Loading summary
Transcript111 lines
- [00:00]
Zibby Owens
We all prefer things a certain way, like groceries. If you want groceries just how you like them, you gotta try Instacart. They have a new preference picker that lets you pick how ripe or unripe you want your bananas. Shoppers can see your preferences upfront, helping guide their choices. Because when it comes to groceries, the details matter. Instacart get groceries just how you like.
- [00:23]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
Hi. Who here loves when their nails are perfectly done?
- [00:28]
Zibby Owens
Me.
- [00:28]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
I'm Sarah Gibson Tuttle and I started Olive in June because, let's be real, we all deserve to have gorgeous nails. But who wants to spend a fortune or half their day at the salon? And that's why I created the Mani system. So you can have that salon perfect manicure right at home. And guess what? The best part, each mani only costs $2. Yup, you heard me. $2. No more. 30, 40, $50. Salon trips that eat up your day. Now you can paint your nails whenever you want, wherever you want. And trust me, you're gonna be obsessed with. And everyone is going to ask you, where did you get your nails done? And here's a little something extra. Head over to oliveandjune.com and get 20% off your first mani system with code perfectmanny20@oliveandjune.com perfectmanny20. That's code perfectmani20 for 20% off at oliveandjune.com Perfectmanny20. You're all set for a nail glow up. Let's get those nails looking fabulous, shall we?
- [01:26]
Zibby Owens
Hi, I'm Debbie Millman and I host a podcast called Design Matters from the TED Audio Collective. Every episode, I have conversations with designers, writers, artists, and other luminaries of contemporary thought. People like Roman Mars, AI Weiwei, Ethan Hawke, and Ashley Ford. We not only talk about their crafts, but how they design the arc of their lives, what they've learned, what. What obstacles they've overcome and how they've done it. And how they see the world. Join us for an inquiry into the broader world of creative culture. Find and follow Design Matters with Debbie Millman wherever you're listening to this. Hi, this is Zibby Owens and you're listening to Totally Booked with Zibby, formerly Moms don't have Time to Read Books. In my daily show, I interview today's latest, best selling, buzziest or underrate authors and story creators whose work I think is worth your time. As a bookstore owner, publisher, author, and obviously podcaster, I get a comprehensive look at everything that's coming out and spend my time curating the best Books so you don't have to stay in the know, get insider insights and connect with guests like I do every single day. For more information, go to zibbymedia.com and follow me on Instagram at Zibby Owens. I interviewed Libby Page. The author of this book made me think of youf in person at my home office. She was in town on a mini book tour from the UK and stopped by my apartment for an in person podcast followed by lunch with my Zivu Media team, which was so great. I ravaged this book. Can I even say that I devoured this book. And it was one of those books where I opened it up and from the first page I just couldn't put it down to the point of it being inconvenient because I was spending so much time reading that I had to be doing other things during and I just couldn't stop reading it. It's lovely and heartwarming. It's about. Well, you'll hear what she says, but I really and truly love this and Libby was a delight. If you look on Instagram for when we spoke, you'll see the adorable purse that she was holding, which is definitely worth digging up because it is so cute. Livy Page is a Sunday Times bestselling author whose work has been published in over 20 territories around the world. And before becoming an author, she worked in journalism and marketing. She lives in Somerset, England with her husband and young son. Welcome, Libby. Thank you so much. I'm so excited to be here with you in person at my desk talking about your amazing book. This book made me think of you. Congratulations.
- [04:08]
Libby Page
Oh, thank you so much and thank you for having me.
- [04:10]
Zibby Owens
This is like so amazing to me because I have been just obsessed with obsessed with this book, loving it, and now I know it just doesn't get old to like have you right in front of me after you wrote this whole thing. It's just the coolest.
- [04:22]
Libby Page
Well, it's very cool for me as well to be here in New York and yeah. Talking about the books.
- [04:27]
Zibby Owens
Oh my gosh. I loved it. I loved it so much. Oh my gosh. Okay, tell everybody what the book is about.
