Totally Booked with Zibby

New York Times bestselling author and bookstore owner Peter H. Reynolds joins Zibby to discuss his simple, witty, and marvelously illustrated new children’s book, THE DOT. Peter delves into his creative journey, from illustrating JUDY MOODY to founding International Dot Day, a global celebration of creativity and confidence now honored in 190 countries. He also shares the moving story that inspired this book, the importance of...

Zibby chats with Tiffany Graham Charkosky about her honest and unflinching new memoir, LIVING PROOF: How Love Defied Genetic Legacy. Tiffany shares the difficult journey that began when she discovered she might carry Lynch syndrome, a genetic mutation linked to early-onset cancers—the same condition that likely caused her mother’s death when Tiffany was just 11. Tiffany opens up about grief, motherhood, and resilience, as well as w...

Social media star, author, and activist Molly Burke joins Zibby to discuss her vulnerable, honest, and darkly humorous new memoir, UNSEEN: How I Lost My Vision but Found My Voice. Molly opens up about losing her vision at 14, facing depression and bullying, and ultimately rebuilding her life. She shares the shocking story of being exploited by a manipulative speaking organization, the emotional toll of disability and societal bias,...

Zibby is joined by Newbery Medalist and beloved, bestselling middle-grade author Rebecca Stead to discuss THE EXPERIMENT, an extraterrestrial coming-of-age novel about identity and change. Rebecca discusses her unexpected path from public defender to acclaimed writer, how she captures the emotional truth of childhood, and why she believes in letting kids read (and reread) whatever they love. She and Zibby also talk about friendship...

Zibby interviews Pushcart Prize-winning author Karen Palmer about her searingly honest, heart-pounding, illuminating new memoir, SHE’S UNDER HERE. Karen opens up about escaping an abusive marriage by changing her identity and disappearing overnight with her children and new husband, then grappling with the lifelong consequences of that decision. She and Zibby also discuss the many forms of domestic violence, the loss and rediscover...

Zibby chats with New York Times bestselling author and middle school teacher Matt Eicheldinger about HOLES IN MY UNDERWEAR, his wildly entertaining new collection of 100+ funny and thoughtful poems and illustrations, and STICKY NOTES, a collection of short, moving stories from his years in the classroom. Matt shares how his journey from sixth-grade teacher to New York Times bestselling author began with printing...

Zibby chats with TikTok sensation Eli Rallo about her candid, funny, and deeply relatable new collection, DOES ANYONE ELSE FEEL THIS WAY?: Essays on Conquering the Quarter Life Crisis. Eli opens up about finding her voice online, navigating the isolation and uncertainty of post-grad life, and turning her popular podcast and Substack into a meaningful writing career. She and Zibby also discuss the pressures young women face on socia...

Live from the Streicker Center! Zibby interviews political writer and podcaster Molly Jong-Fast about HOW TO LOSE YOUR MOTHER, a mesmerizing, intimate, wise, heartbreaking, instant New York Times bestselling memoir about an intense mother–daughter relationship, a sometimes chaotic upbringing with a fame-hungry parent, and the upheavals that challenge our hard-won adulthood. Together, they explore the complexitie...

New York Times bestselling author and journalist Beth Macy chats with Zibby about PAPER GIRL: A Memoir of Hope and Family in a Fractured America, an essential, searingly poignant reckoning with the changes that have rocked her beloved small Ohio hometown. Beth describes her mother’s final days after the 2020 election and her journey back home to understand how division, disinformation, and economic decline tore families and co...

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby interviews two-time Oprah’s Book Club pick and New York Times bestselling author Jane Hamilton about her first novel in nearly a decade, THE PHOEBE VARIATIONS (which is published by Zibby Publishing!). Jane shares the inspiration behind Phoebe’s story, an exploration of girlhood, friendship, identity, ...

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby interviews America’s favorite storyteller, Mitch Albom, about his new novel, TWICE, a magical and deeply moving story about regret, love, and second chances. Mitch shares how the idea came to him (in the shower!), the themes that drive his work, and how his own experiences with loss and his orphanage in Haiti in...

Today, on the anniversary of the attacks of October 7th, I'm releasing my conversation with Eli Sharabi who I interviewed yesterday about his new book HOSTAGE. If you only read one book all year, read this one. HOSTAGE is a story detailing everything that happened to Eli from his being abducted from his home on October 7th to after his release at a time when he hit bottom and vowed to really live. The book -- and our short conversa...

Rabbi Wendy I. Zierler joins Zibby to discuss her memoir GOING OUT WITH KNOTS: My Two Kaddish Years with Hebrew Poetry, a profound exploration of grief, faith, and resilience. Rabbi Wendy describes losing both parents within eleven months, navigating the demanding ritual of daily Kaddish, and finding solace through poetry, prayer, and teaching during the pandemic. She also reflects on her path to becoming an Orthodox rabbi and the ...

Zibby chats with award-winning Brazilian illustrator Gus Morais about TAYLOR SWIFT: Unofficial Search and Find Biographies, a visual exploration of the star’s groundbreaking music career, celebrating every album era and iconic outfit. Gus shares how he went from knowing little about Taylor Swift to immersing himself in her music, lyrics, and imagery to create a vibrant, detail-packed book that’s like Where’s Waldo for Swi...

In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby interviews bestselling author Alisha Fernandez Miranda about her fun, witty new novel, SOMEONE’S GOTTA GIVE. Alisha shares the inspirations behind her story of Lucia, a Venezuelan American fundraiser-turned-expat navigating motherhood, marriage, and the high-stakes world of philanthropy in London. She also talks about her “What If Ye...

Zibby interviews New York Times bestselling author Lily King about HEART THE LOVER, her magnificent and intimate new novel about literature, forgiveness, and the transformative bonds that shape our lives. Lily opens up about the long, winding path that led to the book, from a shelved murder mystery draft to a spark of inspiration after reading a friend’s manuscript. She shares how themes of love, loss, friendship, and tim...

Chef and New York Times bestselling author Jake Cohen joins Zibby to discuss his fun, unfussy, and inventive new cookbook, DINNER PARTY ANIMAL: Recipes to Make Every Day a Celebration. Jake describes his shy childhood in Queens, how hosting early dinner parties helped him build confidence and community, and his journey from restaurant kitchens to cookbook success. He also discusses the joy and intimacy of gathering people around th...

Zibby chats with journalist and author Nicole Madigan about her harrowing, compelling, and utterly enlightening book, TORN: Four Women’s Stories of Why They Left – or Why They Stayed, which explores the painful, confusing period of indecision after betrayal in a long-term relationship—when you’re caught between staying and leaving. Nicole shares her own experiences of love, loss, and resilience, as well as the deeply honest stories...

Clea Shearer, cofounder of The Home Edit and New York Times bestselling author, joins Zibby to discuss her comforting, empowering, and beautifully written guide to living with breast cancer, CANCER IS COMPLICATED: And Other Unexpected Lessons I’ve Learned. Clea shares her journey from the shock of diagnosis to navigating surgeries, treatments, and the emotional aftermath, all while finding purpose in documenting her experience to h...