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The Best Read with Jenna Book Club Picks · The Read Carpet Report

• Kirsten Baritz: Welcome to the Red Carpet Report, your backstage pass to celebrity book clubs, book adaptations, and new book I'm Kirsten. And I'm Jackie. And we're your hosts. Jackie: And I'm Jackie. And we're your hosts. This week's episode is a deep dive into the Read with Jenna book club. And we're really excited because we've already done this with Reese. There is so much to talk about with Jenna. Kirsten Baritz: This week's episode is a deep dive into the Read with Jenna book club. And we're really excited because we've already done this with Reese. There was so much to talk about with Jenna, we get into that, we have the red carpet Jackie: But before we get into that, we have the red carpet rundown. Kirsten Baritz: This is a really exciting bit of news and we're like a little late to the game, but we're kind of not because we just got the release for the second sent, but Reese Witherspoon, we somehow missed this, partnered with the Yankee Candle Company to do a quarterly candle based on a book. And so the newest one is coming out now to pair with Into the Blue, which is her April book club pick. going to be getting samples ⁓ sent to Yes. ⁓ And we we're ⁓ actually not Jackie: Reese Witherspoon, we somehow missed this, partnered with the Yankee Candle Company to do a quarterly candle based on a book. And so the newest one is coming out now to pair with Into the Blue, which is her April book club pick. going to be getting samples. Which, yes, and we decided we're. actually not going to smell them. We're going to do it live on the podcast. So you'll get our real reactions. And I wonder how this is going to go because I'm very sensitive to certain smells. I don't know. really excited to smell them. love the ID candle. Me too. Kirsten Baritz: going to smell them, we're going to do it live on the podcast. That's You'll get our real reactions. And I wonder how this is going to go because I'm very sensitive to certain smells. I don't know. I'm really excited to smell them. I love a Yankee candle. Like take me back to my mall shopping days in my youth. We're like Bed Bath and Beyond and Yankee candle. Jackie: ⁓ do you remember? That was so good. Kirsten Baritz: Do you remember when Yankee Candle had those little like tartlets and you would like melt a tea light under and it would make your whole house smell good? Like I was a little bit obsessed. But this one seems like it's going to be really good. They were saying scents of like flowers and ocean. So it's coastal. So I really, really want this one. Like dibs on this one. You can have the first one. Jackie: Yes, yes, yes. But this one seems like it's gonna be really good. They were saying sense of like flowers and ocean, so. Kirsten Baritz: Okay, ⁓ but meanwhile, we do have two book adaptation, like segments to talk about and they're pretty fun. Jackie: This one I'm so excited about because House on the Cerulean Sea by T.J. Klune, one of my favorite books of all time, is getting an adaptation, but it is going to be animated. I think that Kirsten Baritz: This one I'm so excited about because House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune, one of my favorite books of all time, is getting an adaptation, but it is going to be animated. I think that is actually perfect for this one. I feel like an animated series is gonna do really like look at kpop demon hunters And I know that's not the same like audience segment ⁓ But I just think you can do a lot more with animation and it's like an skill So this is my question if they're making it animated Do you think they're gearing it towards adults or is it gonna be geared? Jackie: So this is my question. If they're making it animated, do you think they're gearing it towards adults or is it going to be geared towards kids? Kirsten Baritz: towards kids? I think it's going to be for teens. That's my guess. Because it really is. It's about the kids in the foster home that have these special powers and ⁓ the social worker that comes to check on them and the headmaster at the school. And I feel like if done correctly, it could be YA appropriate. ⁓ my daughter read and she read it when she was 12. ⁓ Jackie: you know, my daughter read this and she read it when she was 12. So this is the kind of book it is an adult book, but it is totally appropriate for ⁓ kids. ⁓ The one, Beyond the Sea dealt with the foster care system in a much ⁓ deeper way. ⁓ one of the kids has a little more trauma. So that one is probably for a little bit older, but this one is so great. It's one of my favorites. I can't wait. Like I want to see how they do Chauncey. Kirsten Baritz: I want to see how they do Chauncey. I just think it's so clever to do something different. know, like take a book that is really popular, but do something different adapted in a different way. And I think you can be more true to what happens in that book with an with an animated adaptation. Jackie: Now, the second one that we have to talk about ⁓ actually ties in ⁓ with the read with Jenna. Kirsten Baritz: Now the second one that we have to talk about ⁓ actually ties in ⁓ with the read with Jenna. Okay, so you've read this book, the husband's husband's by Holly. Graz. ⁓ Mizio. I'm definitely that one up. But different Jackie: Okay, so you've read this book. