Elizabeth Wetmore is the debut author — at age 52 — of Valentine, which is a #ReadWithJenna Today Show pick. Elizabeth also came to my virtual book club, which was so much fun! She and her thrilling, emotional debut novel that explores a brutal crime in a small Texas town, are on a huge meteoric rise! I loved our conversation about how she blended her experiences with compelling characters to create an astonishing work of fiction, the complexities in mother-daughter relationships, and her advice to writers: you are not alone, and you are not on anyone else's timetable.     Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I had the best time talking to Ruthie Lindsey, the author of There I Am: The Journey from Hopelessness to Healing - A Memoir. A speaker, author, podcast host, and social media figure, Ruthie travels the globe sharing her story empowering others to find purpose in their pain and to "look for beauty in the midst of their sacred wounds." Ruthie and I talked about the trauma she faced while in "Earth school," survival and resilience, breakdowns and breakthroughs, healing and hope. Her memoir is astounding to read, but listening to Ruthie's story in her own words is really something else - she brings a spiritual contribution to the world that is remarkable.  Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I was over the moon (!!!) to interview Alicia Keys recently. Just in case you don't already know, Alicia Keys is a modern-day renaissance woman. A 15-time Grammy Award-winning artist, Alicia is a songwriter, musician, producer, accomplished actress, New York Times best-selling author, film/television/Broadway producer, entrepreneur, and a powerful force in the world of activism. Alicia recently released her bestselling book, More Myself: A Journey. Alicia and I talked about the chaos and beauty of creativity, the differences between her experience songwriting and writing a book, the path of discovering who we are under the layers we build up, and leaning into your intuition. We also bonded over how our 5-year-old sons seem to be running our lives during this pandemic! Alicia's positive presence and authenticity is contagious; you can just feel it while listening to our conversation. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lindsay Powers is the author of You Can't F*ck Up Your Kids: A Judgment-Free Guide to Stress-Free Parenting and the creator of the perfectly named #NoShameParenting movement which has reached more than 170 million people across social media. A long-time journalist, her work has appeared in The Washington Post, the New York Post, CBS This Morning, Good Morning America, CNN, and more. She was founding editor-in-chief of Yahoo! Parenting and most recently, she was the Vice President for Lifestyle and Entertainment at SiriusXM and the founder of a digital content consulting company. Lindsay and I talked over Skype about trusting your instincts as a parent, that one extra minute of screen time isn't going to preclude your kids from getting into college, and the importance of creating a judgement-free parenting culture. This book is terrific at any time, but it feels even more significant as parents are spending even more time with their kids right now! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest, Brad Meltzer, is unbelievably accomplished. He is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of 12 thrillers, he has written several nonfiction books, and now his latest adult book is available: The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America's 16th President--and Why It Failed, co-written with Josh Mensch. Brad has also written gift and advice books, as well as the massively successful Ordinary People Change the World series of children's books, comic books, and two History Channel TV shows. The Hollywood Reporter, understandably, put Brad on their list of Hollywood's 25 Most Powerful Authors. Brad and I talked about remembering that every accomplished person - from presidents to pop stars - were once kids, the important role failure plays in success, and how to look for and thank the heroes in our everyday lives. My kids and I are obsessed with his "I am...." series and love his latest book, I Am Leonardo Da Vinci.  Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I loved talking to Kimberly McCreight about her latest book, A Good Marriage. Kimberly has such an her impressive body of work including The New York Times best-selling book Reconstructing Amelia, which was nominated for the Edgar, Anthony, and Alex Awards and was called Entertainment Weekly’s favorite book of the year and optioned for film by HBO and Nicole Kidman’s Blossom Films. Her second adult novel, Where They Found Her, was a USA Today best seller and a Kirkus Best Mystery of the Year. She's also the author of The New York Times best-selling young adult trilogy The Outliers, which was optioned for film by Lionsgate and Reese Witherspoon’s Pacific Standard. Her latest book, A Good Marriage, is a legal and domestic suspense novel that had me gasping out loud while I was reading it. The characters and their exploration of marriage, secrets, and compromises is riveting. Kimberly and I spoke about "sleepaway camp parties," plot twists, and what happiness or "a good marriage" can really mean.  Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alli Frank and Asha Youmans are the debut co-authors of Tiny Imperfections, a novel. Alli has worked in education for 20-plus years in San Francisco and Seattle in both public and private schools as a teacher, college counselor, coach, and assistant head. Asha has taught in public and private elementary schools for almost 20 years. Their book, an intergenerational, mother-daughter story, is hilarious and pitch perfect. Set against a backdrop of a prestigious San Francisco private school, the story addresses race, single parenting, and dating at 40. The three of us talked about the school admissions process, family relationships, Alli and Asha's terrific dynamic, and how their experience as educators for over 20 years shines through in this heart-filled and humorous love letter to schools and school communities. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I recently interviewed Betsey Johnson, the supremely colorful, world-renowned fashion designer and author of Betsey: A Memoir. A designer at the forefront of fashion for the past forty years, Betsey's new memoir illustrates more than just her iconic brand, exploring the fierce fashion industry, motherhood, love, cancer, and more. Betsey and I talked about hard work, talent, and luck as a trifecta that has contributed to her path, being a Leo, and asking for what you want and need. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Margarita Montimore is the author of Oona Out of Order, a Good Morning America Book Club pick and a USA Today best seller. Her previous book is Asleep from Day. I absolutely loved reading Oona Out of Order - it's so original, surprising, and captivating. Margarita and I talked about what it means to be or feel your age, the discovery process in revising your work, and her advice to aspiring writers: tremendous tenacity.   Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jeff Gordinier is the author of Hungry: Eating, Road-Tripping, and Risking It All with the Greatest Chef in the World. Jeff is the Food and Drinks editor at Esquire and a frequent contributor to The New York Times where he was previously a reporter. Written in a time when we could go out to restaurants and enjoy the beauty of that type of hospitality, this interview made me long for culinary experiences other than chicken fingers with my children. You really have to hear from Jeff himself in this episode about how he ended up on an "eat, pray, love, eat more" journey with René Redzepi, renowned Danish chef who has been a significant change agent in the world of food. Jeff and I talked about his career and infatuation with the experience of restaurants, that sitting down at a restaurant or bar to enjoy a meal or cocktail is to delight in self-care, and how this book is really about reinvention and personal change.  Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kari Lizer is the author of Aren't You Forgetting Someone?: Essays from My Mid-Life Revenge. She is the creator of the award-winning show The New Adventures of Old Christine, which was based on her life as a single working mom, and an Emmy-nominated co-executive producer of Will & Grace. We talked all about what Kari calls the "no-man's-land time of life," shaping identity through motherhood, empty-nesting, and career, and the creative diversity between writing for television and writing a book. Her collection of essays makes everyday occurrences laugh-out-loud-able and totally relatable!   Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Amy Klein is the author of The Trying Game: Get Through Fertility Treatment and Get Pregnant without Losing Your Mind. Amy wrote The Fertility Diary column for The New York Times Motherlode blog for three years and writes frequently about health and fertility for publications like Newsweek, Slate, and The Washington Post. Amy and I talked about her fertility journey, what the much-discussed "baby boom" may look like for people seeking fertility treatment, and the transitions The Trying Game went through before ultimately becoming this compassionate guide about fertility.   Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

R. Eric Thomas is the author of a collection of essays called Here for It: Or, How to Save Your Soul in America. A senior staff writer at elle.com where he has written the pop culture and politics humor column Eric Reads the News since 2016, Eric has also been published by The New York Times and is a long-running host of The Moth StorySLAMs. I loved talking to Eric about going viral, figuring out where the humor is in the hard moments, finding the narrative arc in each story, and that the reason we keep trying is to see what the next chapter brings us. Reading his fantastic, humorous essays feels like you're listening to him talk because he has such a clear voice as a writer - listen on to hear our conversation!   Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Emily Gould is the author of Perfect Tunes: A Novel. She also wrote the books And the Heart Says Whatever and Friendship. She has contributed to many anthologies, Bookforum, and The Cut. She also ran Emily Books, an imprint of Coffee House Press which publishes books by women! Perfect Tunes is a fusion of love, music, loss, and motherhood. Emily and I talked about the dreams of her protagonists and herself, what it's really like to put aside a full draft and start over, whether or not we should worry about what’s in our obituaries, and the pull of collective anguish that really makes people come together. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

