The Complete List Of Jenna's Book Club 2025 Picks: Your Ultimate Reading Guide
The highly anticipated "Read with Jenna" book club selections for 2025 are officially complete, offering a full year of thought-provoking and diverse reads curated by TODAY show co-host Jenna Bush Hager. As of today, December 20, 2025, the entire list of 12 monthly picks has been revealed, providing bookworms with their ultimate 2025 reading challenge.
This year’s list continues Jenna’s tradition of highlighting buzzy debuts, powerful literary fiction, and under-the-radar gems, but also includes a surprising nod to a timeless classic. The selections span a wide range of genres and themes, from twist-filled thrillers to deeply emotional stories about family, friendship, and the ever-evolving world, ensuring there is a compelling title for every reader in the club.
Jenna Bush Hager: Biography and Literary Influence
Jenna Welch Bush Hager is an American news personality, author, and journalist, best known as the co-host of NBC's Today with Hoda & Jenna and the founder of the "Read with Jenna" book club.
- Born: November 25, 1981, in Dallas, Texas.
- Parents: George W. Bush, the 43rd U.S. President, and Laura Bush, a former First Lady and librarian.
- Education: Graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a bachelor's degree in English.
- Early Career: Worked as a teacher in Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, Maryland.
- Journalism: Joined NBC News as a correspondent and contributor for the Today show in 2009.
- Author: Co-authored the children’s book Our Great Big Backyard with her mother, and authored the memoir Everything Beautiful in Its Time.
- Literary Role: Launched the "Read with Jenna" book club in March 2019, quickly becoming one of the most influential book clubs in America, known for launching books to the top of bestseller lists.
- Family: She is the fraternal twin sister of Barbara Pierce Bush and is married to Henry Hager, with whom she has three children.
The Full List of Jenna's Book Club 2025 Picks
The 2025 "Read with Jenna" calendar is packed with new releases and a special classic. Jenna Bush Hager’s selections are celebrated for their emotional depth and ability to spark meaningful conversations among book club members.
Q1: Winter and Spring Selections (January – April)
The year kicks off with a focus on intimate stories of connection, nature, and deep personal journeys, setting a thoughtful tone for the year ahead. These winter and spring picks are perfect for cozy, contemplative reading.
- January 2025: The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight
Jenna described this pick as "raw and intimate," a title she knew the book club readers "needed to read." The novel is a story about friendship, motherhood, and finding beauty and magic in the natural world. - February 2025: This Is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer
In line with the month of love, this selection explores different facets of love and relationships. Jenna's picks for this period often focus on timely themes as readers navigate an ever-evolving world. - March 2025: The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami
A work of literary fiction that delves into complex themes, Lalami’s novel continues Jenna’s commitment to championing diverse voices and thought-provoking narratives. - April 2025: Heartwood by Amity Gaige
This selection is a testament to the club's preference for emotionally resonant and character-driven literary fiction. Amity Gaige is known for her nuanced exploration of human relationships and existential questions.
Q2 & Q3: Summer and Fall Selections (May – October)
The middle of the year brings a mix of high-stakes thrillers, powerful family dramas, and literary standouts, making for ideal summer and early fall reading. The Summer 2025 reading list is particularly full of highly-anticipated titles.
- May 2025: The Names by Florence Knapp
Jenna raved about this novel, calling the writing "incredible." It is a powerful and emotional work of literary fiction, highlighting the club's focus on quality prose and compelling storytelling. - June 2025: A Family Matter by Claire Lynch
This pick is described as a "quietly stunning" novel that explores the intricacies of family dynamics and secrets. It was also featured on the June 2025 Indie Next List, underscoring its buzz in the literary community. - July 2025: Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores
A twist-filled thriller that provides a change of pace for the summer. The selection of a thriller demonstrates Jenna's willingness to include popular, fast-paced genre fiction alongside more traditional literary works. - August 2025: My Other Heart by Emma Nanami Strenner
Announced on the plaza, this August pick is set to be a major literary event, continuing the trend of selecting books that explore deep emotional connections and personal identity.
- September 2025: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan
This pick has already garnered significant attention, being named a finalist for Barnes & Noble’s 2025 Book of the Year. Jenna mentioned that readers will want to re-read this 500-page novel about two intersecting families immediately after finishing it. - October 2025: The Irish Goodbye by Heather Aimee O'Neill
A perfect fall read, Jenna described this selection as a novel "about a family filled with secrets." This aligns with the club’s love for domestic dramas and stories that unravel complex familial histories.
Q4: Final Selections (November – December)
The final two months of 2025 offer a blend of contemporary international fiction and a beloved classic, providing a strong finish to the year’s reading challenge.
- November 2025: Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite
This novel is a multi-generational story focusing on themes of family, sisterhood, and what it means to be a woman. Braithwaite is an international author, reflecting Jenna’s diverse literary palate. - December 2025: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
In a delightful and surprising twist, the December pick is a classic novel. Jenna Bush Hager chose this timeless work, which makes an excellent gift and a wonderful way to end the year with a foundational piece of literary history.
The "Read with Jenna" Selection Philosophy and Themes
Jenna Bush Hager’s book club has become a powerhouse in the publishing industry, largely because of her clear and consistent selection philosophy. Her picks are not just random choices; they are deeply personal and curated to resonate with a broad audience, often launching authors into the national spotlight.
The 2025 selections emphasize several recurring themes that define the "Read with Jenna" brand:
- Literary Fiction with Heart: While Jenna selects books across various genres, the core remains literary fiction that is "thought-provoking" and "emotionally resonant." The books must have a strong emotional core that connects with readers on a personal level.
- Diverse Voices and Perspectives: The list consistently features a mix of established and debut authors, including women and writers from diverse backgrounds, such as Laila Lalami and Oyinkan Braithwaite.
- Family and Friendship Dynamics: Many of the 2025 titles, including A Family Matter and The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus, focus on the complex, messy, and enduring bonds between family members and friends. These themes offer universal relatability.
- Buzzy Debuts: Jenna has a knack for spotting "under-the-radar gems" and new authors who are poised to break out. Her selection often guarantees a book's success, making her club a key launchpad for new literary talent.
By including a classic like Pride and Prejudice, Jenna also signals a desire to connect the contemporary reading community with the foundational texts that shaped modern literature. This blend of the new and the classic ensures that the "Read with Jenna" club remains a dynamic and influential force in the literary world. Readers can look forward to a year of compelling stories and engaging discussions.
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