Susan Choi, FLASHLIGHT: A Novel

Totally Booked: LIVE! In this special episode of the podcast (in-person at the Whitby Hotel with a live audience!), Zibby chats with National Book Award-winning author Susan Choi about FLASHLIGHT, a gorgeous, ferociously smart, and impossibly heartbreaking novel that traces a father’s disappearance across time, nations, and memory. Susan discusses the emotional and structural complexity of the book—how it was written out of order and quilted together with research and imagination. She delves into themes of family, grief, and cultural identity, and shares why she champions complex, even unlikeable characters. Finally, she reflects on her writing journey, from childhood stories and struggling through grad school to eventually working at The New Yorker and writing her first novel.Purchase on Bookshop: https://bit.ly/4dV88wcShare, rate, & review the podcast, and follow Zibby on Instagram @zibbyowens!** Want more? Become a part of my community! Sign up for Zibby's Highlights, which includes a free weekly newsletter, event livestreams, most anticipated book lists, personal essays, and a new essay platform with stories from all of you about what chapters you're in (inspired by my upcoming book Between Chapters: How I Started Over, Took Some Chances, and Found the Plot, 9/22/26). And follow me on Instagram @zibbyowens. But really, keep listening here. If you love my show, please tell a friend! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.