- [04:32]
Libby Page
Okay, so this book made me Think of youf is about a woman called Tilly Nightingale whose husband has sadly recently passed away. And she finds out that before he died, he arranged a year of books for her son, a very special gift through her local bookshop. She will get given a book every month and each book comes with a letter. And they're all sort of inspired. You know, they're all designed to help her through her year of grief and to send her off on literary inspired adventures.
- [05:01]
Zibby Owens
And where did this idea come from?
- [05:04]
Libby Page
From a few places, really. So it's partly inspired by my own experiences of grief and turning to books as a real comfort and escape. I think I was very lucky that actually when I was grie. I could read Tilly in the novel. She's in a real reading rut because of her grief. She's sort of. That side of her has kind of turned. Turned off really since she lost her husband. So I think I wanted to write a story that was a journey back to reading and the love of reading and how books can really take you out of where you are and really act as an escape and a way to move through and emotions.
- [05:43]
Zibby Owens
And I know I've only just met you about three minutes ago, but your grief. Who are the people you dedicated this to? You dedicated it to Sally. Wait, hold on. I don't want to. I'm sure these are like the. Okay. To Fred Cutting and Sally Lane.
- [05:58]
Libby Page
Who.
- [05:58]
Zibby Owens
Who are these people?
- [06:00]
Libby Page
So my grandfather and then also a woman who I'm sure there are listeners who probably have these people in our lives who don't have a particular definition. I called her my godmother. She was really like an extra parent to me. She helped raise me. And both of these people I lost within a few months. Both were real influential people in my life. Both real book lovers. And I think actually one of the things that I found really helped sort of feel a connection to them after they. After they'd gone was going back to books they loved. So I reread books that were real favourites of theirs. And it felt like that. That connection to them that continued, which I think was. Was really a big part of the inspiration for the book. This idea of books being like a conversation that can continue with people you love after. After they've gone.
- [06:48]
Zibby Owens
Well, I'm sorry for your losses. That sounds. It doesn't. You know, I've been thinking a lot about this whole definition. Like she was my cousin or she was my.
- [06:56]
Libby Page
This.
- [06:56]
Zibby Owens
It doesn't matter.
- [06:57]
Libby Page
Yeah, right.
- [06:58]
Zibby Owens
Like, why do we have to say that? I don't know. It's just. Yeah. And I think it's just somebody. Somebody I love.
- [07:03]
Libby Page
Yeah, that's it. And I think, you know, especially with Sally, I think of her as, you know, she was my person. You know, that person who you just. You just love. And I think that, yeah, it was hard and yeah, I feel like the being able to escape into books and just to have that, that different kind of world to go to, I felt so grateful. I've always been an avid reader, but I think particularly in that time to really, really lean on books was something I felt so grateful for.
- [07:31]
Zibby Owens
So what, what books did Sally like?
- [07:33]
Libby Page
So she loved, I mean all sorts. So the Secret Garden was one of her favourites. So I loved going back and re and rereading that. I also got some from her shelves. So lots of kind of romances and mystery. She loved that I've been, been rereading and then for my grandfather, he was a real Charles Dickens fan. So those, yeah, going back and rereading those always made me think of him as well.
- [07:56]
Zibby Owens
Well, I'm sure she would be delighted to know that you, you named a bookstore, a fictitious bookstore after her and an entire family, so to speak. And you know, all of that talk a little bit about this bookstore, this beautiful bookstore which I have, you've described so beautifully in the book that I feel as though I have walked in and out of it a million times in the pages of your story. Talk about creating this store.
- [08:20]
Libby Page
So I think as a real, you know, a real bookworm, I have always wanted to write a book set in a bookstore. I'm the kind of person that if a book has a bookshop on the COVID or the word bookshop or bookstore in the title, I will just buy it without, without reading the blurb. So I've always wanted to write a book set in a bookstore. This bookstore is set in Primrose Hill in North London. I really wanted somewhere that felt like a real heart of the community because to me that's what independent bookstores especially are. You know, it's not just about books, it's about like minded people coming together and a real kind of safe space. So I wanted to create a shop that was really cosy, really inviting and somewhere that actually Tilly just, you know, goes as a sort of safe harbor really during, you know, everything that she's going through.
