‘All the Colors of the Dark” Author Chris Whitaker on How Writing Saved His Life

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Judy Blume: "I'm an Optimist": Beloved author Judy Blume is a literary trailblazer. Cherished by millions of readers across multiple generations, her books have acted as a rite of passage for kids and pre-teens. Blume joins Jenna Bush Hager for a conversation on the impact of her books, opening a bookstore and the 25th anniversary of her novel “Summer Sisters,” chosen as a recent Read with Jenna pick. by Open Book with Jenna

37 min listen

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Javier Zamora: "I Survived the Unsurvivable": "Solito" author Javier Zamora opens up to Jenna Bush Hager about the solo journey he took to the U.S. from El Salvador at the age of 9 and how writing has changed his life, helping him heal and share his story with others. by Open Book with Jenna

32 min listen

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Ruth Simmons: "Be Open to Learning From Everything": Ruth Simmons opens up to Jenna Bush Hager about the journey detailed in her memoir “Up Home”. Simmons grew up in the segregated South and went on to become the first Black president of an Ivy League university. by Open Book with Jenna

44 min listen

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Colleen Hoover: "Make Every Book Better Than the One Before It": Literary superstar author Colleen Hoover joins Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her unexpected rise to literary fame, the upcoming adaptation of her novel "It Ends With Us" and the impact her books have had on her passionate fans, known as “CoHorts”. by Open Book with Jenna

33 min listen

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Kate DiCamillo: "I Learned to Live in My Imagination”: Kate DiCamillo didn’t let 473 rejection letters stop her. The author fills Jenna Bush Hager in on her journey to becoming the bestselling children’s book author behind stories like “Because of Winn Dixie” and “Mercy Watson.” by Open Book with Jenna

47 min listen

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Amor Towles: "All From a Message in a Bottle": Jenna Bush Hager sits down with best-selling author Amor Towles at the Aspen Ideas Festival to talk about his journey from banker to writer and his unique storytelling process. by Open Book with Jenna

51 min listen

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Introducing: Read with Jenna: In this podcast, TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager brings you intimate, entertaining, and revealing conversations with her favorite writers. Hear from authors as they share their creative process, their love of books, and what inspires them to share their stories with the world. Join Jenna as she continues her mission to connect readers, create conversations and share her love of reading. Follow now to hear new episodes of ‘Read with Jenna’ every week. And the fun doesn’t stop here! Want to join our Read with Jenna community of book lovers? You can find our monthly book list and sign up for our newsletter here: TODAY.com/ReadwithJenna You can also find us on Instagram on @ReadwithJenna by Open Book with Jenna

2 min listen

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Jerry Seinfeld: “The Fun Is in the Ordinary”: Comedian Jerry Seinfeld and Jenna Bush Hager catch up over a cup of coffee to discuss his hit Netflix show “Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee” and the book it inspired. A laugh-filled conversation ensues. by Open Book with Jenna

22 min listen

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R.L. Stine: "I Never Planned to Be Scary ... I Was Always Funny": R.L. Stine sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss his popular “Goosebumps” series and how his spooky stories have impacted young readers around the world. by Open Book with Jenna

18 min listen

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Margaret Atwood: "We All Have Bits of Hopefulness Built In": Acclaimed author Margaret Atwood joins Jenna Bush Hager for an exclusive interview about her recent book "Old Babes in the Wood," a collection of 15 short stories. Plus, she talks about her dystopian classic "The Handmaid's Tale" and reveals she's writing a new memoir. by Open Book with Jenna

27 min listen

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“It Ends with Us” Writer Colleen Hoover On The Film Adaptation of Her Novel: Literary Superstar Colleen Hoover joins Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her unexpected rise to literary fame, the anticipated film adaptation of her novel “It Ends With Us” and the impact her books have had on her passionate fans, known as “Cohorts.” by Open Book with Jenna

32 min listen

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BONUS: Book Picks for the Holiday Season: Rumaan Alam, the bestselling author of "Leave the World Behind", a Read with Jenna pick, joins Hoda & Jenna with his recommendations for good books that would make great gifts to share the joy of reading this holiday season. by Open Book with Jenna

7 min listen

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Keke Palmer On Her Memoir ‘The Master of Me’: 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. by Open Book with Jenna

36 min listen

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Helen Ellis: “Marriage Is Play”: Essayist Helen Ellis joins Jenna Bush Hager to talk about the secrets to a successful long-term relationship, drawing from Ellis’ newest release, “Kiss Me in the Coral Lounge: Intimate Confessions from a Happy Marriage". by Open Book with Jenna

33 min listen

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Steven Rowley: “Inspired by a Very Real Love Story”: While New York Times bestselling author Steven Rowley writes about life and love with heart and humor in his novels, his own real life romance is one for the books. Rowley joins Jenna Bush Hager to talk about his latest book “The Celebrants,” a recent Read with Jenna pick, and why he believes all parts of life — the happy, the sad, the messy and the beautiful — are worth celebrating. The two are joined by Rowley’s husband and author of “Big Gay Wedding”, Byron Lane, to discuss the couple's beautiful love story, one as romantic and inspiring as the stories you’ll find in the pages of their books. by Open Book with Jenna

