Judy Blume is one of the most beloved and influential authors of the last century, whose books, including Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret., Forever, Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing and Summer Sisters, have helped generations of readers navigate growing up. In this conversation from May 2025, Blume sits down with Jenna at Books & Books in Key West, the nonprofit independent bookstore she co-founded, to reflect on a career that spans 29 books, more than 92 million copies sold and translations in 40 languages. Plus, she opens up about her creative process, her connection to readers and the legacy she continues to build.

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Hey, Open Book fans! As a bonus, we’re giving you a special preview clip of our new podcast series, Glass Half Full with Craig Melvin. In this episode, Shonda Rhimes joins Craig for a revealing conversation that begins with a decision she made to confront her lifelong shyness. She opens up about her inner world and the shock of becoming a writer suddenly in charge of a massive television show. Shonda also shares what she’s looking for in a partner, what could be next for the Bridgerton world, whether there could be a Scandal movie, and why she considers herself more optimistic than most.

To listen to the full conversation now, just search ‘Glass Half Full with Craig Melvin’ wherever you’re listening. Follow now for new episodes every Tuesday: swap.fm/l/ghfew

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After self-publishing her first novel in 2012, Colleen Hoover has become one of the most widely read authors in the world, selling more than 75 million copies of her New York Times bestselling novels including It Ends with Us, Reminders of Him and Verity. Hoover joins Jenna Bush Hager to talk about the success and controversy surrounding the It Ends with Us film adaptation, why she stepped back from writing for a period of time and how a recent cancer diagnosis changed her perspective on health, work and what comes next. Plus, she shares what it has been like adapting her own work for the screen and teases the upcoming film adaptation of Reminders of Him.

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Jay Ellis is an actor, producer, and author who earned a NAACP Image Award nomination for his role in Peacock’s All Her Fault. In this conversation from October 2025, Ellis sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to talk about his memoir Did Everyone Have an Imaginary Friend (or Just Me)?, growing up as an only child in a military family that moved from base to base, and creating an imaginary friend who helped him navigate loneliness and self discovery. Plus, he opens up about his path from aspiring basketball player to Hollywood actor, the lessons creativity has taught him about belonging, and how fatherhood has reshaped the way he sees the world.

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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)

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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