- [09:08]
Zibby Owens
Well, I own an independent bookstore in Santa Monica called Divvy's Bookshop. And this bookstore, I'm like, I'm gonna just toss that aside and move in here. This sounds so amazing, but you really nailed all the functions and the things that have to happen behind the scenes at a bookstore too.
- [09:24]
Libby Page
Yeah, I must admit I'm very friendly with the manager of my local bookstore and I'm very aware that there are lots of books that are set in bookstores and often it's, you know, people reading in the, you know, on the counter and not actually doing much work. And I know that actually the reality of running a bookstore is difficult. There's a lot of manual labour, you know, picking up boxes of books. So I wanted to get that line between, you know, conveying what it's really like, but also, obviously, still being escapist for those of us who don't have our own bookstores but maybe fantasize about one day owning one.
- [09:57]
Zibby Owens
Well, Alfie is a fabulous character. I can see him in my head. I have to look up. I have a particular actor in mind, but I can't remember his name. So I'm gonna have to look it up after and share with you, wondering who you think he would be. But talk a little bit about Alfie, because what a character. And I love his whole development and the times we see him really coming alive and his own grief and all of that. Can you talk? Tell us about Alfie.
- [10:20]
Libby Page
So I think with this novel, I had a bit of a challenge in that I essentially wanted the reader to fall in love with two different male leads. So there's obviously Joe, who was Tilly's husband, who I wanted to get a sense of him across on the page and really, you know, to convey what their relationship was like and what Tilly has lost. But then there's also lovely Alfie, who runs the bookstore and really starts as a friend and, you know, things develop in the novel. But I really wanted someone who was, in a way, quite different to Jo. So I think of Jo as a real kind of golden retriever, whereas Alfie is more quiet and subdued. He's, I think, very used to kind of watching things unfurl in the shop. He inherited the bookshop from his father and I think feels a lot of responsibility and to kind of keep it exactly how his. How his father had it, but also, you know, finding his own path within that. He's a real fan of knitwear. I had this vision of a just really, you know, very handsome bookshop owner who dresses in these lovely, oversized, oversized knits. Very cosy. But, yeah, he's a. He's a real gentle soul, I think, and sort of, over time, really helps Tilly kind of come out of her shell. And I guess for both of them, you know, really what that. That connection does for both of them, I think, is an important part of the novel.
- [11:40]
Zibby Owens
There were a couple times where he accidentally raises the sweater and you catch a glimpse of his toned abs and all those lifting. Oh, my gosh.
- [11:50]
Libby Page
You know, I was thinking, you know, you're carrying In a bookstore, you're carrying big boxes of books. He probably would actually be, you know, quite in shape, shall we say?
- [11:59]
Zibby Owens
Oh, my gosh. I'm like, I know what Livy likes. Anyway, that was really fun. Sorry for the sirens outside. It's New York City. This is what we have around the clock. Well, Alfie, as we discussed, is going through his own breed of loss. He's not only grieving the loss of someone, but the loss of the life he would have had had that person not died. Which in this case was a dramatically different life with a different person doing a different thing, traveling, all of this. And yet he came home to be the responsible one, take over the bookstore. And he has kind of. It's like a complicated grief. He has some mixed feelings about that. Obviously, he's happy and stepped into the role, but you always kind of wonder, and I feel like you tap into that point of grief, that it's not just the now, it's the what would have been. Mm.
- [12:46]
Libby Page
Yeah, definitely. I think I was very inspired by his character by It's a Wonderful Life. It's one of my favorite films. And I think that, you know, that idea of a man who is sort of maybe pushed into a life that he wouldn't necessarily have chosen but then actually makes. Makes the best of it. But, yeah, I think it's, you know, in terms of grief, it. It can be so complex because it's actually, you know, all the things that happen after you've lost the person, it kind of doesn't just end, you know, it keeps going all those. All those times. And for both Tilly and Alfie, I guess that's something that they can bond over is their. Their shared experience of grief. Because Tilly, she has a sister who features quite prominently in the book who maybe doesn't quite know what to say, says the wrong thing is very well meaning, but doesn't really get it. So I think for Tilly and Alfie, it's that kind of, you know, kindred spirits that they can really connect over that shared experience of grief.
