Weekly Highlights for Book Lovers
Hope you had a Happy Mother's Day!
Hi everyone! Hope you had the best Mother’s Day! I spent the afternoon… doing this newsletter. (I know, I know. Left it until the last minute.) But loved being with (some of) my kids and having an excuse to reconnect with old friends — on text, at least. Hope you all know how much this mother appreciates you.
Our friends at Prime Video would like to give some of you tickets to a screening of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War with John Krasinski on Monday, May 18th at 7:30 PM, The Culver Theater, 9500 Culver Blvd, Culver City, CA 90232. RSVP here for general admission passes (first come, first serve): https://www.tixtree.com/e/tom-clancys-jack-ryan-ghost-war-2cc183da3783. Use secret code Zibby.
Totally Booked This Week
Three double episodes this week! Still 30 minutes each, but fitting two in one!
Tuesday: Small Towns, Friendship, and Secrets in Kristy Woodson Harvey and B&N Book Club Pick Mikki Brammer’s New Novels
Kristy Woodson Harvey spotlights NICU nurses, sports coaches, and a small town in her annual summer novel, this time Summer State of Mind. If you’ve ever wondered “how something like this could happen in a town like theirs,” Kristy will pull back the curtain. But don’t worry: as Kristy says, “There are some secrets that come to light through the course of (the book), but you know, it's me, and I love a happy ending.” Hear how Kristy learned everything she needed to on the tennis court, how decisions aren’t black and white, and how this book stretched her talent.
Mikki Brammer’s novel Good Joy, Bad Joy is this month’s Barnes & Noble Book Club Pick — and it’s clear why. By delving into the lives of two elderly women, Joy and Hazel— who truly don’t see themselves that way — Mikki paints a delicate portrait of female friendship, the secrets we keep, and how we cope when a loved one falls ill. Plus it’s a little devious. The real question, according to Mikki? “What is a life well lived and have I lived it fully?” Dive in.
Wednesday: Letting Go, Staying Resilient, and Finding Ourselves with Stacey Lindsay and Dr. Deepika Chopra
Journalist Stacey Lindsay tackles what it’s like being in our forties (I only have a few months left - gah!) by asking many women, “How are you feeling about this age?” She parses through expectations versus reality, thoughts on again and beauty, and shares her own feelings about her family and how that shaped her own experience in Being 40: The Decade of Letting Go — and Embracing Who We Are.
Dr. Deepika Chopra teaches us the difference between optimism and positivity, shares her own child’s medical struggles and how she gets through, discusses pregnancy issues, and helps us find the strength we need. If you’ve ever asked, “Why is this happening to us,” then listen in. Dr. Chopra’s book, The Power of Real Optimism, is incredibly helpful.
Thursday: Let’s Cook with Superstars Donna Hay and Adeena Sussman
Donna Hay is the ubiquitous cookbook author and lifestyle brand. Her latest cookbook, Sunshine, Lemons, and Sea Salt, will join the others on my shelf. Hear from Donna in Australia as she discusses her home, her approach to life, her family, and more. Don’t miss her new Disney+ show Coastal Celebrations.
Adeena Sussman moved to Israel with her husband (hear how they met) and fell in love with the cuisine. Learn about her latest book which just hit the NYT bestseller list, Zariz, and how even you can cook with less than 10 ingredients. Plus we discuss what it’s like to be a Jewish author now.
Don’t miss these conversations!
Zibby’s Book Club
My summer book club is set! Check out my May, June, July, and August picks!
Tuesday, May 12th at 7 pm: Emma Grey, Start at the End. Register here. Order at Zibby’s Bookshop here.
Tuesday, June 9th at 7 pm ET: Sarah Damoff, The Burning Side. Register here.
Wednesday, July 22nd at 7 pm ET: Jane Costello, Forty Love. Register here. Order at Zibby’s Bookshop for 20% off and free shipping with code ZIBBY20 here.
Thursday, August 13th at 7 pm ET: Matthew Quick, Dad, Love, Me. Register here. Order at Zibby’s Bookshop here.
Special: Use code ZIBBY20 to take 20% off Forty Love plus free shipping at Zibby’s Bookshop here.
Upcoming Events
TODAY! NEW YORK, NY. Monday, May 11th at 11:30 am - 1:45 pm. Co-chairing the Child Mind Institute Spring Luncheon with bestselling author Dr. Lisa Damour, Dr. Dave Anderson, and bestselling author Ali Wentworth about empowering parenting in the digital age. Join me. Tickets and tables here.
OYSTER BAY, NY. Sunday, May 17th at 2 pm. Gold Coast Book Festival panelist with Jane L. Rosen, David P. Kaufman, Brenda Janowitz, and me. Info here.
VIRTUAL. Wednesday, May 27th at 1 pm. National Library of Israel online panel, “The Strength of Jewish Women,” with Lihi Lapid, Annabelle Gurwitch, Lisa Barr, Judy Batalion, and me. Link here.
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. 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.
VIRTUAL. Tuesday, June 9th at 7 pm. Zibby’s Book Club with Sarah Damoff, The Burning Side. Register here for Zoom link.
Totally Booked TV
Watch the “Totally Booked” TV Show on JBS. New episodes every Thursday at 7:30 pm ET on the JBS network. Watch here.
Last week’s episode featured Dani Shapiro and Sam Sussman! Watch here.
On Being Jewish Now
Here are a few recent essays we’ve published on On Being Jewish Now. Here’s the archive of 250+ global discussions.
“174 Sirens: What Diaspora Jews Don’t Understand” by Mor Pikielny.
“On Flying While Jewish: What My Toddler Taught Me” by Rabbi Jen Gubitz.
Just registered for book clubs AND preordered Love Forty - looking forward to this one!
Happy Mother's Day!