Jewish Author Spotlight! Zibby Owens: ‘Between Chapters’
The latest from multi-talented literary force Zibby Owens hit bookshelves yesterday, and believe me when I say you’re in for a treat.
Between Chapters: How I Started Over, Took Some Chances, and Found the Plot features 40 raw, heartfelt, and hilarious essays that read like Zibby’s personal journal (yet somehow resonates as if it could be our own). With a mix of new and previously released pieces, Zibby crafts a collection that gives readers a firsthand look at her shift from stay-at-home mom to the woman she is today…and all the messy moments in between.
While we may be accustomed to Zibby shining a light on other authors (with her podcast Totally Booked with Zibby or anthologies like On Being Jewish Now), Between Chapters is one hundred percent Zibby and one hundred percent delightful. Jen Hatmaker (bestselling author of Awake) says, “Zibby writes like a woman with her life cracked wide open—and the courage to look straight inside. Between Chapters is funny, tender, unflinching, and so deeply human.”
Exceedingly honest and relatable, readers are guaranteed to find themselves reflected on the pages of this Buzz Books Official selection. As I devoured these bite-sized essays like forbidden snacks in the pantry, my notes looked something like this:
A stay-at-home mom longing for more? Been there.
Being quiet all your life, then finding your voice? Hi, it’s me.
Parenting woes, struggling with weight, and facing antisemitism? Check. Check. Check.
And don’t be fooled by the seemingly serious nature of the topics above. While many essays are poignant and deeply moving, others are laugh out loud hilarious. Think: catastrophically botching the birds and the bees conversation, confidently gifting a game with an unnoticed cringe-worthy theme (surprise!), and not exactly crushing it on a lakefront obstacle course while two less than ideal spectators look on from the shore. (I’m cracking up just replaying these in my head.)
Zibby’s endearing honesty puts readers right there with her through every challenge and blunder, her charm on full display. In fact, everything you need to know about Zibby’s authenticity is revealed before you even get to the first essay. She perfectly sets the tone with just two words, front and center in the book’s dedication: To Mounjaro.
For myself and so many others, Zibby’s an inspiration. A proud Jew who isn’t afraid to stand up for her community, a pioneer who turned her passion into a booming career, and a rare gem who thrives on supporting others. If you look back on my work over the past couple years, you’ll surely find Zibby’s name more than any other—she’s been on the front lines promoting Jewish visibility, advocating for authors, and fighting antisemitism in publishing. And yet, there was still so much to discover from this collection of intimate essays.
I absolutely loved Between Chapters, and naturally…I have questions.
Leah Grossman: Hi Zibby! You say in the Author’s Note that you wrote Between Chapters to mark this bookend moment as you approach the milestone of turning 50, detailing the major shifts you’ve experienced in the last decade. With your pub date finally here, does having this book in the world help you take a breath and have the reset you hoped for?
Zibby Owens: Well, I definitely don’t have time to take a breath right now. (Have you seen my upcoming events?! Yikes!) But I do feel that putting it all out there is allowing me to connect with others in a new way, one that is refreshing, open, and ultimately quite helpful. I’m navigating a new chapter now, but aren’t we all!?
Leah: In the book, you note a few fateful moments that helped pave the way for your career path. Your therapist recommended, “Read more books. With a good book you’ll never be lonely.” Your friend (and fellow author) Sarah Mlynowski suggested you start a podcast, and a parent at school curriculum night connected you with a literary agent. These moments feel meant to be—stepping stones towards the place where you’re clearly in your element and thriving. Do you feel like you were destined for this chapter of your life?
Zibby: I have felt this strong pull and deep conviction to write and share my thoughts from a young age. Is it destiny? I think it’s perseverance. Persistence. Determination. Not wanting to give up. Always looking for new ways to achieve my goals. But as much as I wrestled with the timing of everything, wanting everything to happen right then, I ultimately had to wait until the universe was ready. That sounds so hokey. But really. I’ve tried to force things: when I wanted a book to be published, when I wanted to have kids. And what I’ve learned is that wanting something isn’t enough. The timing has to be right. I was devastated when my first novel didn’t sell when I was 28 years old. But really, look what I’ve gained from weathering that early rejection. And yes, I really do feel like I’m doing what I was put on this earth to do!
