Open Book with Jenna

“The Summer I Turned Pretty” Author Jenny Han On Representation, Coming of Age, & Building a Media Empire Jan 09, 2025

Jenny Han is a literary powerhouse and New York Times bestselling author of the “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before” series and “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series. She is also the creator and co-showrunner of The Summer I Turned Pretty television series. Jenny sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to chat about how she built a media empire that showcases diverse characters and young women coming into their own. She opens up about how she made the leap from writer to showrunner, what it’s been like to have her books adapted and why coming of age stories resonate with audiences of all ages.

“Blue Sisters” Author Coco Mellors on The Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood Jan 02, 2025

Coco Mellors is a New York Times & Sunday Times Bestselling Author. Her second novel, “Blue Sisters" was a Read with Jenna book pick. Jenna Bush Hager sat down with Coco at a Read with Jenna book club event to talk about the deep, complicated and unbreakable bonds of sisterhood, and how her own relationship with her sister shaped the book. Coco opens up about her struggles with grief and addiction, and why she wanted to tackle these difficult topics in the book. She also reveals how motherhood transformed her life, and ultimately the ending of her novel.

Best Books of 2024 with Authors Emma Straub & Isaac Fitzgerald Dec 19, 2024

As 2024 comes to an end, we’re looking back at some of our favorite books, and literary trends from the year. Jenna Bush Hager sits down with her two friends, authors, and book lovers, Emma Straub and Isaac Fitzgerald. Emma and Isaac share how their families instilled their love of reading, the power of independent bookstores, and how to make reading a habit in the New Year. They also answer questions from Read with Jenna readers and share their recommendations for what to read in 2025.

Jamie Lee Curtis On The Importance Of Uplifting Others Dec 19, 2024

Jamie Lee Curtis is a Hollywood legend, an Oscar & Emmy Award winning actor, and a New York Times Bestselling Author. Jamie joins Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her new show “The Sticky” and upcoming film “The Last Showgirl.” She reflects on her forty years of marriage, her path to sobriety, and what it was like growing up with famous parents Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. She also opens up about her career blossoming at the age of 66, the importance of women lifting each other up, and the books that changed her life.

Riley Keough on Finishing Lisa Marie’s Memoir ‘From Here to the Great Unknown’ Dec 12, 2024

Riley Keough is an Emmy nominated actress and producer, starring in hit shows like “Daisy Jones and the Six.” She’s also part of one of the most famous families in American Pop culture. Her mother Lisa Marie Presley asked her to help her write her memoir, then weeks later passed away. Riley decided to finish her mother’s memoir using her notes and recordings. Riley sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to chat about what it was like to listen to her mom’s personal recordings for the first time, how she filled in the gaps of her mother's story, and what she hopes readers take away from her mother’s life. Riley opens up about her own grief, and how her mother handled grief after the loss of her father, Elvis Presley. Riley also reveals the significance of the title of the memoir ‘From Here to the Great Unknown.”

Matt Rogers on “Las Culturistas” Podcast, Overcoming Setbacks, & Living Life Authentically Dec 05, 2024

Actor and comedian Matt Rogers co-hosts the pop culture podcast "Las Culturistas” with Bowen Yang and stars in Netflix’s new dark comedy series “No Good Deed.” Matt joins Jenna Bush Hager to talk about his Prince of Christmas Tour, why he regrets not telling Mariah Carey about his prince of Christmas title, and his journey from prom king to pop culture podcaster. He also opens up about his disappointment at not getting hired on Saturday Night Live, but how writing his song “RockaFellaCenta” was a form of healing.

‘Wicked’ Director Jon M. Chu On Creating His Own Yellow Brick Road Nov 27, 2024

Jon M. Chu is a visionary director known for his blockbuster films like ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ ‘In The Heights’ and the hugely anticipated movie musical ‘Wicked.’ He sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss how he welcomed his daughter on the movie’s premiere day, and what it was like to turn the lens on his own life and work in his memoir ‘Viewfinder.’ Chu also reveals how he discovered the story of “Wicked” before it became a Broadway hit and what it means to him to reimagine this iconic American story as a son of immigrants.