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: from The Husbands by Chandler Baker. I've read them both. They're both celebrity book club picks, I think, but they're different ones. This one is the sci-fi one where she keeps sending the husbands up to the attic and every time a husband goes up to the attic, a different husband comes down. Right, and so they've cast it now and they've cast all the husbands. Or some of the husbands, at least some of the major husbands. Right, there's like eight or something husbands cast and... One of them is Joe Alwyn. Jackie: Yes. She keeps sending her husbands up to the attic and... Right, and so they've cast it now and they've cast all the husbands. Or some of the husbands, at least some of the major husbands. Right, there's like eight or something husbands cast and... Kirsten Baritz: which I mean, he's the devil's spawn because of what he did to Tay-Tay. But you know, it's fine. I'm going to watch it because Juno Dempo is like the wife. I love her so much. can't I'm interested to see what people think about this adaptation because I feel like the book was either people ⁓ loved or hated it. Yes. Right. you love the book. I didn't end up reading it, but ⁓ all of book members Jackie: Because Juno Devil is like the I love her so much. can't wait. I'm interested to see what people think about this adaptation because I feel like the book was either people loved it or hated it. Right? Like you love the book. I didn't end up reading it, all of book club members us feedback that they either thought it was one of the best of the year or they absolutely detested it. Kirsten Baritz: us feedback that they either thought it was one of the best of the year or they absolutely detested it. is definitely a polarizing story. I thought it was great, I actually think both The Husband's books are phenomenal and they're both very divisive. So for what it's worth, I guess I just like a fun story about a husband. Well, I'm 100 % going to watch this because I love Junot Temple so much. She's one of my favorites. Jackie: Right, right. Well, I'm 100 % going to watch this because I loved Junot Temple so much. She's one of my favorites. Kirsten Baritz: now let's get into the deep dive. Let's talk a little bit about Read with Jenna, who started her book club in 2019. And I'm pretty sure she started it as a direct response to Reese hitting the charts in 2018 was really when it blew up because she had Where the Crawdads Sing. so Jenna launched hers on the Today Show. She always unveils it in the morning on the Today Show, which has like a built-in media platform for her. So that you would think would give her a really big leg up. Right. And ⁓ actually have an author that we're going to talk about after who's been ⁓ picked for both of those book clubs. That's true. We'll get into that in a minute. Jackie: Right. Right. And we actually have an author that we're going to talk about after who's been ⁓ picked for both of those book clubs. So we'll get into that in a minute. We're going to talk about our favorites. We're going to talk about your favorites. ⁓ then we're going to talk about some of the ones that we're surprised that were kind of under-reviewed. It mean that... Kirsten Baritz: We're going to talk about our favorites. We're going to talk about your favorites. And then we're going to talk about some of the ones that we're surprised that were kind of under reviewed. doesn't mean that they have poor ratings. It just means there were not as many ratings as we thought there would be. Jackie: They have poor ratings. It just means there were not as many ratings as we thought there would be. Kirsten Baritz: I feel like I like the Read with Jenna book club a little bit more than you do. I find her books to be polarizing. Either they sound so interesting and I love them, or the premise has no interest to me and I don't even pick them up. Would you agree with that? 100%. And ⁓ interesting because I don't have as many favorites as you do. Jackie: 100%. And it's interesting because I don't have as many favorites as you do. I only have about five. And you had a hard time picking 10. also have read a lot of her books that I thought were fine. Solidly fine. So there were a ton of books that I've read that I've liked. I didn't have 10 books from her book hub that I Kirsten Baritz: And you had a hard time picking 10. also have read a lot of her books that I thought were fine. Right, Solidly fine. So there were a ton of books that I've read that I've liked. I didn't have 10 books from her book club that I loved. Right. And I had more than 10 that were even in my five stars. Right. Jackie: loved. Right. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: hard one for me. Jackie: going first because otherwise you would say this one it is Remarkably Bright Green Shirts by Shelby Van Pelt. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: this one and it is remarkably bright rangers by Shelby van Pelt. Yep. So also a reader favorite. This was in your top five. I felt like this book was everything. It was so good. It's getting an adaptation which coming out in not too long like this summer. So so excited with what's her name? Sally Theo. I'm picturing her face. Jackie: Yes, I felt like this book was everything. It was so good. It's getting an adaptation, which we're. So, so excited with what's her name? Thank you. I'm picturing her face. the main reason that I absolutely love this book is from the very first page. Marcellus Octopus was so funny. I was just laughing so hard. He's such a curmudgeon. I loved him so much. I fell in love with him. I couldn't stop reading this book. I couldn't put it down. Kirsten Baritz: Yeah, this is one that I was, I remember I listened to it and I was listening to it in the car at pickup one day and like the kids got in the car and I was like, you shut your mouth. Like I got to finish this book. I was like at the very end and my kids were like, we pulled into the driveway and I went to get out of the car and the kids just sat there and they were listening like to the end and they're like, okay, can you bring us up to date on the beginning? So I think I'm actually