Totally Booked with Zibby

Special re-release! To close out the year, we’re counting down the Top 10 most-listened-to episodes of 2025. Coming in at #10: Zibby’s interview with James Frey. Enjoy!Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby interviews #1 New York Times bestselling author James Frey about his darkly funny and razor-sharp new novel, NEXT TO HEAVEN. James opens up about writing a book that’s bold, dirty, and wildly entertaining—a murder mystery set in an insulated world of obscene wealth, swingers, and secrets. He discusses the real-life inspiration for his book (his town!) and reveals how people's reactions have ranged from admiration to offense, precisely the kind of impact he aims for. He also delves into his singular style (no quotation marks, no apologies), his views on truth versus fact, and his refusal to play by literary rules. Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3FZjLFVShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for listening guides and more. **(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of the podcast, Zibby interviews acclaimed producer/director Paul Feig at a press junket for THE HOUSEMAID, the highly acclaimed film adaptation of Frieda McFadden’s bestselling novel. The two dive deep into what makes a great book-to-screen adaptation, the art of misdirecting an audience, and the power of music, production design, and point of view. Paul also shares behind-the-scenes insights into shaping THE HOUSEMAID as a “Nancy Meyers movie that goes horribly wrong,” his love of twists, his admiration for McFadden’s writing, and his thoughts on creativity, movie theaters, and finding your own voice as an artist.NOW PLAYING ONLY IN THEATERS! Get tickets.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/45647BYShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for listening guides and more. **(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded live at Zibby’s Bookshop x Minnie Rose, grief expert Meghan Riordan Jarvis, founder of the Grieftastic Book Fair and author of END OF THE HOUR and CAN YOU TELL ME?, joins Zibby for a compassionate conversation about navigating grief, loss, and collective trauma, especially during the holidays. Meghan shares practical, science-backed tools for processing overwhelming news, managing stress in the body, and understanding how writing, movement, and creativity can support healing. Together, they also explore how grief shows up even when loss isn’t personal, how to care for ourselves without minimizing our pain, and how to truly show up for others who are grieving.** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for listening guides and more. **(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special, year-end episode of the podcast, Zibby chats with Sarah Gelman, Editorial Director for Books at Amazon, about Amazon’s Best Books of the Year! Together, they dive into the thinking behind the list, highlight standout fiction and nonfiction picks, and discuss buzzy discoveries, sleeper hits, and genre-spanning favorites. With behind-the-scenes insights into how the list is curated (before sales even begin) and a peek at Sarah’s most anticipated upcoming reads… this one’s a must-listen!Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for listening guides and more. **(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Live from the Miami Book Fair, Zibby hosts a special panel celebrating three Read With Jenna authors: Emma Knight (THE LIFE CYCLE OF THE COMMON OCTOPUS), Ariel Sullivan (CONFORM), and Jessica Soffer (THIS IS A LOVE STORY). In front of a live audience, the writers discuss craft, love and relationships, beauty and art, motherhood, ambition, and the personal stories behind their novels—from dystopian romance to lifelong love stories and literary coming-of-age tales. A warm, candid, and inspiring conversation about what drives writers to create—and why stories still matter.Purchase on Bookshop:Emma Knight / The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus: https://bit.ly/4qfKfoiAriel Sullivan / Conform: https://bit.ly/4qczdzXJessica Soffer / This Is a Love Story: https://bit.ly/4s3EgEKShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Follow @totallybookedwithzibby on Instagram for listening guides and more. **(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.