You say You guys, but you really are just talking about one person me!
she responds, laughing.
Reese Witherspoon was on the show the other day, and we were talking about it.
Credit: Illustration by Roberto Parada for EW
Shes like, I have a whole team, Jenna!
But Hager is demonstrating an individual power not seen since Oprahs glory days.
Read With Jenna began on a monthly basis in March, when Hager wasannounced as cohostofTodays fourth hour.
Tyler Essary/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images
Within hours, Hagers choice ranked among Amazons top five best-sellers, while Witherspoons hadnt cracked the top 50.
(One reason:Todayaverages over 4 million viewers a morning, an unrivaled platform.)
She grew up without a TV in her room The book was the only choice!
HarperCollins (3)
We did it as a one-off, but then it was like, Why arent we doing this year-round?
6 on theNew York Timesbest-seller list after not making the list at all the previous week.
Now Read With Jenna is emerging as publishings most coveted seal of approval.
Im not recommending to one best friend, she says.
Im recommending to this huge audience of people that trust us and love our show.
That puts pressure on me.
Her greatest success so far and personal favorite came withA Woman Is No Man.
[It] was really life-changing for me, she says.
Hager was evidently not alone.
Its still selling strong.
Its very different, say, than some of the Reese picks.
Its not a beach read.
This year, no other book club has come close to Read With Jenna in sales influence.
Still, her genuine love of reading is evident throughout our conversation.
As our talk winds down, I tell Hager shes answered all my questions.
Barely a second passes before she turns one back on me: Do you have any book recommendations?
