Totally Booked with Zibby

Author Susan Lieu joins Zibby to discuss her stunning, devastating, and intimate memoir (and Zibby’s April Book Club Pick!), THE MANICURIST’S DAUGHTER. Susan describes her childhood as the daughter of Vietnamese refugees in California. Then she talks about her savvy and charismatic mother, who, after setting up two successful nail salons, died from a botched tummy tuck when Susan was only eleven. Susan describes her long journey to understand her mother's untimely, traumatizing death—from memory, through detective work, and even by spirit conjuring. She also talks about her own struggles with body image, her relationship with her family members, and the challenges of navigating intergenerational trauma. Finally, she talks about her creative process, including the evolution of her one-woman show and the experience of writing this memoir. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3VCoaUJShare, 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.

Savannah Guthrie, co-anchor of NBC News’ TODAY and now #1 New York Times bestselling author, joins Zibby to talk about her deeply personal essay collection, MOSTLY WHAT GOD KNOWS: Reflections on Seeking and Finding His Love Everywhere. Savannah reveals the inspiration behind this book and then shares anecdotes of grappling with doubt, navigating setbacks, and ultimately finding solace in her own understanding of God’s love. She touches on anxiety, motherhood, and forgiveness, and then shares how grateful she is for the overwhelming support her book has received.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/43AKuA2Share, 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 successful essayist, columnist, and writing instructor Estelle Erasmus to discuss WRITING THAT GETS NOTICED, an upbeat and wise guide to finding your voice, writing stellar pieces, crafting the perfect pitch, and getting published. Estelle shares insights from her three-decade-long career in publishing, teaching at NYU, and contributing to Writer’s Digest, offering practical advice for both novice and seasoned authors. She discusses strategies for generating new ideas, shares anecdotes about her own career, and encourages aspiring writers to surround themselves with supportive communities. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3wUoa8dShare, 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.

Writer and podcast host Emily Farris joins Zibby to discuss I’LL JUST BE FIVE MORE MINUTES, a hilariously honest and heartwarming essay collection about life, love, and finally getting an ADHD diagnosis at age 35. Emily and Zibby start by discussing the prevalence of ADHD among creative women and its misperception as a young boy's condition. Then, Emily discusses her journey to an ADHD diagnosis and its impact on her life. She delves into her struggles with alcohol, how she manages relationship and work challenges, her experiences during 9/11, and her coping mechanisms for managing executive dysfunction, such as setting multiple alarms and using calendar reminders.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3IQ6j5hShare, 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.

Autism acceptance activist and TikTok influencer Paige Layle joins Zibby to discuss her deeply personal memoir, BUT EVERYONE FEELS THIS WAY: How an Autism Diagnosis Saved My Life. Paige describes what it was like to struggle with masking her emotions and navigating social interactions throughout her childhood and what it was like to finally receive a diagnosis as a teenager. She also discusses the complexities of family dynamics and the misunderstandings that can arise between neurotypical parents and autistic children. She expresses the importance of understanding neurodiversity and autism as a spectrum and touches on the advocacy work she is passionate about.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3PEeplgShare, 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 author Nick Shaw to discuss MY TEACHER, MY SON, a heart-piercing memoir (in prose, poetry, and photographs) about losing his nine-year-old son William in a freak skiing accident and navigating the depths of grief after that. Nick Shaw describes the day of the accident and then delves into his journey of grief, reflection, and newfound spirituality. He reveals how writing became a cathartic outlet for his emotions as he grappled with mortality. Finally, he describes his self-publishing experience, from enjoying the creative control to navigating distribution platforms.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4980pXPShare, 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 speaks with debut author Elizabeth Camarillo Gutierrez about MY SIDE OF THE RIVER, a tender memoir about her experience as the daughter of Mexican immigrants and what happened when her parents were kicked out of the United States when she was just fifteen years old, leaving her to raise her little brother by herself. Elizabeth talks about her childhood in Southern Arizona and then delves into the heart of her story, touching on themes of separation, generational trauma, resilience, and the toll of the American dream. She also reflects on the memoir-writing process, the discomfort of re-sharing painful memories, her TED Talk experience, and her best advice for aspiring authors. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4axX1XtShare, 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.

Beloved teacher and librarian John Schu joins Zibby to discuss LOUDER THAN HUNGER, a heart-wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse about a sensitive teen struggling with crippling anxiety and anorexia—inspired by the author’s experiences. John delves into his journey with mental health and the importance of crafting narratives that inspire without inadvertently glorifying harmful behaviors. He also explores the relationships portrayed in the book, touches on the themes of resilience and forgiveness, and shares his passion for musical theater and Broadway musicals!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3TiaefJShare, 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 speaks to author and Zibby’s Bookshop manager Katrina Leno about her quirky middle-grade fantasy novel, THE UMBRELLA MAKER’S SON. Katrina delves into the fantasy world of Roan, where it is always raining, and the struggles of young Oscar, whose family legacy as umbrella makers clashes with his own dreams. They delve into Katrina’s writing process, her path to becoming an author, and how her experiences working in a bookstore, living abroad in Scotland, and working in fashion have influenced her writing.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/43iBfnYShare, 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 New York Times bestselling authors Elliot Ackerman and Admiral James Stavridis to discuss 2054, an explosive work of speculative fiction set twenty years after their first book, 2034, that shows a future America grappling with a violent partisan divide and a radical leap forward in AI. The co-authors discuss the inspiration behind this novel, their collaborative writing process, and the relevance of the book’s themes (like political polarization and the potential consequences of unchecked technological progress) to contemporary society. They also reveal the potential for adaptation into film or television!Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3va2QezShare, 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.