gonna watch this with my kids. Jackie: I think so too. But I think like my daughter read it. She loved it. There's nothing in it that's not appropriate. I mean, yes, there are Kirsten Baritz: I think they're really gonna like it. They loved lessons with chemistry I think this is one that is like a family-friendly with parent support to watch the adaptation. daughter read it. Okay. She loved There's nothing in it that's not appropriate. I mean, yes, they're older, but it doesn't mean that ⁓ it's not appropriate. Jackie: older, it doesn't mean that it's not appropriate. Kirsten Baritz: So on here, I'm not even talk about it anymore, but the husbands was on ⁓ my top 10, because it was just so and unique. Jackie: Okay. You may or may not have read this. I don't know. Nothing to see here by Kevin Wilson. No, but I knew you were going to pick this one. Kirsten Baritz: You may or may not have read this. I don't know nothing to see here by Kevin Wilson. No, but I knew you were going to this one because you love Kevin Wilson. I do this book. Again, this is another one that should not work is about kids who spontaneously start on fire. again, is one of those books where it can either be fantastic or bomb spectacularly. And I just thought it was a five star read. I loved it. Jackie: to this book. Again, this is another one that should not work. is about kids who spontaneously start on fire. And again, it's one of those books where it could either be fantastic or bomb spectacularly. And I just thought it was a five star read. I loved it. Kirsten Baritz: I'm gonna do two really quickly. One, I'm not even gonna talk about that much because you haven't had a chance to read it yet, but I know you're gonna love it and it's gonna be a five-star read for you. And that is Wait For Me, which was the March pick. We've talked about it on the podcast already. It's so great that I know you're gonna read it. Jackie: ⁓ yeah. Kirsten Baritz: and love it, but one I think you're never gonna read because it's not a Jackie and it's also not really a Kirsten. Chain Gang All Stars. ⁓ yeah. Jackie: Chains Gang. Oh, yeah. That is the most un-Kirsten book ever. I know. Kirsten Baritz: I know, I know. And I got an early copy of it and I was like, you know what? I'm gonna like, I'm gonna try it. It's essentially the near future, instead of people on death row being contained to prison, ⁓ travel in a caravan and do like gladiator style things all over the death mat, like fight to the death, ⁓ for people all around the US and it is televised. ⁓ Jackie: the near future instead of people on death row being contained in they travel in a caravan and do like gladiator style things all over the death, fight to the death ⁓ for people ⁓ around the US and it is televised. ⁓ end of the season ⁓ winner who's left standing gets their freedom. Kirsten Baritz: And at the end of the season, the winner who's left standing gets their freedom. So you're incentivized to kill the people in front it. So it's literally like, wait, so these are people. Jackie: So you're incentivized to kill the people in front of you. Wait, so these are people on death row. So you're letting the other people on death row kill the other people on death row. And one of them gets exonerated by killing everybody. Kirsten Baritz: Yes. Yes. And gladiator gets exonerated by killing everybody. Like the gladiator style. and there's different like there's like it's almost like the circus. You know how they're well, you might not know this, but when I worked the circus, there was like the red train and the blue train and they would travel the U.S. in different and they go to different cities at different times. Doesn't everybody know that there's a red train and a blue train? OK, well, there was there was two different like traveling shows at the same time that would like crisscross across the U.S. OK, I don't understand. Jackie: Sure. Doesn't everybody know that there's a red train and a blue train on the circus? Wait, I don't understand. Are they different shows? were different shows, different trains, different setups. No way. similar to that. So there's like one chain gang is like doing the East and one chain gang is going on the West and they're both are being like filmed on reality TV anyway, they're all fighting to the death. And it's just like, what would you do for your freedom? Kirsten Baritz: They were different shows, different trains, different setups. This is sort of similar to that. So there's like one chain gang is like doing the East and one chain gang is going on the West and they're both are being like filmed on reality TV anyway, they're all fighting to the death. And it's just like, what would you do for your freedom? ⁓ I... Think about this no less than once a week. I don't know why this pops into my head all the time, but it has stayed with me forever. Just like, I don't feel like we're that far away from this happening. Jackie: Well, My next one. This is not. going to be a shock to you. It was all the colors of the dark by Chris Whitaker. Kirsten Baritz: and that was a reader favorite. That was a reader favorite. That one came up again and again and again and again. It's a chonker. So this is an investment. Yep. But it was it was fantastic. Jackie: It was a reader favorite. it's a chonker. So this is an investment. ⁓ it was ⁓ So Kirsten Baritz: I am going to go with the Irish Goodbye. Oh, you love this one. I loved this one. was a recent pick. I think it was her November pick of November 2025, and it was set over Thanksgiving weekend, which you don't get a lot of books at Thanksgiving. And it was about an Irish family who had multiple siblings, one of whom had died. Jackie: ⁓ you love this one. Kirsten Baritz: And it was kind of the reckoning of like everyone coming back