Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books

Capricia Penavic Marshall served as White House Social Secretary in the Clinton administration and as United States Chief of Protocol in the Obama administration. Her book, Protocol, is a front-row seat to interacting with world leaders and a how-to of important lessons learned from her impressive career in government. 

Nefertiti Austin's book, Motherhood So White, is a powerful memoir about adopting her son, the foster care system, single motherhood, race, and more. She talked with Zibby at a book club for HeyMama about cultural nuances, adoption, the power of parenting, and being a free spirit. 

Heidi Pitlor's third novel came out yesterday, and she and Zibby talked about writing the book you want to read, motherhood, and the magic of libraries. 

USA Olympian and superstar soccer player Christie Pearce Rampone and her co-author Dr. Kristine Keane wrote a book that every parent needs. Christie, Kristine and Zibby spent a lot of the time sharing their experiences about kids and sports, how to get involved as a parent, and what really matters. 

Tracy Tutor, the first female real estate broker on Million Dollar Listing LA, exudes confidence and authenticity both on TV and throughout her new book. Zibby loved doing an Instagram Live with Tracy and talking about getting out of your comfort zone, red flags, and becoming a chameleon. 

Zibby has been a fan of Daphne Merkin’s for a long time and was over-the-moon excited to talk to her about her latest novel. Turns out, Daphne has been writing this story — about being seemingly trapped in a relationship with the “wrong” guy —  on and off for the past 30 years! 

Renée Watson, New York Times best-selling author, educator, and activist, talked about Oprah Winfrey, social issues, and young girls finding their voices with Zibby. 

Zibby had a lot of fun on Instagram Live talking to Susan Wiggs on her pub day! They discussed the fantasy of running a bookstore, character development and idea generation for the 50 novels she has written over her career (including the latest which became a New York Times best seller)!

 

Zibby loved the prose in Tommy Butler’s debut novel. They talked about philosophy, poetry, loneliness, and balancing a law career with a lifelong love of writing. 

Chandler Baker's book, a Reese's Book Club pick, really spoke to Zibby. As someone trying to balance work and momlife, Zibby related to Chandler and her book's character! They discussed the competing demands of a career, family, what's going on in our heads, and whether working out can ever be in the cards, all themes in the psychological workplace drama. 

 

Zibby had the honor of interviewing the former Second Lady (and perhaps future First Lady), Dr. Jill Biden. She spoke to Zibby about childhood traditions, loss, the state of schools opening this fall, her passion for teaching and more on Instagram Live.

When Zibby was growing up and an aspiring author, Betsy Carter was a huge mentor to her and encouraged her love of writing. This has all come full circle with Zibby now getting to do a special interview with the inimitable Betsy about her most recent novel. The longtime friends talked about emotional exorcism, good and bad luck, and exploring the unknown through fiction.

You might feel like you're just eavesdropping on a call between friends in this episode. Allison talks to Zibby about her character, Cleo, a Senator and Presidential-hopeful, Cleo’s political ambitions, regret in general…. and how Allison tackles the writing process!

Erica Katz, a pseudonym for the lawyer (and debut author), lied to her colleagues about vacationing at the beach when she was really hiding in her closet writing this book. It's a good thing Erica told Zibby that she feels like writing is a vacation. The Boys’ Club, a page-turning tale of sexual harassment in the workplace, is a top summer read of 2020 that has already been optioned by Netflix.

Caroline Leavitt is a New York Times best-selling author of twelve novels. She told Zibby about the inspiration for her latest book: her own survival of a rare blood disease, being put into a coma, and coping with that alternate universe.

After this episode, Zibby wanted to give André Leon Talley a hug. He was Anna Wintour’s indomitable right-hand-man at Vogue for decades, but in this memoir, André revealed his serial sexual abuse as a young boy and his chronic eating disorder. He has so many poignant memories and extraordinary stories that he’s already at work on his next book. 

Sophie Mackintosh tells Zibby about her inspiration for Blue Ticket: spending her whole life feeling absolutely certain that she didn't want to have children until one day a switch flipped. Originally conceived as a horror novel, Sophie decided to explore the themes of motherhood and social expectation through this dystopian book.