- [13:39]
Zibby Owens
I also like Tilly's friend Rachel, because Rachel, and this happens often with grief, is that sometimes the people you think will be there the most are the ones who suddenly are not. And you're like, what is going on? And then unexpected people sweep and help out. But Rachel goes MIA after Joe's diagnosis. And Tilly is just so devastated by this because in addition to dealing with that, now what? Her friend is gone and we don't find out later, and I won't give anything away, but there's often reasons why people pull away during really tough times, and it's not because they don't care, but maybe they just can't do it. And I felt like we don't often see that exhibited so clearly as you portrayed it in the book.
- [14:20]
Libby Page
I think. Yeah, I guess I wanted to get across those complexities of grief that it is. There's a lot more that can go along with it that you might not have expected. So, yeah, that was something I definitely want to explore with her character.
- [14:31]
Zibby Owens
I'm worried that we're talking so much about grief. It's not conveying how joyful the book can be at times and actually is an incredibly positive message. Hopeful, I mean, because you go back and show us all of the fabulous times with Jo and Tilly and falling in love, and you show us all the joy that can come from a bookstore and the fun adventures that she then goes on thanks to these books that she gets. And so I found the book not dark and heavy, but actually quite light as far as a book like this could be. And so I kept turning pages in that way, too. Was that intentional, or did you think about that?
- [15:08]
Libby Page
Yeah, definitely. So that's good to hear. You found that because.
- [15:11]
Zibby Owens
Yes.
- [15:12]
Libby Page
Although it is a book that is a lot about grief, it is also a book about hope and love and friendship and community. And I definitely wanted it to feel. Feel overall uplifting. I think that's something that's really important for me in my writing is, you know, I like to go there with some of the heavier things just because I feel like that's real life. And I like sort of exploring those. Those things that we all go through, but ultimately with a hopeful lens and this idea of, I guess, you know, I felt like at the start of the book, you know, Tilly feels like her story is over. And I'm sure so many of us have been. Been in those moments where you feel like, okay, something has happened, whether it's grief, whether it's, you know, any. Anything else that you're going through, you feel like, okay, this is my story, but actually turn a few more pages and there can be a whole other chapter that you just hadn't anticipated. So I definitely wanted this to be a book full of adventure and travel and fun and light, as well as the heavier aspects.
- [16:12]
Zibby Owens
Today's episode is sponsored by Quince. Quince is all about elevated essentials that feel effortless. Designed for layering and mixing, each piece helps build a timeless wardrobe made to last with Versatile silhouettes and thoughtful details. They're the kind of styles you wear again and again. I have not taken off my Quince parka this entire winter season. There's been a huge snowstorm lately. I wore it in and out of the snow every day. I mean I just wear it every day. It's amazing. Quince has wardrobe staples with quality that is made to last. Like 100 organic cotton sweaters, premium denim with stretch for all day, comfort luxe cotton cashmere which blends perfectly for changing seasons and basically everything you need for a wardrobe that last. Quince works directly with safe, ethical factories and cuts out the middle mint so you're not paying for brand markup, just high quality clothing. Quince uses the highest quality materials like 100% European linen and organic cotton. Speaking of which, my podcast producer Chelsea, who is undoubtedly listening, got a new comforter off of Quince, which she also loves. We are both Quince fans, so refresh your wardrobe with quince. Go to quince.com zibby for free shipping on your order and 365 day returns. Now available in Canada too. That's Q-U I N C E.com Zivi to get free shipping and 365 day returns. Quince.com Zivi Today's episode is sponsored by Wayfair. The new year is here and it is time to get back into an at home routine you love and elevate your space with Wayfair. From bedding and mattresses to storage solutions for every room in your house, Wayfair is your one stop shop. I actually have used Wayfair so much because over the holidays I stayed with my mother in Arizona and told her it was definitely time to redo the guest room where she has my kids stay because she hasn't touched it in decades and it needed a refresh. And I said, you know what Wayfair? So we got beds, lamps, side tables. We've been doing the whole room. It looks amazing. Everything came within a few days in perfect shape. It has been so fun. Wayfair has everything like the most enormous selection of home decor items and exactly what we wanted for the space we had. And it's still a work in progress and I will share some pictures on Instagram. We're obsessed so you should get organized, refreshed and back on track this new year as well. For way less, head to Wayfarer.com right now to shop all things home. That's W A Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair Every style, every home.