Keke Palmer On Her Memoir ‘The Master of Me’ Nov 20, 2024

Keke Palmer is an Emmy Award Winning actress, singer, podcast host, and mother. She rose to prominence at the age of twelve through her breakout role in ‘Akeelah and the Bee’ and has gone on to star in more than twenty-five films. In her latest memoir ‘Master of Me’ Keke tells her own raw and intimate story. Keke sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss how she navigated fame at a young age, how becoming a mother gave her clarity about her priorities in life, and how she’s embraced who she truly is rather than conforming to others expectations. She shares the powerful lessons she’s learned along the way and how she has reclaimed her story, her power, and her purpose.

‘Big Little Lies’ Author Liane Moriarty On New Novel ‘Here One Moment’ Nov 14, 2024

Liane Moriarty is a global sensation who has written numerous best sellers including ‘Big Little Lies,’ ‘Apples Never Fall,’ and ‘The Husband's Secret.’ Jenna sits down with Liane to discuss how her dad encouraged her love of writing when she was a kid, the impact her books have had on readers, and what it was like to have several of her books adapted for television. She also reveals her next book, a ‘Big Little Lies’ sequel.

Ann Patchett On Independent Bookstores, Book Bans, and Book Recommendations Oct 31, 2024

Ann Patchett is a #1 New York Times Bestselling author, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and was named one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine. Ann sat down with Jenna Bush Hager for a conversation about what inspired her latest children’s book, “The Verts: A Story of Introverts and Extroverts” and what it was like to revisit her beloved novel "Bel Canto" for the special annotated release. Ann shares how she knew she wanted to write at a very young age, the nun that inspired her love of books, and how she started the next chapter in her career by opening Parnassus Books, an independent bookstore in Nashville.

“The Notebook” Author Nicholas Sparks On Writing Romance Novels & Movies Oct 24, 2024

Nicholas Sparks is the king of love stories who has sold over 130 million copies worldwide. He’s a New York Times bestselling author, with twenty-four books to his name. His emotionally gripping novels have captured readers' hearts and eleven of his novels have been adapted into films. Sparks sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss the inspiration for his novels, and how his journey led him to writing the bestselling book, The Notebook. They talk about his love of reading, the impact his books have had on fans , and his latest novel, Counting Miracles.

Stanley Tucci Gives Us A Taste Of What He Ate In One Year Oct 17, 2024

Stanley Tucci is an award winning actor, author, and dad. He’s appeared in roles such as The Devil Wears Prada, The Hunger Games, and The Lovely Bones. His latest role includes, food lover, social media star, and one of America's favorite home chefs. His latest novel ‘What I Ate in One Year’ chronicles a year’s worth of meals and allows him to reflect back on a year with family and friends. Stanley sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to share his love of food and how a viral instagram post catapulted him to a different level of fame. A lover of all things culinary, he gives readers a taste of a year in his life and reveals his favorite meal, why moving to Florence as a child was one of his most formative years, and who are some of his dream dinner guests.

Emily Henry On Becoming the Queen of the Beach Read Oct 10, 2024

Emily Henry is a New York Times & Sunday Times Bestselling author who has written five consecutive number one Bestsellers. She has been dubbed the ‘Queen of the Beach Read’ and has helped redefine the romance genre. Jenna Bush Hager sits down with Emily to discuss how she began writing fan fiction in middle school, and the teachers that encouraged her along the way. She opens up about how she first discovered the romance genre, and how she has embraced writing and reading books that bring her joy! They also chat about what it feels like to have her books adapted for the screen and the recent casting announcement for the adaptation of ‘People We Meet on Vacation.”

Stephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert On Cooking & Laughing Together Oct 03, 2024

“The Late Show” host Stephen Colbert and his wife of more than 30 years, Evie McGee Colbert, partner on a new cookbook, “Does this Taste Funny.” Stephen and Evie sit down with Jenna Bush Hager to share their favorite family recipes and funniest memories cooking together. Stephen and Evie reveal who holds the title of ‘best chef’ and who they’d love to invite to one of their famous dinner parties. They also share why humor is the key ingredient in their marriage.

