Zibby led a discussion with actress Mena Suvari for a virtual event with Book Soup in Los Angeles where they discussed Mena's debut memoir, The Great Peace. Their conversation touched on how Mena knew it was the perfect time to share her story, the ways in which she processed her relationship with fame, and why the miracles in her life have helped her to find her place in this world. Watch the full conversation here!
Zibby was joined by sisters Lynne and Val Constantine —the duo behind Liv Constantine who wrote the Reese's Book Club pick, The Last Mrs. Parrish— for an Instagram Live to discuss their latest thriller, The Stranger in the Mirror. They talk about the research that went into writing about amnesia, why the book's suspicious mother-in-law ended up becoming their favorite character, and how their grandmother's life story continues to inspire their narratives today.
"Grief is what we pay for love. If you don't really love somebody, you just get past it." Zibby is joined by poet, professor, and author Honorée Fanonne Jeffers to talk about her debut novel, The Love Songs of W.E.B. Du Bois, which was just selected as the next Oprah’s Book Club pick. Honorée shares how she wanted to infuse the book with memories from her childhood without stealing stories directly from her family, as well as how a prolonged period of loss and grief in her life has led her to form a deep connection with her characters. Check out Zibby and Kyle’s appearance on Good Day LA where they recommended this book here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CSXW1bUJhVp/.
Before Katie Russell Newland's mom died, the two planned to visit every Major League Baseball stadium in the country. After overcoming health issues of her own, Katie decided to finally complete her mother's wish. Her debut memoir, A Season with Mom, tells the story of Katie's journey in the form of letters to her mother documenting what she learned about herself and their relationship, and has already been optioned by Kaley Cuoco's production company!
Bestselling author Jennifer Weiner joined Zibby's Virtual Book Club to talk about her latest novel, That Summer. Jennifer shares how she was inspired to write her recent trilogy after receiving another Jennifer Weiner's emails and why she wanted to combine that story with the #MeToo movement. She also answers questions from readers about her father, raising two book-loving daughters, and how she uses fiction to work through things as they unfold in her life. Join Zibby's Virtual Book Club today!
"Laughter goes hand in hand with tragedy and how we cope." Saturday Night Live star Cecily Strong joined Zibby for an Instagram Live to discuss her debut memoir, This Will All Be Over Soon. Combining her own story with that of her beloved cousin Owen, Cecily reflects on the pandemic as it unfolded and what the loss felt like. Cecily hopes the book will keep Owen's optimistic spirit alive, as well as help readers cope with their own loss.
Zibby was joined by the authors of The Personal Librarian, Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, for an Instagram Live to talk about their GMA Book Club pick. Marie and Victoria share the story of how they met each other, why they're more like soulmates than collaborators, and how the social movements during the last year served to strengthen both their story and their interracial friendship. The pair also discuss how their trust in one another allowed them to weave an emotional and intricate historical fiction about Belle da Costa Greene, and where their partnership is taking them next.
Zibby moderated a conversation with Sara Shepard about her latest novel, Safe in My Arms, as part of the virtual Penguin Bookshop Writers Series in Pittsburgh. The two bonded over their habit of expecting the worst-case scenario in every situation, and Sara shared what projects she's working on next. The two also talked about Sara's essay in Zibby's first anthology as well as why it might be a bad idea for Sara to think about thrillers while jogging around her neighborhood. And, check out Zibby's @gmabookclub IG Live with Sara here!
Zibby is joined by illustrious crime author Karin Slaughter, whose books have sold over 35 million copies in 37 languages. The two talk about how Karin's experiences with the pandemic and babysitting factored into her latest book, False Witness, as well as how writing stories throughout her childhood about her sisters disappearing led to her current career. She also shares what it has been like to watch her novel, Pieces of Her, go through the adaptation process with Netflix, and a few behind-the-scenes secrets from her visits to the set.