Leah: I think everyone will find themselves reflected somewhere in Between Chapters—I certainly did. I, too, have sworn by the Weight Watchers point system, let my son plan our Tokyo itinerary, and have a cute-as-a-button pup named Yodi! (Okay fine—mine is named Yoshi, but that’s pretty darn close.) Sharing intimate essays about your life, have you been surprised by how much people can relate to your experiences?
Zibby: Yes! Actually, I didn’t realize just how many entry points to connection there were, but people have been telling me they’ve connected to all different parts of the book. The shyness. The divorce. Motherhood. The weight. Friendship. The Jewish piece. Grief. There are a lot of ways to engage. There seems to be something for everyone. I’m thrilled.
Leah: On the topic of new chapters, let’s talk about ORA Magazine—the gorgeous luxury Jewish lifestyle magazine (for which I’m a proud contributor). ORA’s Editor-in-Chief, Elina Furman, gave the green light to share the exciting news…please tell us about your new role with ORA!
Zibby: Oh gosh, I think I owe them a book round-up! Thanks for reminding me. Yes, I’m going to be the new books editor at ORA (if I can find the time!!). Love that magazine and obsessed with everything Elina is doing.
Leah: The ORA 18—a snapshot of trailblazers making an impact—is one of my favorite sections in the magazine. (I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention you were one of the 18 honored in ORA’s premiere issue!) As someone who loves shining a light on others, who would be on your own personal ORA 18?
Zibby: Such a good question! Okay, 18 Jewish notables I want to shout out would be: Samantha Ettus, Dara Horn, Sarah Hurwitz, Jonah Platt, Julie Platt, Noa Tishby, Lisa Barr, Bianna Golodryga, Rebekah Lowin, Stephanie Butnick, Wendy Sachs, Limor Gott Ronen, Lihi Lapid, Teddy Schwarzman, Vera Wagman, Rabbi David Cohen, Rabbi Diana Fersko, and you!
Leah: I love including questions from our incredibly supportive reader and author community. Aimee (@theonewhereaimeereads) asks, “You wear many literary hats: author, publisher, reader, podcast host, bookstore owner, book retreat host, and more. Do you have a favorite?” (And speaking of book retreats, bestselling author Rachel Caplin would like to know when you plan to host one in Israel!)
Zibby: Haha, no plans to run a book retreat in Israel. We’re sticking to the U.S. for now. Sorry! Do I have a favorite “hat?” I love doing all of it all at once. It’s the combination of everything that’s so incredibly exciting and unique! But one of my favorite things to do is sit on the blue couch at my bookstore, listen to everything going on around me, and read.
Leah: I know you went back and forth on the cover design for Between Chapters. I love that you ultimately chose the photo of your bookshelves, each book beautifully (painstakingly?) organized by color. And it begs the question—since you could’ve selected any color of the rainbow for the spine of Between Chapters, is there a significance behind your choice of navy blue?
Zibby: You’re so observant, Leah! Love these questions. Ultimately, I love blue. Obsessed with all shades. I just had to pick one!
Leah: What would you love to see happen in your next chapter? (Or are you enjoying the one you’re in for a while?)
Zibby: I’m cherishing the last years of having two of my four kids still at home. I’m also grateful that I have the energy to accomplish everything on my list (although I’m totally overwhelmed, I’ll be honest). I honestly don’t have a huge goal right now. I just want to grow everything I’m involved in, have meaningful conversations, and provide content that makes people feel less alone. I had a moment in my kitchen last night where the only sound in the house was the dishwasher. I knew my husband was around, but it was just the two of us at home, and I was filled with a sense of loss thinking: soon, this’ll be it. No more playdates, chaos, kids, yelling, packing, all of it. I’m not ready for it to be over. I thrive when I’m really busy, otherwise I get sad. So I’ll enjoy the chapter I’m in, grateful I get to be here at all. What a gift.
Leah: In addition to buying (and thoroughly enjoying) Between Chapters, how can we support you?
Zibby: I launched a Substack essay platform for writers to contribute their own essays about the chapters they’re in. Check out the essays and consider writing one at zibbyowens.com/s/between-chapters.
Between Chapters: How I Started Over, Took Some Chances, and Found the Plot is available now.
Keep up with Zibby on her website and Instagram.
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