Introducing: Open Book with Jenna Sep 26, 2024

TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager is an open book and is known for sharing all of who she is. Now Jenna will bring intimate, inspiring and entertaining conversations with celebrities, experts, friends, authors, and book lovers to a wider audience in her new podcast, Open Book with Jenna. Each week, she’s joined by a guest who shares candid stories about their life, current projects, and reveals how a favorite read or a first book may have influenced their path. Join Jenna as she continues her mission to connect people, create meaningful conversations, and share her love of storytelling.

‘All the Colors of the Dark” Author Chris Whitaker on How Writing Saved His Life Aug 15, 2024

Chris Whitaker is a New York Times bestselling author. His latest novel, All the Colors of the Dark is one of his most personal novels and is a Read with Jenna book club pick. Chris and Jenna chat in front of an audience at the Aspen Ideas Festival, where he opens up about what led him to writing, how the characters in his book were inspired by his own childhood, and how he’s transformed tragedy into triumph. They also discuss Jenna’s production company Thousand Voices producing the television series adaptation of his novel.

“It Ends with Us” Writer Colleen Hoover On The Film Adaptation of Her Novel Aug 08, 2024

Colleen Hoover is a publishing phenomenon. While she didn’t necessarily set out for fame, she has achieved literary super-stardom, becoming one of the bestselling authors in the world and the top-selling author in the United States. Jenna Bush Hager sat down with Hoover at her “Book Bonanza” charity event in Texas to talk about her lifelong love of writing, and how readers have resonated with her books.

We revisit their conversation from September 2023, as Hoover’s passionate and dedicated following of fans, known as “CoHorts,” flock to the theater to see the anticipated movie adaptation of her novel "It Ends With Us." The movie adaptation features Blake Lively (Lily Bloom) & Justin Baldoni (Ryle Kincaid ) and centers around the choices we must make in orderto break the patterns in our lives.

Sarah J. Maas On How BookTok Helped Her Become Publishing Royalty Jul 25, 2024

Sarah J. Maas is a New York Times bestselling author of the “Throne of Glass,” “A Court of Thorns and Roses” and “Crescent City” series. Between ages 16 and 22, she drafted a series of books ... before scrapping them all to start fresh. And then published her first book — “Throne of Glass,” a slight tweak to her original title — at the age of 26. Maas sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her newest book, “House of Flame and Shadow,” the impact BookTok had on her career, and how she balances parenting and writing. She also unpacks the joy that writing romance and fantasy brings her and what her biggest hope is for her readers.

Luke Russert: "I'm Still a Work in Progress" Dec 21, 2023

Back in 2008, shortly after the death of his father, journalist Tim Russert, Luke Russert joined NBC News as a correspondent. He spent eight years covering elections and reporting on some of the biggest political issues of our time before suddenly resigning, after realizing he didn’t feel fulfilled. Russert then embarked on a journey of self-discovery, traveling to more than 60 countries. He documented his travels and lessons in his memoir “Look For Me There: Grieving My Father, Finding Myself”. In a touching and honest conversation with Savannah Guthrie, Russert opens up about finally realizing his purpose after a life-changing moment in Israel.

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Tara Westover: “I Wanted a Different Life” Dec 14, 2023

Raised in the rural mountains of Idaho by survivalist parents, Tara Westover never dreamed she'd be where she is today. Her memoir “Educated” tracks her route into the outside world, starting with her first step into a classroom at age 17, to getting a Ph.D. at Cambridge University, to writing a New York Times bestselling memoir. Throughout the memoir, education was the tool Westover used to broaden her perspective. Jenna Bush Hager sat down with Westover to discuss her memoir — both its content and how it changed her life — and where she’s going next.

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BONUS: Book Picks for the Holiday Season Dec 12, 2023

In this bonus episode of Read with Jenna, Rumaan Alam, the bestselling author of "Leave the World Behind", a Read with Jenna pick, joins Hoda & Jenna with his recommendations for good books that would make great gifts to share the joy of reading this holiday season.

