Jenna Bush Hager fondly reminisces about a special memory she shared with her grandmother, Barbara Bush. In honor of Jane Austen’s birthday on Dec. 16, the Today show host has selected Pride and Prejudice as her Read with Jenna book club pick for the month, revealing a personal connection to the classic novel.
Introduced to the book by her beloved grandmother, Jenna and Barbara spent time together listening to the book on tape and watching TV adaptations. “We’d listen to [Pride and Prejudice] together in the afternoon, and then we watched the entire PBS miniseries together,” Jenna shared, referring to the iconic 1995 British TV adaptation starring Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle as Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet.
While announcing Pride and Prejudice as this month’s Read with Jenna pick, Jenna took to Instagram to reflect on Austen’s impact, stating, “Jane Austen was one of the first female authors to teach us about love and what it means to be a woman. I hope this new edition introduces a whole new generation to her work.”
Paying tribute to Austen on what would have been her 250th birthday, Jenna wrote, “Happy Birthday Jane Austen 🥳,” acknowledging the lasting impact of the author’s work even after 250 years.
The personal connection Jenna shares with Pride and Prejudice and her grandmother adds depth to her choice for this month’s book club pick, showcasing the influence of female authors in shaping ideas about love and womanhood. Jenna’s reflection on time spent with her grandmother listening to Austen’s novel highlights the importance of shared experiences and the power of storytelling across generations.
With Pride and Prejudice as her choice for December, Jenna Bush Hager’s Read with Jenna book club pick reflects not just a literary preference, but a meaningful connection to family and the enduring impact of classic literature.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.