Open Book with Jenna

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.

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 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. 

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 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 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.”

“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.

As a bonus for Read with Jenna fans, we’re sharing the trailer for season 3 of Morrison Mysteries, the original podcast from Dateline and Keith Morrison...  

Each season, Keith Morrison takes listeners on a captivating ride through some of the most suspenseful and chilling works of fiction you’ll ever hear. Haunting stories of ghosts, love triangles, jealousy and rage – and now he’s reading “The Dead Alive,” a chilling novel from 150 years ago based on a real trial. 

If you like what you hear, just search “Morrison Mysteries” and subscribe to Dateline Premium. Subscribers receive ad-free listening and early access to subsequent episodes: https://link.chtbl.com/mmst_fdlw

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.