Open Book with Jenna

Ann Patchett is an award-winning author whose work has helped shape modern literary culture, both through her novels and her commitment to independent bookstores. In this conversation from October 2024, Patchett sits down with Jenna Bush Hager live at the Read with Jenna Book Festival in Nashville to discuss building a life rooted in community, why she co-founded Parnassus Books, and the personal story that sparked her lifelong love of books. (Event sponsored by Nashville Music City, Venue sponsored by W Nashville, and furniture provided by Mayker Events) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rachel Reid is the New York Times bestselling author behind Heated Rivalry, the novel whose television adaptation introduced her Game Changers book series to millions of new fans. Reid sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to talk about how the explosive success of Heated Rivalry has transformed her life, what it was like receiving a life-changing DM from filmmaker Jacob Tierney just days after her Parkinson’s diagnosis, and the pressure of continuing to expand the Game Changers series with millions watching closely. Plus, Reid teases what to expect from the series’ latest book, Unrivaled, and opens up about if she knows how Shane and Ilya’s story ends. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Chloe Malle spent nearly 15 years at Vogue before stepping into her latest position as Head of Editorial Content at US Vogue. Malle sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss being a writer at heart, navigating motherhood alongside her career, and the moments with mentor Anna Wintour that led to her stepping into this newly defined role. Plus, Malle opens up about why joy and optimism are central to how she plans to lead the iconic brand forward. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rebecca Yarros is a number one New York Times bestselling author of more than twenty novels, including Fourth Wing, Iron Flame, and Onyx Storm, which became the fastest-selling adult novel in twenty years with 2.7 million copies sold in its first week. In this conversation from March 2025, Yarros sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to talk about crafting sweeping love stories and how living with chronic illness and growing up in a military family shaped the world of Fourth Wing. Plus, she opens up about balancing sudden fame with motherhood, why readers have fallen so deeply for her characters, and how writing romance helped her believe in a dream she once thought was out of reach. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jasmine Guillory is a New York Times bestselling author of nine novels, including The Wedding Date and The Proposal. In this conversation from April 2025, Jenna sits down with Guillory to discuss her novel Flirting Lessons, how she stayed resilient through more than a hundred rejections, and the leap she made from law to literature. Plus, Guillory shares her favorite book recommendations and what happily ever after really means to her. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Hey Open Book fans! As a bonus, we’re sharing the trailer of Craig Melvin’s new podcast, 'Glass Half Full.' Each week, Craig sits down with a celebrity, athlete, comedian, or just plain fascinating person for intimate conversations that feel like catching up with an old friend. With warmth, humor, and curiosity, he explores how setbacks become breakthroughs — and how you never really know when that moment can become the moment that changes everything. Join us. Because who knows? You might just leave with a fresh perspective…and your glass half full. Follow now to hear new episodes every Tuesday: swap.fm/l/gdC024GHmmiP8tWcmwkz Watch episodes on the TODAY YouTube Channel. Follow host Craig Melvin on Instagram. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jon M. Chu is a visionary director known for films including Crazy Rich Asians, In the Heights, and the film adaptation of Wicked. In this conversation from November 2024, Jenna talks with Chu about welcoming his daughter on the day of the movie’s premiere, turning the camera on his own life in his memoir, Viewfinder, and discovering the story of Wicked long before it became a Broadway phenomenon. Plus, Chu reflects on reimagining an iconic American story through the lens of his experience as the son of immigrants. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Colleen Hoover is one of the bestselling authors in the world, with multiple New York Times bestselling novels and a devoted global fan base known as CoHorts. In this conversation from June 2023, Jenna sits down with Hoover at her Book Bonanza charity event in Texas to talk about her lifelong love of writing, the film adaptation of It Ends With Us, and the pressure to make each book better than the last. Plus, Hoover reflects on connecting with readers and building a career driven by passion rather than expectation. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Emily Henry is a New York Times and Sunday Times bestselling author with five consecutive number one novels and a reputation as the “Queen of the Beach Read.” In this conversation from May 2025, Jenna sits down with Henry to discuss writing fan fiction in middle school, the teachers who encouraged her creativity, and how she found her voice within the romance genre. Plus, Henry shares why she now prioritizes writing stories that bring her genuine joy as both a reader and a writer. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

