New York Times bestselling author Melissa de la Cruz chats with Zibby about her entertaining and poignant new novel, WHEN STARS ALIGN, published under Mindy Kaling’s imprint at Amazon! Inspired by an iconic early-2000s photo of Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton, and Britney Spears, the book explores friendship, fame, and identity through the intertwined stories of three starlets navigating the dark side of celebrity. Melissa reflects on her prolific writing career—over 70 books!—her experience as an immigrant, her path into YA and middle grade, how outlining helps her balance creativity and productivity, and the pressures of success.

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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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Zibby chats with author Scott Johnston about his provocative, satirical new novel, THE SANDERSONS FAIL MANHATTAN. Set in the elite world of New York’s Upper East Side, the story follows the unraveling of a seemingly perfect family as they collide with modern cultural and educational upheaval. Scott shares the inspiration behind the book—from viral blog posts about private school politics to real-life frustrations with the erosion of values in elite institutions. He and Zibby delve into themes of status, moral courage, parental pressure, and the societal obsession with optics.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3GONK3S

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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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Zibby is joined by beloved #1 New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Peter Brown to discuss THE WILD ROBOT ON THE ISLAND, a stunning new picture book that brings the origin story of Roz to life through full-color illustrations. Peter reflects on the evolution of The Wild Robot series—from his early doubts as a first-time novelist to the global phenomenon it has become, complete with a film adaptation and devoted readers of all ages. He shares the inspiration behind turning his beloved character into a picture book for younger audiences, the emotional undercurrents of Roz’s journey, his creative process, the challenge of finding the right visual tone for each story, and how themes of community and connection shape his work.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4lURTCe

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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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New York Times bestselling author Jo Piazza returns to the podcast, this time to discuss her explosive new #tradwife murder mystery, EVERYONE IS LYING TO YOU. Jo describes her deep dive into the “trad wife” influencer phenomenon and shares how motherhood, friendship breakups, modern identity, and the glossy but unsettling world of social media shaped this novel. She also explores the blurred lines between performance and reality online, the unspoken rules of mom culture, and the personal cost of curating a perfect life.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4lQk0T1

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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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Author Amy Blumenfeld returns to the podcast to discuss her new novel, SUCH GOOD PEOPLE, a masterfully crafted and nuanced story about a decades-long friendship tested by loyalty, justice, and the ripple effects of one life-altering decision. Amy shares her inspiration for this novel, from growing up with a criminal court judge father to uncovering story ideas in unlikely places (like a halfway house newsletter). She explores themes of friendship, moral ambiguity, journalism, and hidden truths in marriage, while also discussing her contributions to ON BEING JEWISH NOW, the anthology edited by Zibby, and her experiences navigating the publishing world as a Jewish writer today.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/44JfkHM

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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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Zibby interviews author Loretta Rothschild about her strikingly original and deeply moving debut, FINDING GRACE. The two discuss the book’s intoxicating blend of sweeping love story and emotional thriller, its nuanced exploration of grief, motherhood, secrets, and identity, and the unforgettable narrator, Anna. Loretta opens up about her creative process, the long road to finishing the novel, and how day-to-day details and quiet observations shaped her storytelling.

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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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Zibby chats with bestselling author Jennifer Pastiloff about her powerful and invigorating new book, PROOF OF LIFE: Let Go, Let Love, and Stop Looking for Permission to Live Your Life. Jennifer opens up about her progressive hearing loss, the emotional weight of shame, the importance of embracing imperfection, and the courage it takes to start over. Together, she and Zibby explore the magic of synchronicity, the myths of “the right path,” and the daily practice of aligning with what truly matters.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3IhTC69

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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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New York Times bestselling author Adriana Trigiani returns to the podcast to discuss her effervescent and big-hearted new book, THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO. The two dive into the novel’s surprising New Jersey setting (yes, that Lake Como) and the emotional journey of protagonist Jess Capodimonte Baratta, an Italian-American woman rebuilding her life and identity after divorce, family loss, and unearthed secrets. They explore themes of self-love, legacy, and the delicate strength of women—likened to marble that can endure anything but shatter with one wrong tap (Adriana even shares some insights on the Italian marble trade).

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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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Bestselling author Christine Pride returns to the podcast, this time to discuss her dazzling, unputdownable solo debut novel, ALL THE MEN I’VE LOVED AGAIN, which follows a woman in the impossible situation of being in love with the same two men who won her heart in her early 20s… as she nears 40. Christine delves into the novel’s themes of lost love, second chances, friendship, grief, and identity. She also discusses the joys and challenges of writing solo after co-authoring with Jo Piazza, the real-life roots of her novel’s premise, and her close relationship with her father, who inspired a central character in the book.

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/3GlHu3d

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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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Zibby chats with Argentine-American writer, comedian, and ex-child star Tamara Yajia about her wildly unhinged, hilarious, and vulnerable debut memoir, CRY FOR ME, ARGENTINA: My Life as a Failed Child Star. They dive into Tamara’s raw, no-holds-barred memoir chronicling her tumultuous upbringing between Argentina and the U.S., her chaotic family dynamics, her early brushes with fame, and the emotional toll of codependency and abuse. She also reflects on her childhood, chosen family, shocking moments of isolation, therapy, how writing this book helped her process lifelong trauma, and even her surreal summer hanging out with Brad Pitt!

Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/44nVIsq

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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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