and sort of dealing with this crisis that has been at the whole of the center of their family and never really addressed and the ripple effects that has created among the siblings and the parents. And it was really moving and really well done. And I am forever the girl that loves a family drama and a family saga. So this is a no brainer. Jackie: You are the queen of family dramas. know. Kirsten Baritz: You are the queen of family dramas. I Give me a multi sibling story and like ⁓ do it well and am forever in your debt. Irish goodbye though, I'm looking my information here. Very under reviewed. Only about 40,000 people read that book and reviewed it, which is like pretty low. All things considered. Especially when it's a celebrity book club pick. Jackie: that, yeah, especially when it's a celebrity book club pick. Okay, this is one that ⁓ I loved. It is The Names Florence ⁓ I love this one so much. And like I didn't hear people talking about it. wasn't one of the ones that was under reviewed. I feel like it was under legitimately underhyped. Like it should have had way more fanfare than it did. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: Okay, this is one that I loved. It is The Names by Florence Knapp. Oh, you did love this one. I so much and feel like I didn't hear people talking about it. It wasn't one of the ones that was under reviewed. I feel like it was under hyped. legitimately under hyped. Like it should have had way more. Jackie: what do you have next? Kirsten Baritz: what do you have next? I've got Valentine, which is set in 1970s Odessa, Texas, Essentially, a 14 year old girl is raped ⁓ and beaten ⁓ and ⁓ her story is followed because ⁓ she is a minority and ⁓ there is it other women her There was a witness, ⁓ person who did the abusing the rape. ⁓ It's ⁓ I don't want to spoil anything. But it is about class ⁓ race and the treatment of women in a society that is mostly run by men, which like white men run the oil fields out there in Texas. And it was ⁓ really powerful because things were different in the seventies. And so it wouldn't have been the same if it had happened today. ⁓ But, you know, the seventies weren't that long ago. Our parents were alive in the seventies. ⁓ Jackie: Texas and it was really really powerful things were different in the 70s and so it wouldn't have been the same if it had to be. But you know the 70s weren't that long ago. parents were alive in the 70s. I was about to say, I love you so much. I love you so much. love you so much. I'm so sorry. Jackie's turning 50. She too was alive in the 70s and I forgot. Kirsten Baritz: was about to say, love you so much. Jackie's turning 50 as she too was alive in the 70s and I forgot! Jackie: And that folks is the end of the Red Park Report podcast. This will be our final episode and thank you very much for tuning in. Kirsten Baritz: You Jackie: Parents were alive in the 70s? Half of the people sitting on this couch were alive in the 70s. Kirsten Baritz: I love you so much. You're my best friend. moving on anyway it was really interesting. ⁓ Jackie: you see ⁓ abuse that I have to endure? ⁓ Okay, I'm gonna say something else about this. Which, this to me sounds like an Oprah pick. Right? Kirsten Baritz: and scribble that one gonna say something else about the band's equipment. Which, this to me sounds like an Oprah pick. Yeah, but a lot of Jennas can sometimes be Oprah-esque in nature. But some of them are heavier, but this one just sounds like a lot. It was a lot. It was a lot, which is probably why only about 43,000 people reviewed it. Jackie: But some of them are heavier, but this one just sounds like a lot. Yeah, yeah, okay. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: It just kind of screams, do I want to be this sad? I'm also gonna do Mame. So Mame by Jessica George. I love it. We talked about her recent book is just out now. This one was dealing with grief. And essentially a young woman whose is mostly in Ghana is dealing with her father's advanced Parkinson's. And I Jackie: ⁓ yeah. This one was dealing with grief. And essentially a young woman whose mostly in Ghana, okay, is dealing with her father's advanced Parkinson's. In her culture, like the eldest daughter, Ma Mae, like that's a nickname for the elder. Oh, okay. Okay. So Kirsten Baritz: In her culture, the eldest daughter, Ma Mae, I think that's a nickname for the eldest daughter, is responsible for everybody all the time. so she almost like parents her mother. She's dealing with her father. know, at advanced stage, Parkinson's, there is a death. And then she's dealing with the grief afterwards because she's been like, chained to him, but also needs to find her own life. And it's just this very powerful coming of age and examining who you are as a person separate from your parents, but also how much of your norms that you want to take with you into the next part of your life, I guess. And so ⁓ it was really powerful and really different and really interesting. That sounds really good. Jackie: She almost like parents her mother. She's dealing with her father. And know, the age of Parkinson's, like, there's a death. And then she's dealing with the grief afterwards because she's been like chained to him, but also like needs to find her own life. It's just this very powerful coming of age and like examining who you are as a person separate from your parents, but also how... Do you want to It's really powerful and really different and really interesting. That sounds really good. only have one left. You go because I have a feeling you're going to say a few that I've read. Kirsten Baritz: few that I've read Okay. So the first is Black Buck. was about a black man in publishing and sort of the challenges that he faced. Jackie: ⁓ Yes. Kirsten Baritz: as one of the few people of color in the industry. And it was really great. It was really well written. It was just eye-opening. I love this one. This was like a solid four and a bit star read for me. Okay. So very high up there. Jackie: I love this one. This was like a solid four and a bit star read for me. So, so very high up there. Kirsten Baritz: Well, the thing about it is Black Buck was one that was really under-reviewed. Really? 