- [19:09]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
Hi, it's Sarah. I'm the founder of Olive and June. And can I tell you the one thing that always makes my day better? A fresh manicure. But who has the time or the money to go to the salon every week? That's why we created the Olive and June gel mani system. It gives you that same mani that you get at a salon for so much less. It comes with everything you need. A pro level lamp, salon grade tools, our damage free gel polish that lasts up to 21 days. All you do is prep, paint, cure, and you're good to go. And the best part, it's super easy and so affordable. Each mani breaks down to $2. So let's skip that $80 salon appointment and get the salon quality look at home for so much less. And on your schedule, head to OliveAndJune.com DIYgel20 and use code DIYgel20 for 20% off your first gel. Man, that's OliveAnJune.com DIYgel20 code DIYgel20 for 20% OFF your first gel mani system.
- [20:09]
Zibby Owens
I mean, part of what you did so well is because of the books that she totally gets as gifts once a month from Jo. She gets to do things that like, I have never done and that I feel like I got to do now. Like, I've never taken a pasta making class in Tuscany. I've never camped in a rainstorm. Thank God. I've never done a lot of these adventures that she goes on. And so we get to have a backseat onto all of that as well. So. Yeah. Thank you for taking us on all of these, on all of these trips.
- [20:39]
Libby Page
Honestly, for me writing it and I think especially thinking about that I was writing this book about grief while I was grieving, I think it proved an escape for me as well. You know, I wanted it to be a book with, with travel and adventure in it and writing those scenes I found so, so joyful. And it was such an escape. And I guess that's what I want to give to the readers as well. That is the kind of book that you could pick up. You know, maybe if you are grieving or you're having a bit of a hard day and just want to sink into something that's going to transport you, I think is definitely the intention with it.
- [21:11]
Zibby Owens
I mean, I was literally reading, being like, could I run a half marathon? I mean, could I if I trained really well? I mean, she's having a hard time at the beginning and I would have a hard time at the Beginning. Beginning. Maybe. I don't know.
- [21:23]
Libby Page
Well, I mean, I think go for it.
- [21:25]
Zibby Owens
Do you run?
- [21:26]
Libby Page
I. Well, I've on and off. I would definitely not call myself a runner, but I have. I have run on and off. But yeah, I think that would be a big challenge for me as well.
- [21:35]
Zibby Owens
Well, you know, they can do it. You know, all of this.
- [21:38]
Libby Page
I think I'm more and more the pasta making. And actually, although I didn't go on a pasta making course in Tuscany, I did do a day's pasta making.
- [21:45]
Zibby Owens
Oh, that sounds like in London for
- [21:47]
Libby Page
research for the novel, which was. Was very fun.
- [21:49]
Zibby Owens
You've made me very hungry at times in this book as well. And the other thing I liked is you didn't have it start immediately. Like you didn't have Jo pass away and immediately have the book start coming. You gave her a buffer, and I think that's really important because the first couple months can often be just a whirlwind of I don't even know. She couldn't even focus. And so you gave just enough time for her to be like, not exactly getting on her feet, but enough that she could be even remotely open to this experience.
- [22:17]
Libby Page
Yeah. And I guess, you know, honestly, if you've been through that, you know, those initial months, I sort of felt like I don't necessarily want to re read that, but also, you know, this. I wanted this book to be a book about new beginnings ultimately. And I think, yeah, it was important, allowing enough time so that it feels realistic that actually she is at the stage where she's sort of having to think about what does life look like for me now without Jo and sort of looking ahead to the future.
- [22:42]
Zibby Owens
You have one passage where Tilly is extolling the virtues of a bookstore and talking about how a bookstore is not just a place for commerce. It is a place where people come together. It is where you come to find yourself and find other people. And it's basically like standing on a soapbox saying, like, why we need independent bookstores now more than ever and how essential they are to communities. And it literally brought tears to my eyes because it was this impassioned plea for the continuation of something that feels like it can be on its way out at times, or why is it so important? Isn't it just another shop? But it's not just another shop. So how do you. Is that how you feel about the bookstores and everything?
