Weekly Highlights for Book Lovers
Graduation and more
My twins just graduated from high school. I’m feeling both elated and grief-stricken. It’s the oddest combination. I posted about this on Instagram and don’t want to be repetitive, but I just wasn’t prepared for how emotional it would be. Which sounds silly.
I mean, I assumed I’d cry at the ceremony and move on, but what really happened is, after cheering at the top of my lungs, I started crying after my beaming daughter was back in her seat. And then the wheels came off. It was particularly meaningful because as the wave of emotions hit, I was sitting in between my parents, who understood without my having to explain.
When I really felt it was when we were back home, unpacking. All the worry, stress, planning, organizing, FaceTiming, coaching, scheduling, loving of the past almost nineteen years bubbled up. Somehow, we had all made it. My gosh. My shoulders dropped for the first time in years as I exhaled but then crumpled. It felt like grief. Someone suggested a support group. I don’t think that’s a bad idea!
But back to books. Tonight, I’ll be doing an event at the 92nd Street Y with Allison Gilbert, Mark Feuerstein and Rabbi Steve Leder, inspired by On Being Jewish Now. I better pull myself together by then. Oh, and I changed the title and cover of my book to Between Chapters instead of Between Books. Thanks to those of you who weighed in on that. If you want to know my thoughts about marketing in the book world, here’s my recent interview in Publishers Weekly. And you can listen to my interview on The Golda Girls podcast for some summer book recs. But read on…
In other news…
Paperback Release
“Mom, have you read I See You’ve Called in Dead by John Kenney?”
“You know, I never ended up getting around to that one.”
“Mom! It’s so good. And it’s coming out in paperback.”
“Okay, fine. Let me borrow yours. Zib, did you read Bruce something-or-other’s book? Culpability?”
“Not yet. I just never —.”
“Oh, Zib, you must! It’s so good. It’s hard to start anything else after finishing it.”
“Well, you try this one and I’ll try that one.”
Report: I am now loving Culpability. Why did it take me so long?! Waiting for my mom’s assessment of I See You’ve Called in Dead.
FYI, for those of you in L.A., John Kenney will be doing a sure-to-be-hilarious event at Zibby’s Bookshop with Shalom Auslander, Feh, on June 14th at 5 pm PT. Details here.
Totally Booked This Week
Don’t miss these conversations! And watch the “Totally Booked” TV Show on JBS. New episodes every Thursday at 7:30 pm ET on the JBS network. Watch here.
Susan Patterson and James Patterson, The Mother-Daughter Book Club
Yes, this is about a group of moms and daughters, a story told in many alternating viewpoints during a fun getaway in Europe and beyond. But at its core, it’s about the ripple effects of an accident: misunderstandings, long-held resentments, and the impact of the unexpected on even the closest friends and loved ones. James and Sue Patterson spoke to me about their collaborations and more. Can you guess who James Patterson is writing a book with next?! Listen and find out. Clue: his last name rhymes with feast.
Kerry Docherty, Selfish
Loved Selfish! Co-founder of Faherty, Kerry Docherty, was a college athlete and superstar with a natural healer’s energy before helping her husband and his twin brother launch the clothing company. In the midst of start-up life, Kerry started losing herself and became entangled in an emotional affair with a famous musician. Her story explores what it means for a woman to put her needs first and how business and family mix.
Caitlin Shetterly, The Gulf of Lions
Caitlin Shetterly wrote about a mom with breast cancer in The Gulf of Lions, a follow-up to Pete and Alice in Maine. Then, in a strange plot twist, she got breast cancer herself. It’s hard to believe Caitlin’s diagnosis came after the fact because the emotions are so visceral and descriptive in the story. It’s like it had already happened. The plot centers on a mom taking her two teen/tween daughters to France for the summer after her husband cheated on her — and the unexpected twists and turns of the trip. Themes include family, secrets, trust, lust, and the joy of travel.
Lauren Schott, Very Slowly All at Once
Lauren and I spoke about her novel, Very Slowly All at Once, about a couple who starts getting mysterious checks in the mail. The husband is an out-of-work professor who finds out something odd when visiting his mother in her post-stroke home. The wife is desperate to find excitement. What happens next? Read and find out.
Jess H. Gutierrez, Adulting for Amateurs
Arkansas-based humorist Jess H. Gutierrez turns on the funny in her second collection of essays, Adulting for Amateurs. If you’ve ever made a mix tape, this book is for you. Nothing is off the table from her dog-sitting gone wrong to being married to a woman firefighter. I laughed out loud many times.
Zibby’s Book Club
Tuesday, June 9th at 7 pm ET: Sarah Damoff, The Burning Side. Register here. (Listen to our podcast here.)
Wednesday, July 22nd at 7 pm ET: Jane Costello, Forty Love. Register here. (Listen to our podcast here.) Used code ZIBBY20 to take 20% off plus free shipping.
Thursday, August 13th at 7 pm ET: Matthew Quick, Dad, Love, Me. Register here. Order at Zibby’s Bookshop here.
Upcoming Events
NEW YORK, NY. Monday, June 1st at 8 pm: 92nd Street Y event with actor Mark Feuerstein, Rabbi Steve Leder, Allison Gilbert and me to discuss On Being Jewish Now. Tickets here.
NEW YORK, NY. Wednesday, June 3rd at 3:45 pm. U.S. Book Show panelist, “The New Book Tour: How Podcasts are Revitalizing Your Entire List” with Lauren Cobello and others, plus a live podcast. Info here.
NEW HAVEN, CT. Thursday, June 4th at 5:30 pm. Jewish Federation of Greater New Haven Women’s Engagement and Philanthropy event speaker. Info here.
POTOMAC, MD. Friday, June 5th at 9:30 am. Teach Give Inspire Fridays speaker with Pam Sherman and Hilary Fordwich. Tickets here.
Chicago-Area Retreat
Join us on Saturday, July 25th from 10:30 am - 2 pm for a private event at Matchmaker Bookshop in Highland Park, IL with a (very) early signed copy of my upcoming essay collection, Between Chapters, a moderated conversation with me, personalized book recommendations, book signing, and shopping, followed by a 3-course luncheon at DeNucci’s restaurant and gift bag. It’ll be so fun! Ticket info here.
Item of the Week
Actually, wait. You should be recommending items yourself through ShopMy. If you’re someone who loves spreading the word about books, clothes, accessories, and more, you can prove to yourself that people take your recs to heart — and even earn from them. Use my referral code to become a creator today: https://shopmy.us/join/zibbyowens
Loved the 92nd stY last night. Is it possible to get a transcript of it? there were so many jewels in it I would love to read. xoxo
Moms get it. You're not alone.