Zibby is joined by cooking school owner and author Jane Bertch to discuss THE FRENCH INGREDIENT, the inspiring and delicious memoir of an American woman navigating innumerable cultural differences to build a life in Paris and open her cooking school, La Cuisine Paris. Jane delves into the challenges of opening her business (and triumphing over French naysayers!) and navigating several other personal and professional obstacles while living abroad. She also discusses the importance of community, the significance of food in connecting people from different backgrounds, and her journey as a writer. 

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(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].)

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James Rhee, a high school teacher, Harvard Law graduate, private equity investor, and the unexpected Chairman and CEO of Ashley Stewart, joins Zibby to discuss RED HELICOPTER—A PARABLE FOR OUR TIMES: Lead Change With Kindness (Plus a Little Math), a brilliant business handbook that elevates kindness, joy, and goodwill. James shares what he learned from his Korean immigrant parents and from the black women he worked with. He reflects on the challenges faced by Ashley Stewart, weaving in themes of race, gender, and systemic barriers. He also touches on grief and the importance of embracing emotions in the workplace.

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(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].)

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Neely Tubati Alexander returns to the podcast, this time to discuss IN A NOT SO PERFECT WORLD, a delightful Carribbean-set romp about a quirky video-game designer and the hot next-door neighbor who invites her on a luxurious vacation… to pose as his new girlfriend. Neely talks about the romance genre (and all the fun tropes!), her creative process (and the challenges of crafting dialogue and picking the perfect word!), the evolving landscape of publishing, and the impact of TikTok on book sales. She also offers valuable advice for writers seeking to connect with others and navigate the publishing industry. 

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Great American novelist Julia Alvarez, bestselling author of HOW THE GARCÍA GIRLS LOST THEIR ACCENTS, joins Zibby to discuss her luminescent and lyrical new novel, THE CEMETERY OF UNTOLD STORIES. Julia describes her book as a journey through an older writer’s mind as she grapples with the end of her career and all the untold stories within her. She shares some of the inspirations behind the story—from her own ritual of burying manuscripts to the cultural influences of her Dominican heritage. She also delves into the topics of aging, cancel culture, and the necessity of maintaining joy and authenticity in the writing process.

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(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].)

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Award-winning writer Carys Davies joins Zibby to discuss CLEAR, a stunning, exquisite novel about an impoverished Scottish minister who is dispatched to a remote island to “clear” the last remaining inhabitant… who has no intention of leaving. Carys reveals how a chance encounter with an extinct language dictionary ignited the spark for CLEAR over a decade ago and then discusses the profound impact of early photography, the extinction of the Norn language, and the socio-political landscape of 19th-century Scotland. She also describes her writing process and shares valuable advice for aspiring authors.

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Bestselling author Jo Piazza chats with Zibby about The SICILIAN INHERITANCE, an utterly immersive, multigenerational mystery about a long-awaited trip to Sicily, a disputed inheritance, and a family secret that some will kill to protect. Jo talks about the real-life murder of her great-great-grandmother, Lorenza Marsala, which inspired this story, and then delves into her meticulous research process, from unraveling family secrets to immersing herself in Sicilian culture. She also talks about the evolution of her writing, what it’s been like to navigate motherhood, ambition, and the shifting landscape of publishing, and what she’s working on next (hint: retreat in Sicily).

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Award-winning actress Phillipa Soo (best known for the role of Eliza in HAMILTON) and her sister-in-law and co-author Maris Pasquale Doran join Zibby to discuss PIPER CHEN SINGS, an empowering and heartwarming children’s book about a girl who turns performance jitters into confidence when singing a solo at her school concert. Maris, who draws from her career in psychotherapy, and Phillipa talk about their own experiences with stage fright and anxiety and connect them to the book’s main topics: big emotions, mindfulness, and managing uncertainty. They also talk about the creative and collaborative process behind this project—from brainstorming on FaceTime to refining the art with their incredible illustrator, Qin Leng.

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Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books.

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Zibby Books author alert!! Zibby speaks with debut author (and resident doctor!) Elle Evans about WEDDING ISSUES, a laugh-out-loud, feel-good story about a charismatic law student who is the maid of honor for two brides competing for the same magazine cover: her best friend and her cousin. Elle describes her unique path to writing and what it’s like to juggle it with a demanding medical career. Then, she reveals some of the inspiration behind this novel, touching on some of her wedding mishaps (it involves purple shirts and tofu). She also delves into her novel’s themes: friendship, LGBTQ representation, messy family dynamics and generational tensions, and the pursuit of personal and professional fulfillment.

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Zibby is joined by debut author (and Manager of Books at Reese’s Book Club!) Gretchen Schreiber to discuss ELLIE HAYCOCK IS TOTALLY NORMAL, a big-hearted novel best described as The Breakfast Club meets Five Feet Apart. Gretchen opens up about her medical journey and upbringing around Ronald McDonald Houses and then delves into her book's themes: navigating illness, family relationships, and the impact of social media on personal privacy. Finally, she talks about her exciting role at Reese’s Book Club, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the book selection process and the evolving landscape of book club fiction!

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(Music by Morning Moon Music. Sound editing by TexturesSound. To inquire about advertising, please contact [email protected].)

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