My interview with Susan Isaacs was a special recording that happened earlier in the year at an event at Temple Emanu-El in New York City for their women's group. We did this in front of a live audience, which was a lot of fun. Susan is the best-selling author of 14 novels including her latest, It Takes One to Know One. Her literary accomplishments are beyond impressive! Her novels have been turned into movies with huge stars, she has reviewed books for the largest newspapers in the country, been a political speechwriter, senior magazine editor, recipient of a number of awards, and is the chairperson of Poets & Writers. I loved talking to Susan about combining research and empathy to create captivating narratives, getting to "live" a life other than your own through creating characters on the page, and the irreplaceable pleasure of picking up a book. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mallory Kasdan is the author of Ella, a hilarious, smart children's book that made Entertainment Weekly's Top Ten Must List and was featured in Time, Vogue, The LA Times, and The New York Post. Mallory is also a podcast producer and host of “MILK” as well as a professional voice-over actor for TV and radio. My daughter is obsessed with Ella, which is a perfectly executed modern take on Eloise at the Plaza. I loved talking with Mallory about the inspiration behind the story, the relationship between author and illustrator, her super cool career, and parenting podcasts galore! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lisa Damour, Ph.D, is the New York Times best-selling author of Untangled and her latest book, Under Pressure: Confronting the Epidemic of Stress and Anxiety in Girls. She is a graduate of Yale University where she worked at the Yale Child Study Center (which I also did when I was at Yale!). She is an expert on child development and education which she applies as a research center director, private psychotherapist, consultant, speaker, and advisor. Wow. This episode is full of really meaningful tips for parents. I talked to Lisa about her research, understanding the healthy sides of anxiety, how we can manage our own stress to help teenagers find a middle ground between the extremes, loving your career, and ... face masks! Listen for her many insights. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I interviewed Amy Fish (over Skype - the new normal!), the author of the fabulously titled I Wanted Fries with That: How to Ask for What You Want and Get What You Need. She is the ombudsperson, also known as the Chief Complaints Officer at Concordia University in Montreal, Canada, and regularly teaches, speaks, and writes about how to complain effectively. Her book is both funny and absolutely helpful. It’s about how to ask for what you want and get what you need. Amy and I talked about why we're fearful to "make waves," the art of speaking up for yourself, and how to make a phone-free dinner table happen! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rachel Bertsche is the best-selling author of MWF Seeking BFF: My Yearlong Search for a New Best Friend, and Jennifer, Gwyneth & Me: The Pursuit of Happiness, One Celebrity at a Time. I'm obsessed with her latest book called The Kids Are in Bed: Finding Time for Yourself in the Chaos of Parenting. It’s so on brand for me and my podcast because it's all about finding ways to create and use our #momtime. Rachel and I talked about her research into the areas of our lives that fall to the wayside when we have kids, letting go of the guilt we have as parents to get everything done, and tips for what she calls creating "pockets of indulgence.” Sometimes all you need is 20 minutes to see a friend (in the non-COVID days) or read a book. I just love this approach and I'm really trying to follow this wisdom! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janelle Brown is the New York Times best-selling author of Watch Me Disappear, All We Ever Wanted Was Everything, and This is Where We Live. Her latest book, Pretty Things, comes out this week! Her suspense-novel about two women, one a con-artist and one an “Insta-famous" heiress, takes deceit and scheming in the age of influencers to an unexplored level. Janelle and I talked about the downside of social media, real-life stalkers, transitions and friendships, and how to write something unexpected. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nicole Kear is the author of the middle grade novel Foreverland, the memoir Now I See You which was on many magazines' best-of lists, the chapter series The Fix-It Friends, and The Startup Squad. Her essays have appeared in the Modern Love column of The New York Times, Good Housekeeping, Parents, Salon, HuffPost, and more. I read Foreverland to my two little guys, ages five and six, and they joined us for the interview! A modern retelling of Peter Pan, Nicole and I talked about coming of age, the fantasy of running away from home (don't we all just want to hit pause some days!?), and coping with challenges - for kids and adults, alike. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rebecca Serle is the author of six books, and is a television writer. Her latest novel, In Five Years, is the Good Morning America Book Club pick for March of 2020 and a bestseller on The New York Times list. I interviewed Rebecca on her pub day (this was before the whole coronavirus came out) and there was so much excitement in the air! Her book tour has been cut short, but I have very fond memories of being able to celebrate her publication day with her publicist Arielle Friedman and my husband Kyle. We talked about plans getting replaced by the unpredictability of life, fate versus free will, and even psychic readings. Try to take some of that joy away when you listen to this episode, even though now we're in a very different time. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Darcy Miller is the founder of Darcy Miller Designs and the author and illustrator of Celebrate Everything!: Fun Ideas to Bring Your Parties to Life and also Our Wedding Scrapbook. A "celebrations expert” (how can you not love that?), she has been an editor at Martha Stewart for 25 years including as editorial director of Martha Stewart Weddings for 23 years, where she is now editor-at-large. The idea behind Celebrate Everything! is that you just have to celebrate life and the people you love because you never know what's going to happen next. (This current pandemic is case in point!!) The book is visually inspiring and the message — taking the time to appreciate the people you love and toasting to everything from birthdays and anniversaries to losing a tooth or getting a new job — is a positive reminder we need right now! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Adrienne Miller is the author of the novel The Coast of Akron and In the Land of Men: A Memoir. She was the literary and fiction editor of Esquire from 1997 to 2006. In the Land of Men is her coming-of-age story in the male-dominated literary world of the 1990s, during which she became the first female literary editor of Esquire at the age of 25. It's about power dynamics, the workplace, and as she aptly says, "how to build a self." We talked about looking back at our twenties, her relationship with and the loss of writer David Foster Wallace, and being the ultimate decision maker about your own life. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Before social distancing, I sat down with Serena Burdick, who is the author of the historical novel The Girls with No Names. She's also the author of Girl in the Afternoon, and is the 2017 International Book Award winner for historical fiction. I was enthralled by her book and totally think it should be a play. Serena and I talked about this story of two sisters, her relationship with her older sister, how societal norms change, Serena's love of storytelling and characters (and how that led her to pursue acting in her twenties!), and separating her research process from her writing process and her advice to aspiring authors: even if you feel discouraged, finish the work so you have something complete you can work with!   Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fanny Singer is the author of Always Home: A Daughter's Recipes & Stories with a forward by Alice Waters, her mother. In 2015, the mother-daughter duo published My Pantry, which Fanny also illustrated. Her new book, Always Home, is an immersive and sensory experience: a fusion of recipes, stories about food, and her special and inseparable bond with her mother. We talked about mother-daughter relationships, how food is a meaningful way to show and share love, and how you can use the dinner table as a way to feel part of a team or bigger collective - all of which feels really perfect for the moment we're in right now. I was so honored that Fanny joined my virtual book club this week. She absolutely delighted the group! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Marisa Meltzer is the author of This Is Big: How the Founder of Weight Watchers Changed the World (and Me). She co-authored How Sassy Changed My Life and also Girl Power, and is a contributor to New York Magazine and The New York Times. Her work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Slate, Elle, and Teen Vogue. The inspiration for her newest book, This Is Big, was sparked when she read The New York Times obituary of Jean Nidetch, the founder of Weight Watchers. Part biography and part memoir, Marisa combines two compelling stories: her own journey with weight and body image, and her immersion into the world of Weight Watchers to research Jean's fascinating life and entrepreneurial impact. Marisa and I talked about our personal relationships to dieting, eating habits as a product of our society, and the complicated influence food has on girls and young women in particular. I think this conversation and her book will resonate strongly with a lot of people because it explores how nuanced transformation - physical and emotional - really is. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Joanna Hershon is the author of the novels, Swimming, The Outside of August, The German Bride, A Dual Inheritance and, as of the pub day today (!!), St. Ivo. St. Ivo is a psychological/emotional story that centers on a married couple with something out of control in their lives (don’t want to spoil the plot!!) and how they cope during a reunion with two old friends during a weekend in the country. This book deals with how individuals cope with uncertainty and is a timely read for this moment in time! Joanna and I discussed how being what she calls a “recovering actress” influences her writing and her interest in how humans move through the stages of trauma and loss. Joanna shared how writing can feel like time spent with a companion and the idea that writers are often exploring their unconscious anxieties through their work. Make sure you listen in to hear about the encounter on the subway that inspired this book! Joanna's writing has appeared in Granta, The New York Times, One Story, Virginia Quarterly Review, and two literary anthologies, Brooklyn Was Mine and Freud’s Blind Spot. She teaches in the creative writing department at Columbia University and lives in Brooklyn with her husband, the painter Derek Buckner. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janny Scott is the author of the New York Times best-selling book A Singular Woman: The Untold Story of Barack Obama's Mother and most recently, The Beneficiary: Fortune, Misfortune and the Story of My Father. As a reporter for The New York Times from 1994 to 2008, Janny was a member of the reporting team that won the 2000 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting. Janny’s latest book, The Beneficiary, was chosen as one of The New York Times 100 Notable Books of 2019 and one of NPR's Favorite Books of 2019. This family memoir explores three generations of Janny’s wealthy, aristocratic, Pennsylvania family and the effect this upbringing had on her and, primarily, her father. Jenny shared that her inspiration for the story was the combination of a literary urge to learn to write in a different way, combined with a deeply emotional feeling about her dad. Janny and I discussed her father’s journals and the role alcoholism has played in her family’s story. Janny shared her thoughts on family wealth and why it can often be a double-edged sword. Be sure to listen for the bit of family lore about The Philadelphia Story and Janny’s visits to a place she calls “The Bureau." Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ashley Prentice Norton is the author of novels The Chocolate Money and If You Left. Ashley and I discussed both her books during this interview! The Chocolate Money (which I read years ago at a book club I was in!) follows a dysfunctional family dynamic (and is almost a memoir). If You Left deals with a privileged but damaged Manhattan wife whose marriage is threatened. Ashley bravely talked about her struggles with depression, enduring electric shock therapy and continuing to write throughout. We discussed the flawed notion that manic depression leads to a creative life and how to deal with the worries that constantly seems to be surrounding us. I loved hearing about Ashley's creative process and her feeling that "timed writing" is the best way to write. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Tara Schuster is the author of Buy Yourself the F*cking Lilies: And Other Rituals to Fix Your Life, from Someone Who's Been There. This humorous and honest book explores Tara's neglectful childhood and how she learned to reparent herself and reframe her thinking. I want to hire Tara to be my on-call reframer!! She has such great advice for finding gratitude and joy in every day. Tara and I discussed the 25th birthday call that forced her to change her life and her homemade curriculum of self-care. Tara shared what it looks like to nurture herself in the ways her parents never did and the moment she finally spoke honestly with her father about her childhood. Tara has some wonderful ideas on how to stat positive and mentally healthy during this moment. I loved the reminder that quarantine isn't supposed to be a productivity vacation! We should all just give ourselves a break. (As I am sure you can guess this episode does contain adult language!) FYI, Tara is currently the vice president of talent and development at Comedy Central and is the executive in charge of Light's Out with David Spade. She was formerly the executive in charge of the Emmy and Peabody Award-winning Key & Peele, Midnight, and numerous other shows. Her plays have been performed at the International Fringe Festival and her writing has been featured in The New Yorker and Forbes online. She is no joke. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dibs Baer is a former entertainment writer and editor who worked in the magazine industry for 15+ years. She has written and co-written six books including the New York Times bestseller I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends. Dibs' newest book, Lady Tigers in the Concrete Jungle: How Softball and Sisterhood Saved Lives in the South Bronx, centers on a junior high softball coach Chris Astacio and his journey to create not only a team but a safe space for his female students. It was so heartbreaking to hear about the realities these girls were facing growing up in one of the most dangerous, poverty-stricken neighborhoods in America. The story is hard to hear, but the intrepid spirit of their coach is beyond inspiring. Dibs and I chatted about her personal relationship with the women on the team and the lack of female-driven sports movies. (I mean, why IS that?) We discussed life after the implosion of the magazine industry and her experiences as a ghostwriter. So interesting! I loved Dibs' advice to just keep going and how it only takes one person to say yes!     Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Casey Schwartz is the author of Attention: A Love Story which is part memoir and part comprehensive journalistic exploration of our culture's flagging ability to pay attention. Casey writes about her struggle with Adderall, her parents, psychedelic science, and the four incredible writers who inspire her. Casey and I discussed the idea that Silicon Valley is literally hijacking us through our phones and why are we giving away our attention so casually. Casey shared her personal experience with the #MeToo movement and the rock bottom moment that ended up yielding the best possible outcome for her. I have a long-time personal connection with Casey's mom, author Marie Brenner, and I loved being able to share my memories with Casey.  Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Laura Prepon, the actress and author of You and I, As Mothers, and I chatted live on my Instagram Live show last week (“Z-IGTV”). This podcast is a recording of our live conversation. Laura is not only an actor in the Netflix show Orange Is the New Black, but she directed, too. She was a cast member of That '70s Show from 1998 to 2006 and has appeared in Girl on the Train and many other films and TV shows. Laura is the New York Times bestselling author of the wellness book The Stash Plan. Her most recent book, You and I, As Mothers, is an emotional and raw first-person look at being a new mom.  I really enjoyed chatting with Laura about the shift of priority that comes with motherhood and why hearing, “Girl, it’s hard,” was the best advice she got. Laura discusses why postpartum anxiety can happen at any stage of motherhood and the dinner that inspired her to share her personal stories of loss. Laura, mom to a toddler and a 4-week-old baby, is simply amazing. We can all learn from her that mom fails are unavoidable. Great advice for this moment in time we are all living through! For more, watch our interview on @zibbyowens Instagram TV Live Episode 21.4. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Megan Angelo is the debut author of Followers: A Novel. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, where she helped launch comedy coverage, The Wall Street Journal, Glamour, Elle, and many other publications. This debut novel takes place in two different time periods. One storyline centers around two girls who hatch a scheme to become famous in the year 2015. The other revolves around a futuristic celebrity who spends the majority of her time in front of a camera in the year 2051. Megan and I chatted about the journal entry that sparked her interest in this topic and the research she pulled from her background as a celebrity journalist. Megan discussed her relationship with social media and her interest in how the internet has become something we can't seem to walk away from. I particularly loved Megan's very candid discussion of motherhood and the realities of writing while caring for three kids under five! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Therese Anne Fowler is the New York Times best-selling author of novels Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, A Well-Behaved Woman, and her most recent novel A Good Neighborhood. This contemporary suburban drama centers on a conflict between two families, one black and one white, as they deal with a damaged historic oak tree in the black family's backyard. This book had such a twist of an ending but I won’t say a word. I enjoyed chatting with Therese about her personal connection to the material and why she felt writing this story was a call to activism in these troubled times. Therese and I discussed the research and homework that went into writing from the perspective of a different race and why she strayed from her historical fiction background. Be sure to catch Therese sharing the truly magical moment she knew she was a writer. Therese’s first book was a source of comfort during a critical time in my life and I had such a lovely full circle moment when we sat down to chat! You just never know where life will lead! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bess Kalb is the debut author of Nobody Will Tell You This But Me. She is an Emmy-nominated writer for Jimmy Kimmel Live and wrote for the Emmy Awards in 2012 and 2016 and the Academy Awards in 2017 and 2018. She regularly writes for The New Yorker's Daily Shouts and received a WGA Award in 2016. Nobody Will Tell You This But Me is a beautiful memoir written from the voice of her beloved grandmother. Bess began writing from her grandmother's perspective as a way to feel closer to her and process grief after her death. Bess and I chatted about the authenticity of writing from a loved one's voice and why she felt it was the best way to honor what she calls her grandmother's superhero origin story. I loved hearing about Bess's first experience as a six-year-old writer, something her mother still sweetly reminds her of, and her challenge to all of us to write from the perspective of someone we love. Make sure you catch the fascinating story of the Twitter side project Bess started to distract herself from a soul-crushing job and how this led to a career as a comedy writer! I loved having her as the featured author at my recent book club. To join the book club, check out the link in bio!! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt is the best-selling author of Rock What You've Got, the children's book Maverick and Me, and I Just Graduated ... Now What? Katherine is an animal advocate who serves as an ambassador for Best Friends Animal Society and the ASPCA. She is also married to actor Chris Pratt! Katherine's latest book, The Gift of Forgiveness: Inspiring Stories from Those Who Have Overcome the Unforgivable is a collection of twenty-two different interviews with inspiring people who have practiced and struggled with forgiveness in different ways. Katherine's goal is to inspire people to practice forgiveness and to see it not only as a way to move forward but as a gift to themselves. Katherine and I discussed several of the stories in the book and the personal experience that inspired this idea. I loved learning about the concept of practicing "conscious forgiveness" and the idea that forgiving is about giving yourself the gift of moving forward and taking back the power. This is such a timely listen as we all stay home, connect with loved ones and allow more space for personal reflection.  Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I’m obsessed with Stephanie Danler’s brilliance. She's the author of the international bestseller Sweetbitter and the executive producer of the Sweetbitter series on Start (which Kyle and I started watching last weekend - so good!). Her latest book, Stray: A Memoir, is set to release in May of 2020 so you can pre-order it now. This forceful and emotional book explores Stephanie’s life as a child raised by an addicts and alcoholics, the damage she inherited, and the journey to move forward towards a different way of life. This book has gotten me out of my own head more than almost anything else lately because it’s just so immersive and beautifully written. Stephanie and I discussed her choice to start this book when her son was five months old, why she had to move several time zones away in order to find the focus to create, and the hardship of writing about such deeply rooted traumas. Stephanie shares her extremely stressful coronavirus experience and the idea that we are all grasping for the illusion of control at this moment in time. I loved Stephanie’s advice to just finish what you start and so much more. I couldn’t wait for her pub day to share this given all of our talk about what’s going on RIGHT NOW. I promise it will help you through. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

New episode - and so needed right now! Madeline Levine, Ph.D., is a psychologist and the author of the New York Times best-selling books The Price of Privilege and Teach Your Children Well. Dr. Levine’s most recent book Ready Or Not: Preparing Our Kids to Thrive in an Uncertain and Rapidly Changing World could not be more timely or helpful given the current environment.She explores how today’s parenting techniques and our educational system are failing to prepare children for their uncertain future, and what we can do to ensure our kids' adaptability, resilience, health, and happiness. (I know I need this during this current coronavirus time of uncertainty and panic.)Dr. Levine is a wealth of knowledge on parenting. We chatted about her efforts to overcome the idea that a woman can’t beat the boys, how people behave in situations of uncertainty and the concept that to build self-esteem in your child you must let them learn to master things without breathing down their necks. We discussed how pressure, uncertainty, and social media have led to a rise in anxiety and how our 24-hour news cycle can leave us feeling like trauma victims. Dr. Levine explores concrete solutions and coping mechanisms we can use to correct that behavior. I think we could all use these strategies today.   Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kathleen West is the debut author of Minor Dramas & Other Catastrophes. Kathleen uses her experience as both a parent and school teacher to write a pretty perfect novel for today's moms and dads! Kathleen’s story involves a helicopter theater mom who has lost her sense of boundaries, a progressive English teacher who comes under fire for her curriculum, and a social media scandal that ensnares them both. This conversation was the perfect mix of parenting wisdom, writing advice and encouragement! Kathleen and I chatted about the lessons she’s learned by walking the line between parent and teacher and the writing workshops she held with her students while editing the novel. Kathleen started writing this book as a new year's resolution and as a way to reclaim her writing identity. I really appreciated her advice to let yourself to write something terrible! (I’ve definitely taken it - ha!) Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Re-Release! Now is the time to listen to How to Stop Losing Your Sh*t with Your Kids author Carla Naumburg, Ph.D. share her tips! Is anyone else going a little bit nuts despite how much you love your kids, your parents, your loved ones?! Carla shares so many helpful strategies for dealing with yourself when you’re stressed out and how you manage your relationships better. While this is geared towards kids, it can apply to parents and spouses just as easily. One message?! Self-forgiveness, especially now! You can watch our interview from this week on IGTV (@zibbyowens) too as she discusses specific strategies for getting through the coronavirus without losing your sh*t at everyone in your home!!!   Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Re-Release! Courtney Maum’s novel, TOUCH, is so timely that I just had to rerelease for you this weekend. This one was of my first podcasts ever so please forgive my beginner skills! Courtney and I discussed her novel which discusses a life without touch, similar to what we’re all going through on a macro level now. She interviewed professional huggers, imagined touch-free body suits and had a couple struggle in the midst of a world in which physical touch between humans becomes a commodity. Am I the only one who misses hugging people?! Courtney has since written a gorgeous, slim novel called Costalegr and a guide to book publishing called Before and After the Book Deal. And she has used her newsletter to assemble all the resources the literary community is assembling during this time (including mine - thanks, Courtney!!). Listen in or our prophetic conversation. It kind of makes you think, right??? Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Eilene Zimmerman is the author of the memoir, Smacked: A Story of White-Collar Ambition, Addiction, and Tragedy. Eilene has been a journalist for three decades including a six-year stint as a columnist for The New York Times Sunday Business Section. This memoir is Eilene’s exploration of her ex-husband’s secret drug addiction/overdose, her own culpability, and an analysis of what's going on in the white-collar professional world in terms of unhappiness, depression, anxiety, and substance use. Eilene and I discussed the feeling of powerlessness when sharing children with an ex-spouse, what it is like to examine a relationship once you learn the whole truth, and the idea that we often try to fix problems in our childhood with our own marriages. I was so impressed by the amount of research Eileen put into this book! From traveling around the country talking to addiction psychologists and therapists, to posing questions about mental health, stress, and happiness on several online forums for lawyers to answer anonymously, this woman covered it all. Please listen! Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gene Luen Yang is the author, illustrator, and cartoonist of American Born Chinese, the first graphic novel ever to be nominated for the National Book Award and the American Library Association's Printz Award, which he won. Gene also won an Eisner Award for best graphic album as well as several other awards. Gene's two-volume graphic novel, Boxers & Saints, was also nominated for a National Book Award and won the LA Times Book Prize. He's written and illustrated many other graphic novels like Secret Coders and the Avatar series. Gene’s latest book Dragon Hoops is a nonfiction graphic novel that follows the ups and downs of a varsity men's basketball team. My son is such a fan of Gene’s books that I just had to let him join me for the interview. It was such a special treat! Gene and I chatted about creating and selling his first comic book at age five, why reading diversely is a great way to develop your brain, his important role as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature and why Gene believes graphic novels belong in the classroom. Make sure to listen to the end of the episode to catch Gene’s fantastic advice for anyone feeling the need to create art, especially now. Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Patrice Karst is the author of The Invisible String, a beautiful story about the connection we share with our loved ones even when they’re not physically with us, and many other books that help people cope with loss and separation from loved ones, even pets. There’s no better time for this Patrice's books than now!!! Her stories have sold over half a million copies and have touched the lives of so many people. In our chat, Patrice touched on the heartwarming true story that led to her writing the book, the word-of-mouth phenomenon the made her book the go-to book for children needing connection, how she took her painful childhood as the daughter of two mentally ill parents and converted it to joy, and the idea that we are all capable of moving forward from childhood pain. Patrice was kind enough to share several beautiful stories of how this book series has helped children dealing with devastating circumstances, loss, and separation anxiety. I promise this episode will bring a smile to your face and give you a way to stay connected to those you miss. Don’t we all need this now?! (I miss everyone!!) Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Jen Gotch is the founder and chief creative officer of Ban.do, the multimillion-dollar lifestyle brand. She is also a fellow podcaster and former host of the show "Jen Gotch is Okay, Sometimes." Jen is a mental health advocate, reluctantly as you'll find out, and the author of the book The Upside of Being Down: How Mental Health Struggles Led to My Greatest Successes in Work and Life. This accessible self-help memoir dives into Jen’s personal history with mental health issues, building her brand, and ways to implement better life practices! Jen and I covered so much during our conversation including how society glamorizes being busy and Jen’s personal family history. Jen's passion for creating a brand that invokes her personal message is so inspirational and I was moved by her hope that this book will help others feel less alone. I loved Jen’s tip to schedule fun into your calendar and make it non-negotiable! I think we could all use that advice right now! (For listeners with kids at home, this episode does include adult language.) Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janice Kaplan is the author of The Genius of Women: From Overlooked to Changing the World. This multilayered book tells stories of extraordinary women throughout history and weaves them into a larger narrative regarding the social expectations and biases women still face today. Janice is incredibly intelligent (although she won’t admit she’s a genius!!). I loved chatting with her about why most Americans believe geniuses are men, the idea that society is to blame for the tendency to self-deprecate, and the childhood memory that pushed Janice to keep researching and writing this book. She includes wonderful insights on how to stop buying into stereotypes and understand our full potential!  Now there's more! Subscribe to Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books on Acast+ and get ad-free episodes. https://plus.acast.com/s/moms-dont-have-time-to-read-books. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.