Read with Jenna

Here is BCR’s review of Read with Jenna and the breakdown of the ratings above.

Selection Details

 

Selector

Jenna Bush Hager is the sole selector of the books for the club. This may seem obvious given that the club features her name. However, not all book club founders or namesakes pick the books for their club. Jenna’s commitment to each book selection for her club is reflected in the monthly announcement emails. She shares a thoughtful personal note, explaining why she chose the book. This level of engagement contributes to the club’s cohesion and longevity. 

 

Theme

While the overarching theme of the club isn’t explicitly stated, Jenna’s picks tend to focus on human connection, personal growth, and uplifting stories. The Read with Jenna book club often mirrors the spirit of Oprah’s Book Club, focusing on inclusive, accessible reads that spark thought and conversation.

 

Notification

Read with Jenna excels in delivering timely and reliable announcements about its monthly book selections, ensuring that members are always in the loop and have ample time to prepare for the next read. The primary mode of announcement is via email, which is sent out at the end of each month—usually providing several days or even weeks of notice before the start of the next month. This regularity allows readers to plan ahead, making it easy to purchase, borrow, or download the book in time to join the discussions.

 

In addition to the email announcements, Read with Jenna also keeps its website consistently updated. The site provides a clear list of current and past selections, allowing members to easily track which books are coming up next, as well as revisit previous picks if they missed any along the way. This centralized resource ensures that all important information is easy to access in one place, making the reading experience as seamless as possible.

 

For those who prefer social media, the club’s Instagram and Facebook pages are also regularly updated with announcements and discussions, creating additional spaces for members to engage. These platforms serve as great ways for readers to connect, share their thoughts, and get a sneak peek into upcoming selections, all while fostering a vibrant online community.

 

The club’s commitment to providing plenty of notice—combined with reliable and consistent updates across various channels—means members can stay organized and always be prepared for the next book pick. Whether through email, the website, or social media, Read with Jenna ensures that its announcements are clear, timely, and easily accessible, making participation in the club both convenient and hassle-free.

 

Frequency

One of the standout features of Read with Jenna is its consistent commitment to delivering a new book pick every month. Since its launch in March 2019, this book club has never missed a single month—a claim no other major book club can match. In an age where consistency is often hard to maintain, Read with Jenna has delivered a fresh and carefully chosen book (sometimes two!) every single month, without fail.

 

This perfect track record of monthly picks demonstrates Jenna Bush Hager’s passion for fostering a regular, engaging reading experience for her members. Each selection is thoughtfully curated and announced ahead of time, giving members ample opportunity to read along at their own pace. While other book clubs might occasionally skip a month or provide intermittent picks, Read with Jenna has kept its promise of delivering a new read every single month, creating a sense of reliability and anticipation for its loyal readers.

 

This unwavering consistency sets Read with Jenna apart, ensuring that members can look forward to fresh literary recommendations month after month, and offering a unique sense of structure for those who enjoy a predictable, monthly book club rhythm. Whether it’s a contemporary novel, a memoir, or a nonfiction title, the club’s regularity makes it easy for members to stay on track and continuously engage with new stories and authors.

 

For members seeking a club that can offer them not just a book to read, but a dependable, ongoing book club experience, Read with Jenna delivers month in and month out, making it one of the most reliable and committed book clubs available today.

 

Book Details

For most book clubs, the book details of selections are less intentional and less known than the selection details. However, book details can be important underlying elements that influence members, readership and the success of a club overall.

 

Availability

One of the great advantages of Read with Jenna is the accessibility of its book picks. Most of the books chosen are mainstream titles. This means they are easily available for purchase in bookstores and online retailers.

 

However, if you’re hoping to borrow the books from a library, you might encounter a bit of a challenge. Due to the club’s high visibility and strong following, the books often quickly become popular at local libraries, leading to waitlists that can range from a few weeks to several months long. So, if you’re aiming to read the newest pick as soon as it’s announced, you might need to be prepared to purchase it.

 

For many readers, buying the book is the easiest and quickest route to participating in the club, ensuring they can dive right into the latest pick without delay. That said, if you’re patient and prefer to borrow from the library, just keep in mind that there could be a bit of a wait to get your hands on the title.