As 2025 comes to an end, we’re taking a look back at some of our favorite books, and literary trends from the year. Jenna Bush Hager sits down with author and book lover Isaac Fitzgerald to share their tips for building a reading habit in the new year, their favorite books of the year, and the titles they’re most excited about in 2026! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

New York Times bestselling author Freida McFadden sits with Jenna Bush Hager to share how she balances life as a physician and a thriller writer. Freida reflects on her early love of writing, how she crafts her trademark twists, and the rise of The Housemaid, now becoming a film starring Amanda Seyfried and Sydney Sweeney. She also opens up about maintaining her privacy, writing under a pseudonym, and the craziest rumors she’s heard about herself. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Designer Nate Berkus joins Jenna Bush Hager to discuss his new book, Foundations: Timeless Design That Feels Personal. He reflects on his career journey and how his passion for design began in childhood, inspired early on by his mother’s work as a designer. After college, he launched his own firm and later gained national attention through his appearances on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Nate shares the four core tenets of good design, and how to create spaces that reflect your life, your memories, and the things you love most. He and Jenna also explore their shared love of reading, how literature shapes their approach to parenting, and the impact of the stories they pass on to their children. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Rebecca Yarros is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of over twenty novels including ‘Fourth Wing,’ ‘Iron Flame’ and ‘Onyx Storm.’ Her latest and highly anticipated novel ‘Onyx Storm’ is the fastest selling adult novel in twenty years and sold 2.7 million copies in its first week. Rebecca sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to chat about how she drew on her experience with chronic illness and life in a military family to write “Fourth Wing,” and her process to plot out five books in the series. She opens up about balancing fame with motherhood, how readers have resonated with her books and why becoming an author was the dream she always had but never knew was possible. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actress Leslie Bibb sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to reflect on her career journey, beginning with being “discovered” on The Oprah Winfrey Show in 1990. She opens up about the moments that shaped her, how she’s overcome self-doubt, and the lessons she’s learned from decades in Hollywood. Leslie shares why choosing her own path and creating clear boundaries has led to a more grounded, joyful, and authentic life. Plus, she shares her thoughts on navigating perfectionism and whether she’d ever write a book. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jenna is joined by authors Carley Fortune, Kennedy Ryan, and Heather Aimee O’Neill live at Read with Jenna: Girl’s Night Out at Virgin Hotels New York City. They share insights into their creative process, how their own lives have influenced their writing, and the power of storytelling. They also share advice for aspiring writers, book recommendations and answer questions from the live audience in this special episode of Open Book with Jenna. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this special live episode recorded at Read with Jenna: Girl’s Night Out at Virgin Hotels New York City, Jenna is joined by actress, producer, and podcast host Allison Williams. Allison discusses her role in the upcoming adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s beloved novel Regretting You, offering insight into bringing the emotional story to life on screen. She also reflects on her breakout years on HBO’s Girls, her journey into motherhood, and her thoughts on the term “nepo baby". Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

“Conform” author Ariel Sullivan sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss publishing her debut novel through Jenna’s publish imprint Thousand Voices and fulfilling her dream of becoming a writer. Sullivan opens up about how she wove her childhood and later struggle as a stay-at-home mom with postpartum depression into the story and introduced the book to Jenna during a playdate for their sons George and Hal. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Actor Jay Ellis joins Jenna Bush Hager to talk about his funny and heartfelt new memoir, ‘Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?’ Jay reflects on his childhood as the only child in a military family, moving from base to base and inventing new identities along the way. He opens up about how his imaginary friend, Mikey, helped him navigate loneliness and self-discovery, his path from aspiring basketball player to Hollywood actor, and the lessons he’s learned about creativity, belonging, and fatherhood. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Activist and Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to talk about her deeply personal new memoir, ‘Finding My Way.’ Malala reflects on her years at Oxford, her struggles with mental health, and finding love. She also speaks about rebuilding her life after the Taliban attack, her evolving relationship with her mother, and her ongoing commitment to girls’ education. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Ian McEwan is a Booker Prize winning author of nineteen novels, including Atonement, Enduring Love, The Children Act, and On Chesil Beach. Ian sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to talk about the inspiration for his latest novel, What We Can Know. Ian reflects on a lifetime of storytelling, from his early love of reading to his writing routine and how it feels to be an author in the age of AI. They also talk about the global impact of his books, the timeless power of literature to ask big questions about who we are and what we value, and what topics he’s excited to explore in his next novel. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.