- [23:20]
Libby Page
Absolutely. Absolutely. I think I very much wanted this book to be a real love letter to books and bookstores and particularly independent bookstores. And booksellers. I think both, you know, as an author, I'm so conscious of the fact that it is the booksellers and librarians who are the people putting my books in the hands of readers. But also just as a reader and a human being. I think that, you know, that my local bookstore isn't just a shop like you say, it's somewhere that I go and to feel connected to other people. I think about when my son was first born and those kind of early newborn days when you're just figuring things out, you know, pushing the push chair and crashing into things. The first place I went was my local bookstore because I just wanted to be somewhere where I felt safe and kind of around like minded people and like I was out connecting with the world. Because I think in a bookstore, you know, you do feel like you're connected to the rest of the world because there are so many different voices and stories there. And I think that's so, so special and so important. And I think our, you know, towns and cities are so much poorer when we don't have those places in our community. So yeah, it was very much a conscious, conscious choice to kind of celebr the independent bookstores in particular that I think are real, really special places.
- [24:37]
Zibby Owens
Push chair. Is that what you call a stroller by the way?
- [24:39]
Libby Page
Oh, stroller, sorry, yes.
- [24:41]
Zibby Owens
I've never heard that before. It really is. Push chair. Oh my gosh. Sometimes push high chair, you know, with the food everywhere. But oh my gosh.
- [24:50]
Libby Page
So yes, a stroller.
- [24:51]
Zibby Owens
I wouldn't bassinets and push everything.
- [24:53]
Libby Page
Yeah.
- [24:55]
Zibby Owens
So this book, this is not yout First Rodeo. Can you tell me about becoming an author?
- [25:00]
Libby Page
So I have always wanted to be an author, sort of for as long as I can remember. I think as a child I was such an avid reader and I really remember a moment of sort of putting the dots together and thinking, oh, actually someone's written these books that I read and that that's an actual job. So ever since that moment, there was nothing else I wanted to do. I guess then I got a little bit older and realised it's not something that you just go out and kind of apply for. I'm going to apply for a role of author. It's kind of more complicated than that. So I studied journalism. I think I thought, okay, it's writing, but it's sort of more of a proper job. And so I did a bit of that, but found that actually writing every day, sort of in, you know, as a journalist I got home and then Was sort of burnt out and not really having that time for my creative writing, which was always my passion. So I worked in marketing for a while and kind of had a bit more headspace then to work on my own book. So worked on my debut novel the Lido, then published as Mornings with RoseMary in the US and yeah, since then I've been writing books and I now do a bit of coaching writers as well on writing their books, which is a nice full circle.
- [26:13]
Zibby Owens
Can you do a little catch up summary of your past books in case after this book, yeah, people want to go back and go read your whole backlist.
- [26:23]
Libby Page
So available in the US is the is Mornings with Rosemary, which is a cross generational friendship story about two women, one in her 80s and one in her 20s, who come together to try and save their local swimming pool from closure. And it's really a story of community and friendship. And then I've written before four other novels that are available in the uk. Again, themes of community and friendship are sort of very, very prominent in my work. And romance as well. I think it's always there. I'm a real romance reader so I do love a love story as well within my novels. So yeah, that's the kind of thing you would expect.
- [27:03]
Zibby Owens
You really nailed that anticipatory feeling which is often the best part before anything even happens. And you're wondering is it going to happen? Is it not? What would it be like?
- [27:12]
Libby Page
That's what I love to read, so I think that's what I enjoyed enjoy writing in this book.
- [27:16]
Zibby Owens
So who are some of the authors that you like to read?
- [27:19]
Libby Page
Oh, so many. I'm a big Emily Henry fan.
- [27:22]
Zibby Owens
Well, obviously
- [27:25]
Libby Page
I also love JoJo Moyes, David Nichols, I think authors who maybe have romance in there, but also, you know, kind of women's fiction that explores, you know, issues that women, women go through. I feel like I suddenly, I mean in this book, I should say I ment over 60 books. So I have the 12 books that Tilly receives. But then at the start of each month there are also these book recommendation lists. So there are lots of book recommendations in there. Although suddenly now I'm like, I can't think of any books. How is that, how is that possible?