29,000 people. No way. Yeah. And isn't it fascinating that that was one of the ones that we both read and loved? Yes. And yet not very many people read and loved it. So fascinating to I always wonder why. Sometimes I wonder if it's something as simple ⁓ ⁓ cover. ⁓ Jackie: Really? No way! Yes. And yet not very many people read and love it, so fascinating to I always wonder why. Sometimes I wonder if it's something as simple as a cover, which is an appealing, which I actually loved this cover. It's really, really pretty. But I always wonder why really good books sometimes just don't get the hype that they deserve. Kirsten Baritz: Which is an appealing which I actually loved this cover. Yep. It's really really pretty but I always wonder why really good books Sometimes just don't get the hype that they deserve. I don't know. I don't get that one The other one that I have that I feel like everyone has read The Dutch house have you is that is that yours? No, no ⁓ Jackie: No, I thought you were gonna say black cake Kirsten Baritz: ⁓ I am, I was gonna say Black Cake. Those are my other two that are left. So I have left The Dutch House and Black Cake. They're both reader favorites. ⁓ Black Cake was adapted. The Dutch House is by Anne Pichette. I feel like everyone has read them. They are very, very good stories. And the other ⁓ one that I have, and that's the only one. Jackie: Okay. Okay. Okay. And the other one that I have, and that's the only one that I have left, was the one and only Maureen Gough. it was just came out like a few months ago. We already talked about it on the podcast. I loved it. I thought it was such a cute, refreshing pick for her. Kirsten Baritz: was ⁓ the one and only Maureen Gough. And it was just came out like a few ⁓ months ago. We already talked about it on the I loved it. I thought it was such a cute, refreshing ⁓ pic for her. It's interesting that we both have one that came out this year in our top picks for her. Yeah. So that's saying something about her picks this year are pretty good. Her picks this year have been great. Really good. Jackie: Yeah. Herpixis, you're having great. Really good. Kirsten Baritz: We crowned Reese last year as the queen of the year, but I think Jenna's, I think Jenna's coming for her. Jackie: Yeah. So are there any other reader favorites that we didn't talk about? Kirsten Baritz: So are there any other reader favorites that we didn't talk about? your top five were the Dutch House, Black Cake, Remarkably Bright Creatures, ⁓ All the Colors of the Dark, and then the final one that you guys loved, ⁓ which is a great choice, ⁓ The Wedding People. The Wed, yeah. Jackie: which is a great choice, the wedding people. The wedding, yeah. Which is being adapted and super popular. Kirsten Baritz: which is being adapted and super popular. And it was a really entertaining one. That one almost made my top 10, but I had to cut something. Jackie: I now let's talk about the ones that were under-reviewed. So in addition to that, Kirsten Baritz: now let's talk about the ones that were under reviewed. So in addition to Valentine Black Buck and Irish Goodbye, The Celebrance. Now it had 56,000 reviews, but compared to like The Gungle, which had 200,000 reviews by Stephen Rowley, I'm a little bit surprised that this one only had 56,000. Right. especially because the gunkle isn't a celebrity book club pick and he had a built-in audience. Right. Right. don't know if it's because it was about death. I always feel like stories about death. just don't, you know, people don't always want to deal with grief, which you should deal with it, ⁓ Another one, the family. Jackie: Right. Right. Right, and especially because the gunkle isn't a celebrity book club pick and he had a built-in audience. ⁓ you love this one. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: Oh, you love this one. Loved it. It was 1950s mob story about like the girls where the parents, the dads and the family are in the mob and their neighbors and the girls like become friends and they're like the daughters of mobsters. Like it's it's so different and it's so fun. And I don't I don't understand why people don't want to read it. It was cool. I liked it. That sounds really fun and really unique. Jackie: It's so different. Right, right. No, that sounds really fun and really unique. Kirsten Baritz: The last one, and I know you really want to talk about this author, because this one is like a fascinating case study. So Allegra Goodman has now written three books. Her first book, Sam, was A Read with Jenna Pick. She might have written more than that, but this is like the first, the last three that we're going to really look at. Jackie: Yeah. has now written three books. Her first book, Sam, was a read with Jenna Pick. She might have written more than that, but this is her Kirsten Baritz: It was a read with Jenna Pick and it only had 16,000 reviews, which is fascinating. I could see that a little bit because it was about rock climbing. was like a young girl who was like a rock climbing prodigy and it felt very niche. So I kind of understood a little bit, but then, Isola was chosen by Reese. Jackie: Yeah. Oh, okay. Yeah. Right. And that was also a very interesting story about a woman who is basically outcast onto an island. Kirsten Baritz: Yeah. And it had a hundred thousand reviews. Right. And that