Zibby Owens' Desert Island Books

Featuring the book that always makes Zibby cry, and a memoir by one of the world's most famous sportsmen...

Zibby Owens is something of a publishing powerhouse. Not only a writer and author, she also hosts the wildly successful podcast, Moms Don’t Have Time to Read Books, and is CEO of Zibby Books publishing house, owner of Zibby’s Bookshop in Santa Monica, and founder of Zibby Media. Her award-winning podcast is published daily, and some of my favourite author interviews include the lovely Joanna Rakoff, author of My Salinger Year, and Chris Whitaker, who recently published the utterly spellbinding All the Colours of the Dark. Zibby’s Vogue essay - about how she had to lie to find true love - is one of my favourite reads of recent years, and she also published a new book, Blank, earlier in March. On top of that, she also runs reading retreats - yet another offshoot of her growing literary empire - though quite how she does it all is beyond me!

As someone with a self-proclaimed lifelong love of books, I knew that Zibby would be the perfect guest for this series, and couldn’t wait to find out which eight books she’d take with her to the sandy shores of a desert island.

You can buy Blank from Zibby Books or Bookshop.org. And if you fancy getting your hands on a signed copy of it, why not consider becoming a paid subscriber of my Substack? Each week, you’ll be automatically entered into a draw to win a signed book by the guest from my Desert Island Books series.

What It Takes: Lessons in the Pursuit of Excellence by Stephen A. Schwarzman

If I’m alone on a desert island, I’ll likely be missing my family! This book by my dad is about all the lessons he’s learned in business, entrepreneurship, investing, and life. Plus his photo makes me smile.

Blank by Zibby Owens

If there’s anyone else on the island with me, you can bet I’ll try to get them to read it. Always be selling! Plus it’ll be a good way for rescuers to hopefully identify me.

The Worst Case Scenario Handbook: Expert Advice for Extreme Situations by Joshua Piven and David Borgeneicht

If I’m stuck, I’d want to be prepared! This guide should be able to help me through whatever I’m about to face.

Open: A Memoir by Andre Agassi

I love this memoir. I could read Andre’s story over and over again. Plus if he can get through that much pain, I could get through anything.

Here After: A Memoir by Amy Lin

This short, poetic reflection on grief and loss will help me through my separation from everyone else I love.

Have a Beautiful, Terrible Day by Kate Bowler

Provided that I’ve brought pens to this oasis, I’d want to have this workbook and guide to getting through even the hardest times.

Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding

One of my all-time favourites. An escapist read that makes me laugh and delights the sense.

Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

I love a good book that will make me cry. This one never disappoints.