- [27:58]
Zibby Owens
There are so many. It's also a love letter to Big Magic in here as well as with Gilbert, which I'm assuming came from you.
- [28:07]
Libby Page
Yes, I've read many times. It's like very, my copy is very tatty, which I think is the sign of a well loved book. When you've Kind of read it and underlined things and. And gone back to it many times. So, yeah, that's real.
- [28:19]
Zibby Owens
Are you doing anything creative with the stack of 12 books? Like, are you selling them anywhere? This the 12 that she gets?
- [28:27]
Libby Page
I haven't really thought of it. I'm in my local town. I'm doing an event where I'm giving away a copy of each one of each. Not actually a copy of each one, but a year of books through my local bookstore. So for local people, I'll be able to go in and choose, you know, or give. Tell the bookseller, you know, what books they love, and they'll get recommendations. So. So that's a little thing that I'm doing. But I definitely. I have the 12 books on my bookshelves at home. It feels very special to me to kind of have them all lined up there.
- [28:56]
Zibby Owens
Oh, my gosh. Well, I mean, the genius of it is that there was a reason why for Tilly. So it's not like these books would necessarily resonate for the average person, but you could. You could make it so that we all follow this path, because after grief, there is no clear path. You might as well follow someone else's. Yeah.
- [29:13]
Libby Page
And I guess it's. I like the idea of, you know, maybe people being inspired to do something similar as a gift or actually just, you know, turning to books as a source of sort of inspiration for what to do next. It was definitely a challenge choosing the 12 books, I bet. But a very fun. A very fun challenge.
- [29:33]
Zibby Owens
And the ones at the beginning of each chapter, too. I mean, how to narrow it down is so tough.
- [29:37]
Libby Page
Yeah, there are lots of real favorites in there. And I guess something that was important to me is I want the book to feel accessible. I didn't want it to be, you know, 12 literary classics that you have to have read to sort of get the references. So I would say that the titles of the book had to work really hard so that, you know, you can just read the title and know the intention behind the book and sort of what to expect from it, because, yeah, that was something that I thought was important. I want to feel like people could be inspired to go and read these books afterwards, but you certainly don't have to have read them in order to enjoy the book.
- [30:11]
Zibby Owens
Well, I'm so glad that this is coming out in the U.S. a few people, when I posted about it, were like, I'm so glad all you people in the US Are finally discovering Libby Page. I'm like, yay. So now we have our reading Cut out for us. Are you working on a new project now?
- [30:27]
Libby Page
Yes, so working on another book that will come out, I think 2028, continuing some similar themes, kind of bookishness and you know, love story. But yeah, definitely still in development, but having a lot of fun writing it.
- [30:42]
Zibby Owens
Okay, well, I hope that'll be a US release as well.
- [30:44]
Libby Page
Yes, yes, it will be.
- [30:45]
Zibby Owens
Okay, good, Excellent. Do you have advice for aspiring authors?
- [30:49]
Libby Page
Yes, I think for me one of the things that can be the biggest part barrier to someone wanting to write a book is self doubt. I think so often we get in our own way, you know, we feel like, why me? Who am I to write this novel? What if I can't do it? And I think that can stop you getting, you know, even getting through and sort of getting that first draft written. So I always tell writers that because I think sometimes you can feel like there's a reason, you know, you're doing something wrong because you have that self doubt. And at this stage I feel like, you know, I've met authors who've written 20 novels and they tell me they still feel exactly the same amount of self doubt. And it's really about just pushing through and doing it anyway. I'm a big believer in a messy first draft. You know, just get something down on the page, don't be too critical about it. Just sort of, yeah, keep going, going with it really. Because then you've got something that you, you can work with and I guess just writing from the heart. I mean, I think all my books, although they're very much fiction, the stories fictional, the characters are fictional, they do usually come from a real place, you know, something that feels emotionally true to me. And I think that's a really rich place to explore and hopefully means that those emotions come across and connect with readers because you're, you know, you're going to a real place within yourself. And I think that is a really, to me, that's why I write, you know, is to kind of process things and to, to really explore what it is like to be a human being. And I think that's such a great outlet to have in your life. So I think, yeah, just really drawing on the things that are important to you in your writing.