Lara Prescott's debut novel was an instant New York Times best seller. Lara's mom thinks it's fate that she wrote The Secrets We Kept, a work of historical fiction based on the true story behind Boris Pasternak's Doctor Zhivago, because Lara was named after the heroine in that book! 

Sophie Heawood is every bit as funny, raw, and honest as her memoir. She talks to Zibby about trading a rock-and-roll lifestyle for unexpected single motherhood and her story of growing up with her daughter. 

Jodie Patterson's memoir quickly became one of Zibby's 2020 - and all time - favorites. Listen to conversation for standout insight on transformation, blended families, and more. "We have to discuss and debate with decorum and then shoot some basketball together at the end of the day" perfectly encapsulates Jodie's brand of brilliant advice. 

Bruce Feiler, one of America's most popular voices on contemporary life, shares amazing advice about "lifequakes," how to navigate things when life gets overturned in a big way, and adapting to a nonlinear existence.

Holly’s hilarious book tracks her dating exploits when she had given up hope. Holly spoke to Zibby about dating while parenting, how her dates felt about being part of a book (!), the conclusion to her project and how writing has gotten her through the tough times.

Breathe to Succeed is a slim, inspirational book filled with useful advice on how to be as successful as possible through the power of breath and inner self-awareness. Sandy gave Zibby some really specific tips and even tried getting her to practice breathing. Find out if she was willing or not! 

Bad-ass. Evy Poumpouras is the epitome of a bad-ass. Formerly a member of the Secret Service, Evy shares the types of looks she gives her husband when she wants something, how she exhibits confidence, what resilience looks like and why she wrote a book giving women everywhere the skills to become bulletproof like her. 

This power duo, co-hosts of the podcast Call Your Girlfriend, tracks their friendship origins in this treatise on the power and role of female friendship, Shine Theory,  and how to keep the friends that matter. 

The founder of Strala yoga spoke to Zibby about her participation in a recent National Geographic kids book about animal yoga poses, her daily yoga classes on Instagram, spreading the Strala approach to yoga, parenting a toddler, and more. 

This charming, world-famous ballerina not only co-authored Katarina Ballerina, a middle grade story about an aspiring ballerina, but also hosts Instagram dance classes in quarantine with special guests like Josh Groban. Zibby spoke to Tiler about overcoming injuries, surviving in your parent’s house, training, writing, entertaining others, and more.

Zibby spoke to Libby Copeland about her non-fiction book The Lost Family, which Zibby read all in one sitting because she couldn’t put it down. The book centers around one woman’s search for her family’s roots. They chatted about identity, family, bioethics, the business of DNA, what to do with their kids all summer, and more. Libby’s professionalism came through in every well-crafted sentence she effortlessly uttered. 

Jennifer Dahlberg, Stockholm-based author of novel Lagging Indicators, talked to Zibby about her fascination with the finance world and what it’s like for black women in that ecosystem, pausing her writing career when her kids were young, and why she’s currently locked up in a shed in Sweden. 

The author of Musical Chairs and several other novels, Amy Poeppel is charming and down-to-earth. (Fun fact: she has lived all around the globe and is actually a former teacher.) Her latest book, which is structured lyrically and contains a zillion music references, is a story about an empty-nester (sort of) balancing a career and what life throws at her.

Zibby was “lucky” (get it?) to speak to Julie Pennell about her light, entertaining summer read centered around three sisters who win the lottery and have to decide what really matters.

This best friend duo, co-hosts of the podcast We Fight So You Don’t Have To, have written yet another novel together. And they’re still friends! Listen to Zibby chat with them about the importance of highlighting other authors, podcasting, collaborating, and more.

Eliza Starts a Rumor is irresistible, as is Jane L. Rosen (who tells Zibby that she’s besties with Katie Couric)!

The Crayon Man will make you reconsider every time your child snaps a crayon in half. Part history, part fun story, this book is delightful, as was the conversation Natascha had with Zibby!