32 min listen

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Introducing: Open Book with Jenna: TODAY’s Jenna Bush Hager is an open book and is known for sharing all of who she is. Now Jenna will bring intimate, inspiring and entertaining conversations with celebrities, experts, friends, authors, and book lovers to a wider audience in her new podcast, Open Book with Jenna. Each week, she’s joined by a guest who shares candid stories about their life, current projects, and reveals how a favorite read or a first book may have influenced their path. Join Jenna as she continues her mission to connect people, create meaningful conversations, and share her love of storytelling. by Open Book with Jenna

2 min listen

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Mo Willems: "My Books Are an Invitation to Be Creative": Author and illustrator Mo Willems talks to Joe Fryer about 20 years of his "Pigeon" book series, and how he hopes his stories inspire play and imagination in children. Up next for Willems? An opera. by Open Book with Jenna

24 min listen

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“The Notebook” Author Nicholas Sparks On Writing Romance Novels & Movies: 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 how his journey led him to writing the bestselling book, The Notebook, the inspiration for his novels, and his latest novel, Counting Miracles. by Open Book with Jenna

33 min listen

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Sarah J. Maas On How BookTok Helped Her Become Publishing Royalty: Sarah J. Maas is a New York Times bestselling author of the “Throne of Glass,” “A Court of Thorns and Roses” and “Crescent City” series. Between ages 16 and 22, she drafted a series of books ... before scrapping them all to start fresh. Maas sat down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her newest book, “House of Flame and Shadow,” the impact BookTok had on her career, and how she balances parenting and writing. by Open Book with Jenna

37 min listen

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Tara Westover: “I Wanted a Different Life”: Tara Westover tells Jenna Bush Hager about her sheltered upbringing and the route she took into the outside world, which she also recounts in her blockbuster memoir “Educated.” by Open Book with Jenna

35 min listen

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‘Big Little Lies’ Author Liane Moriarty On New Novel ‘Here One Moment’: 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. by Open Book with Jenna

35 min listen

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‘All the Colors of the Dark” Author Chris Whitaker on How Writing Saved His Life: New York Times bestselling author Chris Whitaker joins Jenna Bush Hager at the Aspen Ideas Festival to talk about his Read with Jenna book pick, All the Colors of the Dark. They discuss what led him to writing, how the characters in this book were inspired by his own childhood, and how he has transformed tragedy into triumph. by Open Book with Jenna

40 min listen

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Luke Russert: "I'm Still a Work in Progress": Savannah Guthrie and her former coworker Luke Russert share a heartfelt conversation about Russert’s journey around the world, which he embarked on after the death of his father, journalist Tim Russert. by Open Book with Jenna

32 min listen

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‘Wicked’ Director Jon M. Chu On Creating His Own Yellow Brick Road: Jon M. Chu is a visionary director known for his blockbuster films like ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ ‘In The Heights’ and the hugely anticipated movie musical ‘Wicked.’ He sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss how he welcomed his daughter on the movie’s premiere day, and what it was like to turn the lens on his own life and work in his memoir ‘Viewfinder.’ Chu also reveals how he discovered the story of “Wicked” before it became a Broadway hit and what it means to him to reimagine this iconic American story as a son of immigrants. by Open Book with Jenna

47 min listen

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Emily Henry On Becoming the Queen of the Beach Read: 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! by Open Book with Jenna

38 min listen

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Stephen Colbert and Evie McGee Colbert On Cooking & Laughing Together: “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. by Open Book with Jenna

29 min listen

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Ann Patchett On Independent Bookstores, Book Bans, and Book Recommendations: 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. by Open Book with Jenna

42 min listen

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Stanley Tucci Gives Us A Taste Of What He Ate In One Year: 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. by Open Book with Jenna

29 min listen

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Jamie Lee Curtis On The Importance Of Uplifting Others: Jamie Lee Curtis is a Hollywood legend, an Oscar & Emmy Award winning actor, and a New York Times Bestselling Author. Jamie joins Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her new show “The Sticky” and upcoming film “The Last Showgirl.” She reflects on her forty years of marriage, her path to sobriety, and what it was like growing up with famous parents Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh. She also opens up about her career blossoming at the age of 66, the importance of women lifting each other up, and the books that changed her life. by Open Book with Jenna

35 min listen

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“Blue Sisters” Author Coco Mellors on The Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood: Coco Mellors is a New York Times & Sunday Times Bestselling Author. Her second novel, “Blue Sisters" was a Read with Jenna book pick. Jenna Bush Hager sat down with Coco at a Read with Jenna book club event to talk about the deep, complicated and unbreakable bonds of sisterhood, and how her own relationship with her sister shaped the book. Coco opens up about her struggles with grief and addiction, and why she wanted to tackle these difficult topics in the book. She also reveals how motherhood transformed her life, and ultimately the ending of her novel. by Open Book with Jenna

31 min listen

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‘All the Colors of the Dark” Author Chris Whitaker on How Writing Saved His Life

‘All the Colors of the Dark” Author Chris Whitaker on How Writing Saved His Life

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