On Sunday, December 15th, a crowd of 50 people gathered at Zibby's Bookshop to listen to an intimate conversation between Elisa Albert and Zibby Owens. They discussed Elisa's book HUMAN BLUES, her writing process, Zibby's anthology ON BEING JEWISH NOW, and the controversy at the Albany Book Festival about which Elisa wrote a powerful essay entitled, "An Invitation to the Anti-Zionists: You refused to sit on a literary panel with me. I invite you to my Shabbes table instead, so we can actually talk to each other and face her fears."

Spoiler: no one accepted her invitation.

Bio:

Elisa Albert is the author of the novels Human Blues, After Birth, The Book of Dahlia, the story collection How This Night is Different, and the essay collection The Snarling Girl. Her work has been published in n+1, Tin House, Bennington Review, The New York Times, Michigan Quarterly Review, The Literary Review, Philip Roth Studies, Paris Review, Los Angeles Review of Books, Longreads, The Cut, Time Magazine, Post Road, Gulf Coast, Commentary, Salon, Tablet, Washington Square, The Rumpus, The Believer and in many anthologies. She has taught creative writing at Columbia University’s School of the Arts, The College of Saint Rose, Bennington College, Texas State University, University of Maine, and the Fine Arts Work Center in Provincetown. A Pushcart Prize nominee, finalist for the Sami Rohr Prize and Paterson Fiction Prize, winner of the Moment Magazine debut fiction prize, and Literary Death Match champion, Albert has served as Writer-in-Residence at the Netherlands Institute for Advanced Study in Holland and at the Hanse-Wissenschaftkolleg in Germany.

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Natalia Mehlman Petrzela and Zibby discussed Natalia's recent New York Times op-ed centered on antisemitism. She shared details about her own experiences, the meaning of "intersectionality," and what it's like to be on the faculty at an academic institution today.

Bio:

Natalia is the author of CLASSROOM WARS: Language, Sex, and the Making of Modern Political Culture (Oxford University Press, 2015), and FIT NATION: The Gains and Pains of America’s Exercise Obsession (University of Chicago Press, 2023). She is co-producer and host of the acclaimed podcast WELCOME TO YOUR FANTASY, from Pineapple Street Studios/Gimlet and the co-host of PAST PRESENT podcast. She is a columnist for MSNBC Opinion, a frequent media guest expert, public speaker, and contributor to outlets including the New York Times, the Washington Post, CNN, and the Atlantic.

Natalia is a Carnegie Corporation Fellow in 2024-25, a National Endowment for the Humanities Public Scholar in 2025-26, and is currently working on two new books, a short history of the school culture wars, and a history of the Hamptons, with historian Neil J. Young. She is the executive producer of a new BBC podcast coming in Summer 2024, and of a documentary series based on FIT NATION, in development with TIME Studios. Natalia’s career began as a public school teacher, and she is currently Lead Historian on the Jewish American Hidden Voices curriculum for New York City’s Department of Education, launching in June 2025.

Natalia is Professor of History at The New School, co-founder of the wellness education program Healthclass 2.0, and a Premiere Leader of the mind-body practice intenSati. Her work has been supported by the Spencer, Whiting, Rockefeller, and Mellon Foundations, the Carnegie Corporation, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. She holds a B.A. from Columbia and a Ph.D. from Stanford and lives with her husband and two children in New York City.

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Special holiday re-release! Zibby speaks to award-winning author David Sedaris about THE BEST OF ME, a wickedly funny and memorable collection of stories about life’s surprises. David talks about owning who you are as a writer and explains why “publishing isn’t writing.” He also tells Zibby why he doesn’t read internet comments and discloses how he expresses love (hint: it involves Christmas!)

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Zibby welcomes award-winning middle-grade author, cartoonist, and children’s TV creator Alan Silberberg and New York Times bestselling children’s author and cartoonist Terri Libenson to discuss FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS, the beautiful and moving anthology they both contributed to that is an ode to the magic of Hanukkah and what it means to be Jewish. While Alan’s story explores Jewish mysticism, Terri’s story blends doodles and text in her signature style to examine the impact of our actions and family legacy. The three also delve into the broader themes of Jewish identity, cultural connection, and navigating a post-October 7th world.

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Zibby chats with author Taylor Hahn about A HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, a moving, charming, and tenderhearted Christmas romance that follows wedding singer Mel as she navigates complicated grief, secrets, found family, and newfound hope after her mother’s sudden passing. Taylor, who also lost her mother unexpectedly, shares how writing this book was a transformative and healing process and then delves into complex mother-daughter relationships, the nuances of grief, and the layers of identity reflected in her book. She also touches on her dual life as a lawyer and a writer, her pivot to creative expression, and the mix of personal milestones—including her pregnancy—that coincided with profound loss.

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In this special episode (a live event at the Streicker Center attended by more than 350 people!), Zibby joins authors Annabelle Gurwitch, Nicola Kraus, Lihi Lapid, and Talia Carner to discuss ON BEING JEWISH NOW, the inspiring collection of personal essays reflecting on Jewish identity in the aftermath of October 7th that they all contributed to. From motherhood and immigration to antisemitism and rediscovering Jewish heritage and resilience, each contributor shares stories from their essays and lives, making for a heartfelt, emotional, and thought-provoking panel.

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Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

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Zibby welcomes life coach, inspirational speaker, and host of the mega-hit podcast Abundant Ever After, Cathy Heller, to discuss her powerful and transformative new book, ABUNDANT EVER AFTER: Tools for Creating a Life of Prosperity and Ease. Cathy shares her spiritual journey—from facing antisemitism in college to exploring spirituality in Israel and integrating mindfulness and Jewish mysticism into her life. Then, she outlines actionable steps for building a life of joy, connection, fulfillment, and inner peace. Want to meet Cathy in real life? Get your weekend pass to the ZIBBY Retreat: Santa Barbara, Feb 21-23, 2025!

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In this special episode (a live event at Zibby’s Bookshop!), film editor and bestselling author Lauren Ling Brown discusses her haunting and atmospheric debut (and Reese’s Book Club Pick!), SOCIETY OF LIES, with writer and editor Halley Sutton. The two delve into the novel’s themes of sisterhood, secret societies, and the dark side of privilege at elite universities. Lauren reveals how her own experiences shaped her protagonist, who grapples with belonging and morality. She also shares her creative process, the journey to becoming a published author, the heartwarming moment she shared an advanced copy with her dad, and her exciting plans for her next mystery.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/41rmiRA

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

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Zibby is joined by New York Times bestselling author Shannon Messenger to discuss UNRAVELED, the newest installment (book number 9.5!) of her stunning, imaginative, award-winning middle-grade series, KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES. Shannon delves into her creative journey, explaining how a college broadcast writing class helped her shift from artist to writer. She also reflects on the perseverance it took to find and build her readership, crediting the support of teachers, librarians, and fans across the globe. Finally, she shares what it’s like to balance a writing career with parenting two young children!

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZyGYFY

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

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Zibby interviews debut romance author Nora Dahlia about PICK-UP, a witty and sweetly satisfying enemies-to-lovers rom-com set around school drop-off culture. Nora shares the inspiration behind her book—an amusing lack of salacious gossip at her kids’ school—and then delves into her novel’s deeper themes, from maintaining individuality as a mother to navigating life’s messy middle stage, where aging parents, growing children, and personal desires collide. Nora also shares her creative process and reveals why she incorporated multiple perspectives in the book.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3ZwwhUp

Share, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!

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