There’s no rhyme or reason to why kids are obsessed with some books, but Stephen Shaskan’s new series, Pizza & Taco, is one of those books. Listen to Stephen discuss her passion for delighting kids and how he works! 

I spoke to children’s book author Chiomah Momah from her home office all the way in Nigeria. (Ignore the part, please, when I didn’t realize the city she lived in was the capital! Oops!) Her picture book, First Day at the Big School, about a young child getting ready to go to school, is so relatable that I’ve already read it to my rising kindergartener several times. I loved hearing about how she found time to write it with her big full-time job and how she handled the pandemic! 

What even is the difference between YA, middle grade, and adult books? Iva-Marie’s latest book in the roller-rink heyday of the 1970s is about teens, so it must be YA. But it doesn’t have to be read by teens. Any grown-up who wants a quick dip into the past should pick it up -- and  listen to this chat! 

Who hasn’t baked lately? For anyone who has ever procrastinated -- especially anyone who finds baking to be the ultimate in distracting time-sinks -- Erin Gardner has the answers. Recipes, tips and more make this highly relatable mama and baker extraordinaire the ultimate procrastibaker.

Maybe early success can be a bad thing. Rachel Freidman debates this in her book and in conversation with Zibby as she reflects on her early achievements in music and then, even, in her first book. But then what? What happens after? And how do you hold onto creativity? Rachel goes back to her “band camp” friends to glean some life lessons.

Don’t sweatpants kinda make you feel blech? There’s something psychologically helpful about actually getting dressed, even in a pandemic. George Brescia is a stylist to the stars who has filled his book with advice for everyone on how to find and rock their own style. This isn’t a what-should-you-wear book. Instead, George explains to Zibby how he’s more of a fashion curator, a psychologist for the shelves. 

This is the advice every parent can use right about now. Listen to Dr. Claire Nicogossian’s soothing, sensible advice for a quick dose of sanity in the chaos of today.

Ready to move? Debating whether to move? Need a housewarming-ish gift? Ali Wenzke’s super-useful book gives tips, quizzes, charts and more to make any move easier. Zibby and Ali talked about mothering through the pandemic, the value of structure, and so much more.

Jennifer Steil was a hostage while pregnant. That’s just one of many notable life experiences that informs her work with depth and intrigue. EXILE MUSIC is no exception. It was hard to put down! She spoke to Zibby about motherhood, travel, inspiration, and resilience.

Karma Brown and Zibby hit it off right away as they talked about Recipe For A Perfect Wife. They jumped right in to Karma’s cancer experience, how she used her sister as her surrogate, and what life as a mom means to her now. They spoke about her many books, why her characters keep getting in accidents, and the meaning of life! 

Wow, was Zibby impressed by Beatriz’s giant intellect! This historical fiction author spouted facts and figures at a steady clip while explaining the inspiration behind her latest novel. 

Leah and Zibby swapped stories about the sights and sounds in their neighborhoods in the late afternoons that signal the end of the day. The fish market in Mumbai to the ice cream truck peddling down tree-shaded streets on Long Island united them across the world as they discussed mother-in-laws, marriage surprises and more.

A Columbia professor, Lynn Steger Strong teaches writing so could give advice for hours. Listen to her hand-picked tips and her journey to writing Want.

Debra Jo Immergut, the author of You Again, a thriller about what happens when your present self sees your younger self on the street and what ensues after, is riveting. A “Sliding Doors” type of story, You Again will make you rethink your entire life. It even involves a mother’s sojourn into Antifa and more surprises. 

 

Zibby and Stephanie were supposed to talk about the art world and the history behind some of history’s greatest artists, but instead they spoke about the stroke that unexpectedly hit Stephanie’s husband one evening and changed their lives. Hear what Stephanie has never shared before about her private life -- and why she is so captivated by superstars like Raphael. 

A searing novel about Applachain heartbreak, Shiner is Amy Jo Burns’ story based on her own environment growing up. Listen to her talk to Zibby about trauma, secrets, loss and more.