- [32:32]
Zibby Owens
Love that. How many times did you cry writing this book?
- [32:36]
Libby Page
Quite, quite a few times, honestly. And I still, yeah, there are still. I don't know, I think there's something about the concept of it that still gets me. I remember going and doing a bookshop tour in the uk, sort of pitching the concept to booksellers. And sometimes, as I was saying, I was kind of getting a bit tearful. You know, it's a very special book to me. It means a lot to me, and I hope that, that, you know, that emotion comes across, you know, and means that it will connect with readers. But as you said as well, you know, I always think it. I need to say it is. It is uplifting as well. You know, it's. I think. I can't promise it won't make you cry, but I hope it will kind of put you back together again and feel like a big, you know, hug at the end as well.
- [33:19]
Zibby Owens
Absolutely. Is your real name Elizabeth?
- [33:21]
Libby Page
Yes, it is.
- [33:22]
Zibby Owens
So it's mine. I feel like I get called Libby 8,000 times a day. Actually, someone just subscribed to my newsletter and was like, I can't get all the library books yet. And I was like, my name is Zibby. This is not Libby at the library yet.
- [33:35]
Libby Page
Well, I did. I must admit, I did feel like it's very cool, like Libby, Libby meets Zibby.
- [33:39]
Zibby Owens
Yeah, me too. I love it. Libby. Thank you so much. This book was beautiful. Every minute I spent reading it was a joy. Really a joy. And I just loved it. I really did. I finished it and I, like, held it like this and then fell asleep, which is the best. The best way to finish it.
- [33:56]
Libby Page
That's an honor to hear. So thank you so much for having me.
- [33:59]
Zibby Owens
It's my pleasure. Thank you. Thank you for listening to Totally Booked with Zibby, formerly Moms don't have Time to Read Books. If you loved the show, tell a friend, leave a review. Follow me on Instagram ibbeoens and spread the word. Thanks so much. Oh, and buy the books. When the flu is keeping you up at night, don't try to tough it out. Knock out your flu symptoms with NYQUIL Intense Flu. You got this. It provides powerful relief of your flu symptoms so you can sleep well through the night. NYQUIL Intense Flu. The nighttime sniffling, aching, aching fever. Best sleep with a flu medicine. Use as directed. Keep out of reach of children.
- [34:48]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
We interrupt this program to bring you an important Wayfair message. Wayfair's got style tips for every home.
- [34:54]
Zibby Owens
This is Stiles McKenzie helping you make
- [34:57]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
those rooms sing today is style Tip. When it comes to making a statement, treat bold patterns like neutrals. Go wild like an untamed animal print area rug under a rustic farmhouse table. From wayfair.com fierce this has been your Wayfair style tip to keep those interiors superior.
- [35:15]
Libby Page
Wayfair Every style, every home. ACAST powers the world's best podcasts.
- [35:23]
Zibby Owens
Here's a show that we Recommend.
- [35:27]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
Galactic year 6967-420-428-0085.
- [35:35]
Libby Page
The war for the spark rages on.
- [35:37]
Zibby Owens
Yet one last hope remains.
- [35:40]
Libby Page
Four ancient warriors are about to take to the stars and take the galaxy by storm.
- [35:45]
Zibby Owens
Hey, so here's what you're gonna do.
- [35:47]
Libby Page
You're gonna go to HTTPs. They added that colon. Yeah. Gotta check on that.
- [35:54]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
No.
- [35:54]
Zibby Owens
Don't we all? I wish.
- [36:00]
Libby Page
Dungeons and Daddies presents Grandpas and Galaxies. An improvised actual play senior star citizen space Opera adventure.
- [36:08]
Sarah Gibson Tuttle
Coming February 10th to our solar system.
- [36:13]
Zibby Owens
Acast helps creators launch, grow and monetize their podcasts everywhere. Acast.com.