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And the fun doesn’t stop here! Want to join our Read with Jenna community of book lovers? You can find our monthly book list and sign up for our newsletter here: TODAY.com/ReadwithJenna

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Mo Willems: "My Books Are an Invitation to Be Creative" Dec 07, 2023

Children's book author Mo Willems never thought a pigeon wanting to drive a bus could turn into a career. But more than 20 years later, Willems is a rock star to both children and parents for his hilarious "Pigeon" book series. He has written dozens of other stories and characters that allow children to play as they are learning to read on their own. Willems sat down with Joe Fryer to talk about his famous pigeon's 20th anniversary and the other projects in store for his fans. Willems released his latest book, "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Sleigh!”, this fall.

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And the fun doesn’t stop here! Want to join our Read with Jenna community of book lovers? You can find our monthly book list and sign up for our newsletter here: TODAY.com/ReadwithJenna

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Steven Rowley: “Inspired by a Very Real Love Story” Nov 30, 2023

While New York Times bestselling author Steven Rowley writes about life and love with heart and humor in his novels, his own real life romance is one for the books. Rowley joins Jenna Bush Hager to talk about his novel “The Celebrants,” a recent Read with Jenna pick, and why he believes all parts of life — the happy, the sad, the messy and the beautiful — are worth celebrating. The two are joined by Rowley’s husband and author of “Big Gay Wedding”, Byron Lane. They discuss the couple's beautiful love story, one as romantic and inspiring as the stories you’ll find in the pages of their books, and navigating life’s highs and lows together, including Lane’s cancer battle and the recent release of their latest novels.

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And the fun doesn’t stop here! Want to join our Read with Jenna community of book lovers? You can find our monthly book list and sign up for our newsletter here: TODAY.com/ReadwithJenna

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Helen Ellis: “Marriage Is Play” Nov 16, 2023

Helen Ellis is an Alabama-native turned New York Times bestselling author known for her warm brand of humor and amateur poker skills. In her newest release, “Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge: Intimate Confessions from a Happy Marriage”, Ellis offers a glimpse into her long marriage, and insight into what has made it work so well. Ellis joined Jenna Bush Hager to talk about lessons they have learned from their relationships … and how to best handle a snoring husband.

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Kate DiCamillo: "I Learned to Live in My Imagination” Nov 09, 2023

Kate DiCamillo is one of the biggest names in children’s books, with more than 43 million books in print. Her journey is a lesson in resilience. After receiving more than 400 rejection letters, she went on to win the Newbery Award for children's literature twice. Even though her books, like "Because of Winn Dixie" and "The Tale of Despereaux," are geared towards kids, readers of all ages can draw life lessons from her stories.

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R.L. Stine: "I Never Planned to Be Scary ... I Was Always Funny" Nov 02, 2023

R.L. Stine has been giving readers “Goosebumps” for over thirty years. At the age of 9, he stumbled across a typewriter in his attic. With that, his love of writing began. Stine released the first “Goosebumps” book in 1992 — and never stopped. He has since sold more than 400 million books and written over 300 spine-chilling and spooky “Goosebumps” books with page-turning plots and unforgettable creatures that keep middle-grade readers riveted. His newest Goosebump series released earlier this fall starting with Goosebumps: House of Shivers: #1: Scariest. Book. Ever. Jenna Bush Hager sat down with the beloved author last year to talk about the ideas behind Goosebumps and his impact on young readers.

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Jerry Seinfeld: “The Fun Is in the Ordinary” Oct 26, 2023

Comedian, actor and author Jerry Seinfeld gives an inside look into the minds of some of the greatest comedians of our time with the show “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.” Eleven seasons and five Emmy nominations later, the show also inspired Seinfeld’s coffee table book of the same name. Seinfeld joined Jenna Bush Hager for a cup of — what else? — coffee to talk about some of his favorite moments from the series.

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Margaret Atwood: "We All Have Bits of Hopefulness Built In" Oct 19, 2023

Margaret Atwood is a living legend. The Canadian author and poet has written over 50 books and has been published in more than 45 countries. Her 1985 classic "The Handmaid's Tale" garnered acclaim and alarm, predicting a dystopian future in which women had no rights. Now in her 80s, she recently released her new book, "Old Babes in the Wood," a collection of 15 short stories. Jenna Bush Hager visited Atwood's alma mater, the University of Toronto, where the two sat down to discuss her childhood, career and upcoming memoir.