was also a very interesting story about a woman who is basically outcast onto an island. So it's not. It's another like niche story that's not mainstream. Yes. And in general, when we were looking for the under reviewed, was. Jackie: So it's not. Yes. Yes. Kirsten Baritz: harder to come up with them because with Reese, it was a very clear cutoff. Either you hit 100,000 or you didn't. And a lot of the Jennas are actually not that heavily. You're either up there in the stratosphere of a black cake or the Dutch house, or you're like kind of piddling around 50,000. Right. And here's my question. The Dutch house already has a built-in audience because who isn't reading it? So I wonder a little bit about that. Jackie: You're either up there in the stratosphere, Black Cake or The Dutch House, or you're like kind of peddling around 50,000. Right, and here's my question. The Dutch House already has a built-in audience because who isn't reading Anne Patchett? So I wonder a little bit about that. I wonder if it's the overall, when you're reading Reese, it's a much more popular fiction versus when you're Kirsten Baritz: I wonder if it's the overall, when you're reading Reese, it's a much more popular fiction versus when you're reading a Jenna, which maybe has a little bit of a deeper themes underneath. know, it's very interesting comparing and looking at the numbers, especially when we talk about, like we're good then because this is not about us, which is. Jackie: reading a Jenna, which maybe has a little bit of a deeper ⁓ themes underneath. it's very interesting comparing and looking at the numbers, ⁓ especially we talk about Allegra Goodman, because this is not about us, which is her newest book. It just came out and it already has ⁓ like 2300 reviews. ⁓ So is not that far below 16. Kirsten Baritz: Her newest book it just came out and it already has like 2300 reviews, right? So which is Not that far below 16, right? Right thousand for the only thing like a few months old. So I don't know Maybe no one had heard of her and then they had heard of her So when she was chosen again for Reese, it was like, oh she was already a Jenna pin So it's it's hard to tell but Jackie: thousand birth only being like a few months old so I don't know maybe no one had heard of her and then they had heard of her so when she was chosen again for Reese it was like ⁓ she was already a Jenna pick so ⁓ it's hard to tell but it's interesting looking at the two and making that comparison. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: It's interesting looking at the two and making that comparison. Yeah, I think Jenna does, you're right. Reese chooses like more popular fiction. I call it like easier to read fiction. It's got a little bit more of like a mainstream audience that can kind of go with it. Jenna, I think is a little more closely aligned with Oprah. She wants to find an interesting story that's different. There's definitely some heart to it. Jackie: Yeah. Yes. Kirsten Baritz: She's one that has never, I don't think she doesn't really choose romance or she did with Maureen Goo, but we were like absolutely shocked. Shocked. ⁓ the three like more modern ⁓ she's definitely more closely aligned with Oprah. Yes. So ⁓ could see that her ⁓ picks being a little more polarizing of like, I just don't even want to pick that up, which is sometimes how I feel, right? When she chooses something. But shocking to me though, she has a built in audience. Jackie: She's one that has never chosen romance or she did before in do, but we were like absolutely shocked. shocked ⁓ the three, like more modern ⁓ She's definitely more closely aligned with Oprah. Yes. ⁓ I could see her, ⁓ picks being a little more polarizing of like, just don't really want to pick that up, which is sometimes how I feel when she chooses something. but to me though, she has a built in audience. Kirsten Baritz: And she is streaming this to millions of people when she even announces the book at the beginning. She always announces the book at the beginning of the month on the Today Show. And then she features an interview with the author later in the month ⁓ on the third hour of today. And so you've got millions and millions of people that are tuned in. You're built in audience. And so it's surprising to me how few of her books sort of sell at that same level. Jackie: And she is streaming this to millions of people when she, you know, even announces the book at the beginning. She always announces the book at the beginning of the month on the Today Show. And then she features an interview with the author later in the month ⁓ on the third hour of today. And so you've got like millions and millions of people that are like tuned in, you're built in audience. And so it's surprising to me how few of her books sort of sell at that same level. Kirsten Baritz: Interestingly, I actually think some of her imprint books are doing better than her chosen books. but I think her imprint books, surprisingly, ⁓ are that ⁓ appeal a wider audience. I agree. first book conform is a fantasy. Yep. Jackie: Interestingly, actually think some of her imprint books are doing better than her... Yeah. ...print books. I think her imprint books, surprisingly, are books that appeal to a wider audience. I agree. Her first book, Conform, is a fantasy. Yep, and then into... Kirsten Baritz: And then into the blue, obviously, is the Reese pick. And it does perfectly align with a Reese pick and less so a Jenna pick. And yet it's funny to me that Jenna is choosing not, like she's choosing to publish this sort of set of fiction and choosing to promote this other set of fiction. It's just, I would love to sit down with Jenna and just be like, talk to me about like your process on the two different things. Because it's, it's. Jackie: Jenna is choosing not like she's choosing to publish this sort of set of fiction, right? And she's going to promote this other set of fiction. It's I would love to sit down with Jenna and just be like, talk to me about like your, yes. Two different things. Yes. It's, it's fascinating to me how they choose. And I know you know, other people choose for reason that they like put a book forward to her and then she like, Kirsten Baritz: It's fascinating to me how they choose. And I people choose for a reason, then they put a book forward to her and then she approves it. I believe that Jenna is reading her own books. I believe that Oprah is reading her own books. I think that's why Oprah's timeline is whatever, because she's choosing to read it and then choosing to give it the stamp of approval or not. So that's willy nilly. Jackie: I believe that Jenna is reading her own books. I believe that Oprah is reading her own book. think that's why Oprah's timeline is so ever. Because she's choosing to read it and then she's going to give it the stamp of Google Learner. Right. Which is also why she sometimes chooses backlist books because she's just read it and she loves it and she wants to talk about that book. Right. Kirsten Baritz: sometimes chooses backlist books because she's just read it and she loves it. She wants to talk about that book. And Jenna, think she is genuinely reading these stories and they may be fed to her by other people, but it's like, who's feeding you your, you know, like, here's your to consider pile for the show and here's your to consider pile for the imprint because they're so vastly different. Right. And so I wonder if she's publishing, if she wants to choose books that she knows are going to be popular when she's Jackie: Right. ⁓ Right. And so I wonder if she's publishing, if she wants to choose books that she knows are going to be popular when she's publishing them, but maybe for the book club, she's trying to choose books that maybe if she wasn't highlighting them, maybe they wouldn't be getting any attention whatsoever because again, a rock climbing book. Kirsten Baritz: but maybe for the book club, she's trying to choose books that maybe if she wasn't highlighting them, maybe they wouldn't be getting any attention at Any attention whatsoever. again, a rock climbing book. Right. Like who's necessarily finding that without the proper promotion? I love about Jenna is even when she doesn't pick books that I love, Jackie: ⁓ who's finding that without the proper promotion? Kirsten Baritz: like a librarian's daughter, right? She is like a true champion of reading and Reese I think gets into it and it's it's a business thing for her It is a ⁓ me test this book on my audience And if they really like it, I will adapt it because they have a built-in right it is a it is a ⁓ funnel for Reese ⁓ doesn't mean she doesn't choose good books, but it's a marketing funnel and also choosing like we've discussed before some books ⁓ that are % already gonna be popular. Yes Jackie: Yes, right, yes. Right and shoot. and she's also choosing like we've discussed before some books that are a hundred percent already going to be popular. Yes. But Jenna, think she's Kirsten Baritz: But Jenna, I think she's in it for the love of literature and really exposing people to books. I'm the most enamored with Jenna. think what she does for ⁓ reading, for literacy, ⁓ for ⁓ everything. She's ⁓ just champion books. And I support her and love her. for that, she's probably my favorite of all of the book clubs, even when I don't agree with her picks or don't like her Jackie: I think so too. She's a champion. book. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: I like what she stands for. 100 % I do as well. And the books that I've read, there's no way I would have found nothing to see here. A book about two children who spontaneously start themselves on fire. Right. And get upset. mean, how am I finding that book without someone bringing it to my attention? she's great at that. There are so many times where our sources tell us something. Jackie: does stand for? 100%. I do as well. And the books that I've read, there's no way I would have found nothing to see here. A book about two children who spontaneously start themselves on fire when they get upset. mean, how am I finding that book without someone bringing it to my attention? And she's great at Kirsten Baritz: ⁓ And I have a game with one of my sources where she's like, I have it. What do you want to like guess? And I'll like throw ideas at her. And it's always like, sometimes I'm like, ⁓ that was a race or like, I guess this race or I guess this is in somebody's choosing it. And then the Jennas are always like, huh? I didn't see that coming. Okay. Okay. That wasn't even on my radar. And that's the point. And I love that. I love that for her. Jackie: Yeah. ⁓ I love that. I love that for her. and I think it's good for the world of reading, right? There is a book for everybody and not every book is for everybody, right? And so it's great that the book hubs are choosing completely different books because they're bringing the world of reading and making it popular. do... Kirsten Baritz: There is a book for everybody and not every book is for everybody. And so it's great that the book hubs are choosing completely different books because they're bringing the world of reading ⁓ making it popular. do respect a little bit that she has to have an interview with these people at the end. ⁓ doesn't do that. Jackie: You know, she has to have an interview with these people at the end. doesn't do that. Right. And so it's hard. I mean, we've chosen our own book club books with this in mind. It is hard to interview about a mystery. It is hard to have a discussion about fantasy. They