Weekly Highlights for Book Lovers
From Anna Quindlen to Dog Leashes
Congratulations to all the winner at last night’s Academy Awards! So thrilled that my brother Teddy was nominated as a producer for Best Picture nominee “Train Dreams.”
This is a really exciting week because we’re publishing Annabelle Gurwitch’s memoir, The End of My Life is Killing Me: The Unexpected Joys of a Cancer Slacker which comes out tomorrow. Annabelle is an actress and New York Times bestselling author plus two-time nominee for the Thurber Prize for Humor.
Annabelle has been doing so many events including one with me in Palm Beach Gardens at the JCC last week! (Watch here.) The book is an unforgettable comedy about living with stage 4 lung cancer. And it’s really good. Annabelle also contributed to On Being Jewish Now. Learn more here. (p.s. Graca on our team designed the cover!)
Totally Booked with Zibby
Monday: Anna Quindlen’s Book Club
Ever wondered what a fictitious book club would look like in Anna Quindlen’s mind? Enter More Than Enough, her latest powerhouse of a novel which centers on what happens to the members of a book club including DNA-based identity disruptions, illness, infertility, and more — with a dose of alpaca. Read to find out. We recorded our episode live at The Whitby Hotel. Watch it on my TV show “Totally Booked” on the JBS network when it comes out.
Tuesday: Ruthie Rogers Sits Down with Celebs
In Table 4 at The River Cafe, restaurant owner Ruthie Rogers shares conversations with her high-profile podcast guests including Paul McCartney, David Beckham, and Martha Stewart. Learn more about them through their relationships to food.
Wednesday: Debut Fiction Based in New Mexico
Want to travel to the Southwest? I Am Agatha by debut author Nancy Foley takes us there. Inspired by her grandmother’s past, Nancy wrote a story about two elderly ladies and their antics. It’s as much about the land as the people. Here’s to pursuing writing dreams until they come true.
Thursday: A Love Letter to a Former Teacher
Brian Platzer’s novel The Optimists was just reviewed in the New York Times Book Review. I interviewed him live at the Whitby about his beloved teacher who fell victim to a stroke and who he visited for years afterwards, how Sarah Jessica Parker interviewed him at a recent event, and the power of loyalty. His novel also features a love story gone wrong about teens and a star student’s descent. Watch it on my TV show “Totally Booked” on the JBS network when it comes out.
Friday: An “It Girl” Worth Knowing
Bestselling author Allison Pataki introduces us to yet another powerful woman forgotten in history in her latest historical novel It Girl. Evelyn Talbot shot onto the scene in the early 20th century and rose to prominence (think: Kardashians). But her relationships with men destroyed her career and her life. Read Allison’s reimagined ending for this star. Watch it on my TV show “Totally Booked” on the JBS network when it comes out.
Events This Week
NEW YORK. Tuesday, March 17th: ADL Never is Now Conference. (Online pass available too here.)
9:00 am - 11 am: Main Stage with other “Heroes Against Hate” in opening session.
2:45 pm - 4:00 pm: Discussion with Bianna Goldryga, “Parenting Through Antisemitism: Helping Children Face Hate with Strength and Empathy.” Info here. Register here.
NEW YORK. Wednesday, March 18th: Israel Matters event with UJA New York. Rabbi Raphael Shore (Zooming in from Israel), producer of the documentary, Tragic Awakening: A New Look at the Oldest Hatred, and Jonathan Tobin, Editor-in-Chief of the Jewish New Syndicate (JNS). 6:00 pm: Panel conversation. 7:00 pm: Film screening. Tickets here.
On Being Jewish Now
Last week was brutal for the Jewish people. I posted about the many attacks on institutions and individuals in real time. These despicable acts should be ringing alarm bells for everyone.
In Israel, Rachel Caplin contributed to our On Being Jewish Now Substack about what it feels like living in today’s uncertainty as a type A mom with “War is the Thief of Time.” (Speaking of type A moms, check out my friend’s Substack: Amanda Brown - Type A Mom.)
If you’ve been affected, my heart goes out to you. We all feel it. For everyone else, a reminder that not doing or saying something is also a decision.
Now back to my happy, informative weekly newsletter for book lovers. Because this is how we roll. Living life in the face of antisemitism.
The Performance
On Being Jewish Now has been adapted and produced by The Braid! The show is opening this month in L.A. and next month in Northern California, plus on Zoom. Check out the coverage in the Hollywood Reporter and Broadway World!
Tickets here.
These are the in-person performances at which I’ll be doing talkbacks:
SUN, MAR 22, 7:00 PM PT Private Art Gallery, Torrance, CA - SOLD OUT.
MON, MAR 23, 7:00 PM PT Congregation Tikvat Jacob. Address: 1829 N Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266.
TUE, MAR 24, 7:30 PM PT The Braid Space - SOLD OUT. Address: 3435 Ocean Park Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90405.
WED, MAR 25, 7:30 PM PT Valley Beth Shalom. Address: 15739 Ventura Blvd, Encino, CA 91436.
THUR, MAR 26, 7:30 PM PT Congregation Or Ami. Address: 26115 Mureau Rd # B, Calabasas, CA 91302.
SUN, MAR 29, 2:00 PM PT IN PERSON, Wilshire Blvd Temple (Irmas Campus). 11661 W Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90064. S
Watch: The “Totally Booked” TV Show on JBS
Did you miss all these episodes of my TV show? You can catch up! Click below. New episodes every Thursday at 7:30 pm ET on the JBS network. The most recent episodes are up of Katie Sturino, Sunny Side Up, and Lili Anolik, Didion & Babitz.
Item(s) of the Week
Dogistry has given us all a special 15% off discount on all adorable dog harnesses and leashes. Code: ZIBBY15. Click here.
