Read with Jenna, launched March 2019 by Today Show co-host Jenna Bush Hager, offers accessible book recommendations with morning TV reach and Instagram engagement.
Format & Reach
- Monthly picks announced on TODAY Show
- Instagram community discussions
- Author interviews on NBC
- Focus on uplifting, conversation-starting books
- Targets busy readers seeking feel-good picks
Notable Selections
- Educated (2018): Tara Westover memoir
- The Four Winds (2021): Kristin Hannah historical fiction
- The Midnight Library (2020): Matt Haig philosophical fiction
- Lessons in Chemistry (2022): Bonnie Garmus debut, Apple TV+ series
Audience Appeal
Read with Jenna fills niche between:
- Oprah’s prestige literary picks
- Reese’s film-ready women’s fiction
- Offering: cozy, emotionally resonant, discussion-worthy books
Publishing Impact
Jenna’s picks:
- Boost TODAY Show viewership demographics
- Sell 300K-1M copies
- Often feature debut authors
- Provide broadcast TV exposure (rare for books)
Sources:
- TODAY Show: https://www.today.com/read-with-jenna
- Publishers Weekly: https://www.publishersweekly.com/