don't lend themselves well to an actual book club discussion, you know? But we've struggled and we've had to Kirsten Baritz: And so it's hard. I mean, we've chosen our own book club books with this in mind. It is hard to interview about a mystery. It is hard to have a discussion about fantasy. They don't lend themselves well to an actual book club discussion. know, But ⁓ we've struggled and we've had to alter what we do for our reading challenges now that we have. Jackie: Yes. ⁓ Kirsten Baritz: a book club that expects to read the book, come for a full discussion and then watch us interview an author about their process, about why they chose to do certain things in the book. Why did you choose to do this? What was your research process like? It's just, it's harder to do that with certain genres. And so maybe that's why she chooses some of these books to promote for the book club. And then she's like, but I also really like these kinds of stories. So let's publish more of these that we can't talk about them in the same way. Jackie: chose to do certain things in the book. Why did you choose to do this? What was your research process like? It's just, it's harder to do that with certain genres. And so maybe that's why she chooses some of these books to promote for the book club. then she's like, but I also really like these kinds of stories. So let's publish more of these. I can't talk about them. It's true. And I love that ever since she started her own imprint, I've actually even had more respect for her because I'm like, Is there anything you don't love? She loves so many different genres of books, so I love that too. Kirsten Baritz: anything you don't love. Right. She loves so many different genres of books. So I love that too. Yeah. She's our stamp of approval. While we're on the subject of celebrity book clubs and all of our favorites, why don't you tell us your bookmark pick this week? I am so excited. My bookmark of the week is Go Gentle by Maria Semple. talk about an un-Oprah pick. ⁓ ⁓ the one. ⁓ I loved it so much. Jackie: I am so excited. My bookmark of the week is Go Gentle by Maria Semple. talk about an un-Oprah pick. This is the one. And I loved it so much. is a woman who is an in-house personal philosopher, philosopher for. ⁓ really wealthy family. And it ends up being a dual timeline. So it goes back in the past, basically showing how she went from being in comedy and writing for a comedy show ⁓ everything that she dealt with then to becoming an in-house philosopher for this really, ⁓ rich guy. is... ⁓ this woman and she's a single mother, she has her daughter and she's decided to create what she calls her coven. Okay, so she has all of her best friends moving into the same floor of her apartment building so they could all be together and help each other basically at life, right? Like if you're a single woman, you don't need an entire loaf of bread, but maybe. the two of you can split a loaf of bread. And it just is a fantastic story about artwork and this family and friends and coming together and second chances and a bit of a mystery. I mean, it all comes together. It is such a phenomenal book. I think this would be a fantastic beach read. I could not put it down. Kirsten Baritz: Right? Like if you're a single woman, you don't need an entire loaf of bread. But maybe the two of you can split a loaf of bread and it just is a fantastic story about artwork and this family and and friends and coming together and second chances and a bit of a mystery. I mean, it all comes together. It is such a phenomenal. It sounds like a beach read. I think this would be a fantastic. Beach Read, I could not put it down. I think I'm just shocked because like Oprah chose a Beach Read. Right. This is what I'm saying. I don't understand how Oprah chose this book. Like, yes, there are some more serious topics, but really it is a fun, fantastic, like, feel good. Like it was a feel good. Oprah's last few books have left me like with my heart. Jackie: Right, this is what I'm saying. I don't understand how Oprah chose this book. Yes, there are some more serious topics, but really it is a fun, fantastic, like feel good. It was a feel good. Oprah's last few books have left me with my heart ground up in a mortar and a pestle. Kirsten Baritz: round up in a mortar and a pestle. ⁓ such a vivid description. ⁓ All right, well, speaking of feel-good, next week we're going to talk about road trip novels because that is the May prompt for the reading challenge. I'm so excited. Jackie: Speaking of feel good, next week we're gonna talk about road trip novels. That is the main prompt for the reading channel. I'm so excited. Kirsten Baritz: And so we wanna know what is your favorite road trip novel of all time? This is like, when we first made this list, there were like six books and now it is a very popular like little plot device in fiction. I just downloaded the new one by Mary Kay Andrews, which like I love her for a summer beach read and it's called like road trip. It's literally called road trip. So I'll report back. I might even have it read by next week. Jackie: And so we want to know what is your favorite road trip novel of all time. This is like when we first made this list, there were like six books and now it is a very popular like little plot device in fiction. I just downloaded the new one by Mary Kay Andrews, which I love. It's called Roadtrips. Kirsten Baritz: So yeah, that's our reader question of the week. What are your favorite road trip novels? Jackie: you so much for watching this episode. You can like, you subscribe, you can follow, and we will see you next week. Kirsten Baritz: thank you so much for watching this episode. You can like, you subscribe, you can follow, and we will see you next week. Happy reading!