspiration from the resilience of Israeli communities. He also delves into the global rise in antisemitism, Israel’s solitude in its fight against terrorism, and the broader implications for humanity when freedom is attacked.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4g0w3ufShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Check out the Z.I.P. membership program—Zibby’s Important People! As a Z.I.P., you’ll get exclusive essays, special author access, discounts at Zibby’s Bookshop, and more. Head to zibbyowens.com to subscribe or upgrade and become a Z.I.P. today!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for more about today's episode. (Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact allie.gallo@acast.com.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.