 

Format

The books selected for the club are typically mainstream titles, which means they are widely available in the most popular formats. Whether you like the classic feel of a hardcover or prefer the flexibility of a paperback, finding a physical copy of the book is rarely a problem. For those who enjoy the convenience of digital reading, e-book versions are widely available across major platforms, including Kindle, Apple Books, and other e-readers.

 

Audiobook lovers will also find that most Read with Jenna selections are available in audio format through services like Audible, Google Play, and Libby, making it easy to listen on the go. This wide range of format options ensures that readers can participate in the book club no matter how they prefer to consume books.

 

Length

The range in book length varies, with the shortest book clocking in at 110 pages and the longest at 608. This gives members a good mix of shorter, quicker reads and more substantial novels. On average, selections are around 354 pages.

 

Rating

BCR considers a rating of 3 or higher as a good rating. On Goodreads, all of this club’s picks have a rating over 3. The books selected for Read with Jenna boast a solid average rating of 3.89 stars. The highest-rated books have received 4.58 stars, while the lowest sits at 3.12 stars. 

 

Genre

The selection spans across a variety of genres, including fiction, contemporary, literary fiction, historical fiction and adult. This diverse selection ensures that there’s something for everyone in the club. This retains member interest and engagement.

 

Year Published

The club tends to select more modern books. Most picks are published between 2019 and 2023. The oldest title is The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison from 1970. 

 

Authors

For most book clubs, author selections are likely less intentional than the club’s selection details but perhaps given more consideration than book details. Often we find authors to be a subtle but important element that can influence book selections. Author selection can paint a picture of and guide the intentions and direction of a book club.

 

Favorites

Read with Jenna has no repeat authors across the over 70 selections to date. This is a notable aspect, as many book clubs—especially those with large, diverse reading lists—often feature books by the same authors multiple times over the years. Whether this no-repeat-author rule is intentional or just an organic outcome of Jenna’s wide-ranging tastes in literature, it certainly keeps the book club’s offerings diverse and exciting.

 

Diversity

There’s a refreshing variety of authors featured in Read with Jenna. While the club predominantly highlights female authors, there is also good diversity in terms of race and background. The inclusivity in the author pool reflects Jenna’s commitment to offering a broad range of perspectives and stories.

 

Club Details

All of the above contribute directly and indirectly to factors that make up the club details below.

 

Book Count

Since its launch in March 2019, Read with Jenna has chosen 73 books, a remarkable achievement considering it has been active for over five years. This gives the club an impressive book count to years active ratio of 14.6 books per year, meaning that on average, the club has picked a new book about every month without fail.

 

This consistency in monthly selections speaks to the club’s dedication to its members, offering a steady stream of engaging reading material year after year. Whether through its regular email announcements or updates on social media, Read with Jenna ensures its followers always have a fresh, well-curated pick to dive into, month after month. Whether you’re a longtime member or a newcomer, the sheer volume of books chosen over the club’s five-year run offers plenty of opportunities for discovery and discussion, making it a robust and welcoming reading community.

 

Membership Count

The club’s membership count has been steady. Read with Jenna has an estimated 350,000 members. Currently this is the third largest membership count of the Best Book Clubs.

 

Membership Engagement

Membership engagement is strong in our opinion. Read with Jenna is known for its ease of participation and engagement. Membership is free, and readers can engage through monthly email newsletters, social media posts, and discussions in various online communities. The book club’s website keeps an up-to-date list of past and upcoming selections, allowing readers to follow along with minimal effort. Jenna’s informal, accessible approach to book discussions fosters a welcoming environment for readers of all backgrounds.

 

The club is active across several social media platforms, including Instagram and Facebook, where members often share their thoughts on the books, interact with one another, and discuss the themes and characters of the monthly picks.

 

Years Active

Starting in March 2019, Read with Jenna has been active for over 5 years. This club’s longevity demonstrates a dedication to its members and readership.

 

Overall Rating

With a steady stream of engaging titles and a strong sense of community, Read with Jenna has become one of the top book clubs today. With an overall rating of 4.33, it’s tied the highest-rated book club, reflecting its widespread appeal and loyal following. If you’re looking for a book club that offers variety, accessibility, and monthly consistency, Read with Jenna is a fantastic choice. This club is a good match for:

 

• Readers who enjoy a consistent, monthly book pick
• Fans of diverse, contemporary fiction and nonfiction
• Casual engagement in a laid-back, welcoming book club environment
• Those who enjoy books with broad appeal and thoughtful discussion prompts