Open Book with Jenna

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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