Jenna Bush Hager celebrates a major milestone with her Read With Jenna book club, marking six incredible years of inspiring readers. Joined by celebrated authors and her Today Show colleagues, she reflects on how this journey has shaped her life. Find out how Read With Jenna continues to make an impact and what’s next for this beloved literary initiative.
Jenna Bush Hager Marks Six Years of Read With Jenna
Jenna Bush Hager has become one of the most influential figures in the literary world, thanks to her successful book club, Read With Jenna. Launched six years ago, the club has grown into a cultural phenomenon, boasting over 86,000 members on Facebook alone. As Read With Jenna reached this significant milestone, Jenna’s Today Show colleagues joined her in celebrating the occasion, bringing back cherished memories of how it all began.
For the special event, Jenna hosted a book signing at Today at the Plaza in New York, inviting 11 authors whose books have been featured in her club. The guest list included literary stars like Laila Lalami, Megan Abbott, Diane Marie Brown, and more. The heartwarming reunion highlighted the profound impact of Read With Jenna on authors, readers, and the publishing industry.
“I love all of you and some of our authors who aren’t here,” Jenna shared emotionally. “Thank you so much for coming—six years in. Read With Jenna has changed my life.”
Fans and Authors Celebrate the Book Club’s Success
Jenna’s heartfelt words resonated deeply with fans and authors alike, who flooded social media with congratulatory messages. “Happy six years! So many wonderful books and authors!” one fan commented, while another added, “PROUD of you and grateful for the work you are doing to inspire!”
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The love and support extended beyond readers, as many of the featured authors also expressed their gratitude for Jenna’s dedication to literature. Her influence has not only introduced readers to incredible stories but has also helped numerous books reach a wider audience.
The impact of Read With Jenna is undeniable. As co-host Craig Melvin pointed out, nearly two-thirds of the club’s selections have become New York Times bestsellers, with over half receiving film or television adaptation offers. This incredible success underscores Jenna’s keen literary taste and her ability to connect readers with compelling narratives.
How Read With Jenna Came to Life
The journey of Read With Jenna began with a simple challenge from Today Show producer Libby Leist. According to Jenna, Leist had come across two conflicting articles—one claiming that people were reading more than ever and another stating that her generation wasn’t reading at all. Determined to prove that literature still held a strong place in people’s lives, Jenna launched the book club with its first selection, The Last Romantics by Tara Conklin. The book skyrocketed in popularity, climbing Amazon’s charts from obscurity to the number two spot.
Since then, Read With Jenna has continued to introduce readers to powerful stories that span genres and themes. From debut authors to seasoned novelists, Jenna’s selections have consistently left a lasting impression on the literary community.
The club’s influence has even caught the attention of Jenna’s mother, former First Lady Laura Bush. During last year’s fifth-anniversary celebration, Laura shared a touching video message, praising her daughter for inspiring a love of reading across the country. “By sharing your favorite books, you’re inspiring more Americans to fall in love with reading,” she said. “So here’s to another five years of happy reading for you and all the Today Show viewers. Love you.”
What’s Next for Jenna Bush Hager and Read With Jenna?
Jenna’s passion for books has led her beyond just recommending great reads—she has now ventured into publishing. In January, she launched her own imprint, Thousand Voices, in partnership with Random House. This new endeavor aims to amplify emerging voices and bring fresh perspectives to the literary world.
“I’ve worked with authors and agents, with readers, with indie bookstore owners,” Jenna shared on Today. “I’ve made all these relationships as we’ve tried to build the book club that I think would be amazing to utilize to help with these writers that I’m publishing.”
Thousand Voices already has several titles in the pipeline, with the first release, Conform by Ariel Sullivan, scheduled for October 2025. The imprint’s full lineup is expected to launch in 2026, further solidifying Jenna’s role in shaping the future of literature.
With six years of Read With Jenna under her belt and a bright future in publishing ahead, Jenna Bush Hager shows no signs of slowing down. Her dedication to storytelling continues to inspire countless readers, proving that books have the power to change lives.
What’s your favorite Read With Jenna pick? Let us know in the comments and keep the literary love alive!
