You’ve seen the bright orange "Read with Jenna" stickers on the front tables at Barnes & Noble. Maybe you’ve even caught Jenna Bush Hager on the Today show, practically vibrating with excitement as she announces a new title that she promises—really, truly promises—is "unputdownable." But when the humidity hits and everyone starts talking about the Jenna Bush Hager summer reading challenge, things get a little blurry. People think it’s just a list. It’s not.
Honestly, it’s more like a curated vibe.
Most readers assume they just need to grab whatever the June pick is and call it a day. But if you actually want to do the summer challenge the way Jenna intends, you’ve got to look at the "Junior" expansion, the backlist "classics" she resurrects, and the specific way she mixes heavy-hitting literary fiction with what she calls "candy" books.
Why the Jenna Bush Hager Summer Reading Challenge Actually Works
Most celebrity book clubs feel like a marketing machine. Not this one. Jenna has this weird, infectious energy that makes you feel like you're failing at life if you aren't reading 400 pages of a debut novel on your beach towel.
The magic of the Jenna Bush Hager summer reading challenge is the variety. Take 2025, for instance. She didn’t just stick to the main monthly picks. She went hard on the Read with Jenna Jr. list, which, frankly, is a godsend for parents trying to keep their kids’ brains from turning into mush between June and August. She released a massive list covering everything from picture books like Maxine Gets a Job to YA powerhouses like Powerless by Lauren Roberts.
And let's talk about her "all-time" favorite. You can't mention a Jenna summer without mentioning Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. She brings it up constantly. Like, every single year. She calls it "juicy" and "candy," but she also talks about how it’s basically a masterclass in female friendship and class dynamics. If you haven't read it, you aren't really doing the challenge. Sorry, I don't make the rules.
The 2026 Shift: Memoirs and Mystery
As we rolled into January 2026, Jenna threw a bit of a curveball with Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block. It's a memoir. It's heartbreaking. It's funny in that "I’m laughing so I don’t cry" way. This sets a specific tone for the 2026 reading year: transparency.
If the early 2026 picks are any indication, this summer's challenge is going to move away from light beach reads and toward "stories that haven't always historically been listened to." She’s been very vocal lately about highlighting "young" writers—meaning those at the start of their careers, regardless of their actual age.
How to Actually Join (And Stay Sane)
Basically, there are three ways to engage with the Jenna Bush Hager summer reading challenge, and most people pick the hardest one.
- The Monthly Purist: You read the one official pick announced on the Today show the first week of every month.
- The Jr. Legacy: You use her summer-specific lists (usually released in May/June) to find books for yourself and your kids.
- The Community Deep-Dive: You head over to platforms like Bookclubs.com where groups of "Read with Jenna" fans (thousands of them) host their own non-affiliated discussion threads.
The common mistake? Trying to read everything. Don't. Jenna’s list is prolific. Between the main club and the Jr. recommendations, you’re looking at dozens of books.
Instead, look for the themes. In 2025, we saw a lot of "family secrets" and "identity" in picks like The Life Cycle of the Common Octopus by Emma Knight and My Other Heart by Emma Nanami Strenner. These aren't just books; they're conversation starters.
The Secret Sauce: The "Open Book" Podcast
If you want the "expert" level experience, you’ve gotta listen to Open Book with Jenna. Last summer, she brought on Adriana Trigiani and Isaac Fitzgerald. They didn't just talk about the "Pick of the Month." They shared what they give to graduates, what they give to "dads," and what they’re secretly reading when no one is looking. This is where the real "challenge" happens—finding the books that bridge the gap between your life and someone else's.
What to Read Right Now
If you're prepping for the upcoming summer heat, you need a mix. You need a "Jenna" stack.
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- The Emotional Heavyweight: Homeschooled by Stefan Merrill Block. It's the January 2026 pick for a reason. It sets the bar for honesty.
- The Literary Puzzle: The Names by Florence Knapp. Jenna was obsessed with this one for the 2025 summer season because it explores three different timelines based on a single choice. It's the ultimate "what if" book.
- The Classic Summer Vibe: Summer Sisters by Judy Blume. Just do it. It’s the foundational text of this book club.
- The Page-Turner: Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores. It's got the Florida setting, the secrets, and the "glittering facades."
Actionable Steps for Your Summer
Stop waiting for the "perfect" list to drop in June. Start building your momentum now.
First, go to your local library and put a hold on the 2025 backlist. Books like Heartwood by Amity Gaige or The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami often have long waitlists once the summer sun actually hits. Getting ahead of the curve is the only way to avoid paying full retail for 15 different hardcovers.
Second, follow the @ReadWithJenna Instagram closely. She often does "stories" where she polls the audience or shares what she’s reading in real-time. This is where you get the "unofficial" picks that often end up being better than the big televised announcements.
Finally, decide on your "reading goal." The Jenna Bush Hager summer reading challenge isn't about a number. It’s about the "impossible to put down" factor. If you start a book and it’s not clicking by page 50, drop it. Jenna herself says she only picks books that are compelling and spark conversation. If it’s not doing that for you, move to the next one on the list.
There is no "Reading Police." There is only the next great story.