"I Don't Like Change"
As Back-to-School Looms Large, I'm Thinking About How We Adapt at Any Age
Here’s the difference between my twins. By the middle of last month, my daughter had everything ready for her college move-in. The upholstered headboard. The ottoman that opens up for more storage. Framed prints for the wall, chosen with the utmost care. Measured, under-the-bed containers. Sheets that match perfectly with the duvet, already washed and folded. Even a laundry bag with space for detergent.
Cut to: her twin brother. Yesterday, he looked over at me with a chin nod and said,“Oh, hey, Mom. I think we need to buy some sheets.”
How we all handle transition is unique — and sometimes maddening for those around us. I used to think I “didn’t like change,” as if it were something I could just strike from the life menu. Now that I’m deep in the Between Chapters project, I’ve been reflecting on the essays written by many of you covering just this. How do we move from one stage to the next? Do we “overpack?” Procrastinate? Cry? Deny? And isn’t the ability to move ahead into another phase really the secret of life?
7 Quick Quotes on Change (from Totally Booked)
I’ve received invaluable lessons from many recent podcast guests that I feel like shouting them from the rooftop. Yes, the books I cover are different in form and topic, but the conversations are really about how we all get through things. How we pursue our goals. How we create. Contribute. Rebound. As the school year approaches, here are a few thoughts to keep in mind.
“Disaster can happen. The world can feel like it's exploding. In the end, things can kind of be okay.” -Jill Santopolo Claster, Stars in an Italian Sky (listen here)
“We can feel like we're doing everything right. We can feel like everything seems so aligned in our life and still feel empty or still be looking for, where is that fire? Where is that excitement? What am I supposed to be doing here?” - Jillian Abby , Perfectly Queer (listen here)
“You can't always obsess over these looming threats. Sometimes you have to just step back into a more meditative space around them.” - Lydia Millet, Dinosaurs (listen here)
“I am in the chrysalis right now. I'm trying to report on how it looks in here. I don't know how I will change, but I can tell that I will.” - Taylor Jenkins Reid, Malibu Rising (listen here)
“The more we can understand and address what we're dealing with, the less power things have over us.” - Dr. Zelana Montminy, Finding Focus (listen here)
“The thought that kept going through my head every day was, this is not a good use of my time on this planet. And every few months I would sob and my parents would say, you should be a writer. And I would say, that's not helpful. You're supposed to tell me to be a CPA or something practical.” - Nicola Kraus, The Best We Could Hope For (listen here)
“Through it all, I'm often asked, would I change anything? The answer is absolutely not. It was the hand I was dealt. I played it to the best of my ability. If I change anything, I might not be the person I am today.” Richard Antoine White, I’m Possible (listen here)
Let’s Talk
Bringing people together means helping each other through change. Even just being there helps someone else (the author!). We have three signature Zibby events coming up with fabulous featured authors who all have something important to share. But the best might be what you share with the new friend sitting next to you.
NEW: Sunday, October 25th from 10 am - 3:30 pm in New York: Totally Booked: Live! It’s our intimate literary talk show with panels, a Whitby Hotel brunch, a book fair, and more. Topics range from fiction and family to health, food, and falling in love. Be there before the conversations air on TV! Authors include Alyssa Rosenheck, Amber Rae, Beatriz Williams, Elizabeth Castellano, Griffin Dunne, Lila Raicek, Dr. Lucy McBride, Rachelle Unreich, and Tarajia Morrell! Tickets here. Early bird pricing until Labor Day!
Saturday, October 3rd from 8:45 am - 2 pm: Santa Monica Retreat for Book Lovers: Day Pass! Part of our weekend retreat, the day pass includes panels, shopping and shmoozing at Zibby’s Bookshop, followed by a private luncheon. Hear from Cleo Wade, Laura Dave, Annabelle Gurwitch, Tess Sanchez, Kelly Yang, Emma Heming Willis, Jennifer Love Hewitt, David Ambroz, Laura Tremaine, Jewell Parker Rhodes, gabrielle korn, Jordan Roter, and Sarah Mlynowski! Details here. (Weekend experience available, too!)
Saturday, January 23rd, 9:30 am - 2:30 pm in Naples, FL: The Naples Retreat luncheon features dynamo speakers on panels at a luxury hotel, book fair, and a beautiful lunch! Join Jen Hatmaker, Matthew Quick, Sarah Damoff, Lisa Barr, Brisa Carleton, and Rachel Beanland! Details here. (Weekend experience available, too! The perfect January get-away with gourmet meals, bookstore browsing, and new connections!)
I mean, really. Don’t our events look fun!? The conversations are waiting for you.
5 Things You May Have Missed:
Libby (not Zibby - haha) released their list of the top 20 audiobooks of summer in BookRiot and included our Zibby Publishing title I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney at #6!
Zibby’s Bookshop launched a Bookshop Rewards program for both adults and kids. Stop by to pick up a special loyalty card.
Our Zibby Publishing phenom Emma Grey recommended When Lemons Give You Life by Anna Johnston in Women. That’s what I picked for an upcoming book club! Our podcast episode ran last week.
Totally Booked is back to being a daily podcast. I can’t help myself. Recent conversations: David K. Israel, The Last Mozart; Jaclyn Moriarty, Time Travel for Beginners (which was just featured in People!), Chris Bohjalian’s The Amateur which the Boston Globe called “masterful;” Dr. Lucy Kalinithi, widow of Dr. Paul Kalanithi who wrote When Breath Becomes Air.
Watch the recent Zibby’s Bookshop event with Dr. Lucy McBride and Elise Loehnen!
Meanwhile, I’m off to buy sheets. Oh no, wait. My son just texted back: “Don’t worry, Mom. I took care of it.”
A sigh and a smile. And maybe a salty tear.
Have a great week.