
Judy Blume on Inspiring Generations of Readers and Building Her Legacy (May 2025)
Open Book with JennaShow Notes
Judy Blume is one of the most beloved and influential authors of the last century, whose books, including "Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.," "Forever," "Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing" and "Summer Sisters," have helped generations of readers navigate growing up. In this conversation from May 2025, Blume sits down with Jenna at Books & Books in Key West, the nonprofit independent bookstore she co-founded, to reflect on a career that spans 29 books, more than 92 million copies sold and translations in 40 languages. Plus, she opens up about her creative process, her connection to readers and the legacy she continues to build.
More from Open Book with Jenna
"Sense and Sensibility" actress Daisy Edgar-Jones opens up to Jenna Bush Hager about growing more confident, learning to embrace imperfection, and navigating life after the breakout success of “Normal People.” She also shares the advice her dad gave her about fame and how playing Elinor Dashwood in "Sense and Sensibility" helped her reflect on her own journey.
As a bonus for Open Book fans, we’re sharing the trailer for season 5 of Morrison Mysteries.
On this episode of Open Book with Jenna, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Barbara Kingsolver joins Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her latest novel, Partita, and the questions that inspire her writing. Barbara opens up about following the success of Demon Copperhead, why the world always needs a love story, and how books can help us feel less alone. Plus, she shares her unconventional childhood, her journey to becoming a novelist, and why taking risks and embracing imperfection are essential to living a meaningful life.
Min Jin Lee sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to discuss her journey from lawyer to bestselling author, the rejection and self-doubt she faced along the way, and what kept her writing. Lee also shares how books became a refuge after immigrating to New York and the research behind her new novel, American Hagwon
Leigh Bardugo sits down with Jenna Bush Hager to talk about creativity, success and the challenges of protecting your voice in the age of social media. The author of “Shadow and Bone” and “Ninth House” reflects on finding her purpose, saying goodbye to characters she loves, the reality of adapting her books for Netflix and why artists need to step outside the algorithm to create something that truly surprises them.