"You can only control your own life and what you do. Tomorrow isn't here. We just have today. Today, we're fine." Author of Baby Teeth Zoje Stage joins Zibby to discuss her latest novel, Getaway, which is not about a breezy vacation as the title may suggest. Zoje shares how the trauma she endured as a resident of Squirrel Hill —the neighborhood that was home to the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting— inspired the story's psychological and religious themes, and the parts of herself that she sees in her characters. Check out Zibby and Kyle’s appearance on Good Day LA where they recommended this book here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CSXW1bUJhVp/
Jason Mott's latest novel, Hell of a Book —which is already a New York Times bestseller and a Read With Jenna Book Club pick— is meant to make readers laugh out loud on one page while offering a critical look at serious topics like race and policing in America on the next. Jason joins Zibby to discuss the technical structure of the book, as well as how his introverted tendencies both inspired the story's undertones and prompted Zibby to reflect on her own shyness. The two also talk about ways they like to recharge after spending time around other people and why Jason doesn't like to take himself too seriously. Check out Zibby and Kyle’s appearance on Good Day LA where they recommended this book here: https://www.instagram.com/tv/CSXW1bUJhVp/
Although Gina Yashere's path to comedy wasn't easy, writing her memoir, Cack-Handed, in her own voice allowed her to work through some things she thought she had left behind. Now a legend in the comedy world, with a CBS sitcom that she created and stars in, Gina is reflecting on how she got to where she is. She shares what growing up as the daughter of two Nigerian immigrants in the U.K. was like in the 1980s, why she turned to comedy as a way to mitigate some of the racialized violence she experienced, and how writing this book helped her understand her mother in a brand-new way.
Former Moms Don't Have Time to Lose Weight guest Ann Garvin joins Zibby for a new conversation. The two discuss Ann's latest novel, I Thought You Said This Would Work, and how we rarely ever talk about how significant friendships are in our lives, as well as how destabilizing it can be to lose them. Ann also shares what motivated her to start Tall Poppy Writers, a female writing collective designed to help women connect with one another to not only improve their work but also build a supportive community.
Zibby is joined by journalist Claire Nelson to talk about her incredible debut memoir, Things I Learned From Falling, which documents her near-death experience while hiking at Joshua Tree. As Claire waited for days for assistance to arrive —wondering if any would come at all— she set out on a self-reflection journey in which she uncovered uncomfortable truths about her inner beliefs and her mortality at large. Despite her harrowing journey, Claire shares how she approaches each day with comedy and a determination to live.
While The Photographer may be Mary Dixie Carter's first novel, she has been writing and creating art her entire life. Mary Dixie tells Zibby how her previous roles as an actress and a journalist helped shape her into the writer she is today, the bizarre real-life interaction with a photographer that inspired her dark and suspicious protagonist, and why she finds life more fascinating behind the metaphorical camera.
Zibby is joined by restaurateur Peter Hoffman to talk about his debut memoir, What's Good?, which not only takes readers through Peter's own history but through those of his favorite ingredients as well. The two talk about the people who shaped Peter's cooking style, what we all gain when we cook with local ingredients, and where to find the best strawberries in New York City.
"I realized that being a good reader and helping other people read well is a political act. You take a stand in society when you decide to chase after that." Along with instilling a lifelong love of reading, Tracy Swinton Bailey's father taught her how powerful literacy could be, which inspired her to start the literacy nonprofit Freedom Readers in 2010. Tracy talked with Zibby about her memoir, Forever Free, the incredible results Freedom Readers has produced, and how the group plans to grow in a post-pandemic world. Listeners can get involved at freedomreaders.org.
Abbie Greaves is still perplexed by the question posed on the cover of her latest book, Anywhere for You: "How far would you go for the love of your life?" Abbie and Zibby discussed heartbreaking truths about missing persons, why they love stories with a large cast of characters, and all of the amazing things we often overlook during our daily commutes.
Emily Henry joined Zibby for an Instagram Live to discuss her latest novel, People We Meet on Vacation— one of her two books currently on the New York Times bestsellers list! The two had a wide-ranging and fun conversation about everything from expensing vacations to their favorite rom-com, and why it's so hard for them to pick out book recommendations.
With the Hampton Classic horse show around the corner, New York Times reporter Sarah Maslin Nir's debut memoir, Horse Crazy, is more timely than ever. As she traveled the world for work, Sarah secretly documented the history of horses in each region, satisfying a lifelong obsession while also developing her own personal narrative. From growing up as the daughter of a Holocaust survivor to working for the founder of The Black Cowboy Museum and meeting a woman whose own horse obsession led her to nefarious deeds, Sarah's story is as complex and riveting as the animals she loves.
