Open Book with Jenna

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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.”

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

Show notes

“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.

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Introducing: Open Book with Jenna Sep 26, 2024

Show notes

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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.

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

Show notes

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.

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

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

Show notes

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.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Show notes

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.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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

Show notes

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.

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

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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