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Amor Towles: "All From a Message in a Bottle" Oct 12, 2023

Though Amor Towles’ writing talent was recognized when he was just a child, his career as an author didn’t begin until after a 20 year stint as an investment banker on Wall Street. He wrote in his spare time and on weekends before finally finishing “Rules of Civility,” his first New York Times bestseller. He went on to release two more bestseller novels, including a Read With Jenna pick, selling more than six million copies and earning praise from Bill Gates and Barack Obama. In this episode of Read With Jenna, Amor and Jenna chat in front of an audience at the Aspen Ideas Festival, where he opens up about his writing journey and the inspiration behind his historical novels. Amor will release his latest book, “Table for Two: Fictions”, April 2024.

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Ruth Simmons: "Be Open to Learning From Everything" Oct 05, 2023

Ruth Simmons came from humble beginnings, growing up in east Texas as the daughter of sharecroppers. But she saw no barriers for her future. Simmons pursued a career as a successful professor and academic administrator, eventually serving as president of Smith College, Brown University and Prairie View A&M University. In this episode of Read With Jenna, Ruth reflects on her childhood and her mission to give back to others with similar life stories.

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Judy Blume: "I'm an Optimist" Sep 28, 2023

Beloved author Judy Blume is a literary trailblazer. Cherished by millions of readers across multiple generations, her books have acted as a rite of passage for kids and pre-teens. The prolific author’s 29 books, including "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret", have sold over 90 million copies, and have been printed in more than 39 languages. Her stories are touchstones for adolescents eager to feel seen and understood. Blume joined Jenna Bush Hager for a conversation on the impact of her books, the 25th anniversary of her novel “Summer Sisters" and her very own next chapter, opening an independent bookstore.

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And the fun doesn’t stop here! Want to join our Read with Jenna community of book lovers? You can find our monthly book list and sign up for our newsletter here: TODAY.com/ReadwithJenna

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Javier Zamora: "I Survived the Unsurvivable" Sep 21, 2023

Javier Zamora is a renowned Salvadoran poet, author and activist. When he was just 9 years old, he emigrated from El Salvador to the U.S. to reunite with his parents, who were already there. His memoir "Solito" details this harrowing solo journey away from a war-torn country and into one where home always felt far away. Zamora is the first Salvadoran author to make the New York Times bestsellers list. Jenna Bush Hager spoke to Javier about his memoir “Solito”, a recent Read with Jenna pick, and what it means to tell his story now.
Follow the ‘Read with Jenna’ podcast now to hear new episodes every week.
And the fun doesn’t stop here! Want to join our Read with Jenna community of book lovers? You can find our monthly book list and sign up for our newsletter here: TODAY.com/ReadwithJenna
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Colleen Hoover: "Make Every Book Better Than the One Before It" Sep 21, 2023

Colleen Hoover is a publishing phenomenon. While she didn’t necessarily set out for fame, she has achieved literary super-stardom, becoming one of the bestselling authors in the world and the top-selling author in the United States. In 2022, she outsold the Bible. She continues to dominate the New York Times bestseller list week after week, thanks to her passionate and dedicated following of fans, known as “CoHorts”. Hoover sat down with Jenna Bush Hager at her “Book Bonanza” charity event in Texas to talk about her lifelong love of writing, the anticipated movie adaptation of her novel "It Ends With Us," and how readers have resonated with her books on this episode of Read with Jenna.
Follow the ‘Read with Jenna’ podcast now to hear new episodes every week.
And the fun doesn’t stop here! Want to join our Read with Jenna community of book lovers? You can find our monthly book list and sign up for our newsletter here: TODAY.com/ReadwithJenna
You can also find us on Instagram on @ReadwithJenna

Introducing: Read with Jenna Sep 13, 2023

In this podcast, TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager brings you intimate, entertaining, and revealing conversations with her favorite writers. Hear from authors as they share their creative process, their love of books, and what inspires them to share their stories with the world. Join Jenna as she continues her mission to connect readers, create conversations and share her love of reading.

Follow now to hear new episodes of ‘Read with Jenna’ every week.

And the fun doesn’t stop here! Want to join our Read with Jenna community of book lovers? You can find our monthly book list and sign up for our newsletter here: TODAY.com/ReadwithJenna

You can also find us on Instagram on @ReadwithJenna

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